From the cover
Funding community growth
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Proposed civic center changes The long-term location for West U’s facilities are up for vote, including the community building, senior center and library.
On the ballot
RICEBLVD.
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After several months of packed public meetings regarding West University Place’s Facilities Master Plan, City Council members o cially called the bond election in February. With some of West U’s facilities constructed over 80 years ago, city o cials rst identi ed space needs for each city department and created the long-term Facilities Master Plan in 2022. The FMP stated that the replacement or renovation of the city’s existing facilities were inevitable and not optimized to meet current and future demands. While the original plan was broken into four phases, only Phase 1 is under construction as of March, according to the city’s website. Phase 1 relocates the city’s public works building on Amherst Street to Westpark Drive in Houston. Voters will decide in May whether to advance Phase 2 of the master plan, which is now Proposition D. This involves replacing the community building, senior center and library and building a new civic center that combines all three facilities into one building, according to city o cials. Proposition D would also add green space and parking. Should the bond pass or not, city o cials said no further action has been taken for Phases 3 and 4, which include City Hall and public safety building renovations, respectively.
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1 Senior Center and Community Building
MILTONST.
3
AMHERST ST.
N
The Community Building and Senior Center were built in 1941 and 1986, respectively.
Proposed community building, senior center and library*
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PHOTOS BY CASSANDRA JENKINS COMMUNITY IMPACT
City-owned parking
2 Library
MILTONST.
Proposed building
AMHERST ST.
N
The library was added in 1961 and created an additional 5,564 square feet.
*NOTE: THE NEW BUILDING WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
SOURCE: WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE COMMUNITY IMPACT
One more thing
Funding the project
Public input
Three additional propositions will be on the ballot to change the city’s charter.
The $15.07 million bond on the ballot is broken into two parts paid over 30 years, Finance Director Marie Kalka said. • $12.07 million for construction of Phase 2 • $3 million for community open space and park- ing around the proposed Phase 2 construction City o cials said if the bond passes, the 2025 tax rate will not be impacted. However, next year’s tax rate will increase by an undetermined amount. Kalka also said no additional funding has been approved for the master plan.
Residents continue to voice their opinions regarding the city’s development projects. One of them, Kay Bryan, wrote a letter for public comment at the Feb. 24 City Council meeting in opposition of Proposition D. “The number of citizens who have signed a petition protesting the radical rebuild plan decided on by a handful of people in city gov- ernment continues to rise,” Bryan said in the letter. “Almost every citizen who signed the petition was unaware of the plans to relocate, rebuild and destroy many city buildings.” Resident Edna Kelly said she is in favor of the new civic center. After moving to West U in 1971, she said over time the community has outgrown the library and the building’s functionality is outdated. “I understand they have between 40 and 60 people show up for story time ... so they are no longer able to have story time at the library. There isn’t room in any way. The re code wouldn’t allow it, so they have to meet about a block and a half away,” Kelly said.
Reduces the number of required City Council meetings to one each month, with the option to hold a second meeting. Current charter language: City Council shall hold at least two regular monthly meetings. Proposition A New city ordinances can be published in a newspaper within general circulation in West University Place. Current charter language: Before new city ordinances can take e ect, they are required to be published in the o cial City newspaper. City Council will directly appoint and manage the city secretary instead of the city manager. Current charter language: The city manager has the authority to appoint all department heads and the city secretary. Proposition C Proposition B
Tax rate impact to average West U home valued at $1.57 million
$0.24088
Current tax rate*
$143.28
Average annual tax bill impact
$3,582.07
Total tax bill impact over 30 years
*THE 2025 TAX RATE WILL NOT BE IMPACTED, HOWEVER, THE 2026 TAX RATE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BUT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESS TIME.
SOURCE: WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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