Interactive Kiosks Approved by City Council
On Wednesday, May 5, City Council approved (10-7) the installation of 75 interactive digital kiosks on City of Houston sidewalks over the next 3 years. The kiosks will display advertisements, direct people to restaurants, businesses, transit options, and other amenities. They will provide free Wi-Fi and 911 access, and will include air quality monitors and security cameras. The Houston Chronicle gives detailed information regarding the kiosks and the Council vote.
Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who voted in favor of the kiosk installations attended the May 5 meeting of MPNA to speak directly to residents, many of whom opposed the installation of the kiosks. CM Evans-Shabazz pledged that residents will not have kiosks located near their homes.
Moonshot Composting
Founders Chris Wood and Joe Villa spoke at the MPNA General Meeting Wednesday, May 5, regarding food waste and composting options through Moonshot Composting. Moonshot is currently in talks with Covenant Church to establish a composting drop-off site on the church property. Watch for details regarding a possible subscription service with drop-off at the Covenant site.
Livable Places Action Committee-Buffering Ordinance Amendments
The LPAC continues to move forward on amendments to current buffering ordinances. The proposals under consideration will require more robust buffering for future mid-rise (65-75’ from grade to top of building) development, including distance separation standards, dumpster screening, garage screening, and outdoor lighting fixtures. An unofficial breakdown of the draft proposals (authored by Sandy Stevens) is available here.
To make your voice heard on these important changes, go to LetsTalkHouston.org.
Almeda Corridor Community Parking Program: Comments through May 28
Parking Management will implement a Community Parking Program for the Almeda Corridor beginning June, 2021. Boundaries for the proposed CPP are Wentworth (N), Hwy 288 (E), Southmore (S), and Chenevert (W).
- Included in the proposed CPP are 2-hour time limits, Monday-Sunday, 9 am-10 pm (permits available to exempt employees and residents with corridor addresses from time limit restrictions).
- No parking on residential streets after 10:00 pm with permits available for resident vehicles registered to the address in the corridor with a limit of 3 visitor permits per household.
Give your input regarding the proposed Parking Program here.
Clayton Library reopening May 11, 10:00 a.m.
- Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm for browsing the collection.
- The initial browsing stage is primarily for customers who have an idea of what they need on the shelves.
- Because of currently limited capacity (50%), seating is reserved for researchers.
- For those that need direction or suggestions, the library's reference service will at first be "lite" consultations with staff who will guide customers to resources.
- Library staff are doing in-depth phone consultations, or for deeper consultations in-person meetings by appointment. Please call 832-393-2600 for an appointment.
- This limited-opening phase will likely last a few months. The next phase will probably include a return to pre-pandemic hours and capacity.
- Meeting rooms are not currently available.
The staff at Clayton is very happy to be operating again within the Museum Park Neighborhood and looks forward to helping our neighbors find their ancestors.
Crime Report
Officer Collin Rapp attended MPNA May 5 meeting to report that crime in the 10H70 beat including Museum Park is down from April of 2020. Details of neighborhood crime are located here.
He also shared that South Central’s community team spearheaded by Commander Caroleta Johnson to address negative impacts from bars and restaurants across the district held its first meeting May 6.
Bellville Turnverein
If you are getting out of Houston to enjoy the bluebonnets before they are gone, take a drive through Bellville, Texas where you can spot a Turnverein, one of several scattered across the state. You may recall that Lynn Dahlberg did a fascinating presentation on Turnvereins at the March MPNA meeting including the one that sat on the corner of Almeda and Southmore where Walgreens is currently located. 
