Our Statement

What's Going On Here?

Let's Build A Rail That Makes Sense

The Mobility Coalition for the Quality of Life is committed to increasing mobility in Houston through a financially responsible voter approved plan.

1. The 2003 referendum approved by Houston voters did not state Richmond Avenue as a possible location for the proposed light rail line, therefore it was not approved by the voters.

2. The proposed Metro light rail line, if placed on Richmond Ave., would greatly decrease the mobility of the entire area and would result in a decreased quality of life.

1. Removal of a lane of traffic at the narrower sections of Richmond would increase congestion.
2. Removal of many existing North-South crossover streets would increase congestion.
3. Removal of many existing left turn lanes would increase congestion.
4. Removal of the crossover streets would increase the danger to pedestrians and children.
5. Removal of the crossover streets would increase the danger for children walking & biking to school.
6. Removal of the crossover streets would limit accessibility to area parks and green spaces.
7. Reduces the capacity of Richmond Avenue to serve as an alternative route for the Southwest Freeway, which has no feeder streets East of Shepherd.
8. Reduces the response time & alternate routes for emergency vehicles due to the lack of crossover streets, left turn lanes & non-existent feeder streets South of Richmond Ave, particularly if the Southwest Freeway is heavily congested.
9. Will create a segregation of neighborhoods & limit access to the entire area.
   

3. The proposed Metro light rail line is financially irresponsible.

1. Spending taxpayer money to remove and relocate utility lines which exist under Richmond Avenue is an irresponsible waste of our tax dollars.
2. Spending taxpayer money to purchase property to relocate these utility lines is an additional waste of tax dollars.
3. Continuously spending an excessive amount of money to survey & study Richmond Avenue, after previous studies concluded that Richmond Avenue was not a viable route for rail in the 1980s, 1990s and 2003.
4. Spending taxpayer dollars to exercise the right of eminent domain in order to obtain the equivalent of a radius of 5 football fields for the placement of light rail stations is a waste of tax payer dollars.
5. Spending over $40 million per mile on a rail line that will not deliver on the promise of increased mobility for the future of Houston is a waste of taxpayer money.
   

4. The negative environmental impact of the proposed light rail on Richmond Avenue will be overwhelming for our quality of life.

1. Increased flooding will occur with the replacement of soil, landscaping & mature trees in the medians with pattern concrete, which does not absorb water.
2. Increased heat due to the removal of 23-90 year old oak trees in combination with additional concrete.
3. Decreased air quality with the loss of mature trees to filter the air.
4. Increased ozone levels due to removal of mature trees and additional heat from unshaded concrete.
5. Increased noise levels due to the removal of mature oak trees.
6. Decreased quality of life with removal of green space and mature trees.

The proposed Light Rail project will result in a severe reduction of quality of life for homeowners, businesses & land owners in the area, many of whom have lived here for decades. The certain loss of life savings in their homes, property and businesses would be financially devastating.