Submitted by Timbergrove residents and Civic Club members

Early in 2021, after two years of behind-the-scenes push and pull with the City, and with help from our council member, Abbie Kamin, and the blessing of Houston City Council, a group of local volunteers from Timbergrove Manor Civic Club, Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association, Lazybrook Civic Club, and Super Neighborhood 14 were able to accomplish a big task.

Led by the commitment of four key residents of TMCC and TMNA, the whole group successfully championed for 18 concrete street panel sections to be replaced (not repaired) along W. 18th Street, east- bound, between Loop 610 West and Seamist Drive. This is considered Phase I of the project.

Recently, this same group, along with the new president of Lazybrook Civic Club, submitted a request for Phase II to continue street panel replacements from Seamist Drive to Ella Blvd on the east-bound side of W. 18th Street.

This same group requested Phase III of the street panel replacement project to address a terrible section of W. 11th street between Shelterwood and Bryce on the west-bound side, and that project is scheduled to be completed this year!

These accomplishments happen not only because the volunteers work hard, but they happen because they work together. TMCC, TMNA, LCC, and SN14 all want the same thing: to work for the greater good of our neighborhoods and residents. That’s because they are residents here themselves.

In fact, the street panel replacement project is just one of several initiatives in recent years that have received attention and priority from City officials because of our neighbors’ and civic club members’ relentless activity. These include odor-reducing equipment improvements at Bryce Chemical Feed Station on W. 11th Street; the conversion of Overmeyer Street from one-way to two- way to improve traffic flow in the area; the responsible development of the Ella-Grovewood residential project; and ongoing traffic studies to address truck traffic and speeding in Section 5.

Our civic clubs give our volunteers the ability to connect with and hear their neighbors’ concerns, and then work to connect with other local entities to make a difference in the neighborhood.

Our city leaders are also residents of our neighborhoods and are dedicated to working for our city. However, our local civic club volunteers can help guide city leaders to know exactly what needs to be addressed and where.

Right now, we are all very concerned about con- tinued commercial and residential development in the neighborhood and how that impacts our in- frastructure. Did you know that there is a study in the works to find out where to make repairs to our storm water system because TMCC, TMNA, LCC, and SN14 all worked together to get that studygoing? These concerns won’t just fix themselves, nor will our busy city leaders and council members just show up and start repairing things. They need our local volunteers to alert them to these problems.

We are very thankful to Councilmember Abbie Kamin and her staff, as well as the folks at Public Works for their dedication to these projects. The good work they do is invaluable to our projects.

But, you also can be a part of these important projects! Or, maybe you have a project that you feel needs to be brought to the table. The first step is to become a member of the Timbergrove Manor Civic Club. Then, go one step further—become a volun- teer in TMCC. That’s the way it all starts, and that’s the way we can all make a difference
together. There is room for you at the table, and TMCC is the way to find your seat.

To find out how you can get involved with the civic club, email volunteer@timbergrove.org. Civic Club dues may be paid all year long.