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Press Release
CURB APPEAL Colorful blossoms brighten Westchase area streetscape Motorists absent from the roadways of Westchase for a month or two may be surprised upon return at how fast its streetscape has changed. Many a bare, lackluster esplanade has turned into botanical showcases of multifarious bloom of Zinnias, lantana and portulaca spotlighted on verdant groundcover of Asian Jasmine, Mexican feather grass and asparagus ferns, punctuated by Nearly Wild Roses and Indian hawthorn, and shaded by oaks and crape myrtles. As part of the Westchase District's multi-year beautification plan, the three esplanades landscaped on Wilcrest north of Westheimer have boosted the number of artistically crafted esplanades to more than 40 - all completed within the past a year and half. Last year, more than 27 esplanades on Wilcrest from south of Richmond to Westheimer and Richmond between Gessner and Briarpark were landscaped by the Westchase District, an area business development group, said its president Jim Murphy. Murphy said the recently completed Wilcrest project has included trees, native grasses and seasonal flowers added to the existing landscaping on the esplanades at the edge of the Village West and Lakeside Estates subdivisions. As one of the district's main thoroughfares, Wilcrest is now completely landscaped from the district's north end to Richmond, he said. "It's beautiful, it really brightens up my day," said Cindy Christian, a Western Geco employee, who drives down Wilcrest from Memorial to Richmond to work in the area every day. "These projects will provide year-round color, make for a more pleasant drive, and enhance the safety of motorists," Murphy said. "The low landscaping helps block the glare of sunlight and the headlights of opposing traffic and the berms help keep the traffic separate." More eye-catchers are under way, Murphy said, as his organization plans to landscape six more esplanades on Richmond between Briarpark and Beltway 8 later this year. "This is only the second phase of our multi-year master plan, but you can begin to see how beautiful and lush the district will look when we are finished," he said. "You'll notice a consistent, quality look featuring the same plants and colors in these newly landscaped areas throughout the district." Sherry Fox, the district's communications director, said finishing landscaping along the entire frontage roads of Beltway 8 also is in the district's master plan. Beautification has been done on parts of the frontage roads, with the section near Briar Forest being the latest project completed, she said. The Richmond-Wilcrest and Richmond-Gessner intersections, which are primary gateways to the district, became focal areas for planting flowers of many colors. "The seasonal blooming plants will keep these intersections bright and colorful all through the long, hot summer months," Murphy said. Designed by Clark Condon Associates, a landscape architecture firm from Houston, and installed by Landscape Management Services Inc., the new landscaping supplements the existing berms and now-mature trees planted more than 20 years ago, Murphy said. "All of these esplanades were originally planted in the 1970s, when berms and trees were the hottest trend in landscaping, but today they look rather dated, especially when you compare these public areas to the lushly landscaped private property nearby," he said. "People's expectations have risen in terms of landscape standards and this upgrade makes our common areas look as lush as the adjoining private properties." The $350,000 landscaping projects were funded by the district's property owners who pay an assessment to the organization, a municipal management group. Many business owners see the projects as an effort to enhance the "curb appeal" of the area to create a more attractive business environment. |
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