HOUSTON — A nonprofit organization is set to host a town hall meeting this weekend, continuing the discussion over an infrastructure project aimed at improving Montrose Boulevard.
The Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project was developed by the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone – or TIRZ – in an effort to improve drainage and also make the boulevard more friendly for pedestrians and cyclists.
Supporters of the project say the boulevard has chronic issues with speeding cars and this project can help address that concern.
However, the project has also had pushback.
KHOU 11 reported on opposition organized by groups against the project’s proposal to cut down some oak trees – with efforts including protests, petitions, and other demonstrations.
A revised plan included preserving and planting more trees but still will require the cutting down of some trees.
The project now sits at City Hall before moving forward with construction, but one group, Walk and Roll Houston, is concerned about changes being proposed. The organization is hosting a town hall event on Saturday to discuss with supporters about efforts going forward.
“The city is proposing for major changes that we do not support,” Kevin Strickland, co-founder of Walk and Roll Houston told KHOU 11. “So, on Saturday, we're going to talk about that and why those changes are not supporting what the community wants, particularly the disabled community.”
Strickland hopes to rally support for a vision of the project that best serves the community.
“What we really want is to be able to get around our community, our neighborhoods, safely and easily, whether that's walking, biking, strollers, etc.,” Strickland said.
The town hall event is set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the SPARK Park at Wharton Dual Language Academy.