President's Report: Someone Should Do Something About The Trucks

Last week saw a marked increase in the number of large trucks and tractor trailers going through the neighborhood. One neighbor called me directly. Another reached out via email. There was an outcry (or two) via NextDoor. Many people weighed in.

The overwhelming sentiment seems to be, "Someone should do something!" But who? And what exactly? Posting to social media is often just yelling into the void. There had to be something productive that could be done. Something that I could do.

So, I sent a note to CM Castillo's office. They advised me to file a 311 request asking for "No Thru Trucks" signage along the route the big trucks were following. The biggest problem seemed to be trucks going north on Studewood before turning east onto Bayland.

Only a couple of days later I received call from a city staffer who was on-site investigating. He reported that there already is such signage at Studewood and Bayland. That being the case, he would ask HPD to monitor the location for the next week or two.
 
At the start of the I-10 project we saw significant heavy truck traffic cutting through the neighborhood. Brian Edmondson, WHCA Director of Infrastructure, met with TXDOT's PR team. They toured the neighborhood looking for ways to improve signage, keeping the traffic on larger streets. As a result, the problem largely subsided.
 
Last week was a special case. The existing situation was compounded by the fact that I-10 eastbound was closed to allow repair of the Houston Avenue bridge. For a couple of days all traffic was diverted off I-10 at Shepherd, then ran along the feeder, finding its way towards I-45. Some turned north on Studewood. Others not until Watson. Thankfully, that closure was short-lived. By Sunday I-10 eastbound was back to normal.
 
Ideally, large trucks trying to get to I-45 should follow Studewood north to Pecore before making their eastward turn. That has them effectively skirt the perimeter of the neighborhood. Of course, people always follow signs, right?

CM Castillo's office has since followed up, arranging for a representative from TXDOT to address a future WHCA Member's Meeting.
 
Enough about what's been keeping me busy distracted. What have you been up to? In fact, I have some suggestions I'd like you to consider.

• The Home Tour committee is seeking volunteers to help run their event, which occurs the last weekend in March.

• Ryan and the Beautification Team have some clean-up days planned. They could surely use some help.

In May we'll hold another round of WHCA board elections. Several positions are available. If you think that "someone should do something"...why not you?

Wildflower Planting Sowing Seeds for Spring

Last year, the WHCA adopted the Houston Avenue Esplanades near Main Street from the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. We had an idea, that instead of simply maintaining the esplanade by mowing it, which we're happy to say our new landscaping crew is doing a great job of that since this fall, back to our idea. We thought we'd plant the first esplanade in wildflowers so in the spring they would create a great entrance to our neighborhood.

We had a good show of blooms on that esplanade for a first years planting. However, we know it could be better and we're well aware that it takes a little while, good rain, and persistence to create a beautiful wildflower display and we're working on that. 

So to keep up with the persistence part (and hoping for rain this winter into spring) WHCA Beautification Director Ryan Taylor with the help of Boy Scout Troop 30 will be out seeding the esplanade with wildflowers on November 15th. Wildflowers like to be seeded in the fall for a spring bloom. 

If you see them on the esplanade, first slow down and keep them safe, and then honk your horn to say THANK YOU to everyone that's out planting seeds for the spring. 

If you want to know more about the wildflower planting and how you can support the effort and other beautification efforts across our neighborhood, email beautification@woodland-heights.org. Ryan would love to hear from you! 

If you want to learn more about planting wildflowers in your own yard here's a great article from .... for you from Texas A&M Agrilife Today 

Recent Traffic Problems

Last week, the neighborhood experienced a significant traffic spike as a result of TxDOT’s closure of I-10 to do construction on the Houston Avenue Bridge. This included several 18-wheelers streaming up Watson, despite the sign at Usener and Watson that clearly prohibits such traffic. The WHCA is working with State and City officials, including the Mayor’s office, to make sure that they have a plan in place to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself the next time I-10 or I-45 is shut down. But this is also a reminder of the importance to implement traffic calming measures in the neighborhood. If you would like to join the neighborhood committee that is working with the City on this issue, please email us at infrastructure@woodland-heights.org. 

Neighborhood Traffic Study Underway

Did you notice the traffic monitoring devices recently installed throughout the neighborhood? These devices, which measure both traffic volume and vehicle speeds, are for the initial traffic study for the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP). The NTMP is a program administered by the city aimed at reducing cut-through traffic and increasing pedestrian safety on residential streets. The NTMP for Woodland Heights will be a multi-year project and no traffic-calming measures will be implemented without extensive feedback from, and with the approval of, the residents of Woodland Heights. 

You’ve probably also noticed the city has recently begun repaving White Oak Dr. between Studemont and Houston Ave. This project is scheduled to be completed by June 30.