Descriptive Summary
Hardy Toll Road Metropolitan Organization
Hardy Street Toll Road Controversy CollectionBulk, 1979-19831969-1983, 1979-1983RG.F.0018
0.5 Linear feet,
1 document box; approximately 235 items.
Materials are in English.
Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library
Historical Note
To alleviate traffic congestion on the north side of Houston, in 1980 the Texas Turnpike Authority developed a plan to build a toll road along Hardy Road. Residents of the neighborhoods through which the highway was to be built objected. They felt the highway would destroy their neighborhoods, increase air pollution, add to parking problems downtown, and would benefit only people commuting to downtown from the suburbs. Opposition to the toll road was led by The Metropolitan Organization, a multiethnic community organization made up of over 60 churches in the Houston area. Many of those opposed to the toll road plan instead favored the development of a mass transit system based on rail traffic. The Hardy Toll Road was authorized by Houston voters in 1983 and completed in 1988.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of files created by The Metropolitan Organization. The files were arranged topically. The original organization has for the most part been kept.
Access Restrictions
None.
Use Restrictions
None.
Preferred Citation
Hardy Street Toll Road Controversy Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library.
Acquisition Information
Donated by: Brian McCann, September 1983
Processing Information
Processed by: Andrew Hempe, April 2000
Index Terms
Hardy Toll Road (Houston, Tex.).
Metropolitan Organization, The (Houston, Tex.).
Community organization--Texas--Houston
Political activists--Texas--Houston
Railroads, Local and light--Texas--Houston
Toll roads--Texas--Houston
Traffic congestion--Texas--Houston
Toll Road Controversy
1
2
Meeting notes,
1982
1
3
Meeting notes,
1983
1
4
Report: “A Concept for an Urban Transit System for Houston, Texas, Using Existing Tracks,"
September 16, 1969
1
5
MTA Budget. Reports: “Regional Transit Capital Improvement Program," “Plan of Financing for the Regional Transit Capital Improvement Program," “Capital Budget Summary by Funding Source."
1
6
Position paper by The Metropolitan Organization on the Hardy Street Corridor.
1
7
Rail Transit – D. C. Trip. Notes, correspondence, and news clippings regarding trip of representatives of The Metropolitan Organization to Washington, D. C.
1
8
Report: “The North Corridor and Hardy Road."
1
9
Harris County Air Pollution. Report, abstract.
1
10
Schedule of action taken by The Metropolitan Organization,
1980 – 1981
1
11
Correspondence,
1980
1
12
Correspondence,
1981 – 1982
1
13
Correspondence,
1983
1
14
Speeches. Includes pamphlet.
1
15
Report: “Analysis of Financing Risks of the Hardy Toll Road System."
1
16
Report: "Economic Development Strategies for Revitalizing Houston’s Fifth Ward: A Feasibility Study."
1
17
T. C. Jester – Watonga. Memos, opinions regarding proposed extension of T. C. Jester Boulevard and Watonga Boulevard.
1
18
Press releases.
1
19
Feasibility studies: Houston toll roads and Hardy Toll Road.
1
20
News clippings,
1980
1
21
News clippings,
1982
1
22
News clippings,
1983
1
23
News clippings,
1979-1983
1
24
Miscellaneous Metropolitan Organization materials.
1
25
Election sign: “Yes For Houston Bus & Rail."
1
1
Harris County Toll Roads.
Scope and Contents note
Contains miscellaneous items relating to toll road bonds.