Welcome Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz
Museum Park residents welcomed District D’s new Council Member, Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who stopped by the January 8 meeting to introduce herself. Dr. Evans-Shabazz expressed her eagerness to hear the concerns of Museum-Park, while at the same time asking for a bit of patience during this start-up period. She acknowledged the diversity of District D and the range of issues within the district. If you have questions or concerns for our new CM, please contact her at carolyn.evans-shabazz@houstontx.gov
Community Parking Program
Museum Park residents recently received a letter from Parking Management regarding the rollout of the new Community Parking Plan, which will take effect February 11. Attached you will find an amended copy of the original letter which clarifies the CPP boundaries and updates the list of affected streets. You can find a map of the affected streets (including both metered and timed parking) on page 3 of the Community Parking Plan Presentation. Page 11 of the CPP Presentation also includes a timeline showing the rollout of the plan. As a resident within the CPP boundaries, you may purchase parking permits to exempt your vehicles or those of your guests from the meters/timed parking areas. An application for the permits was included in the initial letter mailed to residents. Permit applications will be mailed to residents again in March per the presentation. The CPP Presentation and additional information is available at https://www.houstontx.gov/parking/museum-park.html
Museum Park Super Neighborhood TOD Letter to Planning
The City of Houston Planning Department hosted a November 6 meeting at Covenant Church to introduce the proposed Transit Oriented Development Ordinance and the Walkable Places Ordinance, both of which will impact future development in Museum Park. Additional details can be found at
https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Commissions/committee_walkable-places.html
Based on the goals of the Museum Park Livable Centers Study and the concerns expressed at the meeting, the MPSN Council unanimously approved a letter to the Planning Department requesting that Museum Park not initially be included in the ordinances.
Museum Park Super Neighborhood Council members from the Museum District Assn., Hermann Park Conservancy, the High Rises, and MPNA followed up at the January 9 Planning Commission meeting (II). Focusing on the goals of the Livable Centers Study to realize multi-modal, transit oriented development as demonstrated by the Caroline Promenade Design, the speakers referenced several concerns including a reduction of green space, a lack of residential buffering, the impact of reduced parking in a destination district, and the goal of fulfilling the state-designated cultural district that encompasses Museum Park as a design district attracting 9-12 million visitors a year.
Security Patrol
Bob Cavnar, who headed an effort to establish an independent organization providing security patrol for Museum Park several years ago, has agreed to update his research and report his findings at the February 4 MPNA meeting. Based on his 2017 research, Bob found that contracting with Harris County Constables is likely the most effective and cost-efficient option. Bob estimates that 500 households paying $500/year is necessary to start up the patrol in 2020. Several individuals offered to assist in this effort and their contact info will be passed onto Bob. If you would like to volunteer, please email info@museumparkna.org.
TXDoT Cleanup under US 59
TXDoT will begin providing weekly cleanups under US 59. Thanks goes to HPD’s DRT team headed by Sgt. Chris Weiche who worked with TXDoT to arrange the cleanups. Please report trash issues with photos directly to TxDot’s Twitter account as 311 reporting may not be routed to TXDoT. Complaints/trash photos can also be submitted on the TXDoT website, https://www.txdot.gov/contact-us/form.html?id=
MPNA Green Team Receives Department of Neighborhoods Grant
MPNA has been awarded a Department of Neighborhoods matching grant of $4000, matching dollars will be provided through MPNA funds. The $8000 total will be applied toward six proposed end caps on the north end of the neighborhood and a pilot wildflower installation on the 4600 Crawford esplanade. Look for updates as this project moves ahead.
