NORTH CHANNEL – The first issue of the North Channel Star, dated Dec. 4, 2013 headlined the groundbreaking of a major redevelopment project, the rebuilding of Freeport Street and related storm drainage, sidewalks and curbs. The actual date of the groundbreaking was Nov. 6, 2013.
Now 22 months later, the project is complete, and many of the community leaders that were present before joined Pct. 2 Commissioner Jack Morman on Thursday morning, Aug. 27 to cut the ribbon to ceremonially open the street to the public.
The street project was funded by federal money after Hurricane Ike damaged the area, and was administered by the Texas General Land Office and HUD, according to Morman. The total cost of the project was about $12.8 million, and the general contractor was Allgood Construction Co. Engineers were R. G. Miller Engineers, and Dannenbaum Engineering. Harris County was represented on the project by HCCSD Director David Turkel, and Engineer Art Storey originally, and John Blount after his retirement. Pct. 2 road and bridge representative was Jeremy Phillips.
Beside the new paving of the three concrete lanes, the contract also called for curbs and storm drains.
Pct. 2 also repaved many streets in the Cloverleaf area during this time, with money from the Better2Streets 2Neighborhoods county funds.
Morman addressed the crowd of community leaders and involved parties before the ribbon cutting, at the Leon Grayson Community Center. North Channel Chamber board chairman Kim Gonzalez acted as master of ceremonies, and hosted a reception following the ceremony, in the community center.
The new street paving runs from the I-10 East Freeway frontage road, to Holly Park.