Join us for National Night Out on October 1st!
2024 Annual Meeting
It’s that time of year again!! Our Larchmont Annual Meeting is quickly approaching! We will be holding this meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd from 6:30-8:00 pm. Location will be determined based on the number of in-person attendees. So, please let us know if you plan to attend in person!
In this meeting we will be voting on new Civic Association Board Members, appointing Block Directors, discussing upcoming events for the neighborhood, reviewing the budget, and discussing where your dues will be allocated.
We encourage all neighbors to attend in person, or via the Google meet link sent via email. This meeting is vitally important for the continued success of the Larchmont Civic Association and keeping Larchmont a great neighborhood to live in!
According to the Larchmont By-Laws, members are residents who have paid their annual dues of $150. Dues payments will be accepted at the meeting or may be paid in advance to establish membership. You MUST BE a paid member in order to cast a vote!
Safety First: August
Take all valuables out of your cars and remember to always lock your car each night. With back to school season upon us, it can be quite easy to accidentally leave belongings, especially backpacks, in your car. Car thieves are opportunistic criminals who will go car to car looking for an unlocked door handle. Keeping your car locked is the best deterrent for these individuals. But, leaving anything visible in your car can present an enticing score for thieves. A backpack might contain laptops, iPads, phones, headphones, etc… and thieves don’t care if it’s a kindergartener’s backpack or the backpack of a mom or dad used for work - they all present an easy score for the thief.
HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY LARCHMONT!
Larchmont celebrated it’s 70th Birthday this past Saturday in the greenspace on Lincrest. We had over 28 families contribute to the event and 12 local businesses sponsort. With over 100 neighbors in attendance, the event was a huge success!
Events would not be possible without the generosity of our neighbors, if you would like to contribute to our next block party please contact, Chelsea Ellison!
Citizens on Patrol is Back!
Larchmont's citizen patrol group is back up and running thanks to Will Mejia (of Treats in the Streets fame).
As you may recall, HPD feels that such groups are a deterrent to crime, so hopefully the efforts of Will and other neighbors who are participating will help keep your residences and vehicles safe. (This has given Larchmont some priority with HPD response in the past, so hopefully that is still the case.) However, groups must record a certain number of patrol hours per month to maintain our status with HPD. HPD prefers/recommends that patrollers drive, but if you take a usual stroll through the neighborhood for exercise, you could be counting that towards our goal. If you are interested in helping deter crime in Larchmont, please complete the application and contact Will at william.e.mejia@gmail.com with any questions. You may also visit the Citizens on Patrol website.
TxDOT CSJ 0271-17-161 IH 69 Southwest Freeway at the IH 610 West Loop Upcoming Closures (05.04.18 Update)
From: Paul Eley [mailto:Paul.Eley@txdot.gov]
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2018 12:10 PM
Subject: TxDOT CSJ 0271-17-161 IH 69 Southwest Freeway at the IH 610 West Loop Upcoming Closures (05.04.18 Update)
Please see below for updates and revisions for the closures that are facilitating the proposed reconstruction of the IH 69 Southwest Freeway at the IH 610 West Loop Interchange. This project will facilitate the total reconstruction of this interchange. Revisions are in italics.
Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes.
These closures have been input into the TxDOT PIO system and can be found at www.houstontranstar.org.
A website for this project has been set up at http://www.dot.state.tx.us/texasclearlanes/what-were-doing/congestion-projects-i69-i610.htm. Also, follow project updates and information on Twitter @HOU610at69.
The contacts for these closures are Alex Alvarado @ 346.234.9774, Paul Eley @ 281.536.3129, and Danny Perez with TxDOT PIO at 713.802.5077.
- IH 69 Southbound Mainlanes at the IH 610 West Loop: 1 Right (Outside) Lane closed daily between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturday 05.05.18 and Sunday, 05.06.18.
- IH 69 Southbound Frontage Road between McCue Rd. and Chimney Rock Rd.: 1 Alternate Lane closed Continuously until further notice.
- IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road, north of Westpark Dr.: The current “Left Lane Must Turn Left” configuration will remain thru 5:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
- IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Westpark Dr. and Fournace Pl.:Alternate Lane(s) remain closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2018. At least one southbound frontage road lane will remain open.
- IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Fournace Pl. and Bissonnet St.: 1 Right (Outside) Lane closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, September, 03, 2018.
- IH 610 Southbound Exit to Fournace Pl.: Total Closure Continuously until further notice. Detour via the Exit to Hidalgo St.; Turn Left, (South) onto Post Oak Blvd. Follow Post Oak Blvd. to the IH 610 West Loop Southbound Frontage road. Follow the the IH 610 West Loop Southbound Frontage Rd. to Fournace Pl. An alternate detour is to follow the IH 610 Southbound Mainlanes to the exit to Bellaire Blvd.; U-Turn at Bellaire Blvd and follow the IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road to Fournace Pl..
- IH 69 Northbound Frontage Road between Westpark and Newcastle: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed continuously thru 3:00 PM on Saturday, 05.05.18.
- Newcastle (Southbound) between the IH 69 Southbound Frontage Rd and Westpark: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Saturday, 05.05.18.
- IH 69 Southwest Freeway Express/HOV Lanes Entrance and Exit to Westpark: Total Closure Continuously until further notice. Detour via the Express/HOV Lanes Entrance and Exit to Edloe Street.
Off Duty Police Officers will be on site to assist, as needed, and changeable message signs will also be utilized as needed.
All closures are subject to cancellation or modification due to adverse weather. For more information please call the TxDOT Public Information Office at 713.802.5076.
Please call or email if you have any questions.
Thank You,
Paul Eley / TxDOT Projects Manager / 281.536.3129 (C)
IMPORTANT/ Larchmont Freeway Sound Wall Reconstruction/ Timeline moved forward
Stacey Spencer distributed this update on 5/5/18 via the Google Groups "Larchmont" group.
To all Larchmont,
This last week, we received notification that the Larchmont Sound Wall section of the IH 610/ IH 69 Freeway project was pushed forward by 2 months. We could not schedule a meeting with TxDOT until yesterday, late Friday afternoon to get the details of the sound wall project and what to expect. Mike Lammers and myself were in attendance and we both took notes. Below are our combined notes of the meeting, detailing what to expect/ next steps moving forward. Everyone in our neighborhood should read these meeting notes. I have included a pdf file of the same information.
If you have any questions pertaining to these notes that are constructive, please reply to the group so we may find answers. Please exercise constraint if you have negative comments. If you want to ask me any questions, please feel free to call or email. Or if you want to contact TxDOT, please call Danny Perez at (713) 802-5077 or at danny.perez@txdot.gov .
Sound Wall Reconstruction Meeting with Larchmont & TxDOT, May 4, 2018
Attendees:
Larchmont: Mike Lammers & Stacey Spencer
TxDOT: Frank Leong – West Harris Area
Alex Alvarado – Project Manager
Danny Perez – Public Affairs Liason
Paul Eley
Job Scope, Time Frame and Work Hours: Tear down and reconstruction of the Larchmont Sound Wall facing US 59 (IH-69)
Start date of sound wall project: 5/14/2018 (Installation of temporary fencing) which is much sooner than anticipated. Construction during the dryer months of the year could aid in fewer construction days.
Sound Wall Project Duration: 4 – 6 Months (includes all projected delays)
Construction hours and days: 7 Days a week from Sunrise to Sunset
Construction Stages:
The following is a list of the stages of the sound wall replacement and best scenario time frames:
Erecting temporary fencing: along the TxDOT Right Of Way
1 week
Demolition of the Sound Wall: Will knock down wall with 3 to 4 track hoes and move material offsite in dump trucks for processing.
2 weeks
Drilling shafts for new columns: Using a drilling rig and slurry tank, drill 130+ shafts drilled at 36” depth. Will drill every 3rd or 4th shaft and move back and forth across the length of the wall until complete.
1 month
Column installation: Utilizing a crane
2 weeks
Concrete Panels being installed: Utilizing a crane
2 weeks
Causes/ conditions that influence the schedule
Rain delays
unknown/ unmapped utilities and structures
problem soil conditions
equipment failure
- The stage with the most unpredictable time frame/ length is the drilling of the shafts for the new columns. Could drill 15 shafts in a day or 0.
Tear down of the existing sound wall will occur all at one time. The project will likely start on at the S. Rice section of the wall but this could change.
It is highly unlikely there be utility disruptions but possible they could occur.
Equipment will be stored on the TxDOT easement just south of 5300 & 5400 Windswept North of the current wall and South of the chain link fencing.
There will be no construction vehicle traffic in Larchmont.
Security:
Fencing
6 foot temporary fence will be installed. It will follow the Right of Way stakes that are in place now. It will start at the S. Rice wall and run down Windswept and will turn North on to Barrington and connecting at the TxDOT chain link fencing behind homes of 5500 Pagewood. The existing TxDOT chain link fencing behind Pagewood will serve as the security perimeter fencing. And there will also be additional chain link fencing installed at the west end of the 5500 of Pagewood TxDOT chain link and it will extend to the Chimney Rock Wall.
- It has been requested again that a taller fence be installed and/ or barbed wired or razor wire be installed on top of that. TxDOT will consider several possible option if the fence proves to be inadequate.
Alter the fencing (height or additions of barbed wire)
Perimeter lighting
It was requested again to install scrim (mesh screening) on the Windswept side of the fence for privacy purposes. TxDOT said they would investigate pricing and get back with us.
The fencing on Windswept (at Yorktown) that will cross the swail will be constructed in a manner that will cover any potential gapping between the fence and the bottom of the swail.
Law Enforcement
TxDOT stated that they wanted to confer and discuss the project with HPD. We had made contact with HPD at the Citizen’s Patrol Certification class earlier in the week and requested consideration of additional security presence during this stage of the project. HPD Lt Orla Chandler will consult with her Captain. HPD will consult with TxDOT and coordinate activities. We have provided TxDOT with Lt. Chandler’s contact information. Lt. Chandler will also receive the contact information for Danny Perez and Paul Eley of TxDOT along with this update.
Williams Brothers Contracting will also taking security measures to guard their machinery while on site.
Additional security may be available from the Precinct 5 Constable Office. We were instructed to contact the County Commissioners office for help. TxDOT will follow up as well.
Larchmont Green (Windswept & Barrington):
Stakes with the letter ROH mark the TxDOT right of way and denote where the chain link fence will be placed on the Green.
Stakes marking the New Sound Wall location will be marked by the contractor. Any trees that would interfere with construction or would die due to the construction process will be removed. Residents are allowed to remove small trees and shrubs that are South of the stakes denoting the Sound Wall location. This must be completed prior to the tear down of the wall.
The concrete benches on the Larchmont Green will be moved by the contractor for safe keeping while work is being completed.
The decorative bridge on the Larchmont Green will be removed and it has been requested that the low lying area be filled and made level with the surrounding grade.
The Larchmont Green Space on Windswept will be restored at projects end. This will include leveling of dirt and sod installation.
Pagewood TxDOT Alley and Utility Easement:
The TxDOT Alley/ utility alley behind 5500 block of Pagewood will be cleared of all debris. Please do not dump anything into that space because TxDOT could fine you if it is determined that it came from your property.
It was requested that gates leading into the alley on both sides of Pagewood be replaced due to condition. TxDOT agreed to evaluate the gates condition.
The easement behind the 5500 Pagewood sound wall also be improved with riprap. No new chain link fencing will be installed (street, gates, fence, drains, etc…)?
Drainage improvements
New storm sewers to detention ponds going in about the same time as wall.
- Pump stations under construction, at least foundations and ground infrastructure. Pumping equipment is future work.
- Detention ponds will be deepened by contractor as they need fill for other parts of project.
Misc
- Overall theme was that this is a very good contractor, well understood, and they go fast.
- TxDOT believes security problems will not materialize but want to know about individual issues quickly. Paul and Alex are driving the project daily.
- Danny was complimentary of all the resident inquiries he has received, very friendly and courteous.
2018-05-05 - Stacey Spencer shares video update of W-129 modernization
This is a video showing the progress in modernizing the drainage channel where the Westpark box system feeds into ditch W-129. https://youtu.be/KDpQ-uJpshA The approximate location of where Stacey recorded the video is 29°43'37.8"N 95°26'55.4"W (the bridge over the train tracks between the intersections of Westpark @ Weslayan and Westpark @ Newcastle.
TxDOT CSJ 0271-17-161 IH 69 Southwest Freeway at the IH 610 West Loop Upcoming Closures (03.23.18 Update)
All,
Please see below for updates and revisions for the closures that are facilitating the proposed reconstruction of the IH 69 Southwest Freeway at the IH 610 West Loop Interchange. This project will facilitate the total reconstruction of this interchange. Revisions are in yellow highlight.
Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes.
These closures have been input into the TxDOT PIO system and can be found at www.houstontranstar.org.
A website for this project has been set up at http://www.dot.state.tx.us/texasclearlanes/what-were-doing/congestion-projects-i69-i610.htm. Also, follow project updates and information on Twitter @HOU610at69.
The contacts for these closures are Alex Alvarado @ 346.234.9774, Paul Eley @ 281.536.3129, and Danny Perez with TxDOT PIO at 713.802.5077.
- IH 69 Southbound Frontage Road between McCue Rd. and Chimney Rock Rd.: 1 Alternate Lane closed Continuously until further notice.
- IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road, north of Westpark Dr.: The current “Left Lane Must Turn Left” configuration will remain thru 5:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
- IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Westpark Dr. and Fournace Pl.: 1 Alternate Lane remains closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
- IH 610 Southbound Exit to Fournace Pl.: Total Closure Continuously until further notice. Detour via the Exit to Hidalgo St.; Turn Left, (South) onto Post Oak Blvd. Follow Post Oak Blvd. to the IH 610 West Loop Southbound Frontage road. Follow the the IH 610 West Loop Southbound Frontage Rd. to Fournace Pl. An alternate detour is to follow the IH 610 Southbound Mainlanes to the exit to Bellaire Blvd.; U-Turn at Bellaire Blvd and follow the IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road to Fournace Pl..
- IH 610 Northbound Frontage Road between Fournace Pl. and Westpark Dr.: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed continuously thru Monday, 04.30.18.
- IH 610 Southbound Frontage Road between Westpark Dr. and Fournace Pl.: Total Closure nightly between 9:00 PM on Friday, 03.23.18 and 5:00 AM on Monday, 03.26.18. Follow the detour signs. Off Duty officers will be on site to facilitate access for vehicles who have destinations between Westpark and Fournace.
- Westpark (Eastbound) between South Rice Ave. and the IH 610 West Loop: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane Closed Continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, 03.26.18.
- Westpark (Westbound) between the IH 610 West Loop and South Rice Ave.: 1 Left, (Inside) Lane Closed Continuously between through 5:00 AM on Monday, 03.26.18.
- Newcastle (Southbound) between the IH 69 Southbound Frontage Rd and Westpark: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane closed continuously between 9:00 AM on Friday, 02.09.18 and 5:00 AM on Saturday, 05.05.18.
- IH 69 Southwest Freeway Express/HOV Lanes Entrance and Exit to Westpark: Total Closure Continuously until further notice. Detour via the Express/HOV Lanes Entrance and Exit to Edloe Street.
- IH 69 Southwest Freeway Southbound between IH 610 West Loop and Chimney Rock Rd.: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane Closed daily between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturday, 03.24.18 and Sunday, 03.25.18.
- IH 69 Southwest Freeway Exit Ramp to Chimney Rock Rd.: 1 Right, (Outside) Lane Closed daily between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturday, 03.24.18 and Sunday, 03.25.18.
Off Duty Police Officers will be on site to assist, as needed, and changeable message signs will also be utilized as needed.
All closures are subject to cancellation or modification due to adverse weather. For more information please call the TxDOT Public Information Office at 713.802.5076.
Please call or email if you have any questions.
Thank You,
Paul Eley / TxDOT Projects Manager / 281.536.3129 (C)