TRANSPORTATION BILL CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR AREA
By Ella Tyler

Thanks to a new formula in the transportation bill Congress passed at the end of July that gives states a higher share of federal gasoline taxes, Texas will receive nearly $14.5 billion in highway funds per year through 2009, an annual increase of 37%. An additional $100 million will go to specific projects in the Houston area, including $40 million to ease congestion at the Port of Houston, $14 million for work on the Grand Parkway between I-45 to US 59, and $600,000 for bicycle and pedestrian trails in Third Ward. Twelve million dollars is allocated to study traffic around the Medical Center and create dedicated lanes for emergency vehicles.

The bill also gives Metro a good start on obtaining as much as $1 billion in funds for mass transit over the next ten years.

I visited with David Crossley, president of the Gulf Coast Institute, which researches urban issues, about the impact of the bill. Crossley is surprised and delighted by the size of the allocation for landscaping and erosion control. Crossley hopes that many of the trees will be planted along I-45. "That's where they need them, but I expect that the businesses along the freeway are going to protest," he said. "They won't want trees blocking drivers' view of their businesses."

Crossley hesitates to make a prediction about whether trees planted along I-45 will meet the fate of those uprooted for the Katy freeway's expansion and those that will be uprooted to expand 288. "Texas Department of Transportation wants to expand I-45, and they got their way with the Katy expansion, but they might not with this one," he predicted. "They say that it will cost $400 to $500 million for 30 miles of freeway, but the Katy project is already more than $1 billion over budget, and it is only 24 miles."

"There are historic neighborhoods involved, so the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance is involved, which is unusual for this kind of issue, and the Citizens' Transportation Coalition, an outgrowth of the Katy Corridor Coalition, is much better organized now," he said.

Crossley noted that Houston City Council member Pam Holm is pushing for a comprehensive transportation plan for the entire region. "Currently, freeway projects are done without considering the region as a whole," Crossley explained. "As just one example, I'm told that the toll road authority does a very poor job of managing the interfaces with other freeways," he said.

Crossley reported that studies show that the time that travelers lose as a result of freeway construction is never regained.

Crossley believes that if I-45 were to be expanded, it would be best if it were built below grade, which he says would reduce both freeway noise and the amount of particulate matter escaping into the air.

"We must start caring about the health effects of the poor air quality near our roads. We have study after study that shows that there is a huge jump in diseases among people, particularly children, within 1,000 feet of a major roadway," Crossley said.

Crossley is pleased by the prospects for Metro. "I think they have some very interesting things planned and I think they understand that much of our commuter traffic is between suburbs, not from suburbs to downtown," he explained. "The Park and Ride buses from the suburbs to downtown are very good, and there will be nothing faster. From the Kingland Park and Ride to downtown takes twenty minutes. The buses don't stop like trains will, and, when the managed lanes are open in both directions on the Katy freeway, they will be even more efficient," he said.

Crossley believes that the biggest transportation need in the region is for comprehensive thinking. "We need to see the region as a whole, and as 1,000 parts which are all different. We need to plan for any life style you can imagine, from rural to downtown, to be available in Houston, Texas, and we need to get over the fight between suburban and urban development and provide for both."

MUSIC, FUN ON GALVESTON BAY

The Galveston Bay Foundation will be the beneficiary of a Redfish Raft-Up and Concert on Sunday, Sept 4. Participants may cruise to Redfish Island on a Star Fleet yacht or register their boat and anchor at Redfish Island. Kelly McQuire and Tropical Daycare will perform from the yacht from 4 - 5:30 pm. McQuire was the Country Music Association's 2002 Artist of the Year. The five-hour cruise will cost $62.45 with tax and service charge and includes drinks and food. Boarding starts at 1:30 pm at Star Fleet Marina, 280 Grove Road, Kemah. To buy tickets or register your boat, go to http://www.starfleetyachts.com/redfish-raft-2005.htm
Galveston Bay Foundation has just released a Galveston Bay Drive and Discover Guide which may be obtained from http://www.galvbay.org, or by calling (281) 332-3381, ext. 207.

URBAN FORESTREE KEEPER CLASSES BEGIN TUESDAY

Trees For Houston is offering a five-session course on basic tree care beginning Tuesday, Sept 6. The Urban ForesTree Keeper classes teach the basics of tree identification, proper planting techniques, site suitability, pruning, fertilization, and after-planting care. The course also emphasizes the environmental role trees play in our city. Classes will meet at the IBC building, 5616 Kirby, each Tuesday evening in September from 6 - 8 pm. There will be a planting workshop on Saturday, Sept 24. After completing the program, class members will be asked to volunteer ten hours to Trees For Houston to assist with special projects throughout the year. There is a fee of $20 for the course. Graduates will receive pruners and T-shirts. For more information, visit http://www.treesforhouston.org or contact Catie Pagel at 713-840-8733, ext. 105, or catie@treesforhouston.org.

2006 GOOD BRICK AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE

The deadline for nominations for the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance's Good Brick Awards is Friday, Sept 9. The awards are made to recognize contributions to the preservation of Houston's architectural and cultural heritage. Projects must be in Harris County and must have been completed within the past three years. Any interested person may make a nomination. Last year's winners included: 22nd Street Lofts, an adaptive reuse of a textile factory; Rosecroft, an Arts & Crafts-style home in Eastwood; Willow Street Pump Station, an adaptive reuse; Hotel Icon, a conversion of the former Union National Bank building; and Summer Street Project, the restoration of nine First Ward cottages. Down in Houston, a literary look at Houston's blues scene, was also cited. Entry requirements and forms are available at http://www.ghpa.org/awards. The awards will be presented in January.

VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS NEEDED

Blueprint Houston needs facilitators to lead small group sessions at the Envision Houston Region public workshops on Sept 17 and 22 and Oct 1. At these workshops, citizens will have a chance to map where and how they think the region should grow and develop. H-GAC will use the results to help create a vision for the next regional transportation plan. Training sessions are on Sept 6 and 7. For information or to register, go to http://www.envisionhoustonregion.org.

OCEAN CONSERVANCY SEEKS OUTREACH MANAGER FOR GULF REGION

The constituency and outreach manager works to build and expand a diverse constituency base that will support or act on behalf of fisheries reform by engaging the support of commercial and recreational fishermen, creating public awareness of over-fishing, and mobilizing communities and individuals to support the reform agenda.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or higher; five or more years' grassroots organizing success in political or issues campaigns, preferably in the Gulf region; strong writing and presentation skills; ability to work under pressure and meet constant deadlines. A nonprofit background preferred; good working knowledge of environmental or social change movements is desirable. Position will be based in St. Petersberg, Fla, or Austin. Must be able to travel. Send an e-mail to jobs@oceanconservancy.org (subject=GROM) or fax Human Resources, GROM, at 202-872-0619

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