By Teri Koerth
For the Northeast News
The Airline District has received notice from the Houston-Galveston Area Council that it will be receiving $2.3 million in Transportation Improvement Funds to move forward with 11 proposed projects that were listed in its Pedestrian and Bicyclist Special District Study completed in March.
The Airline District will also be funding a portion of the project, for a total of 2.9 million in improvements to the area. The enhancements will include pedestrian and bicyclist improvements as well as projects that are designed to improve traffic congestion. Included in the list of projects are sidewalks along Airline Drive between Gulf Bank and Canino Road, sidewalks along some sections of Canino Road adjacent to Moreno Elementary as well as sidewalks along Aldine Mail Route from Airline Drive to Sweeney Road.
The project also includes a proposed median, as well as 2 additional crosswalks in the 8700-8900 block of Airline Drive as well as several other additional enhancements. The Airline District is currently in the contract negotiation process with TXDOT who will oversee the projects.
Also ongoing is the District’s application to the Texas Water Development Board’s Economically Distressed Areas Program.
The Department of State Health Services will be in the area in December to determine whether there are unsafe conditions such as overflowing septic systems or a significant number of shallow private water wells that are located within 50 feet of a septic tank.
If these conditions are prevalent the District could receive funds for the Planning, Acquisition and Design of a water and wastewater project. The project would be for a section of the District that currently qualifies for these types of funds based on current census data.
The District continues to provide a Graffiti Abatement Program whereby the abatement crew can color match, paint or power wash graffiti which is reported within the boundaries of the District.
Additionally, the District continues its Nuisance and Abatement program which is designed to address nuisance violations in the area. These programs along with its Contract Deputy Program are designed to assist with crime prevention and help economic revitalization in the area.
The District’s last Board Meeting was Nov. 19, at the Little York Fire Department located at 10410 Airline Drive. The public is welcome at all board meetings.