Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
April 2005 Mayor Bill White
City Controller Annise D. Parker
City Council Members
Toni Lawrence, District A Adrian Garcia, District H Carol Mims Galloway, District B Carol Alvarado, District I Mark Goldberg, District C Mark Ellis, At-Large Position 1 Ada Edwards, District D Gordon Quan, At-Large Position 2 Addie Wiseman, District E Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, M.D., At-Large Position 3 M.J. Khan, District F Ronald C. Green, At-Large Position 4 Pam Holm, District G Michael Berry, At-Large Position 5
LARA Board Members
Name Appointed By Name Appointed By David Collins, Chair City Mayor Tyrone Dorian Harris County Yolanda Black Navarro City Mayor Antoinette Jackson Harris County Dr. Bruce Leslie City Mayor Jeremy Ratcliff Harris County Edward Loche City Mayor James Harrison, III HISD Teresa Morales City Mayor Reginald Adams, President HISD Cheryl Armitige City Council Raymond Fisher HISD Jolanda Jones City Council Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Project Overview
1 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Purpose developing affordable housing. LARA’s charge is to solicit, review The Urban Redevelopment Plan (Plan) addresses neighborhood and select development proposals to build or rehabilitate affordable revitalization by returning abandoned tax delinquent properties to housing and other land uses consistent with neighborhood plans productive use while providing an increase in affordable housing and City and County Joint Neighborhood Goals (See Appendix). opportunities. The Plan also addresses abating health and safety nuisances, returning abandoned property to tax revenue producing Study Area land, enhancing the quality of life, eliminating blight, spurring The area included in the Third Ward Urban Redevelopment economic growth and redevelopment, and ensuring community Plan is located just southeast of downtown Houston. The stability. area is bound by US 59 to the west, IH 45 to the north, Scott Street to the east and Cleburne Street to the south. The study The Urban Redevelopment Plan will be utilized by the Land area boundary covers approximately 920 acres and lies within Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA) to guide decision- the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood SN 67. The area making when responding to development proposals for the is home to two major universities – Texas Southern University purchase and redevelopment of property acquired through and University of Houston, a community hospital, numerous foreclosure. This document outlines recommendations collected community-based businesses, several non-profi ts, and various from the community via public community workshops to guide community development corporations. Near the center of the selection of proposals. The recommendations provide a Houston, it is within 10-15 minutes of downtown, the medical framework for redevelopment and are fl exible enough to allow center, two major parks, the City’s newest two sports stadiums, the for a range of development scenarios while being responsive to Convention Center and several other major centers of economic
community preferences. development xyr2p2@RS2xA and entertainment. reh2yvv2yeh Background ywfevv22u
Houston City Council initially approved the creation of the Land xyri2p2@PWHA iei22p2@SW2xA Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA) in October 1999 xF2ew2ry yx2u to oversee the redevelopment of tax delinquent property. LARA gyf2p2@WH2A was formed by the City of Houston along with participation from vyy2TIH2x
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Project Overview 2 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Map 1.1 Tax Delinquent
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N BÊÚ B ÊÚ O C ÊÚ
00.25Miles
Project Overview 3 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
4 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Community Analysis
5 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Population/Age More than half of households (54%) earned less than Within the study area boundaries, the 2000 Census reported the $15,000 a year. This is almost triple the percentage of population to be 9,364. Of householders, 20 percent were between households in this income category citywide (18%). the ages of 15 and 25, 45 percent were between the ages of 35 and 59, and 35 percent were 60 years or older. Figure 2.2 Household Income 2000
Race/Ethnicity 100% Household 90% Income The Third Ward is historically, and remains today, a predominately 80% African-American community. African-Americans make up 88 70% percent of the population. Hispanics comprise eight percent of 60% the population and all other groups represent four percent. 50% 40% Less than $15,000 Figure 2.1 Ethnicity in 2000 30% $15,000 to $30,000 Third Ward Ethnicity in 2000 20% $30,000 to $60,000 10% $60,000 to $75000 0% Third Ward Houston 1% Over $75,000 2% 8% 1% Source: 2000 Census Black, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Housing The Third Ward is an older neighborhood with housing stock Hispanic 88% that was generally constructed more than 50 years ago. Renters Asian, non-Hispanic occupy the majority of homes and a high percentage of homes All Others are abandoned. Source: 2000 Census There are 4,485 housing units in the Third Ward study area, of which 19 percent are vacant. The vacancy rate is Household Income more than double the rate for the entire city (8%). The Third Ward is a relatively poor neighborhood compared to The Third Ward study area has a high renter rate of 79 the City as a whole. percent. Conversely, only 21 percent of the homes in the The 2000 median income of households ($14,724) for the neighborhood are owner-occupied, which is half the rate study area is signifi cantly lower than the median income for the City (46%). for the City of Houston households ($36,616).
Community Analysis 6 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Infrastructure Most of the homeowners (50%) are over the age of 55, A signifi cant percentage (17%) of the water lines in the neighborhood while nearly 70 percent of the renters are under the age of is less than 6 inches and thus considered substandard. See Figure 55. 2.3. Between 2000 and 2003, only 22 permits for new homes Figure 2.3 Third Ward Water Lines have been issued. In contrast, during this time, 95 structures were demolished. Third Ward Water Lines Nearly 5 percent of the structures lack plumbing and kitchen facilities, which is higher than the city rate of 1.1 17% percent. 1% Land Use A signifi cant portion (44%) of land in the study area is single family residential. Only 6 percent of the land is used for commercial 82% Substandard Water Lines uses. The high percentage of land being used for institutional use Less than 6" (18%) is attributed to the fact that the University of Houston’s Substandard Water Lines Less than 1" main campus and Texas Southern University are both located in Source: 2000 Census Water Lines 6"or greater the Third Ward area.
Figure 2.3 Third Ward Water Lines
Mayor Bill White speaks about affordable housing issues. Planning and Development Director Bob Litke answers questions from participants.
Community Analysis 7 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Map 2.3 Community Facilities a
GR AY H AD G LE IN Y 45 L ,-. W O S D ß DOUGLASS IN H ÆJ C T LEROY U Õ H ÆJ EMANCIPATION PARK c R PARK & COMMUNITY E MC U GOW A EN CENTER S
E P LG O IN TU ß (59 R AM YATES / T MLK/PROJECT S ß A RYAN ÆJ B ß H SAFE T OL Õ T NORTH DISTRICT M O A MALON PARK N LEGEND Õ N S C I O ALTERNATIVE E.S A S L N S Community Facilities A N P BA E M M c Community Center A ß A ßÆJ BLACKSHEAR S Õ Healthcare Facility 288 KAZI SHULE !" Õ T HPD Station OUR PARK T a E Library C K R Æc L R EEV E U E ÆJ Park B S UR B ß School NE ß TSU/HISD Study Area LAB SCHOOL Boundary
B N B ß YATES O Æc C Smith Library
00.25Miles
Community Analysis 8 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Map 2.3 Land Use and Permit Activity NNN ÑN GR N AY NN NÑ H AD G N LE IN N Y 45 L ,-. W NÑ N O S D ÑN IN NÑ NÑ H N C T U N H NR N LEGEND N E MC N U GOW N A EN NÑ S N Ñ 2001 to 2003 Residential NNÑ NNN ÑNNÑ N Construction Permits EL N N N P N G N 2001 to 2003 Demolition O IN N TUA N 59 R M O N Permi ts /( T S NN N S N N P Study Area Boundary A T H M B O ÑN T L N A NN Parcels M O A N N S Single-family Residential N N NNNN N A N N SC Multi-family Residential LA N N B NNNÑ Commercial AM NÑ N N NÑ Of fi ce A IS T N N T Industrial N N E N !"288 E K N Public and Institutional R Transportation and Utilities ÑÑNN U N B ÑN R Parks and Open Space CL NNN EEV Undeveloped EB NNNN ENS UR Agri cul tural Producti on NE N Open Water NÑNÑNN N Others (mismatched code)
B N B O C N 00.25Miles
Community Analysis 9 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Community Analysis 10 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Urban Redevelopment Plan
11 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Planning Process At the fi rst workshop, 115 community attendees listened as Mayor Under the direction of the Land Assemblage Redevelopment Bill White, LARA board members, Robert Litke, P&D Director, Authority (LARA), the City of Houston Planning and and other P&D staff discussed the creation of LARA and Development Department (P&D) hosted a series of community affordable housing issues. Approximately 50 attended the second workshops to develop an Urban Redevelopment Plan. The workshop and 155 attended the third. A total of 138 completed workshops were organized to educate attendees about affordable surveys were collected from all workshops. The results collected housing issues and to gather information about their community from all surveys are documented in the following design preference design preferences. A community preference survey was developed and prototypical site development. Staff incorporated elements to gather and evaluate the community’s preferences on design from existing community plans into the document as well. See issues, such as density, setback, lot size, parking access, building Community Involvement and Existing Community Plans, materials, and income ranges. All design issues relate directly to page 14, for a listing of those plans. the type of housing the community would like to see developed in the community. On Saturday, January 22, 2005, an open house workshop was held to allow the community to review the draft plan and make The Third Ward workshops were held at the Judson Robinson, Jr. comments. One-hundred persons attended this session. The draft Community Center located at 2020 Hermann Drive. To ensure was also posted on the Planning and Development Department’s as many community residents as possible could attend, P&D website. LARA approved the plan on April 15, 2005. conducted three workshops. The workshops were held Saturday, June 12, Tuesday, July 20 and Saturday, October 30, 2004.
P&D staff utilized numerous venues to outreach to the community regarding the meetings. Notices were sent to community civic organizations, churches, and non-profi ts via mail-outs, poster/ fl yers, email, Internet, electronic news media, radio, television and newsprint. The LARA board members played an active role by distributing fl iers, contacting organizations, distributing press releases and appearing on several radio programs. The offi ces of Council Member Ada Edwards, District D, Council Member Carol Alvarado, District I, and all at-large Council Member offi ces were also recruited to further publicize the workshops. This participation underscores the LARA board’s belief that only a plan that is supported by the community can be successful.
Urban Redevelopment Plan 12 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Community Involvement & Existing Community Plans generated to approximate the fi nancial commitment needed to Over the past ten years, various community plans have been de- make the sites developable. veloped in the Fifth Ward to infl uence development in housing, economic development, safety, health and human services, parks • The Greater Third Ward Community Plan and recreation, and infrastructure. These plans were developed for In July 1995, The Greater Third Ward Community Plan was produced or by civic related non-profi ts, community development corpora- for the Third Ward Redevelopment Council (TWRC). TWRC tions, and religious based organizations. Below is a list of publica- is a nonprofi t, tax-exempt coalition of individuals, businesses, tions by the Planning and Development Department (P&D) or and organizations with a stake in the future of the greater Third outside organizations independent of the City of Houston that Ward community. Its mission is to serve as an information were produced to infl uence and guide redevelopment activity. clearinghouse and planning and coordinating body for the revitalization of the community.
• Neighborhood Profile for the Third Ward The purpose of The Greater Third Ward Community Plan is to In July of 1994, the City of Houston’s Department of Planning “serve as a guide for civic clubs, block clubs, neighborhood of Planning and Development (P&D) produced a Neighborhood associations, community development corporations, churches, Profi le for the Third Ward that examined neighborhood and others seeking to preserve, stabilize and revitalize the characteristics including demographics, land use, housing stock Greater Third Ward.” The plan was prepared by Roberta F. and existing infrastructure. Burroughs, Decision Information Resources, Inc., Sara Jane White, AICP, Inc., Terra Associates, Inc., and Austin E. Penny • Redevelopment in a Third Ward Neighborhood and Associates. Also in 1994, P&D completed a development study for fi ve potential redevelopment sites along Dowling Street in • Third Ward Redevelopment Project Northwestern Third Ward. This document entitled, Redevelopment In September 1996, P&D published the Third Ward Redevelopment In A Third Ward Neighborhood, established a two-part process to Project. The analyses contained in the plan included the inventory target properties well suited for the development of affordable of acquirable parcels of vacant land, distressed structures and housing. tax delinquent properties. Community-identifi ed neighborhood assets that could serve as a basis from which to build a vital and Part One of the document assessed neighborhood characteristics vibrant neighborhood were identifi ed, and the plan identifi ed including land use, demographics, existing neighborhood specifi c parcels, blocks and larger geographic areas. facilities and strength, infrastructure capacity, tax delinquency, and physical conditions. Part Two analyzed fi ve sites within the target area, and provided a matrix of indicators impediments and constraints were identifi ed. Preliminary cost estimates were
Urban Redevelopment Plan 13 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
• Zion’s Village Master Plan P&D produced the Zion’s Village Master Plan to provide a logical framework for the redevelopment of Zion’s Village into a safe, vibrant neighborhood of residences, businesses, and institutions in September 1999. It describes a unifi ed vision, recommends public facility improvements, and identifi es appropriate land uses and development characteristics. The recommendations are fl exible and allow for a range of development scenarios while providing enough certainty and predictability to encourage private investment.
• Eastside Village In September 1997, The Planning and Development Department produced a plan entitled, Eastside Village, for the Southeast Houston Community Development Corporation. This targeted Director, Robert Litke leads discussion on LARA. plan outlines a strategy for redevelopment looking at the existing physical conditions and issues within the boundary. The goal was to attract new residents and generate economic investment and physical development while integrating new and old residents together.
Workshop participant takes a look at LARA survey results.
Urban Redevelopment Plan 14 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Educational Component afford a maximum of $85,500; and, extremely low- As part of a grassroots effort to identify neighborhood preferences income families can afford a maximum of $50,000. in revitalization through the creating of affordable housing on (See Appendix B for a full listing.) tax-delinquent properties, the City of Houston conducted three community workshops and open houses in Summer and Fall 2004. (2) Collecting preferences about neighborhood design Over 320 area residents, businesses, civic organizations, faith-based Planning and Development staff administered a survey organizations and elected offi cials participated in this effort. The (see Appendix A) to identify the community’s preferences workshops accomplished two major goals: in design as well as density of redevelopment in both residential areas and commercial corridors. About 140 (1) Creating a heightened awareness about affordable housing participants expressed their preferences on: The City of Houston Planning and Development staff led the discussion about defi ning “affordable housing” by focusing on 1. Land Use: Single-family, multi-family, mixed use, income levels of families, percentage of income available for commercial, parks and open spaces. housing costs and housing prices. In addition, the discussion explored how density of development affects affordability of Density of development along commercial corridors housing and how individual design elements of homes contribute • Low density: Mostly small businesses scattered with to the walkability of a neighborhood. single-family homes and apartments/townhomes along major streets. Key points: • Medium density: Medium to small businesses along • Generally, a household spending more than 30% of the major streets surrounded by a couple of blocks its gross income on housing costs is considered to of apartments/townhomes. have a “housing cost burden”. • High Density: Mostly large to medium sized • In 2004, annual median family income for the City businesses along major streets surrounded by of Houston was $61,000. U.S. Department of several residential blocks of apartments/townhomes. Housing and Urban Development establishes income thresholds that classify families as low income 2. Lot Size (80% of median income / $48,800), very low-income • Low Density: 50-foot wide lots. About 5 units/acre, (50% of median income / $30,500), and extremely auto-oriented neighborhood with high development low-income (30% of median income / $18,300). costs and housing prices. • Based on typical mortgage fi nancing practices, the • Medium Density: 25-foot wide lost. About 10 units/ maximum housing price that low-income families acre, pedestrian oriented neighborhood with reduced can afford is $130,000; very low-income families can costs of development and lower housing prices.
Urban Redevelopment Plan 15 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
• High Density: Less than 25-foot wide lots. About 20 units/acre, compact walkable neighborhood with signifi cantly more housing units and reduced housing prices.
3. Setback • 25-Foot: Suburban character • 10-Foot: Mostly urban character • 5-Foot: Urban character
4. Parking Access • Front: Auto-dominated streets with frequent curb cuts along sidewalks and parking garages visible from the street. • Side: Auto-oriented environment with a driveway and the garage to the rear of the property. Third Ward residents attend one of many workshops for LARA. • Rear Alley: Pedestrian oriented streets with continuous sidewalks and enhanced walkability with parking accessible via an alley.
5. Building Materials • Brick: Most expensive • Tin: Moderately expensive • Wood/Hardiplank: Least expensive
Urban Redevelopment Plan 16 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Design Preference Survey 1 2 A Community preference survey was administered during each public workshop conducted by the Planning and Development Department staff. These surveys were designed to provide insight into residents’ and stakeholders’ attitudes, opinions and perceptions about types of redevelopment.
The Planning and Development staff gave an educational presentation at each workshop that provided:
1. information about LARA’s history and goals, and 2. an introduction to and explanation of design and redevelopment concepts, such as density, setback and the 3 4 overall appearance of development.
The community was encouraged to answer the survey questions immediately after the presentations. Staff was available to answer questions related to the survey and provide assistance.
Over 320 people attended the three workshops. One hundred and thirty-eight surveys were returned representing 43 percent of those in attendance. The survey presented various design scenarios related to different categories (land use, lot size, setback, parking access and building materials). Citizens were asked to rank each 5 of the scenarios identifying their fi rst, second and third choices. A copy of the survey and a summary of the results are included in Appendix A.
Urban Redevelopment Plan 17 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Design Preference Survey Results 3 4 The following results were collected from all respondents based on the 81 surveys gathered from the three workshops. The community preferred:
• Medium density for overall land use • Lot sizes that were 50-feet in width • Setbacks that were 25-feet from the city right-of-way • Parking garages that were located in the rear and accessed from the side 3 A 25-Foot 59% 4 A Front 28% • Exterior siding composed of brick 3 B 10-Foot 27% 4 B Side 51% 3 C 5-Foot 14% 4 C Rear 21% After compiling the majority responses in each category, the staff designed a prototype based on the community’s preferences. See 5 the Prototypical Site Development section on page 20. The actual percentages are as follows:
1 2
5 A Wood/Hardiplank 28% 5 B Tin Materials 51% 5 C Brick Materials 21%
1 A Low 32% 2 A Low 56% 1 B Medium 44% 2 B Medium 34% 1 C High 23% 2 C High 10%
Urban Redevelopment Plan 18 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Prototypical Site Development 1. Land Use/Commercial Corridor: Medium Density The prototypical site development is based on the fi rst preference Medium density preference means small to medium sized businesses responses from the community preference surveys. One unusual should develop along the Third Ward’s main circulation corridors aspect of the survey results is the community’s selection of – Scott and Dowling Streets. As recommended in previous medium density for land use along the commercial corridor which community plans, mixed-use structures with ground level retail is inconsistent with their other low density preferences selected and upper level residential uses provide cost-effective, affordable (50-foot lot size and side access to parking). A medium density housing, increased security and increased density for a walkable neighborhood would call for more townhouses, duplexes and/or environment for community residents. apartments than single-family units and would use rear or front parking. A neighborhood made up of mostly 50-foot wide lots Beyond the main circulation corridors, higher density multi-family would tend to support a low-density neighborhood. residences (town homes and duplexes) should only be built within one to two blocks of the major thoroughfares. Beyond that, the The prototypical land use design takes these aspects into area should remain primarily single-family homes. consideration and translates these preferences into a visual map that displays more multi-family and commercial development New single-family homes should be compatible in scale, setback along the Dowling and Scott major thoroughfares. See Map 3.1 and exterior materials to the existing fabric of the neighborhood. Prototypical Survey Preferences. This allows the interior of The fi rst preference of those surveyed was primarily single-family neighborhoods to develop in a low-density style with the majority homes on 50-foot wide lots with side access to a garage or carport of the lots developed as single-family units on 50-foot wide lots. at the rear of the property.
As the neighborhood continues to develop, housing on smaller than 2. Lot size: Low Density 50-foot wide lots could be built around the major corridors. This A low-density neighborhood is made up of mostly 50-foot wide would include townhouses, patio homes, loft units, contemporary lots and would tend to be auto-oriented. row houses, triplexes, quadraplexes, apartments or a combination of any number of these. This is represented on the land use map by 3. Setback: 25-Foot the orange color. See Map 3.1 Prototypical Survey Preferences. The front setbacks should offer an opportunity to create outdoor Single-family units on 50-foot wide lots are represented on the room and encourage interaction between neighbors as well as adding land use map by the yellow color. Red represents commercial to neighborhood security. Setbacks should remain consistent with development located on major thoroughfares. the existing setback conditions in the Third Ward.
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4. Parking Access: Side Access Parking to the rear of the property with driveways on the side keeps car noise and maintenance behind the residence and is aesthetically appealing viewed from the street. The longer driveway, however, reduces the width, and therefore, the size in which the home may be constructed.
5. Building Material: Brick New building designs should be built with materials compatible to the existing fabric of the neighborhood. Brick is the preferred material for new and renovated residential structures. To develop affordable homes, placing brick on the front and side façade (visible from the street) and durable and economical Hardiplank on the rest of the exterior is recommended.
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Map 3.2 Prototypical Development
These prototypical illustrations are developed from the fi rst preference results of the community surveys. The community chose the following:
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Appendices
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24 Third Ward Urban Redevelopment Plan
Appendix A Community Preference Survey
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Community Preference Survey Community Preference Survey EXAMPLE 1. Land Use/Commercial Corridor In order to help record your preferences, please rank which type of In order to help record your preferences, please rank which type of development shown in the 3 pictures below you prefer on a scale of 1 development shown in the 3 pictures below you prefer on a scale of 1 to to 3: 1=fi rst choice, 2 = second choice, 3= third choice. 3: 1 = fi rst choice, 2 = second choice, 3 = third choice.
A. Low Density