Most people are really busy in their daily lives. When they come to see changes around the city they are typically surprised – and not always for the better. That doesn’t have to be the case. At a recent Super Neighborhood 15 meeting civic associations board members were briefed on the plans to develop “Greater Heights Strategic Connections.” We are passing the information on to the Woodland Heights neighborhood so you can provide your input and have the opportunity to voice your opinion during this planning process.
This process is currently in its earliest stage, which involves studying what might be possible or desirable. They are literally asking how we might like to get around in the future. So, now is the time for neighbors to speak up.
Who is Super Neighborhood 15 - You Might Ask
Super Neighborhood 15, aka The Greater Heights, includes; Clark Pines Civic Assoc., East Sunset Heights, Houston Heights Association, Montie Beach Civic Club, Norhill Neighborhood Association, Sunset Heights Civic Club and our own Woodland Heights Civic Association. SN15 meets every second month at the old Fire Station on 12th Street. This month the focus of the meeting was a presentation sponsored by The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) on the plans to develop “Greater Heights Strategic Connections.”
“Greater Heights Strategic Connections” that’s certainly a mouthful, but nebulous. What does it mean? Simply put, TIRZ5 has commissioned a consulting team comprised of TEI Planning + Design, supported by Toole Design Group, to craft a comprehensive plan for how people will move about the neighborhood in the future. That’s to include;
Identify key improvements that enhance safe access to schools, parks, community destinations, and local businesses.
Build on local assets such as White Oak Bayou, MKT Trail, Nicholson Trail, Shepherd Durham Bikeway, and more.
The presentation was made by Clint McManus of TEI Planning + Design. The slide deck he used is available here.
The scope of the project is quite large. It will include Districts C and H, Super Neighborhoods 14, 15, & 22 in Harris County Precincts 1 & 4. Setting aside roads, it’s an effort create a long-term strategy for mobility that includes all forms of transport, including; bikes, pedestrians, strollers, rollerblades, or whatever else might arise. It’s an effort to make a substantial part of the city better connected and accessible perhaps without resorting to the automobile. Once the plan is in place, it serves as the basis for seeking funding to enact a phased implementation.
This is an example of The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) working in partnership with several other organizations to plan for better mobility options as the city continues to grow. To do this well they need all our input now. It’s our job as a civic association to make sure you know that you have an opportunity (some might think obligation!) to add your voice to the process. If we all engage, we can ensure that the eventual outcome delivers safe and efficient mobility for everyone.
You can have you say by completing their “Community Vision Survey.” There’s a separate process they call “Map My Vision” that lets you enter the routes you commonly travel through the area, so they can better understand the flow of traffic.
This is an example of The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) working in partnership with several other organizations to plan for better mobility options as the city continues to grow. To do this well they need all our input now. It’s our job as a civic association to make sure you know that you have an opportunity (some might think obligation!) to add your voice to the process. If we all engage, we can ensure that the eventual outcome delivers safe and efficient mobility for everyone.