Houston Brownfield Redevelopments

John Goldberg Senior Housing Complex

The property of 117 Eastwood spans 3.1 acres and had past commercial usage as a trucking company staging area. Westheimer Rigging and Heavy Hauling Company operated at 117 Eastwood in the 1970s and 80s.  Hazardous funding was used on the property.

Site Assessment and Clean-up

A Phase I Environmental Assessment was conducted from December 2006 to January 2007 and totaled to $3,600.  A Phase II Environmental Assessment was conducted from February-March 2007 and totaled to $10,250. No contaminants were found, and no remediation action or cleanup activities were taken. Cost (USD, adjusted to 2021 values): Phase I Assessment: $4,840 Phase 2 Assessment: $13,395 Redevelopment

114 Eastwood was redeveloped into the John Goldberg Apartments for Senior Citizens in 2000 by the Latino Learning Center in order to provide affordable housing for low-income elderly being displaced in the East End of Houston. John Goldberg Apartments is a gated community for low-income senior residents or citizens. The apartment complex consists of 65 one-bedroom units  containing 499 square feet of living space. The architectural design resembles a traditional Mexican hacienda, reflecting the cultural roots of the predominantly Mexican community in the area. Demand for housing units at the center is high: within one week of its opening, all units were occupied, and there is currently a year-long waiting list. John Golberg Apartments for Senior Citizens was developed with a $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a $236,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank. References

“Apartments for Low-Income Senior Citizens.” Latino Learning, 8 June 2018,  https://latinolearningcenter.org/eastwood-apartments-for-low-income-senior-citizens/ . “WESTHEIMER RIGGING & HEAVY HAULING CO., INC.” Opencorporates.com,  https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tn/000042978 . “Property Profile Page.” Epa.gov,  https://cimc.epa.gov/ords/cimc/f?p=208:31::::31,0:P31_ID:13967 . Accessed 3 May 2023.

Minute Maid Park

Union Station, constructed by the American Construction Company, operated in March 1911 at 501 Crawford. The EPA reports that this 38-acre site previously also contained an industrial facility and a number of corrugated metal buildings.

Site Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment

Environmental assessments were funded by the Harris County Sports Authority. HCSA also entered the property into the Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program and funded the site’s cleanup. Redevelopment costs totalled to $310 million. A 2003 EPA report claims that the project also created 223 new jobs and led the revitalization of Houston’s downtown.

References

“Houston Texas Hits a Grand-Slam for Brownfields Redevelopment.” EPA, 2003,  https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P100AIR6 . Milla, Mira. “The History of Minute Maid Park in 1 Minute.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 1 June 2016,  https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/the-history-of-minute-maid-park-in-1-minute/ .

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

810 Bagby was previously occupied by the Sam Houston Hall, which was built to host the 1928 Democratic National Convention. In 137, both the Sam Houston Coliseum and Music Hall  were built on the property. The Music Hall hosted a variety of performance arts while the Coliseum was used to host the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo among other high profile conferences and concerts. 901 Bagby, an adjacent property, has EPA records of low volumes of hazardous substances.

Redevelopment

In 2002, Robert A.M Stern Architects (RAMSA) was commissioned to build the Hobby Center for Performing Arts, a 270,000 square-foot complex that includes a performing arts hall, theater, and a school of musical theater.  References

Stern, Robert A. M., and Graham S. Wyatt. “Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.” Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP,  https://www.ramsa.com/projects/project/hobby-center-performing-arts . Accessed 9 May 2023.

800 Dorsett Houston, TX, 77029

815 Dorsett (located proximally and sizing to be 14.357 acres) operated as Cactus Pipe and Supply, an oilfield pipe salvage, refurbishing, and storage yard, from 1953 to 1992. In 1986, the property was sold to the city of Houston and continued to operate as a pipe yard. Since 1992, the property has been vacant and unused. From 1997-2013 environmental investigations and responses were performed by the US EPA, Railroad Commission of Texas, TCEQ, and the IHW Corrective Action Program.

800 Dorsett is a 5.03 Acre property.

Site Assessment and Cleanup

In November 2004, a Phase II environmental assessment was conducted by the EPA through the R6 Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program in Texas. The assessment found that surface water was affected and cleanup was necessary. No cleanup activities have since been reported.

References

Wooten, Mark A. “Municipal Setting Designations.” City of Houston, 2018,  https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/tti/20181126/msd.pdf  “Property Profile Page for 800 Dorsett Street.” Epa.gov,  https://cimc.epa.gov/ords/cimc/f?p=CIMC:31::::31,0:P31_ID:13982 .

1400 Fulton,  Houston, TX 77009

The property is 48 acres and previously housed the Hardy Rail Yard (Hardy Street Partners L.P., which was overseen by the Union Pacific Rail Company.

Site Assessment and Cleanup

This facility completed an initial assessment for the Brownfields Management System prior to October 1998, according the GeoSearch.  The assessment found that regulatory cleanup of the facility would be required. An Affected Property Assessment Report (APAR) was completed subsequently. In January 1999, the facility entered the TCEQ voluntary cleanup program. The facility received conditional closure in April of 2008.

Redevelopment

In 2003,  a city ordinance to designate the Hardy/Near Northside area as a reinvestment zone (TIRZ) was approved.  The Zone has designated its focus as to “facilitate affordable housing, encourage/promote transit oriented mixed-use development, and the extension and potential grade separation of San Jacinto Street north from the Interstate 10 to the southern terminus of Fulton Street” while also placing additional efforts on roadway and sidewalk improvements, public utility systems, and parks. A 2016 site development plan indicated that Hardy Yards would be developed into a mixed-use site. The plan included residential apartment complexes and greenspace. In 2016, Braun Enterprises Real Estate Development advertised 1,500 units of Class A multifamily in the new Hardy Yards development. They also proposed that Hardy Yards would contain retail space. Currently, multiple mid-rise apartment complexes have been developed on the site.

References

Gerbode, C., & Singer, D. (n.d.). A look at the hardy yards site plan now that all those sign letters are back in place. Swamplot.com. Retrieved May 19, 2023, from  http://swamplot.com/a-look-at-the-hardy-yards-site-plan-now-that-all-those-sign-letters-are-back-in-place/2016-03-30/  Hardy / near North Side. (n.d.). Houstontx.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from  https://www.houstontx.gov/ecodev/tirz/21.html  Hardy yards. (n.d.). Braun Enterprises. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from  https://braunenterprises.com/property/hardy-yards/  “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment: White Oak/Buffalo Bayou Confluence.”, ESE Partners LLC, Houston County Flood Control District, 22, Dec. 2010,  https://purchasing.houstontx.gov/bids/Q29487/T29487%20Letter%20of%20Clarification%20No.%20Phase%20I%20ESA%20N.%20San%20Jacinto.pdf .

Sterrett Street Townhomes

801 Richey is a 0.23 acre property that previously was utilized as the Eastwood Paint Facility. A 1996 Showcase Community Announcement through the City of Houston was associated with the property. In 2010, this property was included in a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the White Oak/Buffalo bayou Confluence North Jacinto Street. A 7,000 gallon unknown storage tank was reported to have been removed from the Richey Street Property in 2000.

Redevelopment

Sterrett Street Townhomes was constructed on a 0.82 acre property on a block bordered by Walnut, Sterret, Richey, and Nance Streets. The development planned for 18 high-end units priced well above the market range for the area.

References

“Development Potentials and Timing: Buffalo Bayou Corridor”, City of Houston, 2005,  https://www.houstontx.gov/planhouston/sites/default/files/plans/DevelopmentPotentialsandTiming%3BBuffaloBayouCorridorJW.pdf . “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment: White Oak/Buffalo Bayou Confluence.”, ESE Partners LLC, Houston County Flood Control District, 22, Dec. 2010,  https://purchasing.houstontx.gov/bids/Q29487/T29487%20Letter%20of%20Clarification%20No.%20Phase%20I%20ESA%20N.%20San%20Jacinto.pdf . “Property Details for 801 Richey Street.”, EPA,  https://cimc.epa.gov/ords/cimc/f?p=CIMC:31::::31,0:P31_ID:13975 .

222 Milby Houston, TX 77003

222 Milby was part of an 11 acre parcel of land known as the Milly Bus Barn. In 1954, the Houston Transit Company (now METRO) purchased land from the Houston Electric Company. The land was used as a bus and trolley car maintenance garage. In the mid-70s, the City of Houston took over the site and continued similar activities until 1987. In the early 1990s, under Mayor Lanier, the City of Houston expressed interest to redevelop the Milly Bus Barn to provide affordable housing. However, Lanier’s plan for “Las Villas de las Flores” was not fulfilled due to a report from aprivate agency’s environmental investigation – high levels of lead and contaminated groundwater were found at the site.

Site Assessment and Cleanup

A Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report prepared by the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee in 1997 listed 222 Milby as having a record for a case of groundwater contamination. Specifically, the site was recorded to have been contaminated by gasoline and waste oil on October, 19, 1992. The enforcement status (level of agency response) was coded as 2 – staff action. This means  that the agency has initiated an action to address the contamination incident such as an information request, an approval of a work plan, sending notice of the contamination to affected parties , or referring the case to another agency. The site activity status was listed at 4 – implement action. This means that the planned remedy was in the process of being carried out. By 1998, the site was clean enough to meet EPA Standards.

Redevelopment

In 1999, Abel Davila, a Houston Community College trustee urged HCC to redevelop the land by building a vocational training complex on the site.  HCC subsequently conducted its own evaluation of the site and found contaminated soil and hazardous arsenics. In 2005, the Houston City Council voted on an ordinance that approved the sale of 10.5467 acres of land located at 310 N. Milby (formerly known as the Milby Bus Barn Facility) from the City of Houston to the Houston Community College System as a purchaser for 1.3 million dollars.

References

“City Sells Milby Bus Barn Site to HCCS.” Doscentavos.net, 9 Nov. 2005,  https://doscentavos.net/2005/11/09/city-sells-milby-bus-barn-site-to-hccs/ . “Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report -1997.” Texas.Gov, 1998,  https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/comm_exec/pubs/sfr/056_97.pdf . “Status Codes.” Texas.Gov,  https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/groundwater/joint-report/status-codes.pdf . Accessed 9 May 2023.

Discovery Green

The city purchased the 12 acres of land that would become Discovery Green in 2004. It consisted of two large parking lots and an underutilized green space.

Redevelopment

In the early 2000s, a public-private partnership between the City of Houston and a group of local philanthropic organizations, including the Kinder Foundation, was formed to construct a new public green space in Downtown. This partnership financed the purchase of a series of surface parking lots on the east side of Downtown. Following the completion of land purchases in 2004, the Discovery Green Conservancy and the City jointly raised $125 million to construct the park. The park opened in 2008.

References

 "Benchmark: Discovery Green"  (PDF). Project for Public Spaces. August 2011. Retrieved 2018-03-16.

Mandell Park

Mandell Park is  a 1.22 acre property  surrounded by Bonnie Brae, Mandell and Richmond Avenue in Houston's Museum District.  Originally, the property was half residential and half commercial. In the 1980s, the city of Houston selected the  site to house a public library and had the property cleared. However, soon, a better site was found, and the property became a dumping ground. The southern half of the property was soon adopted by the Castle Court Neighborhood Association – trash was removed and the shrub was trimmed. The neighborhood association maintained the site for the next 20 years. In 1992, “Meredith Gardens”, an organic community garden, was established. Today, these gardens are maintained by volunteers and are an Urban Harvest affiliate. The EPA FRS reports a high volume of hazardous substances at 1531 Richmond, an adjacent property.

Redevelopment

The property was transferred from the City of Houston Library Department to the Parks and Recreation Department. Friends of Mandell Park (FOMP) was formed in 2004 to fund the improvement and maintenance of the property due to monetary constraints from the city of Houston. $1 million was raised through plant sales, grant applications, and other fundraising activities from 2004-2014. The design for the park was developed by fourth-year University of Houston architecture students [aired with design firms  during a design charrette

References

“About.” Mandellpark.org,  https://www.mandellpark.org/html/about.html . Accessed 9 May 2023.

Tony Marron Park

808 York spans 19.07 acres in the East End of Houston. The property was a formerly underutilized greenspace.  The EPA Underground Storage Tank (UST) Finder reports a record for a high volume petroleum storage tank adjacent to 808 York Street, at 3421 Rusk Street.

Redevelopment

The property was acquired by the City of Houston  in 1987 and restored by the Park People as Tony Marron Park. The park initially consisted of a playground, greenspace, and a path to the bayou. In 2020, with the utilization of a $10 million grant awarded by the Houston Endowment to the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, a redesign by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and Houston’s Natalye Appel Architects was initiated. The redesign aims to expand the park and include more facilities as well as a stormwater management system.

References

“Michael van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.” Mvvainc.com,  https://mvvainc.com/projects/tony-marron-park . Accessed 9 May 2023. “What’s next for Buffalo Bayou? $10 Million Grant Accelerates Master Plan’s 3 Key Projects.” Houston Endowment, 11 Dec. 2020,  https://www.houstonendowment.org/press/whats-next-for-buffalo-bayou-10-million-grant-accelerates-master-plans-3-key-projects/ .

2505 Washington,  Houston, TX 77007

The 2.8 acre property located in Old Sixth Ward was a formerly used car dealership with contaminated soil. Records show that the site was cleaned up for use as a residential development

Site Assessment A 2009 Phase 1 Assessment of 2702 Washington (0.15  miles NW) included an analysis of this property and reported that due to its regulatory disposition, this site does not post an environmental threat.

Redevelopment

The site was redeveloped as Washington Courtyards, an apartment complex. References

“Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 2702 Washington Avenue.” LFC, 2009,  https://www.tranzon.com/otherdocs/02__2702_washington__phase_i_environmental_site_assessment_.pdf .

Federal Reserve Bank Branch

Historically 1801 Allen Parkway sited Jefferson Davis Hospital, a prominent public charity hospital. The hospital operated from 1925 to 1989.  After the building’s demolition, the site was abandoned and largely forgotten.

Site Assessment and Cleanup

During cleanup, asbestos, lead, and petroleum products were found in the soil. In June 2004, all contaminants were cleaned up with total funding (comping from EPA cleanup funding and leveraged funding) adding up to $431,000. Cost (USD, adjusted to 2021 values): Cleanup: $905, 091

Redevelopment

In 2000, 1801 Allen Parkway was sold to the Federal Reserve. Then, starting 2002, the Federal Graves commissioned Michael Graves to construct a new Federal Reserve location for Houston. The total cost of the structure was around $95 million. The construction project was completed in 2005.

References

“Economic Growth Led to Big Federal Reserve Building.” Houston Chronicle, Chron, 27 Oct. 2005,  https://www.chron.com/business/article/Economic-growth-led-to-big-Federal-Reserve-1479982.php .

Sunnyside Landfill Solar Project,  Houston, TX 77007

From 1954-1970, the site functioned as a landfill. The major contaminant found in the landfill was methane. Cooks Composites and Polymers Company, Nabisco, Reichhold Chemicals Inc, Confederate Steel Corp., and Rock Wool Mnfr. all utilized the landfill.

Site Assessment and Cleanup

A Phase II Environmental Assessment was conducted from June to October. $137,004 of EPA funding was leveraged. Contaminants were found in the soil, and no cleanup activities have been reported by the EPA.

Redevelopment

Houston has approved a lease agreement with Sunnyside Energy LLC to advance the Sunnyside Solar Project, a public-private partnership to convert the 240-acre closed landfill in Sunnyside into the largest  brownfield solar installation  in the nation. The dump in Sunnyside was closed in the 1970s amid community protests. In the decades since, it has become a magnet for vagrancy and illegal dumping.

References

“Bellfort Blvd Landfill.” Energy Justice Network,  http://www.energyjustice.net/map/displayfacility-74449.htm  “Property Details for Bellfort Landfill.” EPA,  https://cimc.epa.gov/ords/cimc/f?p=121:31::::Y,31:P31_ID:13990 .

 https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/news/houston-approves-brownfield-solar-project/ 

3602 Center,  Houston, TX 77007

The property historically operated as a recycling center: the Center Street Recycling Center. A City of Houston  2019-2013 Capital Improvement Plan included allocations for the Heights Consumer Recycling Center and 3602 Center. The Center Street Neighborhood Recycling center closed  in 2013. EPA FRS reports a high volume of hazardous substances in the area.

References

“2009-2013 Capital Improvement Plan” City of Houston,  https://www.houstontx.gov/cip/09cipadopt/vol1/swbudg.pdf .

Center City Industrial Park

Hughes Tool Co. was historically located at 5425 Polk Street. EPA UST Finder reports high volumes of petroleum storage at this facility.

Redevelopment The original Hughes Tools Industrial Plant was redeveloped into Center City Industrial Park in 1992. This involved 1,150,000 square feet and 85 acres of demolition, construction of 12 structures, and refurbishment of 22 existing buildings.  

References

“Central City Industrial Park —.” Falcon Group,  http://www.falcongroup.com/central-city-industrial-park . Accessed 10 May 2023.

Beekman St Park

6003 Beekman is a 0.37 acre site acquired by the city of Houston in 2004. In February 2008, the city of Houston contracted ARC Abatement for Slab and Lifts Removal, Soil Remediation, and Disposal at this site. An agenda for a city council  meeting on February 6, 2008 includes a recommendation for the final contract amount for remediation to be set to $17,050.

Redevelopment

The site was developed into Beekman Street Park.

References

“AGENDA - COUNCIL MEETING - TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 5, 2008 - 1:30 P. M.” City of Houston, 2008,  https://www.houstontx.gov/citysec/backup/2008/020508.pdf  “HPARD Inventory.” City of Houston, 2012,  https://houstontx.gov/parks/pdfs/2011/HPARDInventory.pdf .

9929 Homestead Houston, TX 77016

9929 Homestead is an 11.71 acre property. In 1959, it was developed as a commercial shopping center. The property formerly was occupied by two small automobile repair shops as well as a KMart (which closed in 2013).  In 2012, Horizon, a Houston development agency, acquired the property.

Site Assessment and Cleanup An information release from Horizon, a developer in the city of Houston, in December 2022  indicated that since 2013, the following have been completed: - Additional environmentally studies that have resulted in environmental clearance Cleaning of 20+ trash dumpsters from the building - Securing of the area - Removal of graffiti - Painting of the building - Continual cleanup of trash and dumped tired Additionally, the developer indicated that a total investment of $5 million has been made for cleanup and development thus far.

Redevelopment

The developer, Horizon, plans to develop a commercial center in the property. According to Horizon’s announcement, the community in which the property is located has expressed that they do not want the center to be filled with “liquor stores and fast cash options”. The developer also indicated that the community is a food desert, and they want to prioritize the inclusion of a grocery option. Horizon’s original plans for development included a grocer, a commercial business, a financial institution, healthcare facility, security substation, parking improvements, and a community event hall. The project approved and funded by Houston's Brownfields program will be downsized and provide a smaller footprint plan.

References

Martin, Elizabeth. “9929 Homestead Development.” Horizon, KHOU, 12, Dec. 2022,  https://interactive.khou.com/pdfs/homestead.pdf .

Wildcat Golf Club

The site was historically used as greenspace.

Site Assessment and Cleanup

EPA records for the address, 11800 Almeda Road (a 55.25 acre property), indicate that a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment occurred in September 2006, using $7,050 of EPA funding. A phase 2 assessment took place from May 2008-October 2009. Cleanup planning occurred in 2011, using $3,850 of EPA funding. During the cleanup phase, petroleum was detected in groundwater and soil.  Petroleum products in groundwater were not cleaned up. 25 cleanup jobs were leveraged and total funding for cleanup activities amounted to $860,000 (entirely made up of leveraged funding).

Cost (USD, adjusted to 2021 values): $1,086,061

Redevelopment

The site was redeveloped into Wildcat Golf Club.

References

“Property Details for 11800 Almeda Rd.” EPA, 2017,  https://cimc.epa.gov/ords/cimc/f?p=208:31::::31,0:P31_ID:40441 

St Elizabeth Place

Built in 1947 with initial funds provided by Catholic Charities of the Galveston Diocese, St. Elizabeth Hospital provided capacity for minorities in a city that had only 175 hospital beds designated for an African American community of more than 100,000 people. The hospital closed in the 1980s and had been vacant since 2014. 

Redevelopment

The revitalization of St. Elizabeth Place will cost $31.7 million, funded through a combination of federal and state tax credits, private loans, and City of Houston disaster recovery funding. The City’s approximately $14.9 million contribution comes from a combination of Community Development Block Grant – Round 2 (CDBG-DR2) funding and Community Development Block Grant – Harvey Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR17) funding, both provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for replacing and rebuilding rental homes damaged by storms.

References

 https://recovery.houstontx.gov/st-elizabeth-place-breathes-new-life-into-historic-fifth-ward-hospital/