F iCfo mt hm u nW ard ity Plan
HOUSTON, TX
GREATER FIFTH WARD
Super Neighborhood 55 / Greater Fifth Ward Zip Codes: 77020, 77026
Texas Senate District 13: Senator Rodney Ellis 440 Louisiana St Houston, TX 77002
Texas House District 142: Representative Harold V. Dutton, Jr. 8799 N. Loop East, Suite 305
City Council District B: Jerry Davis 900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston HOPE neighborhood Revitalization Zone
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General
Rally in the Fifth
For much of its existence Fifth Ward grew alongside Houston, developing into the heart of the city’s Black community. During these years, the neighborhood was able to enjoy economic growth and prosperity. This began to change halfway through the 20th century. While the rest of Houston was developing and growing as the energy capital, Fifth Ward began its descent. With many moving further out from the city and the freeway isolating the neighborhood from its surrounding, growth was stunted and reversed.
Nodes
Fifth Ward is an historic neighborhood of Houston, Texas. Its current boundaries are defined by Lockwood Drive, Collingsworth Street and Jensen Drive, as well as Buffalo Bayou to the south. The name Fifth Ward comes from the political system of governance in use in Houston during the19th century. Although the system has long been abandoned, the neighborhood continues to use the name to identify itself.
Conclusion
A Brief History
Research used in this report corresponds to one of four zones:
GREATER FIFTH WARD
POLICE BEAT 7C10
CENSUS TRACT 2113
LYONS AVENUE FOCUS AREA
General Demographics + Services Rally in the Fifth Nodes
The freeways constructed in the 1960s contributed to the continuing decline of Fifth Ward by spliting the community into several pieces and creating physical barriers.
Conclusion
The 20th century brought about the disintegration of the ward system. Some of the original Fifth Ward neighborhoods broke off to become their own communities.
Goals
SWOT
The historic boundaries of Fifth Ward were defined while much of it was still undeveloped.
Newly freed slaves settled in the area that became the Fifth Ward
“Great Fifth Ward Fire�
Southern Pacific Rail Road line was built and led to a construction boom
1830
1860
1880
Civil War Ends
Louisiana victims of the Great Flood of 1927 find refuge in Houston and Fifth Ward
1900 1910
1920
Houston Ship Channel completed
The Emancipation Proclamation is issued by President Abraham Lincoln
Founding of Houston
Ward system abolished
General Menil staff joined Mickey Leland in converting abandoned De Luxe Theater into arts oasis
SWOT
Don Robey establishes Peacock Records on Lyons, becoming a force in the Fifth Ward music scene
Demographics + Services
After desegratation middle class left Fifth Ward and moved to the suburbs
Goals
Construction of I-10 split the community
NASA creates “Mannned Spacecraft Center” in Houston
2000
Houston is hit by Hurricane Ike Tropical Storm Alisson devastates Houston
Houston’s Population reaches 1 Million
Rally in the Fifth
M.D. Anderson Foundation forms the Texas Medical Center
1970
Nodes
1960
Conclusion
1940
Music in Fifth Ward “‘If it ain’t a hit, I’ll eat my hat.’” - Don Robey, as told by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top From 1949 until 1973, Fifth Ward was the center of the blues in Houston. In 1945 Don Robey opened the Bronze Peacock Dinner Club at 2809 Erastus. The club played host to a varied roster of musicians including T Bone Walker and Lionel Hampton. Four years later Robey founded Peacock Records and began producing gospel music. In 1952 Peacock merged with Nashville’s Duke Records and consolidated to Houston. The label’s expanded lineup included artists such as Junior Parker, Bobby Blue Bland, Big Mama Thornton and Johnny Ace. Duke-Peacock Records became one of the country’s first nationally successful blackowned record labels and produced music that shaped the development of music worldwide. Artists such as Elvis and Eric Clapton turned songs originally recorded for Duke-Peacock into timeless international hits. In 1973, Duke-Peacock was sold to ABC-Dunhill. Today the record label’s catalog is owned by Universal Music Group.
http://artandseek.net/2012/05/25/this-week-in-texas-music-history-peacock-records/ http://www.29-95.com/music/story/30-years-after-his-death-don-robey-still-vaporous-figure
Demographics + Services
General THE GOSPELAIRES
DON ROBEY
FORMER PEACOCK RECORDS
Conclusion
Nodes
FORMER BRONZE PEACOCK
Rally in the Fifth
CLARENCE “GATEMOUTH” BROWN
Goals
SWOT
HISTORIC MARKER
Lyons Avenue As Fifth Ward’s historic main commercial corridor, Lyons Avenue has undergone extensive changes during its history. Many of its historic storefronts have been torn down or sit vacant, but there are signs of activity as well. The street is well maintained with adequate sidewalks and clearly marked bike lanes, and the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation is involved in multiple projects to revitalize the street. The most dramatic project involves the restoration of the historic DeLuxe Theater. The currently vacant and gutted building will be used as a theater space with attached retail. Fifth Ward Jam, pictured on the cover, combines art, performance and park space to create a piece of usable sculpture unique to Lyons Avenue.
General Demographics + Services
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
LYONS AVENUE RAIL CROSSING
VACANT STOREFRONT
ST. ARNOLD BREWERY
Conclusion
Nodes
DELUXE THEATER
This information was collected using ARCGIS builiding foot prints for 1970 and 2010.
General Conclusion
Building density in the vicinity of Lyons Avenue has decreased radically over the last 40 years. Single-family homes in particular have been torn down in large numbers, leaving a patchwork of vacant lots across the neighborhood. This coincides with a significant decrease in the overall population of Fifth Ward, but there is no readily discernible pattern to the vacancies left by emigrating community members. This results in an inconsistency in street frontage that is not optimal for pedestrian use.
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
LYONS AVENUE- TODAY
SWOT
Demographics + Services
LYONS AVENUE- 1970s
Land Use
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES MULTIFAMILY HOMES COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL OFFICE INDUSTRIAL
VACANT LAND
This information was collected using ARCGIS for 2010.
General Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
Vacant Lots
People in Fifth Ward As Houston’s population grew by more than 55% from 1980 to 2010, Fifth Ward shrunk by close to the same percentage. Fifth Ward’s population has also shifted demographics from an almost exclusively Black neighborhood to a slightly more diverse one. The largest increase can be seen in the Hispanic population of Fifth Ward, which now accounts for almost a third of the neighborhood. This is reflective of the overall increase of Hispanics in Harris County. Fifth Ward has an unusually high percentage of dependents, meaning those under the age of 24 and over the age of 65. The low percentage of working age people suggests that people in this age group are moving out of the neighborhood. This number has increased over the last 30 years, but has not reached Harris County levels.
Population Change over 30 years 180% 160% 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 1980
1990 Fifth Ward
2000 Harris County
2010
General
1980
Age Composition of Fifth Ward
2010 1980
Black
Asian
Hispanic
SWOT
White
Racial Composition of Harris County
Goals
2010 1980
0-24
25-64
65+
Age Composition of Harris County
2010 1980
Black
Asian
Hispanic
0-24
25-64
65+
This information was collected from the 1980 and 2010 census data for the 2113 census tract.
Conclusion
Nodes
White
Demographics + Services
2010
Rally in the Fifth
Racial Composition of Fifth Ward
Households in Fifth Ward
General
Housing Tenure in Fifth Ward
2010 1980
2010 1980 Owner Occupied Vacant
Renter Occupied Vacant/ For Sale
Housing Tenure in Harris County
Demographics + Services
Residences in Fifth Ward predominately consist of renter-occupied, single-family homes. This has not changed significantly in the last 30 years. The high percentage of renter-occupied homes indicates a relative lack of control by residents over their own homes.
SWOT
Housing in Fifth Ward
Female; No Husband
Male; Non-Family
Female; Non-Family
Households in Harris County
Owner Occupied Vacant
2010 1980
Married-Couple
Male; No Wife
Female; No Husband
Male; Non-Family
Female; Non-Family
Renter Occupied Vacant/ For Sale
Very little new investment has occured in the neighborhood over the last few decades. The construction that has taken place has focused on single-family homes through Habit for Humanity and other programs. Affordable, multi-family housing is still lacking in the community. On top of the high renter percentage, there is a low and decreasing percentage of married-couple households in Fifth Ward with a rising percentage of female households with children. Male households with children remains the smallest percentage.
This information was collected from the 1980 and 2010 census data for the 2113 census tract.
Rally in the Fifth
Male; No Wife
Nodes
Married-Couple
Conclusion
1980
Goals
2010
Housing Assistance Programs A number of organizations provide assistance with homeownership to residents of Fifth Ward. These organizations include neighborhood, municipal and national programs. Fifth Ward Redevelopment Corporation encourages homeownership and supports individuals in the process. They offer assistance including programs that help educate the community on the process and responsibilities of homeownership. Houston’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity has successfully built 17 homes in Fifth Ward. Rice University’s Centennial House, constructed through Habitat for Humanity, is also located in Fifth Ward. These homes have successfully begun to fill in the many vacant spaces in the neighborhood and raise housing standards in the community. Houston HOPE is a City of Houston program that strives to revitalize historic inner-city neighborhoods through the removal and acquisition of abandoned lots and construction of affordable housing. It offers reinvestment initiatives through of stabilization activities and by supporting locally led community building activities. Their goal is to build strong neighborhoods that meet the needs of their current residents and become attractive to new and returning families.
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General
Fleming Middle Scott Elementary
Dogan Elementary
Langston Elementary
Atherton Elementary
HP Carter Career Center Crawford Elementary YES Prep
Wheatley High
Henderson Elementary
Bruce Elementary
40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Elementary
High School
College
Harris County
60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Elementary
High School Fifth Ward
Harris County
College
While Houston and Fifth Ward’s enrollment percentages have trended similarly from 1980 to 2010, Fifth Ward has more children in elementary levels and less in college level enrollment than Houston as a whole. This not only suggests fewer student-aged individuals enrolled in colleges, but also a higher percentage of elementary school children. Addressing the needs of young children will be more important in Fifth Ward, as well as encouraging students to continue and obtain higher education degrees.
This information was collected from the 1980 and 2010 census data for the 2113 census tract.
General Rally in the Fifth
50.00%
Nodes
60.00%
Fifth Ward
Enrollment in 2010
Harris County 2011
Conclusion
Enrollment in 1980
Fifth Ward 2011
Goals
SWOT
A community’s strength comes from the success of its schools and the academic success of its school age children. Every child deserves access to a quality education in order to achieve their potential. In Fifth ward, schools have seen many changes while maintaining the relatively high standards and ambitions with which they begin. Providing for the social and emotional needs of their students is one way Fifth Ward schools incentivize students to continue with education as a way to minimize high drop out rates. Data Educational Attainment in 2011 from 2011 indicates that 35% Fifth Ward’s dropout 30% rates are double or more 25% than those of Houston. 20% Additionally, Fifth Ward 15% has less than half the 10% college level education 5% attainment as Houston. 0%
Demographics + Services
Education in Fifth Ward
Employment in Fifth Ward Workers with low educational attainment have a higher risk of living in poverty and are more likely to experience difficulties in the labor market such as unemployment, lowearnings, and unwanted part-time employment. The likelihood for single mothers to live in poverty is higher than most other demographics. Many single mothers work in low-wage jobs that typically lack benefits such as sick leave and flexible hours. Children born and raised in single-parent families are also at higher risk of living in poverty. Their lives are surrounded by a variety of social issues, including welfare dependency, academic difficulties and criminal activity. The federal poverty line is $23,550 for a family of four. This comes down to about $1,962 a month for rent, utilities, groceries, clothes, and daycare. On average, the money is distributed in the following way:
$900 Rent (3 Bedroom) $540 Groceries $200 Utilities $322 Daycare, clothing, home repairs, transportation
With all the accumulated living costs, families are left with little to nothing in savings, resulting in a large group of people living paycheck to paycheck, month to month.
Population in Poverty Fifth Ward Houston
Rent as a Percentage of Income 2009
Fifth Ward Harris County
Below
Above
Median Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income Remaining Income
This information was collected from the 1980 and 2010 census data for the 2113 census tract.
Accomodation and Food Services
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Texas
General
Fifth Ward
Demographics + Services
Employment by Industry
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting Arts, entertainment, and recreation Educational Services Finance, Insurance, and Real State
Nodes
Administrative and support waste management
Information Manufacturing Management of Companies and Enterprises Other Services Professional, scientific, and Technical Services Public Administration
Conclusion
Health Care and Social Assistance
Health in Fifth Ward Fifth Ward’s mortality rates Leading Causes of Mortality are high when compared to [per 100,000 population] Houston’s overall rates for the 450.00 same health issues. This suggests 400.00 350.00 that Fifth Ward may not have 300.00 250.00 the same access to adequate 200.00 health care as the rest of 150.00 100.00 the city. Also, some of the 50.00 0.00 diseases shown are preventable diseases, suggesting that Fifth Ward’s environment enables and promotes an unhealthy lifestyle. Fifth Ward
Houston
Years of Potential Life Lost [per 100,000 population] 2000.00 1800.00 1600.00 1400.00 1200.00 1000.00 800.00 600.00 400.00 200.00 0.00 HIV/AIDS
Accidents Heart Disease Fifth Ward
Cancer
Homicide
Houston
Years of Potential Life Lost By Gender [per 100,000 population] 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
Male
Female
Fifth Ward’s rates for potential life lost to premature death are generally double or more those of Houston. Within Fifth Ward, men’s rates are higher than those for women for most of these same issues, particularly homicides and accidents. The firearm-related rate suggests that violent crime is more common than in the city as a whole. These factors raise a number of important questions. How can Fifth Ward address men’s and women’s health in the neighborhood equally? What is lacking or existing in the immediate environment that contributes to high rates of preventable diseases?
General Houston
25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0
Goals
5.0 0.0 Hispanic
Black Fifth Ward
General
Houston
New Cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases [per 100,000 population]
700.0 600.0 500.0 400.0 300.0
Nodes
Sexually transmitted diseases are present at high rates as well. The rate of new cases of HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia are double those of Houston.
Rally in the Fifth
[per 1,000 live births]
Infant Mortality Rate
Fifth Ward
18-19 yrs
Demographics + Services
15-17 yrs
SWOT
10-14 yrs
Births to teen mothers occur at nearly double Houston’s rate for the same age groups. Infant mortality rates, especially for the African American population in Fifth Ward, are similarly high. One possible reason for this discrepancy is a lack of sex education in the community. Neonatal health also appears to be neglected within the community.
200.0 100.0 0.0 HIV/AIDS
Gonorrhea Fifth Ward
Syphilis
Clamydia
Houston
This information was collected from the Community Health Profile from 1999 to 2003.
Conclusion
[per 1,000 live births]
Births to Teen Mothers
200.00 180.00 160.00 140.00 120.00 100.00 80.00 60.00 40.00 20.00 0.00
Denver Harbor Clinic Julia C. Hester House
Lyons Health Center
Multiservice Center
Health and Care Services The recent introduction of the Lyons Avenue Health Center marks an important step toward addressing the community’s health issues. The Lyons Avenue Health Center is located in the southeastern portion of the Fifth Ward Superneighborhood. In 2012, Legacy Community Health Services opened within the Center. Founded in 1978 in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, Legacy has recently expanded to other locations throughout the city. The Lyons Avenue location now offers sexual health services, pediatric care, primary care, behavioral health services and a pharmacy. The community is also served by the Fifth Ward Pregnancy Help Center, located close to the clinic. The Julia C. Hester House also serves the neighborhood. When it was originally opened in 1943, it was known as the Houston Negro Community Center. Since opening, Hester House’s priority has been to help the Fifth Ward community and low-income residents succeed. They provide a variety of programs including: early childhood services, youth services, family and social services and senior services.
DENVER HARBOR CLINIC
LYONS AVENUE HEALTH CENTER
Conclusion
Nodes
The limited number of locations for these services offers one possible explanation for this disparity. Many in the neighborhood may not be able to access them simply because of their location and limited means of transportation. Some residents, particularly those located farthest from the services, might not even be aware of their availability. Increasing the presence and accessibility of these services may be helpful in addressing these issues.
Demographics + Services
General Though these services available in the neighborhood, health issues have not been adequately addressed. Rates for preventable diseases, infant mortality, teen pregnancy and STDs are significantly higher than in surrounding communities.
SWOT
The Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center is home to a wide variety of community services and facilities including a library and police storefront. The center offers a number of classes on subjects ranging from parenting to domestic abuse, as well as programs devoted to fitness, children’s and seniors’ health, and support for young mothers. It also provides access to public computers and assistance with eligibility requirements for public health programs.
Goals
MULTISERVICE CENTER
Rally in the Fifth
JULIA C. HESTER HOUSE
Fiesta
Last Organic Outpost
Nutrition and Food Access Food access in Fifth Ward is mostly limited to small corner stores spread throughout the neighborhood. These stores offer plenty of low-nutrition snack foods and beer, but little in the way of fresh produce. Fiesta is the only major grocery store in the area, and it is just outside Fifth Ward’s eastern border on Lyons Avenue. It offers a wider variety of dry goods and produce than the small markets, but accessibility is comparatively limited. Community gardens offer a potential alternative source of produce in Fifth Ward. The neighborhood is also home to an urban farm called the Last Organic Outpost. In addition to providing workable plots, the farm provides classes on topics including urban beekeeping and chicken coop construction.
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General
Reliant Splash Pad
Buffalo Bayou Trails
Parks and Trails Fifth Ward is reasonably well served by parks, but access to these parks is inconsistent, as are activities within them. A number of small parks have recently been completed or are under construction along or near Lyons Avenue, but they are largely oriented toward younger children. The larger parks do contain facilities that would appeal to older children such as basketball courts and pools, but they are all located well away from Lyons Avenue. The southern border of Fifth Ward is defined by Buffalo Bayou, which is lined by a network of parks and trails. Unfortunately these trails are incomplete and difficult to access.
General Demographics + Services
FIFTH WARD JAM
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
LEGENDS PLAYSPACE
BUFFALO BAYOU
JAPHET CREEK TRAIL
Conclusion
Nodes
RELIANT SOLAR SPLASHPARK
General
Violent Crime in 2012 Fifth Ward
Fifth Ward’s violent crime rate is more than 50% higher than that of the city as a whole. Additionally, the rate of narcotic-related crime is more than double that of Houston.
Total Crimes 1999-2003 Fifth Ward
Ag. Assault
Houston
Violent
Burglary
Narcotics related
Alcohol related
Other assaults
Other crime
Safety in Fifth Ward Fifth Ward’s violent crime rate is significantly higher than that of the city of Houston as a whole. Though there are many factors involved in this disparity, land and building vacancy represent a distinctly visible and preventable one in this neighborhood. Vacant land can create an impression of instability and danger in members of the surrounding community, particularly when that land is poorly maintained. They can be hotbeds of illegal activities including drug sales and use. Studies such as one recently conducted by Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania indicate that maintenance of vacant lots increases the perception of safety and has an effect on crime rates.
This information was collected from Injury Prevention (7 August 2011), doi: 10.1136/ injuryprev-2012-040439 and mycity.houstontx.gov and the Community Health Profiles from 1999-2003.
Goals
SWOT
Aggravated assault and robbery represent the majority of violent crimes committed in police beat 7C10, which represents the southern portion of Fifth Ward.
Rally in the Fifth
Robbery
Nodes
Rape
Conclusion
Murder
Demographics + Services
Houston
BARC
Fire Department
Police Storefront
Safety Services The Fifth Ward Superneighborhood contains a police storefont and a fire station. Fifth Ward is also home to BARC, an animal shelter and adoption facility. As the only municipally run animal shelter in Houston, BARC is a facility unique to Fifth Ward. This is particularly valuable because the neighborhood has a significant stray dog problem. In addition to the danger posed to the animals themselves, this problem detracts from an impression of safety. At an infrastructural level, safety in Fifth Ward is challenged by a lack of maintenance. Broken and missing sidwalks are common throughout the neighborhood, as are open drainage ditches and missing manhole covers.
General Demographics + Services SWOT
STRAY DOGS
BARC
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
BROKEN PAVEMENT
POOR MAINTENANCE
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Conclusion
Nodes
EXPOSED SEWER LINE
Transportation in Fifth Ward Public transit ridership is significantly higher in Fifth Ward than it is in Harris County as a whole. Over 20% of the neighborhood’s population are transit users, versus 3.5% for the county. Unfortunately, bus routes through Houston follow convoluted paths resulting in long transit times for most popular destinations. Fifth Ward shares a transit hub with Denver Harbor, located at the intersection of Lyons Avenue and Lockwood. Downtown: 12 minutes. Route 80. No transfers. UofH: 40 minutes. Route 80. No transfers. Medical Center: 34 minutes. Route 80 to 700 [light rail]. Uptown: 69 minutes. Route 80 to 81. Freight rail also has a large presence in Fifth Ward. Lyons Avenue is divided in two by a line running north/south located west of St. Elmo Street. This crossing is at street level and, though it is signaled, pedestrian safety measures are minimal. It also disturbs automotive traffic and blocks students from getting to school and adults from getting to work.
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General
Religion in Fifth Ward The Greater Fifth Ward has many religious centers throughout the neighborhood, the majority of which are Baptist and other Christian denominations. Few other religious affiliations appear to be practiced in Fifth Ward. Religion clearly plays an influential role in the Fifth Ward community. There are many churches across the neighborhood, with some dating back to the early 20th century. From contacting several of these churches, it is apparent about half of the people attending are visiting from neighboring communities. Many of theses churches have a variety of programs aimed at helping the Fifth Ward community, such as food pantries and community outreach. Although many are in walking distance of each other, the churches do not seem to communicate amongst themselves resulting in redundancy.
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General
Strengths Many different services and resources, including health, religious, financial and gardening, are already offered in Fifth Ward. There is an abundance of vacant land available for use. Fifth Ward has a neighborly atmosphere and welcoming residents. Fifth Ward residents enjoy bikes lanes on Lyons and Waco.
Weaknesses The community has higher rates of health problems, violence, lack of education, etc. Most services are concentrated to the south and east areas of Fifth Ward. I-10 and I-59 create boundaries that disconnect the neighborhood. Current recreational facilities are minimal and under used. The vacant land in Fifth Ward causes the neighborhood to feel empty and dangerous.
General Fifth Ward is located just across Buffalo Bayou from Downtown. Many services and resources can be shared with neighboring communities such as Denver Harbor.
Rally in the Fifth
Outside development in Lower Fifth enforces the I-10 barrier.
Nodes
The Hardy Toll Road will extend all the way to downtown destroying more of Fifth Ward.
Conclusion
Threats
Goals
SWOT
Houston greenways are located just outside of the Fifth Ward boundaries.
Demographics + Services
Opportunities
General To connect residents with the rest of the Fifth Ward and Houston communities To encourage active participation in the community To activate key intersections and locations by developing and programming vacant land
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services To fill in needs of residents by bringing in services that are currently lacking
Rally in the Fifth
To increase accessibility and effectiveness of existing services in the Fifth Ward and Houston area
Nodes
To provide residents with educational resources
Conclusion
To support an active and vibrant community
Salvaged Homes
Service Trucks
Recreational Facilities
Canopies
In addition to vacant lots, Fifth Ward is home to many vacant, tax delinquent, and poorly maintained houses. Though they are currently unattractive and even dangerous, they have the potential to be a valuable resource for the community. Some can be reused as-is or moved to a more suitable site and repurposed; others can be deconstructed for their constituent materials.
General Nodes
Maintaining a sense of community is partially reliant on the maintenance of spaces dedicated to social activities. These spaces exist less to motivate the activities themselves than to provide a feeling of security than can be lacking in more ad-hoc gathering places. More mundane concerns regarding protection from the weather are also important, particularly in a climate such as Houston’s which has lots of rain and high temperatures.
Conclusion
Fifth Ward has a higher rate of preventable diseases than many of its surrounding neighborhoods, and two of the major causes of health issues are obesity and lack of exercise. Providing spaces and equipment for physical activity is one of the most direct ways of addressing this problem.
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
Though Fifth Ward is home to a number of services; they are often sparsely located and provide difficulties for some residents to access. By creating a fleet of service-oriented trucks, these services can more directly target their potential beneficiaries, including the mobility-impaired.
Demographics + Services
Improving health in Fifth Ward cannot happen as a result of a single cure-all solution. Each of these strategies contributes to improving the health of Fifth Ward as a community as well as its individual residents.
SWOT
Strategies
Salvaged Homes and Materials Though many of Fifth Ward’s historic homes are in a state of disrepair, they were built with materials intended to last for decades. Even among houses too poorly maintained to be restored, these materials can be salvaged and reused in a variety of ways. Reclaim Detroit is an organization in Detroit that was founded to reuse as much material as possible from demolition in the city. The organization provides training and resells salvaged material.
SALVAGE WAREHOUSE
REMOVING SALVAGE MATERIAL
reclaimdetroit.org
Two examples of organizations that repurpose salvaged materials exist right here in Texas. Tiny Texas Houses in Luling salvages historic homes slated for demolition and reuses their materials to build small, affordable homes. In Huntsville, Dan Phillips’ Phoenix Commotion uses salvaged and waste materials to build low-cost homes for people, particularly single mothers, in need. Each home is unique and the eventual owners participate in construction.
PHOENIX COMMOTION http://www.phoenixcommotion.com
TINY TEXAS HOUSES http://tinytexashouses.com
General Excess material is sold to businesses in Houston. This money is put back into the community.
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services Warehoused materials are used to repair occupied homes and construct new ones, providing additional experience and skills. These materials can also be used to build canopies.
Rally in the Fifth
Salvaged materials are centrally stored in a warehouse to ease distribution throughout Fifth Ward.
Nodes
Learning to salvage homes provides neighborhood residents of all ages with valuable experience and salable skills. It also provides physical exercise.
Conclusion
Vacant and decaying homes are carefully dismantled to preserve reusable materials. Structurally sound homes are moved and repurposed into classrooms.
Nutrition and Gardening: provides information on a healthy lifestyle with classes, lectures and interactive programs; associated with Last Organic Outpost Animal Care: provides pet care, vaccinations and spay/neuter services; associated with BARC Library: provides access to reading material and computer services; associated with Houston Public Library Community Building: provides programs for men and women that build trust and inspire youth to create goals.
Home Repair: Provides guidance in home repair; associated with Salvaged Homes & Materials
General Demographics + Services SWOT
Arts and Crafts: kids’ activities; provides childcare and a creative outlet; associated with Julia Hester House
Goals
Recycling and Compost: collects recyclable material and provides information on recycling; has a central hub for compost material that Fifth Ward residents may use for gardening projects; associated with Waste Management
Rally in the Fifth
Health: provides sexual health care, prenatal care, vaccinations and preventitive wellness services; associated with Legacy Clinic
Nodes
Trucks will be fitted with a variety of services provided by institutions in the Fifth Ward and Houston area. Each truck will rotate between predetermined nodes according to a flexible schedule. These nodes will be programmed and have adequate signage.
Conclusion
Service Trucks
Recreational Facilities The community of Fifth Ward can improve their health and quality of life by including some form of physical activity in their daily lives. Different elements can be designated to different locations depending on the need of the area. The activities are oriented to different age groups as well. It is proven that physical activity opportunities in parks within a community help increase fitness and reduce health complications. Fifth Ward has a high number of residents with heart related diseases that can be alleviated by partaking in daily physical activities such as jogging and bike riding.
COVERED BASKETBALL COURT
HIKE/BIKE TRAIL
JUNGLE GYM
CLIMBING PLAYGROUND
JOGGING TRAIL
OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER
Outdoor Amphitheter: space for musical performances and performing arts
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General Jogging Trail: provides protected space for runners and connects with neighborhood trails
Goals
Climbing Playground: provides high energy activity for children and young adults
Rally in the Fifth
Jungle Gym: provides a dynamic exercise playground for children
Nodes
Hike/Bike Trail: connect to existing bike lanes and trails
Conclusion
Covered Basketball Court: provides shade for gatherings and service trucks
Canopies More gathering spaces closer to home will provide opportunities for residents of Fifth Ward to socialize in a safe and pleasant environment. The development of new canopies and shaded areas should respect the scale, setbacks and orientation of existing houses. This approach will not only add importance to the entire block but also reinforce the existing tradition of front porch use. Nearby gathering areas will provides spaces for Fifth Ward residents to commemorate their heritage and the possibilities of the future through music, art and community expression. These shaded areas could be used to create seats, stages/platforms and planters. Smaller, portable canopies can be easily assembled and disassembled for use at different social events such as job fairs, community meetings, and arts events. Storage of these canopies would be relegated to the same warehouse facility used for salvaged materials.
Large Canopies
Portable Canopies: can be moved to different events around the community
Seating and Dining: provides low maintenance spaces for eating in a social setting
Community Building: provides protected space for runners and connects with neighborhood trails
Music: provides shelter from the sun and rain for musicians
General LIGHTING
PORTABLE CANOPIES
RECLAIMED MATERIALS
PERFORMANCE SPACES
Demographics + Services
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
FIFTH WARD IN 1973
Collingsworth @ Wipperecht
Liberty @ Waco
Oats @ Solo
Lyons @ Worms
Clinton @ Schweikhardt
System of Nodes To begin applying the strategies previously discussed requires selecting inital locations for intervention. These locations, or nodes, must be selected in order to maximize their accessibility to residents and their use of existing features of the neighborhood. Each node also serves as a consistent drop-off location for salvaged and recyclable materials. These materials can then be picked up and moved to a central warehouse for short-term storage.
Though selecting individual nodes is important, the ability of all nodes to function together as a system is just as necessary. This requires considering not only how nodes work within their immediate context, but also how they relate to each other. It is important to create a system of nodes that:
Maintains consistent distances between nodes Ensures that the majority of Fifth Ward residents are within walking distance of at least one node. Locates nodes in “gaps� between existing services and infrastructure Once nodes are selected, strategies can be applied to each node selectively, depending on its strengths and weaknesses. Nodes located near heavily programmed parks might need little in the way of recreational facilities but would benefit from repurposed classrooms and canopies.
General Demographics + Services
Parks and community gardens
SWOT
Schools
Goals
Existing infrastructure
Rally in the Fifth
Each node should be located near neighborhood features including:
Nodes
Nodes are selected to maximize accessibility and take advantage of nearby infrastructure. This ensures that they complement the services already in Fifth Ward and help to create areas where people can easily transition between activities throughout the day.
Conclusion
Node Selection
Collingsworth @ Wipperecht
Residential
Institutional
Churches
Offices
Commercial
Industrial
Proposed Sites
Residential
Institutional
Churches
Offices
Commercial
Industrial
General Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
Oats @ Solo
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Proposed Sites
Liberty @ Waco
Residential
Institutional
Churches
Offices
Commercial
Industrial
Proposed Sites
Institutional
Churches
Offices
Commercial
Industrial
General Goals
Residential
SWOT
Demographics + Services
Lyons @ Worms
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Proposed Sites
Clinton @ Schweikhardt
Residential
Institutional
Churches
Offices
Commercial
Industrial
Proposed Sites
Oats @ Solo
Lyons @ Worms
One of the requirements for node site selection is proximity to existing infrastructure. The two central thoroughfares in Fifth Ward are Lyons Avenue and Waco Street. These streets share the following advantages:
Centrality of location Connectivity across freeways, railroad tracks and bayous
General Nodes
Node Connectivity
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
Clinton @ Schweikhardt
Demographics + Services
Liberty @ Waco
SWOT
Collingsworth @ Wipperecht
Building off of these connections provides an opportunity to better interconnect existing services and amenities. With just a few additional blocks of bike lanes, improved sidewalks and landscaping, Boyce-Dorian Park, Japhet Creek, the Last Organic Outpost, and multiple schools become part of a larger system of trails and parks.
Conclusion
Existing bike lanes
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General
Conclusion
Nodes
Rally in the Fifth
Goals
SWOT
Demographics + Services
General