Hiram Clarke is an area in Houston, Texas, United States, southwest of NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park).
History Hiram Clarke Road was named after Hiram Clarke, a Houston Lighting & Power Co. assistant general manager and executive vice president.Rust, Carol. "Houston has street sense (and nonsense as well)" (). Houston Chronicle. Wednesday April 16, 1997. Houston 1. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. The Hiram Clarke area was annexed by Houston in the 1950s."Annexations in Houston Or How we grew to 667 square miles in 175 years." City of Houston Planning and Development Department. p. 30 of 62. Retrieved on February 21, 2017.
The community originally consisted primarily of middle-class white residents, many of whom worked in the Texas Medical Center. As white flight to more suburban areas became the norm of the 1970s, racial and ethnic minorities replaced the original white residents. Black residents moving from inner city communities such as Fifth Ward and, later, Hispanic immigrants settled into the community. Many of the Hispanic residents initially apartment-shared as a money-saving device and later occupied single-family homes. Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor, stated that the new residents, in close proximity to wealthier areas like Meyerland, are able to observe but not partake in the affluence of the areas.Swartz, Mimi. "The Gangstas of Godwin Park." Texas Monthly. June 1, 2006. Vol. 34 Issue 6, p132. Retrieved on November 2, 2011. See profile at EBSCOHost - (Alt)
With the development of the Corinthian Pointe Neighborhood, the area saw a boon of new construction and commercial development beginning in the mid-2000s and continuing into the present day—primarily along S. Post Oak Road. The newly developed homes were up to twice as large as the traditional ranch homes that covered the area.Lemming, Jim. "." () Houston Business Journal. February 6, 2000. Retrieved on October 2, 2015.
In 1998, the area advocacy group South Houston Concerned Citizens Coalition received nonprofit status, so it could apply for grants to fund neighborhood projects and organize homebuyer fairs and community festivals.Martin, Betty L. "'We'll get this place in order' / S. Houston groups fight trash, crime." Houston Chronicle. Thursday August 29, 2002. ThisWeek 1. Retrieved on October 27, 2011.
In 2006, a parade honoring Vince Young occurred in Hiram Clarke."." KTRK-TV. Sunday February 12, 2006. Retrieved on October 26, 2011.
Boundaries The area is primarily composed of the ZIP codes 77085, 77045, and 77047.
The ZIP code 77085, which covers an area similar to a triangle, roughly bounded by U.S. Route 90A (South Main), Hiram Clarke Road, and Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway), saw the number of population rise to over 200% of its original population, between 2000 and 2010. Carol Christian of the Houston Chronicle said that the Windsor Village United Methodist Church was a primary factor.Christian, Carol. "This community is on the Pointe." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday March 1, 2011. Retrieved on October 28, 2011.
The area is included in the Five Corners District, which was drawn by the 80th State Legislature, and is associated with a twelve year Service and Improvement Plan scheduled to run through 2022. The plan seeks to address crime reduction, control and prevention; business development; transportation planning; and beautification, visual improvement and cultural promotion in the Hiram Clarke and surrounding areas."5 Corners District"
Communities The Hiram Clarke Civic Club serves portions of the area."Area residents feted at conference." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday October 11, 2000. ThisWeek 8. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. The group's boundaries are West Airport Boulevard, Hiram Clarke Road, Landmark Street, and West Orem Drive. It has two subdivisions, with almost 1,200 households living in them. As of 2003 it had 175 members who paid dues. Matt Schwartz of the Houston Chronicle said "Even with dues of $50 a year, enforcing restrictions with letters from attorneys or lawsuits can quickly drain resources."Schwartz, Matt. "Restrictions get boost from law / New city enforcement unlikely." Houston Chronicle. Saturday July 5, 2003. A33 MetFront. Retrieved on October 27, 2011. One of the subdivisions it represents is Brentwood."Neighbors say no to housing projects / Developers contend opposition makes it hard to find acceptable sites." Houston Chronicle. Friday March 14, 2003. A31 MetFront. Retrieved on October 27, 2011.
Other subdivisions in the Hiram Clarke area include: Cambridge VillageEdwards, Norval. "Roads, sidewalks top neighborhood concerns / Hiram Clark[sic] area civic clubs, city go door-to-door." Houston Chronicle. Thursday May 2, 2002. ThisWeek 3. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. Keswick Place Ramblewood
Cityscape Hiram Clarke is southwest of NRG Stadium and NRG Park (previously Reliant Stadium and Reliant Park),Evans, Thayer. "Longhorns Drive Point Home." The New York Times. December 4, 2005. Retrieved on October 26, 2011.Ellison, David. "SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 40 / Windsor Village United Methodist developed a community that's not just friendly and convenient - it's also affordable / Church brings change home." Houston Chronicle. Sunday April 30, 2006. B1 MetFront. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. "But he also wanted a relatively new house, and most homes near the Hiram Clarke area southwest of Reliant Park were built in the 1960s." about a 13 minute commute.Engel, Jennifer Floyd. "Hometown hero, He might now reside in Austin, but Houston is where Longhorns star Vince Young's heart is ." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Saturday December 3, 2005. D1 Sports. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. Most of the houses in the wider area were developed in the 1960s. Mimi Swartz of Texas Monthly said in 2006 that, compared to Meyerland, Hiram Clarke was "a world away from its comforts" and that "the ranch houses were much smaller, the windows had bars, and weeds choked the front yards." In 2019 John Nova Lomax, writing for Texas Monthly, referred to Swartz' comparison of Hiram Clarke and Meyerland.
Government and infrastructure Local government As of 2011 Hiram Clarke is a part of Houston City Council District K."Editorial: Larry Green for council District K." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday October 11, 2011. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. Previously it was served by District D.
Residents are a part of the City of Houston Central Southwest Super Neighborhood, which has a coverage area of . Its boundaries are U.S. Route 90A and Holmes Road on the north, Beltway 8 on the south, Texas State Highway 288 to the east, and Holmes Road to the west. It became a super neighborhood around 1999. It has forty separate neighborhoods.
The Houston Police Department serves Hiram Clarke through the Southwest Patrol Division."Crime Statistics for Southwest Patrol Division." City of Houston. Retrieved on August 11, 2009. The Hiram Clarke Storefront is a part of the Southwest Patrol District."Police Stations and Neighborhood Storefronts." City of Houston. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. "Hiram Clarke" "4363 West Fuqua " The South Houston Concerned Citizens Coalition had lobbied for the city to add a substation.
The City of Houston operates the Hiram Clarke Multi Service Center."Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center." City of Houston. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. "3810 West Fuqua Houston, TX 77045" The facility is located on an site. Originally named the South Post Oak Multi-Service Center, it had a price tag of $10 million. It was scheduled to open at the end of 2008.Baird, Annette. "HIRAM CLARKE / Multiservice center, library set / City officials hope $10 million facility will earn LEED designation." Houston Chronicle. Thursday November 29, 2007. ThisWeek 3. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. Mayor of Houston Bill White, other city politicians, and other community figures attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday October 12, 2007."Groundbreaking Friday for new multi-service center, neighborhood library in Hiram Clarke area." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday October 9, 2007. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. It was the City of Houston General Services Department's pilot project in combining several municipal functions in one site, lowering construction, design, and land acquisition expenses.
The city government designed the facility so it would get Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. To do this, the city installed low flow plumbing, roof overhangs, a metal roof, and high performance windows. The windows reduce heat absorption and allow natural light to enter the building. The complex includes a library facility, the Vinson library, a Head Start Center, office space for nonprofit organizations, an auditorium, youth program areas, elderly program areas, and a resource room. Sheila Savannah, the bureau chief of the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, said that the demographics of Hiram Clarke, with its mix of families and older, long-time inhabitants, made the community well-suited for a multi-service center.
County representation Harris County Precinct 7 Constable patrols the community."Overview ." Harris County Constable Precinct 7. Retrieved on October 26, 2011.
Transportation Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) operates the Hiram Clarke Bus Operating Facility. When METRO received a $15.5 million federal fund package for transit upgrade, METRO announced that it will spend $8 million to complete renovations on the Hiram Clarke and Kashmere bus operating facilities.Kollipara, Puneet. "Feds give Houston area $15.5 million for transit upgrades." Houston Chronicle. October 17, 2011. Retrieved on October 26, 2011.
METRO also operates the Hiram Clarke Transit Center."HIRAM CLARKE TRANSIT CENTER ." Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. Retrieved on October 17, 2011. "3600 W. Fuqua Houston, TX 77026" Several intersecting routes meet at the transit center.Carreau, Mark. "Fiscal problems force cuts, job freeze at Metro." Houston Chronicle. Friday April 25, 1986. Section 1, Page 1. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. The METRO hired Del E. Webb Construction Services, a Phoenix, Arizona-based company to build the transit center. In the northern hemisphere spring of 1983, the staff of METRO examined the plans for the construction, then in-progress, and recommended a series of changes. METRO said that its recommendations would, over a period of 30 years, save $6 million. But because METRO demanded the changes, Webb had to perform work out of sequence, costing the company time and money. Webb said that the move forced $3.2 million in additional expenses on the company. About $700,000 of that figure would have gone to subcontractors working for Webb. METRO and Webb entered a legal dispute, which lasted three years until 1986, when METRO paid a $1.8 million settlement to Webb.Staff. "Metro settles with contractor." Houston Chronicle. Saturday August 23, 1986. Section 1, Page 15. Retrieved on October 26, 2011. In 1986, due to financial issues, METRO said that it was scaling back its plans for the transit center, then a planned project, due to financial issues at METRO.
Health care The southeast branch of the American Red Cross serves Hiram Clarke.Andress, Lauri. "Southeast Red Cross will sponsor Christmas parade." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday November 8, 2000. ThisWeek 1. Retrieved on October 27, 2011.
Crime