Museum Park Neighborhood Association

Resolution Requesting Relief

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MUSEUM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OBJECTING TO THE CONDITIONS UNDER HIGHWAY 59/INTERSTATE 69, BETWEEN CAROLINE STREET AND ALMEDA ROAD, AND REQUESTING RELIEF BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON 
 
WHEREAS, the Museum Park Neighborhood Association (“MPNA”) is one of the oldest civic organizations in the City of Houston; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Museum Park Neighborhood, bordered by West Alabama Street, Main Street, State Highway 288, and Hermann Drive, is a cluster of cultural, educational, and faith institutions, businesses, varied residential properties, as well as commercial establishments and health care providers; and
 
WHEREAS, an increasing number of individuals began erecting tents and placing cooking equipment, furniture, electronics, bicycles, and other items  on the property underneath the Highway 59/Interstate 69 overpass within neighborhood boundaries (“Encampment”); and

WHEREAS, the Encampment is leading to a proliferation of illegal activity and public health and safety violations that threaten the health and wellbeing of MPNA residents; nearby businesses and institutions; and the individuals in the Encampment.

 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF THE MUSEUM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 
 
Section 1: That the above recitals are hereby found to be true and correct, and are incorporated as if fully set out here. 
 
Section 2: That the MPNA finds that effective regulatory and ordinance enforcement is lacking regarding violations of criminal, environmental, public health, and safety regulations; including public defecation, public urination, and littering, leading to potential viral disease transmission; and bacteria, plastics, and other debris entering the surface waters of the United States through the immediately adjacent storm drains; violent assaults involving lethal weapons (with two fatalities); illegal activities of prostitution, lewd activity, public nudity, illicit drug use, illicit drug sales, and littering are occurring in and around the Encampment while law enforcement is seemingly hindered. 
 
Section 3: That the MPNA finds it in the best interests of the residents of Museum Park and other nearby neighborhoods, as well as the individuals living in and around the Encampment, and the cultural institutions, businesses, that the City of Houston must, in the interest of public health, safety and order, offer more frequent and enhanced enforcement and protections against the criminal activity and public health concerns occurring with great frequency at the Encampment.  

Section 4: That there be continued coordination efforts between Houston Police Department, Houston Solid Waste Division, Houston Health Dept., Midtown Management District, Houston Southeast Management District, TXDoT, and METRO to provide an increased frequency and level of security, regulatory enforcement, and waste management necessary and commensurate to the issues at hand to maintain a secure, well-lighted (with a high level of downward facing, shielded, night-time illumination), clean, and healthy public environment until the Mayor’s six-point, holistic solution announced in March, 2017 (The Way Home, Shelter System, Encampment, Panhandling, Charitable Feeding, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse) has been implemented in full and the Encampment removed. 

BE IT RESOLVED THIS 24 DAY OF OCTOBER 2017.
 
                                                      MUSEUM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC.

                                                                   

                                                                 Sandra Stevens, President

ATTEST:

 

Sara Gladden, Secretary