Greater Northside Management District to the rescue!

Businesses in Northside Houston have a new resource. The Greater Northside Management District, GNMD was created in 2006, and offers a variety of services to area businesses, large and small.

The businesses pay into an annual collected fund, and is thus given back into the management district.  Annual collections are around $600,000 and this helps the district provide vital services and programs to enhance the quality of life and promote economic development within its boundaries.

There are several programs that are currently implemented within the district, such as the right of way litter abatement, graffiti abatement, and security patrol programs.

The boundaries of the district are:

The GNMD covers a great amount of Houston's North Central and upper Northside areas

The Graffiti Abatement Program consists of a contractor that paints over or power washes out graffiti on area businesses. In order for businesses to participate in this program, they need to sign a waiver and that can be done by contacting the GNMD.

Policing the area: The GNMD’s Security Patrol Program is another great asset that is provided to the Northside community. Here, licensed peace officers (usually HPD officers ) work overtime hours to participate in  helping the district’s program. The GNMD has several cars that have been outfitted to be a law enforcement patrol car. The car is equipped with essential tools needed for fighting crime, such as lights and sirens, emergency management radio access, laptop for law enforcement database access, and more.

The primary function of this patrol program is to offer security to GNMD businesses, but also maintains an awareness of public safety readiness and gives an enhanced sense of security for all residents in the Northside.

- Patrol car from the GNMD Security Patrol Program -

Progress is ongoing in Northside Houston with thanks to organizations such as the GNMD. There are many more initiatives that are in the works, so…. stay tuned!

For more information on the GNMD, you can contact them at 713-229-0900 or via the web at www.greaternorthside.org.

Can’t afford eye care? Get reduced priced eye care in Northside Houston – thanks to UH !

The University of Houston College of Optometry has been a partner with the city to offer affordable eye care. The project is called “Neighborhood Clinics”. This is offered around the city at several locations, including the Near Northside.

The City has a medical clinic that offeres reduced costs health care services to residents of the Near Northside, and the eye clinic is located upstairs.

The location in the Northside is at:

• La Nueva Casa de Amigos Eye Clinic , 1809 N. Main, Houston, TX 77009 (713) 547-8085.

"La Nueva Casa de Amigos" is a city funded low-cost health facility, which offers a variety of services such as: pediaitrics, dental care, immunizations, and eye & vision care.

Other locations also include:

• San Jose Eye Clinic , 301 Hamilton, Houston, TX 77002 (713) 228-9411

• Good Neighbor Eye Clinic , 190 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007 (713) 527-8480

The clinic offers pediatrics and adult care, and is a great resource for anyone who has a low income. UH has demonstrated great leadership and initiative by becoming a partner with these city neighborhood clinics. Many folks are now able to afford high quality eye care at an affordable price. I urge anyone to check into this service, and see if you qualify.

Everyone is looking into saving money these days – this is just another way to save some money in your pocket book – and have access to health care, especially eye care. The Near Northside has many servsices to offer, and many “Northsiders” can now enjoy these imenities. Lastly, the La Nueva Casa clinic is located on Mian Street, which is along the North Corridor METRO Rail line.

METRO Rail North Corridor Update: Report from Community Advisory Board (CAB) Meeting

Update:

METRO has seen the anxious residents of Houston’s Near Northside area lately. The plan to start the North Corridor has already been underway, according to METRO officials at this meeting.

The Community Advisory Board meetings (CAB), are designed to highlight the project, and give an update about what is going on with the project, the facts. The meeting was held last Thursday, February 26th at the HCC Northline campus.  I am proud to say that I am a new member of this board, and am also anxious to see things underway.

According to officials, construction has already started. This construction includes early steps in the process, such a as surveying, soil sampling, and necessary environmental studies. For example: before a building is torn down, it must be assessed and tested for any hazardous materials or wastes. For instance, one abandoned building was found with a certain anti-freeze chemical in the air conditioning system – so this obviously had to be cleaned out properly before any further action.

Actual, street construction should begin soon – with utility construction in May and street construction in June/July time frame. Stay tuned for an update on the progress!

Educating the Youth:

An excerpt from METRO's CAB newsletter regarding the safety education program for students along the corridor.

A main concern for may folks along the route was the safety for children along the rail line. METRO has a safety program underway for students, and conduct safety classes at local schools along the corridor. (see above info)

For more information on the north corridor, you can visit the north corridor office at 2613 Fulton St. or via telephone at 713.343.4354.