If the bond passes, the annual tax bill will be about $143 starting in 2026.
On the ballot
After several months of packed public meetings regarding West University Place’s Facilities Master Plan, City Council members officially called the bond election in February.
With some of West U’s facilities constructed over 80 years ago, city officials first identified space needs for each city department and created the long-term Facilities Master Plan in 2022. The FMP stated that the replacement or renovation of the city’s existing facilities were inevitable and not optimized to meet current and future demands.
While the original plan was broken into four phases, only Phase 1 is under construction as of March, according to the city’s website. Phase 1 relocates the city’s public works building on Amherst Street to Westpark Drive in Houston.
Voters will decide in May whether to advance Phase 2 of the master plan, which is now Proposition D. This involves replacing the community building, senior center and library and building a new civic center that combines all three facilities into one building, according to city officials. Proposition D would also add green space and parking.
Should the bond pass or not, city officials said no further action has been taken for Phases 3 and 4, which include City Hall and public safety building renovations, respectively.
Funding the project
The $15.07 million bond on the ballot is broken into two parts paid over 30 years, Finance Director Marie Kalka said:
- $12.07 million for construction of Phase 2
- $3 million for community open space and parking around the proposed Phase 2 construction
Kalka also said no additional funding has been approved for the master plan.
Public input
Residents continue to voice their opinions regarding the city’s development projects. One of them, Kay Bryan, wrote a letter for public comment at the Feb. 24 City Council meeting in opposition of Proposition D.
“The number of citizens who have signed a petition protesting the radical rebuild plan decided on by a handful of people in city government continues to rise,” Bryan said in the letter. “Almost every citizen who signed the petition was unaware of the plans to relocate, rebuild and destroy many city buildings.”
Resident Edna Kelly said she is in favor of the new civic center. After moving to West U in 1971, she said over time the community has outgrown the library and the building’s functionality is outdated.
“I understand they have between 40 and 60 people show up for story time ... so they are no longer able to have story time at the library. There isn’t room in any way. The fire code wouldn’t allow it, so they have to meet about a block and a half away,” Kelly said.
One more thing
Three additional propositions will be on the ballot to change the city’s charter.
Proposition A: Reduces the number of required City Council meetings to one each month, with the option to hold a second meeting.
- Current charter language: City Council shall hold at least two regular monthly meetings.
- Current charter language: Before new city ordinances can take effect, they are required to be published in the official City newspaper.
- Current charter language: The city manager has the authority to appoint all department heads and the city secretary
