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March, 2010
Please click here to view the March Construction Update for MLK.
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February, 2010
The February Community Advisory Board meeting was held Thursday, February 18th.
Stephen Brown gave an overview of the upcoming Financial Business Assistance Program. It is expected to be kicked off in April, at which time more information will become available.
Sara Kellner reviewed four potential sites for the two sculptures. The four sites were Giggs and MLK, Scott and Coyle, Elgin and Scott, and OST and MLK. After discussion the CAB representatives decided not to use the OST and MLK location for these sculptures since that site should be reserved for a work in honor of Dr. King or Mr. McGregor. The CAB decided that the Floyd Newsum sculpture would be best sited at MLK and Griggs, and the Lott sculpture would be best at Elgin and Scott. Mr. Newsum agreed, as did Mr. Lott’s representative, Kathy Coleman that these were good sites.
Armando Tiscareno gave a project construction update with a powerpoint presentation. Topics included the phasing of the work by segment. He showed photographs illustrating various types of work such as tank removal and traffic cone placements. The upcoming median demo on MLK was explained. It was promised that the presentation would be emailed to the attendees the next day.
CAB Meeting Materials - Please note that the materials posted here are also available at the SE Corridor office, 5330 Griggs Rd.)
Meeting agenda click here
Meeting attendees click here
SE Corridor Segment Map click here
CAB meeting schedule click here
A recent Communities in Motion Workshop was held where African American small businesses were highlighted. A panel of business owners who made history doing business with METRO shared their stories and words of encouragement. And, in honor of Black History Month, there was an exhibit of artwork presented by the Museum of Cultural Arts, Houston (MOCAH).
Please view the invitation to the Communities In Motion Workshop
January, 2010
Attention Adjacent Landowners and Tenants
Please be advised that demolitions will begin the week of January 25th and will continue for approximately 10 weeks. Depending on the complexity of the work and size of the structure, demolition will take from two to five days at the following locations:
601 Nagle St., 2801 Capitol St., 2911 Rusk, 4444 Cullen St. 4366 Wheeler St, 4376/4378 Wheeler St., 4380 Wheeler St., 4402 University Oaks Blvd., and at the Southwest corner of Wheeler and Rockwood.
To view the flyer in English and Spanish, click here.
Attention Adjacent Landowners and Tenants
Please be advised that demolitions will begin the week of February 1st and will continue for approximately four months. Depending on the complexity of the work and size of the structure, demolition will take from two to five days at the following locations:
3603 Bell St., 3505 Bremond St., 3710 Dennis St., 3602 Denver St., 2218 Edmundson, 3509 Elgin St., 3506 Elgin St., 1403 Scott St., 1405/1409 Scott St., 1927 Scott St., 1929 Scott St., 1931 Scott St., 2215 Scott St., 2803 Scott St., 3322 Scott St., 3519 Simmons St., 1200 York St., and East side of Scott St. between Dennis St. and Drew St.
To view the flyer in English and Spanish, click here.
Construction Update
As a result of input received Wednesday evening at the University Oaks Civic Association meeting, it has been decided to complete the clearing and resodding of the Wheeler Street properties prior to the start of the semester on Tuesday. The work will begin Saturday, January 16 and is expected to take several days. The scheduled demolition on three remaining Wheeler properties will begin shortly thereafter. The demolition is expected to begin January 22. Property addresses are:
4366 Wheeler
4378/4378 Wheeler
4380 Wheeler
If you should have questions please contact your Southeast Corridor office at 713-343-4350
METRO Tree Mitigation Flyer Download flyer here
At METRO, Rail Means Business! Find out more here: http://www.railmeansbusiness.com/
The January 12th Communities In Motion Workshop "Doing Business with METRO" provided detailed instructions on how to access small business opportunities. Many small business owners attended and we look forward to seeing them become a successful part of the METRO Rail projects.
Southeast Corridor Light Rail Transit Project - Financial Plan (PDF)
Appendices Southeast Corridor 11-19-09 Part1 (PDF)
Appendices Southeast Corridor 11-19-09 Part2 (PDF)
Appendices Southeast Corridor 11-19-09 Part3 (PDF)
(To enlarge the print of the document, click the icon that looks like a magnifying glass.)
The latest Southeast Corridor Newsletter is here! Check it out to get the latest news on the light rail project. Included is a centerfold map and a profile of community activist Dr. Teddy McDavid.
English Newsletter
Spanish Newsletter
Important Notice: Due to construction on the Southeast Corridor light rail, please note a bus stop closure. Effective Tuesday, December 8, 2009, the Scott at McGowen stop on the 30 Clinton-Cullen and 29 TSU-UH/Hirsch northbound will be removed until further notice.
* Please use the stop at Dennis.
* The service will continue uninterrupted.
* Trip times may be affected.
Construction updates will be provided as progress is made. Thank you for your patience as we work to keep Houston going places. To view a flyer that contains this information in both Spanish and English, please click here.
The Communities in Motion Workshop, held Thursday, November 12th at the Palm Center discussed "New Opportunities are on the Line". The process of how to access small business opportunities associated with the METRO Light Rail Project was explained. Everyone agreed that it was one of the most informative and useful workshops to date. Stay tuned for more workshops in 2010.
Download October 2009 Construction Notice (PDF)
Download Demolition Notice (PDF) to view the building demolition schedule for the Southeast Corridor.
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.
October, 2009
METRO and the Greater Southeast Managment District hosted an October 8th METRO Solutions Communities in Motion Workshop. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from Linda Guidry of Unity Bank and Ramonia Dirden of Next Level Management. Together, they instructed small businesses on how to put together a winning small business loan package. Download flyer of event.
September, 2009
The successful September 10th Communities in Motion Workshop featured Matt Baumgarten of SWA Group. He shared creative and thoughtful concepts created by summer interns that highlighted potential destinations for Houston's Third Ward, MacGregor and South Union communities. Over 30 attendees viewed the PowerPoint presentation showing Scott and Dowling Streets as centerpieces for cultural, ecological, and economic projects in the area.
Please check back for announcements of future Communities in Motion Workshops.
Download the latest Southeast Corridor METRORail News
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July 13, 2009
METRO is celebrating its latest connection! The Southeast 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.
It was an exciting day at the METRO Southeast Corridor Groundbreaking Ceremony! |
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July 9, 2009
District D Update featuring Councilwoman Wanda Adams
A Communities in Motion workshop on Thursday July 9 featured a "District D Update" with Councilwoman Wanda Adams.
 
These workshops are brought to you by the Greater Southeast Management District's Business and Economic Development Committee and METRO Solutions Communities in Motion. For a list of upcoming events, please click here to download a list of Southeast community workshops planned through December 2009.
June 2009
Southeast Corridor Light-Rail Construction Update
A record number of over 100 community and business people attended the June 11 Communities in Motion workshop titled "Southeast Corridor Light-Rail Construction Update." Jose Enriquez, Project Director for the Southeast Corridor, was the featured speaker. He provided an update on the light rail project for the corridor and responded to questions from the audience. Representatives from Parsons were also be available to discuss the small business program.
May 2009
Safety and Security During METRORail Construction
On May 14, Communities in Motion and the Greater Southeast Management District presented "Safety and Security during Light-Rail Construction"
Thank you for joining us for May's workshop titled "Safety and Security During METRORail Construction." This workshop featured Tim Kelly, Assistant Chief of Police for METRO, and Michael Martinez, head of the METRO Solutions Community School Safety Education Program.
Thank you for joining us for the Southeast Corridor "Communities in Motion" workshop.
April 2009
"Surviving Tough Economic Times" with SCORE and Communities in Motion
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| Small business owners met at the Palm Center on April 9 to receive information and advice about Surviving Tough Economic Times. |
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On April 9, "Surviving Tough Economic Times" was the topic of discussion, featuring SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business". SCORE is a non-profit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE volunteers are real-world professionals with time-tested knowledge who donate thousands of hours to help small businesses succeed.
SCORE representative, Mr. Irwin Miller, shared useful tips and advice for small business owners. Mr. Miller encouraged small business owners that an economic downturn can create new and prosperous opportunity for your business. Please click here to review Mr. Miller's presentation.
This workshop was a partnership between METRO Solutions Communities in Motion and the Greater Southeast Management District's Business and Economic Development Committee.
March 2009
Communities in Motion Workshop featuring Leo Vasquez, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
METRO Solutions Communities in Motion and the Greater Southeast Management District's Business and Economic Development Committee have partnered to provide a series of workshops for area businesses.
At the March 12 Communities in Motion lunch gathering, Leo Vasquez, the new Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar, spoke about the role and responsibilities of his office. In his new position, Mr. Vasquez pledges to serve the public with integrity and vision while preserving each citizen's right to vote. In his first 100 days, he is proactively seeking the input from community stakeholders in order to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the future of the office.
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| March 12 Presenters included (left to right): Mr. Jason McLemore, Executive Director of the Greater Southeast Management District; Ms. Kimberly Williams, Associate Vice President of Corporate Affairs, METRO; and featured guest, Mr. Leo Vasquez, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar. |
February 2009
METRO Celebrates Black History Month with the Greater Southeast Management District
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In honor of Black History Month, METRO and the Greater Southeast Management District hosted an Open House on February 24th featuring Southeast Corridor. Artist Carroll Parrott Blue gave an overview of the concepts behind her station designs for the "Dream" station at MLK Blvd. and OST, and the "Contribute" station at Wheeler and University Oaks. Also featured was Third Ward area resident Nell Grovey Cole, who discussed her father, community activist Richard Randolph Grovey. Historian Isaac Hampton gave a presentation on the early Black political organization and culture.
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Click to enlarge event images below.
July 2008
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) granted its final approval of the Southeast Corridor Supplemental Final Environmental Statement (SFEIS) through a document known as a Record of Decision (ROD).
May-June 2008
On May 9, 2008 a Southeast Corridor Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement was made available online, at select branch libraries and at METRO Headquarters at 1900 Main St.
On May 28, 2008 METRO held a Public Hearing to receive comments about the SFEIS. The following materials were presented at the Public Hearing and are now available online:
METRO received comments through June 11, 2008.
February-March 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 (Southeast 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.
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January 2008
Ever since the opening of Southeast Corridor Office, communication with local stakeholders has increased. Now, we've compiled some of their most recent questions and answered them in this fact sheet for your benefit.
Additionally, stakeholders have asked us to produce renderings to help them visualize what the finalized light rail project might look like in the Southeast Corridor. The ones below are now available (click on each thumbnail to view larger image):
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| Martin Luther King (MLK) Blvd. between Old Spanish Trail (OST) and Griggs |
MLK near Madalyn Ln. |
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November 2007
On November 29, City of Houston Mayor Bill White, METRO Chairman David Wolff, and several elected officials symbolically cut the ribbon to the first of several Office Corridors-one for each corridor where a light rail expansion line will be built.
The Southeast Corridor Office is located in the Palm Center, 5330 Griggs. It is open for business Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The telephone number at the Southwest Corridor Office is 713-343-4350.
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.
February 2007
A Record of Decision (ROD) was granted to the proposed Southeast Corridor project. The Environmental process in the Southeast Corridor took place concurrently with the North Corridor.
January 2007
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO), advised the public of the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation covering the purposed construction of transit improvements in the Southeast Corridor. The corridor is located in a line from downtown Houston to a terminus on Griggs Road at east of Martin Luther King Boulevard in Harris County, Texas, within the City of Houston. The project is sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration.
The project involves the construction of Guided Rapid Transit (GRT) primarily within existing street rights-of-way. This project would improve mobility, accessibility, and system linkages. The corridor is approximately 6.3 miles in length, extending from downtown Houston, following a line on Capitol and Rusk Streets to Polk Street, south on Scott street, east on Wheeler Street, south on Martin Luther King Boulevard, and east on Griggs to Beekman Road. The FEIS includes discussion of the changes since the Draft EIS was distributed in July, 2006, including the selection of the locally preferred alternative (LPA), project impacts and mitigation measures, as well as substantive agency and public comments received on the Draft EIS and the responses to these comments.
Copies of the FEIS and Section 4(f) Statement are also available for review in hard copy format at: Houston Public Library Lonnie E. Smith Branch, 3624 Scott Street, Houston, TX 77004; Houston Public Library Young Branch, 5260 Griggs, Palm Center, Houston, TX 77021; Texas Southern University Campus Library, 3100 Clebrune, Houston, TX 77204; University of Houston M.D. Anderson Mernorial Library (Main), 114 University Libraries, Houston, TX 77008; Center Library (Julia Ideson Building) 500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77002; METRO Offices, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002; and Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77027.
A bound copy of the FEIS may be purchased for $60.00 (plus $6.00 for shipping and handling) or a CD of the document in Adobe Acrobat format for $4.50 (plus $1.00 for shipping and handling). To purchase a copy, please contact Ms. Rhonda Boyer, METRO P.O. Box 61429, Houston, TX 7208-1429.
July 2006
METRO began circulation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a period of 45 days, which ended on September 11, 2006.
METRO and the project team compiled all the DEIS comments received and addressed them in a subsequent document referred to as Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which began circulation on January 5, 2007, for a period of 30 days. While the FEIS was being prepared, METRO began Preliminary Engineering (PE) on the corridor. The early PE effort provided more refined technical information used to assist with addressing comments received during the DEIS. 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.
Past Meetings
- August 29 - DEIS Open House and Public Hearing - View presentation
- August 17 - DEIS OPen House (Same presentation as above)
Previous Actions / Information
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