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January 2010
North CAB
The North Community Advisory Board (CAB) Meeting took place Tuesday, January 26, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Houston Community College Northline Campus, 8001 Fulton. Mike Martinez, manager for METRO Solutions Stakeholder Affairs, notified attendees, including local business owners, that an Action Item List will be developed for each CAB meeting. The purpose of the list is to record North Corridor constituent questions and concerns and designate appropriate project personnel to follow up and respond to each action item.
Mike Martinez moderated and reviewed items that were recorded from questions submitted by the CAB members prior to the meeting. Joe Dooley, HRT Project Manager for the North Corridor gave a construction update for the North light rail project. Pete Finn, METRO North Project Manager presented an update on the bike lane design plans.
Questions regarding property access at 4938, 5109 and 5402 Fulton were given a priority status and followed up on Wednesday with good results by METRO and HRT staff who went to those properties.
Click here to view the Action Item List developed at the North CAB meeting
The following materials were distributed at the CAB meeting:
The next North CAB meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Houston Community College located at 8001 Fulton.
Click here to view the North CAB meeting schedule for calendar year 2010.
Meeting attendees included: Council Member Ed Gonzalez, Wayne Fowkes, President of Lindale Park,Fernando Cisneroz, President of North Central Civic Club, Armando Bermudez, President of Near Northside B.O.N.D., Lewis Wood, President of North Lindale Civic Club, Katie Wood, Secretary of North Lindale Civic Club, Amanda Wood, Director of North Lindale Civic Club, Donna Espadas, President of Melrose Civic Club, Dora Campa, Vice President of Melrose Civic Club, Fabian Villarreal, PTA President of Roosevelt Elementary, Rebecca Reyna, Executive Director of Greater Northside Management District, Ruben Vela, City of Houston Community Liaison for the Mayor’s Office, Alicia Nuzzie, Rep. for State Representative Jessica Farrar’s Office, Carlos Doroteo, Rep. for CM Ed Gonzalez’ Office, Criselda Romero, Rep. for CM Ed Gonzalez’ Office, Jose Rivera, Rep. for Office of Congressman Gene Green, Lizbeth Mejia, Assistant Director of Avenue CDC, Tommie Garza, Executive Director of Texans for Gun Safety, Marie Arcos, Executive Director of M.D. Anderson Y.M.C.A., Richard Leal, Community Activist and Board Member of A.C.O.R.N., Francisco B. Rodriguez, District Director of L.U.L.A.C., Warren Hurd, Director of Administrative Services, Ariana Campos, Rep. of State Representative Jessica Farrar’s Office, Dianne Long, Rep. of State Representative Jessica Farrar’s Office, Farrukh Shamsi, owner of Texas Clinic, Javier Mora, Houston Community College, John Buck, member of North Lindale Civic Club, Lupe Garcia, owner of Falcon Auto Repair, Ricardo Treviño, Falcon Auto Repair, Arthur Ginn, member of North Lindale Civic Club, Raul Arenas, resident, Linda Sanchez, owner of Paradise Services, John Sanchez, owner of Paradise Services, Othon Rodriguez, owner of Roland’s Cleaners and Shoe Repair, Eva Mendez, owner of Festival Furniture, Yesenia Buoso, owner of Casa Garay, and Edwin Lloyd, City of Houston.
Construction Update
Utility work will begin on Fulton Street in early February as part of North Corridor light rail construction. This work includes the relocation of water, sewer and stormwater lines on Fulton from Boundary Street to just south of Averill Street.
* Construction will be phased to accommodate traffic flow.
* One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open on Fulton at all times.
* Access to Moody Park will be maintained.
* Cross streets, businesses and residences will remain accessible.
* Certain sidewalks and crossings may be closed to ensure your safety. Pedestrian detours will be marked.
Fulton Street Bicycle Lane Detours
Please be advised that certain bike lanes will temporarily close due to North Corridor light rail construction. For your safety, use northbound detours described below. Detours will be clearly marked with signage throughout the corridor and will remain in place through the summer of 2010.
Click here to view the maps for exact locations and the informational flyers in English and Spanish
Appendices North Corridor 11-20-09 Part1 (PDF)
Appendices North Corridor 11-20-09 Part2 (PDF)
Appendices North Corridor 11-20-09 Part3 (PDF)
To enlarge the print of the document, click the icon that looks like a magnifying glass.
The latest North Corridor Newsletter is here! Check it out to get the latest news on the light rail project. Included is a centerfold map of the project, and a profile of community activist Fernando Cisneroz.
English Newsletter
Spanish Newsletter
Download Additional October Construction Update
Download October Construction Update (PDF)
Download Demolition Notice (PDF)
Download September Construction Update (PDF)
Tree Mitigation Plan Download flyer here
NOTICE TO ADJACENT LANDOWNERS AND TENANTS
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is demolishing several buildings in your neighborhood to make way for development in association with the Light Rail expansion. We want to make you aware of this work and describe the steps being taken to ensure your safety and the protection of the environment.
Prior to the late 1970's, certain building materials were manufactured containing asbestos and lead. As you probably know, the federal government has since determined that building materials containing these substances can present a health hazard if not handled properly. METRO has hired environmental experts to survey and test for these substances in the buildings to be demolished. Prior to actual demolition, METRO has experienced professionals remove any building materials containing asbestos or lead.
What does this mean to you? The environmental professionals remove these materials within the buildings with no exposure or risk to the public. The workers wear protective clothing and respiratory gear for their own protection, in accordance with state and federal regulations. So, if you notice workers in protective clothing that can resemble an astronaut's space suit, please do not be alarmed. For your well being, however, we ask that you not enter the work zones which are considered hazardous until these materials are safely removed and disposed of properly.
September 2009
An engaged group of local business people attended the very successful September 12th special session with SCORE business counselors. Attendees learned how business can "Survive the Tough Times". Check back for announcements of future educational free workshops provided by METRO and SCORE. Download the PDF to learn more.
August 2009
Click here to download the latest North Corridor METRORail News
July 13, 2009
It was an exciting day at the North Corridor Groundbreaking Ceremony!
METRO is celebrating its latest connection! The North Corridor will bring a new level of connectivity to our region. Discover the future of transit in our region as METRO moves forward with this exciting phase of construction.
The North Corridor groundbreaking event featured opening remarks by METRO Board Chairman David Wolff, with additional speeches by Gene Green, U.S. Representative District 29, and Ed Gonzalez, City of Houston Council Member District H. As ceremonial spikes were driven into a rail, confetti exploded into the air to celebrate the beginning of a new era of transportation choice for Houstonians in the North area.
 
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The groundbreaking ceremony was followed by a grand finale at 10:30 a.m. at a packed Union Station in Minute Maid Park. Traveling from the nation's capital to the Bayou City to participate in the festivities were U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Congressman Gene Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Congressman Al Green. Joining the delegation were Mayor Bill White and Houston City Council members. |
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The grand finale featured the unveiling of a three dimensional mock up of a light rail vehicle amid more confetti and lots of cheering and applause. |
April 2009
Communities in Motion launches in the North Corridor!
METRO Solutions Communities in Motion and the Greater Northside Management District have partnered to provide a series of workshops for Northside businesses and residents. These informational sessions explore how local businesses and residents can benefit from the North METRO light-rail line.
March 2009
Near Northside B.O.N.D. "March on Crime" Parade
For the first time, METRO participated with a "float" of our own! On Saturday morning, the parade wound through the Near Northside neighborhood to promote comradery and crime prevention. Participants included community residents, law officers, and local organizations. METRO would like to extend our gratitude to the Near Northside B.O.N.D. for hosting such a fun and successful community event!
November 2008
METRO North Corridor Business Resource Fair
In its continuing efforts to participate in the economic and social vitality of the community, METRO hosted a Resource Fair to connect businesses with area organizations and agencies. These included FEMA, Houston Minority Business Council, University of Houston Small Business Development Center, the City of Houston, and many more. This was an opportunity for citizens to seek information regarding hurricane disaster relief and to get expert advice on a variety of topics. Download PDF of Flyer
July 2008
METRO received a Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Corridor Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS). This ROD represents final approval for the federal environmental process, including supplemental work requested in November 2007.
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Appendix A - Mitigation and Monitoring plan
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Appendix B - Comments Received on the 2008 SFEIS
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Appendix C - Amended Memorandum Of Agreement Developed In Accordance With Section 106 Of The National Historic Preservation Act
May 2008
On May 17, 2008 METRO held a Public Hearing for the SFEIS. The following materials related to that Public Hearing are now available online:
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Aerial maps displayed
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Map 1 (UH-Downtown to Boundary)
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Map 2 (Boundary to Graceland)
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Map 3 (Graceland to Northline)
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The deadline to submit comments is June 9, 2008.
February 2008
In February and March, METRO Solutions will implement a Safety Education Pilot Program in two schools and then extend it to other schools along the light rail corridors.
METRO has been working with the Houston Independent School District for several months and on Monday, Feb. 4 the Pilot Program will be implemented at Roosevelt Elementary (North Corridor). In March, it will be implemented at Peck Elementary (Southest Corridor).
The Pilot Program was designed for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. The curriculum is aligned with learning and testing objectives of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and will address construction, rail, pedestrian, and vehicle safety. The Pilot Program will include training school district staff and community organizations.
Our objective is to implement the full Safety Education Program in late spring 2008 through 2012, including elementary, middle, and high schools as well as daycare centers, private schools, charter schools and youth organizations.
January 2008
State Representative Jessica Farrar, Harris County Commissioner Sylvia García, and City of Houston Council Member Adrian Garcia officially welcomed METRO Solutions to the North Corridor Office, as they cut the ribbon to the tune of mariachis. The crowd of community members gathered to enjoy the music, folkloric dance and tour the new office.
October 2007
At the October meeting, METRO's Board of Directors unanimously adopted light-rail technology for the North, East End, Southeast, and Uptown corridors. These four corridors had previously been planned to begin with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) technology as an interim step towards Light Rail Transit (LRT). Read the news release for more details.
September 2007
METRO is currently in the advanced preliminary engineering phase of work, which will be completed 50 to 65 percent by the end of December, 2007.
Activities leading to construction have already started in the North Corridor: property acquisitions, board-ups,subsurface utility exploration (SUE)and soil boring work. The major construction work will begin in the spring of 2008.On February 2, 2007 a Record of Decision (ROD) was granted to the proposed North Corridor project. The ROD is the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) certification that METRO has successfully completed the Federal environmental process. The ROD states that the proposed project: "is most compatible with local plans; has the lowest operating cost; has the least impact to historic properties, mature trees, and sensitive noise receivers; and has the general support of the community."
February 2007
Preliminary Engineering was completed by the end of 2006, at which time the right-of-way required for the project will be determined. Final design and right-of-way acquisition is planned for 2007 through 2008. Construction on the corridor is scheduled to begin in mid-2007 and continue through 2010. In 2010 construction should be complete.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) of Harris County, Texas, is advising the public of the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation covering the proposed construction of transit improvements in the North Corridor. The corridor is located from the present northern terminus of the existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) line at the University of Houston (UH)-Downtown Station to Northline Mall in Harris County, Texas, within the City of Houston. The project is sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration.
August 2006
METRO's Board of Directors selects route
Upon reviewing staff recommendations and hearing from residents along the corridor, the board voted to approve the route on North Main to Boundary, to Fulton, to Northline Mall (view map). Further details are available on a news release issued on Wednesday, August 23, and a presentation offered at the Board of Directors' Future Programs Committee Meeting on the same date.
Summer 2006
Draft Environmetnal Impact Statement (DEIS) activities
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The presentation made at the Public Hearing on Saturday, August 5 is available here.
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Other boards displayed in the July 22 public meeting are available here.
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Can't find a particular set of display boards? Click here.
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Los tableros que fueron mostrados en la reunión pública del 22 de julio de 2006 están disponibles aquí.
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February 2006
On February 25, 2006 METRO held a Public Workshop
Download Construction Update (PDF)
December 2006
Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement
On May 2, 2008 a Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS) for proposed construction of transit improvements in the North Corridor was made available for review and comment. |
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About North Corridor
(Click image to enlarge map.)
Corridor Office
2613 Fulton
Tel. 713-343-4354
Mon. - Fri.
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Corridor System Map (stylized)
Arts in Transit
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