1. Housing and Zoning
Along the main roads, such as Heights Blvd and Studemont St, there was an abundant amount of apartment complexes. The overall style of these apartments was modern with no noticeable signs of disrepair, such as broken windows or doors. They appeared well-maintained and many had gated access. Most appeared to be built after the 1980s. The majority of apartment complexes were approximately 3-4 levels, although one was in a high-rise building located off Studemont St. We noticed a few new apartment complexes that were in the process of being built, indicating a high demand for apartments to rent within the neighborhood. Based on the amount of apartments, we can infer that most residents within this neighborhood rent rather than own a home.
Once we traveled away from the main roads, we entered residential areas that contained a mix of modern and run down houses. Oftentimes, nice houses were right beside the older and neglected homes. There was a variety of styles amongst the homes, ranging from modern to historical. Some of the historical houses were from the 1920's. There was little or no space between houses - some houses were surrounded by a small plot of land, while others were connected to others in 3-story townhomes. The houses that had a small plot of land in the front & back had around an 4000 sq ft lot size and the townhomes had around a 2000-3000 sq ft lot size. Aside from the neglected homes that were scattered throughout the area, the houses did not appear to have broken doors or windows, and most likely contain modern plumbing and air conditioning. Abandoned homes often had boarded-up windows and doors with garbage in the yard. The overall condition of houses was mixed and depended largely on the age of the home.
Along the main roads, such as Heights Blvd and Studemont St, there was an abundant amount of apartment complexes. The overall style of these apartments was modern with no noticeable signs of disrepair, such as broken windows or doors. They appeared well-maintained and many had gated access. Most appeared to be built after the 1980s. The majority of apartment complexes were approximately 3-4 levels, although one was in a high-rise building located off Studemont St. We noticed a few new apartment complexes that were in the process of being built, indicating a high demand for apartments to rent within the neighborhood. Based on the amount of apartments, we can infer that most residents within this neighborhood rent rather than own a home.
Once we traveled away from the main roads, we entered residential areas that contained a mix of modern and run down houses. Oftentimes, nice houses were right beside the older and neglected homes. There was a variety of styles amongst the homes, ranging from modern to historical. Some of the historical houses were from the 1920's. There was little or no space between houses - some houses were surrounded by a small plot of land, while others were connected to others in 3-story townhomes. The houses that had a small plot of land in the front & back had around an 4000 sq ft lot size and the townhomes had around a 2000-3000 sq ft lot size. Aside from the neglected homes that were scattered throughout the area, the houses did not appear to have broken doors or windows, and most likely contain modern plumbing and air conditioning. Abandoned homes often had boarded-up windows and doors with garbage in the yard. The overall condition of houses was mixed and depended largely on the age of the home.
2. Open space
The majority of the space within this neighborhood is occupied by residences and commercial buildings, although several parks exist within the area. Along Allen Pkwy and the Buffalo Bayou, there is a park with a long walking trail, a tennis court, a basketball court, and playgrounds. There is plenty of green grass and trees along the bayou. However, there is a great deal of construction occurring at this park, making parts of it un-walkable. These parks are open to the public and used by dog owners, bikers, walkers, joggers, and children/teens who wish to use the playgrounds or play sports. The lot sizes of the homes within the neighborhood do not contain enough open space for play or gardening. Many yards belonging to older homes are poorly maintained, with litter and garbage in the yards. Other space has been abandoned and fenced off, and some buildings appear deserted.
The majority of the space within this neighborhood is occupied by residences and commercial buildings, although several parks exist within the area. Along Allen Pkwy and the Buffalo Bayou, there is a park with a long walking trail, a tennis court, a basketball court, and playgrounds. There is plenty of green grass and trees along the bayou. However, there is a great deal of construction occurring at this park, making parts of it un-walkable. These parks are open to the public and used by dog owners, bikers, walkers, joggers, and children/teens who wish to use the playgrounds or play sports. The lot sizes of the homes within the neighborhood do not contain enough open space for play or gardening. Many yards belonging to older homes are poorly maintained, with litter and garbage in the yards. Other space has been abandoned and fenced off, and some buildings appear deserted.
3. Boundaries
The boundaries of this neighborhood include highways, I-610 to the north and I-45 to the east, a river (Buffalo Bayou) to the south, and main roads – N. Shepherd to the west, Allen Pkwy to the south along Buffalo Bayou, as well as Bagby, Tuam, and Taft in the Southeast corner. Parts of this neighborhood fall within the Old Sixth Ward Historic District, which is distinguished by signs and historic buildings. There does appear to be a contrast between streets such as Studemont St, which contain modern apartment complexes, stores, and restaurants, and the rest of the neighborhood which contains older homes and buildings. “Memorial Heights” appeared in many of the signs for shops and buildings on Studemont St, suggesting a boundary between this trendier and more modern area and the remainder of the neighborhood.
The boundaries of this neighborhood include highways, I-610 to the north and I-45 to the east, a river (Buffalo Bayou) to the south, and main roads – N. Shepherd to the west, Allen Pkwy to the south along Buffalo Bayou, as well as Bagby, Tuam, and Taft in the Southeast corner. Parts of this neighborhood fall within the Old Sixth Ward Historic District, which is distinguished by signs and historic buildings. There does appear to be a contrast between streets such as Studemont St, which contain modern apartment complexes, stores, and restaurants, and the rest of the neighborhood which contains older homes and buildings. “Memorial Heights” appeared in many of the signs for shops and buildings on Studemont St, suggesting a boundary between this trendier and more modern area and the remainder of the neighborhood.
4. Commons
Neighborhood hangouts include public parks and playgrounds (especially along Buffalo Bayou), pubs, bars, and lounges. Off of Shepherd Dr, we saw an indoor soccer facility called “Kicks.” There was also Milroy Park Community Center as a hangout.The common areas within the neighborhood do not appear to have a sense of territoriality and are used by a wide variety of people.
Neighborhood hangouts include public parks and playgrounds (especially along Buffalo Bayou), pubs, bars, and lounges. Off of Shepherd Dr, we saw an indoor soccer facility called “Kicks.” There was also Milroy Park Community Center as a hangout.The common areas within the neighborhood do not appear to have a sense of territoriality and are used by a wide variety of people.
5. Transportation
Similarly to the majority of Houston, the main way of transportation around the neighborhood is by car. Bus routes go through the neighborhood, but no buses were seen while we drove through. Residents of the neighborhood have easy access to highways and the neighborhood is bordered by I-10 on the north. The main streets of the neighborhood are walkable. Several pedestrians were seen walking along the roads carrying plastic bags from stores. The streets and sidewalks are in fair condition, and generally appear conductive to neighborhood life. Stores and restaurants are scattered throughout the neighborhood and are easily accessible.
Similarly to the majority of Houston, the main way of transportation around the neighborhood is by car. Bus routes go through the neighborhood, but no buses were seen while we drove through. Residents of the neighborhood have easy access to highways and the neighborhood is bordered by I-10 on the north. The main streets of the neighborhood are walkable. Several pedestrians were seen walking along the roads carrying plastic bags from stores. The streets and sidewalks are in fair condition, and generally appear conductive to neighborhood life. Stores and restaurants are scattered throughout the neighborhood and are easily accessible.
6. Service Centers
Many services are represented within the neighborhood, including counseling, dentistry, physical therapy, chiropractic offices, help for substance abuse, a 24 hour emergency clinic and a Doctors Express Urgent Care, optometry, hair removal, veterinarian care, and law firms. Banks, pharmacies, spas, restaurants, bars, car repair shops, and much more could be found in the area. Residents of the neighborhood have access to most services that they need, although there is a high prevalence services such as fast food, convenience stores, and bars that are detrimental to health.
Many services are represented within the neighborhood, including counseling, dentistry, physical therapy, chiropractic offices, help for substance abuse, a 24 hour emergency clinic and a Doctors Express Urgent Care, optometry, hair removal, veterinarian care, and law firms. Banks, pharmacies, spas, restaurants, bars, car repair shops, and much more could be found in the area. Residents of the neighborhood have access to most services that they need, although there is a high prevalence services such as fast food, convenience stores, and bars that are detrimental to health.
7. Stores
Major chain stores within this neighborhood included Walgreens, Kroger, and a Wal-Mart in the center of the neighborhood on Yale St. There were numerous small food stores and convenience stores. Restaurants and fast food was plentiful. Some of the main streets had strip malls, such as The Shops at Memorial Heights (pictured below) that contained a variety of services, ranging from restaurants to dentists.
Major chain stores within this neighborhood included Walgreens, Kroger, and a Wal-Mart in the center of the neighborhood on Yale St. There were numerous small food stores and convenience stores. Restaurants and fast food was plentiful. Some of the main streets had strip malls, such as The Shops at Memorial Heights (pictured below) that contained a variety of services, ranging from restaurants to dentists.
8. Street People
People walking in this neighborhood were dressed casually. Of particular interest was an older man with a cane leaning against a wire fence rocking back and forth. This man was seen in a residential neighborhood rocking against a fence in the front yard of a home. There was also a lovely elderly couple visiting the public library. There were also several individuals walking their dogs in the residential areas along with a teenager on his skateboard.
People walking in this neighborhood were dressed casually. Of particular interest was an older man with a cane leaning against a wire fence rocking back and forth. This man was seen in a residential neighborhood rocking against a fence in the front yard of a home. There was also a lovely elderly couple visiting the public library. There were also several individuals walking their dogs in the residential areas along with a teenager on his skateboard.
9. Signs of Decay
10. Ethnicity & Race.
There were a variety of different ethnic restaurants in the area that cater to different cultures. However, the majority of stores and restaurants are more indicative of Hispanic ethnicity.
There were a variety of different ethnic restaurants in the area that cater to different cultures. However, the majority of stores and restaurants are more indicative of Hispanic ethnicity.
11. Class & Caste
We observed different style houses that could positively correlate with income and income can positively correlate with class. On the western side of our area, the houses were mixed between modern contemporary styles and one story houses that were dilapidated and rundown. We would classify the residents as ranging between Upper/Professional living predominantly on the western side with Working and Lower Class living on the Southeastern side and Northern side.
We observed different style houses that could positively correlate with income and income can positively correlate with class. On the western side of our area, the houses were mixed between modern contemporary styles and one story houses that were dilapidated and rundown. We would classify the residents as ranging between Upper/Professional living predominantly on the western side with Working and Lower Class living on the Southeastern side and Northern side.
Modern houses on the western side
More run down houses seen on the southeastern and northern side
12. Religion
There are quite a few churches scattered throughout the area that encompass a wide array of denominations. Others include Shepherd Drive Methodist Church, St. Mary Church and Damascus Baptist Church. Some of the outside church ministries in the area include the homeless ministry of Brown Chapel and the vegetable garden for the homeless at St. Marks.
There are quite a few churches scattered throughout the area that encompass a wide array of denominations. Others include Shepherd Drive Methodist Church, St. Mary Church and Damascus Baptist Church. Some of the outside church ministries in the area include the homeless ministry of Brown Chapel and the vegetable garden for the homeless at St. Marks.
13. Health and Morbidity
There are a few health clinics, emergency centers, and dentistry located throughout the area:
There are a few health clinics, emergency centers, and dentistry located throughout the area:
14. Politics
There were a few political campaign posters seen in 3rd ward for Democratic Judge Steven Kirkland. There was no political campaign headquarters seen.
There were a few political campaign posters seen in 3rd ward for Democratic Judge Steven Kirkland. There was no political campaign headquarters seen.
16. Safety
There is a fire station located at 3402 Washington Ave that has emergency vehicles as well as fire trucks available. The Houston Police Department has their Police Headquarters and Central Station located at the corner of Lubbock and Houston Avenue. There are metro bus stops along most of the streets throughout the community. There were no sidewalks in the residential areas, but there are sidewalks on the main roads that seemed to be in good repair.
There is a fire station located at 3402 Washington Ave that has emergency vehicles as well as fire trucks available. The Houston Police Department has their Police Headquarters and Central Station located at the corner of Lubbock and Houston Avenue. There are metro bus stops along most of the streets throughout the community. There were no sidewalks in the residential areas, but there are sidewalks on the main roads that seemed to be in good repair.