The following documents are provided to inform and guide you through the NHHIP project development process:
The Emancipation National Historic Trail Study Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and passed in January 2020, amended the National Trails Systems Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) by adding the Emancipation National Historic Trail (Emancipation Trail). The proposed Emancipation Trail “extend[s] approximately 51 miles from the Osterman Building and Reedy Chapel in Galveston, Texas, along Texas State Highway 3 and Interstate Highway 45 North to Freedmen’s Town, and then to Independence Heights and Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas, following the migration route taken by newly freed slaves and other persons of African descent from the major 19th century seaport town of Galveston to the burgeoning community of Freedmen’s Town located in the 4th Ward of Houston, Texas.” For more information about the Emancipation National Historic Trail Study as led by the National Park Service, please visit this link.
TxDOT will assist with federal efforts to develop the Emancipation Trail and will evaluate the feasibility of accommodating trail links within the state’s right-of-way within the project limits.
TxDOT will accommodate proposed designated trail links that result from the Emancipation National Historic Trail Study to the extent such proposed trail links are feasible within the state’s right of way for the NHHIP.
TxDOT will place signage and historical markers within the state’s right of way for the NHHIP for the proposed designated trail links that result from the Emancipation National Trail Study to extent such placement is feasible.
TxDOT will participate in the National Park Service’s feasibility study for the Emancipation National Historic Trail to share how the NHHIP pedestrian-bike realm can complement the potential study outcomes and any other transportation-related aspects of the Emancipation National Historic Trail.
- Clayton Homes
The entire Clayton Homes property located at 1919 Runnels Street, Houston, Texas 77003 is needed for the NHHIP. TxDOT and Houston Housing Authority (HHA) have agreed to a two-phase acquisition of the property. Phase I acquisition is complete and Phase II acquisition is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2023.
As of September 2022, all residents of Clayton Homes have been relocated to various residential locations as selected by each residential family. HHA will replace Clayton Homes by constructing two new residential properties within two miles the original Clayton Homes location. Please visit HHA’s website at https://housingforhouston.com for more information about these new residential projects.
TxDOT will remain in contact with the former residents of Clayton Homes to maintain their current contact information so they can claim their opportunity to move into the new residential properties once available for occupancy. The residents can also contact HHA and TxDOT to provide updated contact information. HHA can be contacted at 2640 Fountain View Dr., Houston, TX 77057 or 713-260-0500.
TxDOT can be contacted at www.hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov or 713-802-5076.
- Kelly Village
A portion of the Kelly Village property located at 3118 Green Street, Houston, Texas 77020 is needed for the NHHIP. TxDOT and Houston Housing Authority (HHA) will negotiate for this partial acquisition. Along with direct communication with the residents to be relocated, this website will be updated to reflect anticipated dates that the residents will move out of the portion of Kelly Village that will be needed for the NHHIP.
It is anticipated that HHA will replace the portion of the Kelly Village units acquired for the NHHIP with the construction of new residential properties within 2 miles the original Kelly Village location. HHA will update its website at https://housingforhouston.com to reflect information about new residential projects to replace the portion of Kelly Village units to be acquired for the NHHIP.
For the residents of the portion of the Kelly Village units that will be acquired for the NHHIP, TxDOT will remain in contact with these residents to maintain their current contact information so they can claim their opportunity to move into the new residential properties once available for occupancy. The residents can also contact HHA and TxDOT to provide updated contact information. HHA can be contacted at 2640 Fountain View Dr., Houston, TX 77057 or 713-260-0500. TxDOT can be contacted at www.hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov or 713-802-5076.
To mitigate for potential short-term construction noise impacts, TxDOT will provide funding for weatherization and energy efficiency for qualifying low-income single-family residences.
- The program will include a weatherization assessment and the opportunity for energy efficiency improvements (e.g., caulking, insulation, storm windows and storm doors).
- This website will be updated to provide eligibility criteria and details of the weatherization and energy efficiency programs for low-income single family residences that are adjacent to NHHIP construction areas.
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City of Houston facilitation group
TxDOT has participated in Houston’s Facilitation Team over the past year. Additional information can be viewed at the links below, including the City’s Facilitation Team website where you can see more details on their efforts.