United together to make our community stronger.
The official civic association for the Riverside community
in Houston’s Third Ward.
Hi neighbors!
Thank you for taking time to visit Riverside Civic Association’s site. We hope to provide you with information and resources to help address many of your concerns in our neighborhood. We are also here to be an advocate. We know there are many issues facing our area, but we are working as volunteers to make this community better, stronger and more united.
Riverside Civic Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our boundaries are North MacGregor, Highway 288, Blodgett and the Columbia Tap Biking Trail and include the following subdivisions:
Riverside Terrace Sections 1-5
Lincoln Park
Wilmoth
Riverside Extension
Lubbock'
Feldman Court.
- Riverside Civic Association Board of Directors
Important Community Events
3RD WARD HOMEOWNERS FIGHT PROPOSED HISTORIC DISTRICT
“This is an attack on property rights!” say Riverside Terrace residents
Longstanding homeowners of Riverside Terrace in Third Ward denounced the proposed Riverside Terrace Historic District and are holding an urgent community meeting Thursday with outraged neighbors and political leaders.
Riverside Terrace is a beautiful Houston community with a rich history that has helped shaped the nation's fourth largest city. Yet, homeowners - many who have lived in the area for decades - are fighting for survival with the proposed Riverside Terrace Historic District, which was initiated quietly by a few residents.
Homeowners oppose the proposed historic district because of these reasons and more:
Of the 35 tracts, only 13 voted for the proposal, yet the Planning Department redrew the map boundaries multiple times to meet the percentage needed. Thereby forcing neighbors to be a part of something they didn’t vote for.
There was NEVER a public meeting with the community, or civic association as required by ordinance, prior to homes being placed in a proposed district.
This proposed historic district will be an enormous financial burden on homeowners who cannot meet the historic specifications for repairs and upkeep and will force families who have been in the area for generations to live in homes they cannot afford to repair or sell all together. This is not preservation.
The federal and state tax breaks for homes in a historic district are more favorable for investors than longstanding primary residents.
Homeowners are holding a joint meeting with MacGregor Super Neighborhood and Riverside Civic Association to demand that this effort stop. This meeting comes before the proposal goes before Houston City Council for a vote.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 12
WHERE: Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3015 N. MacGregor
#NOMORECRIME PRESS CONFERENCE
Click here to watch the press conference. Click here and below for media coverage of the press conference.
ABC13; Third Ward neighbors say crime at ‘crisis and tipping point’
KHOU 11: ‘This has to stop’’: Third Ward residents demand action to combat crime
Current Projects
Neighborhood markers
(Near completion)
Riverside Civic Association has been working during the past year to develop four “welcome” markers for our area. We are currently in the design and bid process. The tentative locations are:
North MacGregor Way at Riverside
Southmore at Highway 288 sponsored by Blueridge Transportation (Installed)
Blodgett at Highway 288 sponsored by Unity National Bank (Installed)
Columbia Tap Biking Trail at Southmore
Riverside Mural Project
Riverside Civic Association is teaming up with Texas Southern University’s art department to produce a mural on the Blodgett Food Hall building adjacent to Unity National Bank. We are in the process of fund-raising for the project. If you are interested in supporting, please email info@riversidecivicassociation.org.
Minimum-lot size restrictions
and setbacks
When it comes to maintaining the character and history of our community, minimum-Lot-size restrictions and setbacks are the low-hanging fruit. They ensure that our blocks will maintain the integrity of the community for decades to come. Restrictions essentially mean that lots are your block can not be subdivided for townhomes or other multi-residential buildings and that building requires a minimum of 25 feet from the street.
Nearly 70 percent of the blocks south of Southmore were successfully petitioned more than a decade ago with the former Riverside Civic Association. In the past few years, we have successfully petitioned to get restrictions on about 10 additional blocks, but we know there are many more that go unprotected. If you and your neighbors are interested in getting these protections, please let us know. We can help expedite the process and help with each step along the way.
At right: Areas marked off with a purple line have the restrictions in place.
Illegal Dumping Campaign
Even with “no dumping” signs, we are still plagued with illegal dumping in our area. We are now working with our council member Carolyn Evans-Shabbaz to create strategies to better handling trash and illegal dumping in our area. If you are interested in serving on this task force, please let us know.
At right: Trash dumped illegally at Wichita and Highway 288.
Enhancements and Beautification
Sidewalks and speed humps
We have successfully petitions for speed humps on Live Oak, Wichita, Delano, Calumet and other streets in our area. These have helped curb speeding througout the neighorhood. Also, we continue to appeal to have our sidewalks repaired and replaced, thanks to Angel Ponce of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Houston Public Works Sidewalk Program. Please let us know if you need assistance with applying for these improvements.
We supported the formation of Friends of Riverside Park Houston, a 501c3 nonprofit organization designed to help make our park a better greenspace for everyone. The organization recently was awarded grant for the Create Art Where You Are virtual art program, which is a free six-month workshop series. Park improvements have included the resurfacing of the playground area and basketball courts.
RCA Sponsors and Supporters
“You’re not here for your enjoyment, but for what contribution you can make to the enjoyment of others.”
Thomas F. Freeman, the late debate coach of the Texas Southern University