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Storm Drainage Work Targeted for Street Project-Houston Chronicle 9/13/2007

Storm drainage work targeted for Kirby project By JENNIFER FRIEDBERG Chronicle Correspondent What began as a project by the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority to ease flooding problems in the David Crockett subdivision has turned into a massive redesign of the Kirby Drive streetscape from U.S. 59 north to Westheimer and raised concerns of local groups such as Trees for Houston and area businesses. The Redevelopment Authority, also known as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 19, plans to begin the almost $50 million, 11-month storm drainage project in January. It involves tearing up Kirby and widening traffic lanes and sidewalks. The project costs include roughly $26 million for the storm drainage work from Richmond to Westheimer; about $13.24 million for the traffic and mobility piece from U.S. 59 to Westheimer; and about $10 million for burying overhead utility lines from U.S. 59 to Westheimer. Travis Younkin, director of capital projects for the Upper Kirby District, said the TIRZ wants to use the opportunity to change the look of the street. "We're trying to address storm drainage, safety, mobility and walkability with the same project. This is the best solution to address all of those goals," Younkin said. However, widening the street will mean removing existing trees, which, along with a lack of public input, has peaked concerns of Trees for Houston and local businesses. "We really didn't find out about this project until maybe four to five weeks ago and it's something that was advanced very far through the timeline," said Trees for Houston board member James Sivco. "They're going to start digging in the dirt on Jan. 1 (2008) and there hasn't been any input from anyone with an alternate view about what a pretty Kirby looks like." A public meeting to discuss the project is 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the Upper Kirby District offices, 3015 Richmond Ave., Suite 100. In regard to their concerns, Younkin said, "We're happy to work with Trees for Houston or any other entity." Turn lanes At present, Kirby Drive has three, 9-foot, 4-inch lanes on both sides, with a 10-foot wide continuous left turn lane in the middle from U.S. 59 north to Westheimer. The TIRZ wants to widen the six travel lanes to 11 feet to meet city standards and create a 14-foot wide median in the center with left-turn bays and 4-foot wide pedestrian crossing zones. Sidewalks would also be widened from 4 to 6 feet. While 11-foot wide lanes are the city standard, street widening can be considered individually. "The city will have to sign off on our 90 percent design plans as well as final design to remain on schedule," Younkin said. "However, if the city is willing to bend their standards for street lane widths, we will pause to examine all alternatives and compromises possible to ensure this project is one all entities can be proud of." The city did relax its standards for the Kirby drainage project south of U.S. 59 because area property owners wanted to keep the continuous left turn lane, the city would have had to take property to widen the street and it was too expensive. Trees for Houston is upset because widening the street means that existing trees will have to be removed. The TIRZ says the trees will be replaced. The number of trees the two groups say would be affected are different. Sivco said his group and others planted more than 200 trees along Kirby in the past 10 years from U.S. 59 to San Felipe and there are concerns that 275 of those trees would be cut down. "We're very much for the beautification of Kirby and making the intersections nice, but widening the street is going to do nothing but mow down 275 mature-growth trees along Kirby," Sivco said. "I don't think we could ever support something like this." However, according to the TIRZ arborist's report, there are only 161 trees in the project area. With the proposed street widening, 143 live oaks and 18 smaller trees of the 161 trees would be removed. Younkin said the discrepancy in numbers could be based on the fact that Trees for Houston is looking at an old version of the plans and it may be including trees between Westheimer and San Felipe, which would not be affected as the project will not stretch that far north. Younkin said removed trees would be replaced on a two-for-one basis, with 250-300 new, 6- to 8-caliper inch trees to be planted on Kirby "so there will be a uniform canopy up and down the street." "When complete, Kirby drive will be greener than it is now and the new trees will be free to grow without the limitation of overhead utilities," Younkin said. He also said the TIRZ would try to relocate as many of the 143 trees as possible. "Our arborist says that all trees under (a) 12-inch caliper can be relocated or at least attempted," Younkin said. "We are absolutely going to incur the cost of relocating all trees possible and will be replacing them on a two-for-one basis." Sivco is skeptical. "They're not going to be able to relocate those trees. They're all going to die," he said. Business owners' concerns Area businesses have also expressed concern for the trees. A representative at Whole Foods, 2955 Kirby Drive, said company officials have heard arguments from both sides and want to learn more. "Green spaces are important and there are ways of (removing and replanting trees) in a responsible way," said Candyce Speidel, media and community relations coordinator for Whole Foods in Houston. "We will be eager to hear and see what develops." Real estate firm Greenwood King Properties, 3201 Kirby Drive, sent letters to Mayor Bill White and Houston City Council members on Sept. 4 stating its opposition to the project because of the tree removal issue. District C City Council member Anne Clutterbuck, a member of the Trees for Houston advisory board, said she is working to help both sides reach an amicable solution. "The problem is if we widen it at any point — even 18 inches — you lose trees," Clutterbuck said. "The question is, in my mind, how can we mitigate the damage if at all possible? What kind of compromise can be reached on the design?" While Clutterbuck said public input is needed, she wants the project to be able to move forward in January because of flooding issues. "I'm urging everybody to stay flexible," she said. "We are building a street that will last longer than any of us is alive. It's a unique opportunity to build something as beautiful as it is safe."