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Proposed Annexation of Memorial Park by TIRZ 16
Great news friends of Memorial Park Conservancy! Thursday, April 11 was an exciting day for the park and the Conservancy. Mayor Annise Parker announced the proposed annexation of Memorial Park by TIRZ 16, which could mean great things for Memorial Park and all those who enjoy it every day.
Description of Proposal
Thursday April 11, 2013 was an important day for Memorial Park. Mayor Annise Parker proposed an unprecedented partnership between the City of Houston and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Uptown TIRZ (TIRZ 16), and Memorial Park Conservancy that will expand the footprint of the Uptown TIRZ to include Memorial Park. Click here to learn more:
http://www.houstongovnewsroom.org/go/doc/2155/1745311/.
Areas of Focus
By expanding its footprint to include Memorial Park, TIRZ 16 will be able to contribute approximately $100M in funding to Memorial Park over the next 20 years to help with improvements such as site remediation, erosion control, removal of invasive non-native plants and the reestablishment of native grasslands and forests.
The connection of Uptown to Downtown with a greenbelt including Memorial Park is also a high priority expressed by the Mayor, City Council members who were present, the Uptown TIRZ, MPC and the Houston Parks Board. This is important because it would connect Memorial Park to the 150-mile Bayou Greenways trail system. This trail system will ensure that 60% of Houston residents will live within 1.5 miles of a trail and have greater access to all parks and green spaces, including Memorial Park.
The Mayor was very explicit that this is not an effort to commercialize Memorial Park, and that commercialization of Memorial Park will not happen.
MPC's Role, Your Role
We will start with a master planning process that will include an extensive public and stakeholder input process.
MPC is a leader and partner in this process. We will participate in the master planning process; represent public and stakeholder groups during the design phase; and raise private and foundation funds to help execute and augment the funding from TIRZ 16.
We will be asking for your help with volunteering, raising funds and contributing your ideas in the days, months... and years to come.
Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter and “like” us on Facebook for updates and information!
Thank you for all that you do for Memorial Park!
To read more about this historic announcement, visit the following links:
http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/gallery/reforest.html
http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/gallery/reforest/Uptown_Transit_Map.pdf
