There's No Reason To Relocate Drop-Off To Spring St
- por: Judy Weng
- destinatário: Mayor Bill White and City Council Members of Houston
The Solid Waste Management Department is planning to relocate the current recycling drop-off containers at 3602 Center St to a new address in one of Houston's oldest neighborhoods known as the First Ward.
The proposed site is bounded by Martin Preferred Foods, Silver St, White St and the recently constructed MKT/SP Hike and Bike trail on Spring St. Although at quick glance much of the area may appear industrial, the First Ward has been undergoing tremendous growth after decades of neglect, with multi-million dollar residential developments popping up alongside independent galleries and historic bungalows.
Today it is a place in transition; however, the resurfacing of this diverse community is threatened by the city's Solid Waste Management proposal.
The proposed site is bounded by Martin Preferred Foods, Silver St, White St and the recently constructed MKT/SP Hike and Bike trail on Spring St. Although at quick glance much of the area may appear industrial, the First Ward has been undergoing tremendous growth after decades of neglect, with multi-million dollar residential developments popping up alongside independent galleries and historic bungalows.
Today it is a place in transition; however, the resurfacing of this diverse community is threatened by the city's Solid Waste Management proposal.
We the undersigned are concerned about the direct impact the proposed recycling center relocation to Spring Street will have on the First Ward community, the Hike and Bike trail and the traffic flow to the surrounding area, as this drop-off will be the only facility serving neighborhoods within Houston's Inner Loop.
Although the city department states that the relocation "would improve customer access as it is immediately off of I-10 and I-45, Houston Ave and Quitman St", we strongly disagree. Local residents have already witnessed the increasing pressure Sawyer St has from vehicles accessing Sawyer Heights Village and the adjacent Sawyer Heights Lofts. The anticipated traffic increase in relation to the recycling facility will result in further strain on Spring St - the main thoroughfare from Houston Ave to Sawyer St. The city is yet to provide a traffic study to support its claim that the effect of heavy vehicles and additional traffic to this area will be minimal.
The MKT/SP Hike and Bike trail along Spring St is part of a long evolving project that has taken seven years and $5.1 million of the city's commitment in connecting the Heights to Downtown destinations and other bikeways. Under current condition, the width of Spring St does not safely accommodate vehicles traveling in both directions with the Hike and Bike trail. Contrary to Solid Waste Management's belief that "the site... would be an enhancement to bike/ foot traffic," unpleasant odor, noise and visual impact [all evident from the current facility] will jeopardize the trail's longevity and the safety of the users.
On a more immediate scale these nuisances are serious concerns for the residents living in close proximity to the proposed site. In addition to open dumpsters, the presence of heavy vehicles will have a drastic impact on their quality of life.
Citing from statements made by the city of Aurora, Illinois about "large commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods:
These views are also shared by business owners and active housing developers. A drop-off facility on Spring St will affect investment in residential dwellings around the area thus retarding the momentum of its gentrification.
We acknowledge the city's effort in bring awareness to our communities about the importance of sustainable living. If the state of the current collection site is any indication, it is evident that the participation of recycling, like the gentrification of First ward, is growing at a steady pace. We ask the city council members and the department of Solid Waste Management to take our concerns seriously and reconsider the current address at Center St as it has proven accessible for residents of many other neighborhoods including those around Montrose, Washington Avenue and the Heights. However, if the city chooses to proceed with relocating drop-off containers to a new site, we strongly recommend using reclaimed brown-fields for this purpose instead of placing the facility within any growing residential neighborhoods.
We are here to work with the city in finding a responsible solution for the future. One of our suggestions in moving forward with recycling is to stop occupying valuable inner city properties with open dumpsters. Use the revenue to extend curbside pickup, and introduce 'attractive' recycling collectors in parks, schools, parking lots of grocery stores and civic spaces, etc, throughout the Inner Loop.
These collectors will spread the visibility of recycling, allowing people currently without access to curbside pickup to incorporate recycling drop-off into their routine before the automated program reaches their households. In addition to introducing recycling on a greater scope, the method will also reduce carbon emissions that stem from each individual trip between his origin and the drop-off site, bringing a cleaner future to Houston which we all like to be a part of.
We thank you for taking the time to share our concerns.
assinar petiçãoassinar petiçãoAlthough the city department states that the relocation "would improve customer access as it is immediately off of I-10 and I-45, Houston Ave and Quitman St", we strongly disagree. Local residents have already witnessed the increasing pressure Sawyer St has from vehicles accessing Sawyer Heights Village and the adjacent Sawyer Heights Lofts. The anticipated traffic increase in relation to the recycling facility will result in further strain on Spring St - the main thoroughfare from Houston Ave to Sawyer St. The city is yet to provide a traffic study to support its claim that the effect of heavy vehicles and additional traffic to this area will be minimal.
The MKT/SP Hike and Bike trail along Spring St is part of a long evolving project that has taken seven years and $5.1 million of the city's commitment in connecting the Heights to Downtown destinations and other bikeways. Under current condition, the width of Spring St does not safely accommodate vehicles traveling in both directions with the Hike and Bike trail. Contrary to Solid Waste Management's belief that "the site... would be an enhancement to bike/ foot traffic," unpleasant odor, noise and visual impact [all evident from the current facility] will jeopardize the trail's longevity and the safety of the users.
On a more immediate scale these nuisances are serious concerns for the residents living in close proximity to the proposed site. In addition to open dumpsters, the presence of heavy vehicles will have a drastic impact on their quality of life.
Citing from statements made by the city of Aurora, Illinois about "large commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods:
- Are out of place and unsightly.
- Generate incompatible noise and exhaust.
- Can be dangerous for neighborhood children at play.
- Can hasten deterioration of public streets and drive approaches.
- Detract from the desirability of a neighborhood.
- Reduce adjacent property values and prevalent neighbors from having full enjoyment of their property.
- [http://www.aurora-il.org/neighborhoodstandards/property_standards/commercial_vehicles.php]
These views are also shared by business owners and active housing developers. A drop-off facility on Spring St will affect investment in residential dwellings around the area thus retarding the momentum of its gentrification.
We acknowledge the city's effort in bring awareness to our communities about the importance of sustainable living. If the state of the current collection site is any indication, it is evident that the participation of recycling, like the gentrification of First ward, is growing at a steady pace. We ask the city council members and the department of Solid Waste Management to take our concerns seriously and reconsider the current address at Center St as it has proven accessible for residents of many other neighborhoods including those around Montrose, Washington Avenue and the Heights. However, if the city chooses to proceed with relocating drop-off containers to a new site, we strongly recommend using reclaimed brown-fields for this purpose instead of placing the facility within any growing residential neighborhoods.
We are here to work with the city in finding a responsible solution for the future. One of our suggestions in moving forward with recycling is to stop occupying valuable inner city properties with open dumpsters. Use the revenue to extend curbside pickup, and introduce 'attractive' recycling collectors in parks, schools, parking lots of grocery stores and civic spaces, etc, throughout the Inner Loop.
These collectors will spread the visibility of recycling, allowing people currently without access to curbside pickup to incorporate recycling drop-off into their routine before the automated program reaches their households. In addition to introducing recycling on a greater scope, the method will also reduce carbon emissions that stem from each individual trip between his origin and the drop-off site, bringing a cleaner future to Houston which we all like to be a part of.
We thank you for taking the time to share our concerns.
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