This past Tuesday, Houston City Council Member Dwight Boykins (District D) held a special major press conference to announce the allocation of funds to begin the reconstruction and beautification of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., that will begin from Interstate 610 to Bellfort.
To help introduce the effort, Council Member Boykins was joined by the City of Houston Public Works Department, Solid Waste Management, SER Construction, M2L Associates, Trees for Houston and Keep Houston Beautiful.
During the last City Council meeting, Council Member Boykins was able to lead our city in a victorious milestone in receiving the approval of our Mayor and his colleagues in funding over $21 million towards the reconstruction of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, appropriated through METRO Projects Construction DDSRF, Street & Traffic Control and Storm Drainage DDSRF-A, and Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Funds.
“As the city moves forward with the reconstruction and beautification of this major thoroughfare in District D, we also have to highlight the valuable contributions of the man this thoroughfare is named after – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Council Member Boykins. “With Juneteenth only a few days away, this is a great way to pay homage, not only to Dr. King, but also to our ancestors for how far we’ve come.”
This particular reconstruction project will transform 7,400 linear feet of concrete pavement roadway with relative storm sewers, sidewalks, street lighting, and necessary underground utilities. There will also be improvements to drainage and the storm sewer system within and around the vicinity of the project limits.
Council Member Boykins also announced that he was allocating funds with District D Council District Service Dollars that will go towards the purchase of a Solid Waste trash collection truck, which will be utilized within District D for areas with high levels of heavy and illegally dumped trash and debris collection, much of which occurs along MLK Blvd.
Council Member Boykins recognizes that illegal dumping is a serious issue that continues to plague many communities within the district. Illegal dumping detracts from the overall character of our neighborhoods and greatly impacts the quality of life for residents.
Earlier this spring, Council Member Boykins took time to ride along with Solid Waste workers through the streets of District D and led by example by helping to clean up heavy trash on the streets. Last year, Council Member Boykins worked directly with State Representative Borris Miles (District 146) to enact a bill increasing the fines for those who are caught illegal dumping. His office then allocated funds for special signs that have been manufactured and placed throughout the District, which warn would-be dumpers, “DISTRICT D SAYS DON’T DUMP ON HOUSTON” and highlights the maximum penalties.
The purchase of the Rearsteer Solid Waste truck is a continuation of Council Member Boykins’ efforts to combat illegal dumping and keep our communities safe and clean.