With hopes to ignite economic growth and accessibility in the Third Ward, City Council members approved Metro’s proposal to build light rail structures that will traverse UH’s neighboring community.
"The light rail will mean all Third Ward residents will have an outstanding public transit system available to take them throughout the city," Councilwoman Wanda Adams said. "It will also help the economic development for the residents and businesses of the area."
Plans for the Metro Solutions Phase 2, which will break ground in September, call for the Southeast Corridor line to run on Scott Street from Leeland Street to Wheeler Avenue, where it will turn east along UH. Plans for the University line include a route along Wheeler Avenue from Main Street to Ennis Street, going around Texas Southern University, where it will join the Southeast Corridor line at Scott Street.
The council members’ 13-2 vote, which included the approved groundbreaking of the first of five light rail lines to stretch the span of Houston, was met only after weeks of discussion and with the condition Metro delivers the rail lines with the deadline, alignment and service promised.
The consent agreement between the council members and Metro outlined the construction of 30 miles of light-rail lines split between the North, East End, Southeast, Uptown and University Corridors.
Though Councilwoman Jolanda Jones and Councilman Mike Sullivan were the only two council members to oppose the rail approval, Councilwoman Melissa Noriega’s approving vote was cast with concern.
"We have to be considerate of residents and small businesses with this type of construction," said Noriega. "Metro has to be held accountable and build the light rails within the approved routes in a timely manner."
Noriega said the transportation agency must be completely transparent in its actions with Metro Solutions Phase 2.
While assuring access to TSU, the rail construction, slated for completion in 2012, poses a possible threat to the small businesses and residences along the slated route for the Southeast Corridor, which will span from Bagby to Griggs.
With funds from a 2005-approved $2 billion budget, which is currently being negotiated, Metro will offer programs to ensure the businesses do not incur financial hardships. Coupon books, low-interest rate loans for eligible small businesses and proper signage and access for customers to locate and patronize businesses will be available to businesses affected by Southeast Corridor construction.
"Right now, any business has concerns based off of Metro’s previous experience with the Main Street line," Metro spokesperson Sandra Salazar said.
Unlike the Main Street line’s all-at-once construction, Metro Solutions Phase 2 will be implemented in four segments at four separate times.
"We want to make sure those businesses are there when we finish construction because otherwise, where are the riders and the patrons going to come from?" Salazar said.
To ease its transition to a rail zone, Metro will provide a communication and outreach plan for Third Ward’s businesses and residents.
"The most important of all this is communication. We have a commitment to transparency," Salazar said.
The agency has opened an outreach office in the Palm Center to facilitate communication.
"Growth is never a painless process," Adams said. "I was very unhappy with some of the tragic stories of some of the businesses on Main Street, and want to make sure that the businesses along Wheeler do not share their fate."
