Скачать или смотреть Local Activist Ed Pettitt Takes On Houston City Council with Bold Plan for the Columbia Tap Trail!

In his remarks to the Houston City Council, Ed Pettitt, who is the Vice President of the Third Ward Super Neighborhood and a Graduate Research Assistant with the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University, expressed his solidarity with the Northeast Action Collective on the issue of drainage as an environmental justice concern, particularly affecting black and brown communities in northeast Houston.

Ed then focused on a different matter, related to the Third Ward Complete Communities Action Plan. He highlighted a project on page 32 of the plan, aiming to create a Cultural Trail connecting businesses, historic landmarks, art institutions, parks, and open spaces in the Houston Southeast district and the Third Ward, specifically referencing the Columbia Tap Hike and Bike Trail. However, the trail is currently owned by Houston Public Works, which only has a maintenance contract, causing issues with obtaining funding and support for improvements.

He requested that the City Council, with the assistance of the Mayor and Complete Communities Director Shannon Buggs, work to amend the interlocal agreement with the Houston Parks Board to take over management and jurisdiction of the trail. This, he believes, will help secure federal, state, and local funding for the improvements needed, especially in connection to the new plan for Cuney Homes public housing complex.

Following Ed's remarks, Councilmember Shabazz expressed agreement with his concerns and stated that many neighborhoods face similar challenges, where the boundaries between Public Works and Parks Department lead to confusion and hinder community improvements.

In response, the mayor expressed appreciation for Ed's efforts and assured him that the city would work towards finding solutions to address the issue of jurisdiction and support community-driven improvements.