The East Aldine District was busy this week, kicking off the new Shopper’s Card program, and reporting to the community at their quarterly Community/Civic Forum.
Joy Rice of the Hawes Hill Calderon consulting firm led the discussion, which was held last Thursday evening, Oct. 28 at the District offices of 5202 Aldine Mail Route.
After a brief introduction, civil engineer Gary Montgomery reported on the Mobility and Environmental/Urban Design projects that are in various stages of implementation. He said that there are five road projects totalling about $85 million dollars to be built in the near future.
He emphasized that these dollar estimates are total project costs, and in many cases the EA District is only providing a small portion of seed money to obtain grants and funding from other agencies. It is anticipated that EAD will provide about $12.1 million for these road projects, and others will fund the $75.4 million.
These projects included improvements to Aldine Mail Route, with new paving and landscaping in the esplanades; an extension of the East-West road that will connect Gulf Bank and East Mt. Houston; and widening and repaving Aldine-Westfield Road. Intersection improvements at four major crossroads are also underway.
Ms. Rice spoke of Environmental/Urban Design projects, including a prototype of a new bus shelter, and a “Safe Routes to Schools” grant of $154,000 that has been obtained to provide bikes, school crossing guards, and other safety programs at four Aldine schools: Oleson, Worsham, Ruby Reed, and Escamilla.
Rice pointed out improvements to Keith-Wiess park, including new soccer fields and related parking that will be built along the Aldine-Westfield side of the park.
She also mentioned that the District was well underway in building a community garden in the Orange Grove/North Houston Heights neighborhood, with actual construction starting this month.
The District is very active in Public Safety projects, and she mentioned statistics that include seizure of significant amounts of drugs and money by the task force. Bike patrols are continuing and have been effective, according to Richard Cantu, District director of services. He also said that a CERT Class had been completed by about 59 local citizens, which trains them to help in emergencies. Rice said that Graffiti Abatement was continuing throughout the District.
Economic Development included working with city-wide EDC for new business prospects, development of a new East Aldine Town Center/Services Center by the Facilities Committee of the board, headed by Gilbert Hoffman, and a SHOPPER’S CARD Discount Program to involve local merchants and help families save money when they buy at local stores.
Rice also mentioned scholarships to local students through Aldine Scholarship Foundation, totaling 7 scholarships and a $30,000 yearly endowment. Other Community grants totalling $197,000 have gone to organizations such as the YMCA, Aldine YOUTH, Boy Scouts, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, and MacArthur Project Prom, all organizations working to help our youth.
Neighborhood Clean-ups, Heavy Trash days, and three Dumpsters in local areas are part of the “Clean East Aldine” effort. Rice mentioned that other areas desiring dumpsters should contact Cantu at the District office, 713-595-1220.
Landscape Architect Kathleen Lynch presented information on new signage programs planned for the district, and landscaping.
Working with the city to meet their requirements, her firm K+W have developed landscaping to enhance the street medians, and signage to identify intersections in a distinctive “East Aldine” style. There will also be 4 intersections that have pylon signs that say you are entering the East Aldine District. These signs are currently being fabricated and soon will be erected, she said.
The meeting was attended by citizen groups, representatives of various organizations, State Representative Armando Walle, Sheriff’s deputies, and district consultants and officials interested in the topics.