International District (Greater Houston)

District offices
District street scene

The International Management District (IMD) is a management district in Harris County and Fort Bend County, Texas. Most of the district is within the city of Houston, while a portion lies within an unincorporated area.[1]

History

Texas State Representative Hubert Vo suggested the creation of a management district.[2] The 80th session of the Texas Legislature created the district in 2007.[3] In 2009 the district stated that at least half of its $1 million budget would be used to enhance security.[4]

Cityscape

The district has about 12 square miles (31 km2) of land. It is roughly bounded by Bellaire Boulevard to the north, Texas State Highway 6 to the west, and Beltway 8 to the east. The district runs along Bissonnet from Highway 6 to Kirkwood. The district then runs along West Bellfort to U.S. Highway 59.[2] The area occupied by the district is commonly known as Alief.[5] Seven hotels are located in the district.[6]

Government and infrastructure

The International Management District levies taxes on businesses in its boundaries to increase security, to promote international business and trade, and to pay for beautification projects.[3]

County, state, and federal representation

The Harris County Sheriff's Office serves the unincorporated Harris County side. It operates the Mission Bend Storefront in the International District.[1][7] The El Franco Lee Health Center in the district, operated by the Harris County Hospital District, opened on May 19, 2009.[8] Prior to the opening, the closest facility was the People's Health Center. The district said in a 2006 Houston Chronicle article that it planned to build a health care facility in Alief.[9] The center has 66,000 square feet (6,100 m2) of space.[10]

The United States Postal Service operates the Alief Post Office and the Beechnut Post Office.[11][12]

Economy

The International Trade Center-Houston was established around the time of the formation of the International District.[13]

Education

Primary and secondary schools

The Harris County residents are within the Alief Independent School District.[1] The Fort Bend County residents are within the Fort Bend Independent School District.[1]

The Fort Bend County portion is served by Arizona Fleming Elementary School,[14] Hodges Bend Middle School,[15] and George Bush High School.[16]

Community colleges

The Houston Community College System has served the Alief area since 1982.[17] The HCC Alief Campus, a part of the Southwest College,[18] is in the Westchase area of Houston.[17][19] The HCC Alief Continuing Education Center is located in an unincorporated area in Harris County adjacent to the International District.[17] In 1982 HCCS expanded classes to Alief Elsik High School. In 2001, HCCS opened the Alief Center on Bissonnet. In 2007, the new Alief Campus in Westchase opened. In 2008, the former Alief Center became the Continuing Education Center.[17]

Public libraries

Houston Public Library operates the David M. Henington-Alief Regional Library in the district.[20]

Recreation

The Lunar New Year is celebrated in the district.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "International District Boundaries." International District. Retrieved on May 2, 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Welcome to the International Management District." International Management District. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Kumar, Seshadri and Jennifer Friedberg. "Alief set to establish International Management District / Second bill can let AISD board increase length of trustees' terms." Houston Chronicle. Thursday June 7, 2007. ThisWeek 7. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  4. ↑ Martin, Betty L. "INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT." Houston Chronicle. March 17, 2009. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  5. ↑ "About the District." International Management District. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Hotels." International District. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Contact Information." Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on May 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ "El Franco Lee Health Center." Harris County Hospital District. Accessed April 26, 2009.
  9. ↑ Kumar, Seshadri. "County plans Alief health center / Twelve-acre facility would be largest in HCHD." Houston Chronicle. Thursday October 26, 2006. ThisWeek 5. Retrieved on May 25, 2009.
  10. ↑ "HCHD Set to Open New El Franco Lee Health Center in Alief." Harris County Hospital District. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Post Office Location - ALIEF." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Post Office Location - BEECHNUT." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  13. ↑ Wollam, Allison. "New district imports global trade center." Houston Business Journal. Friday October 26, 2007. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  14. ↑ "2009–2010 Elementary Schools." Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  15. ↑ "2009–2010 Middle Schools." Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  16. ↑ "2009–2010 High Schools." Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved on June 2, 2010.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "HCC provides opportunity and education for the Alief community." Houston Community College System. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
  18. ↑ "HCC Southwest College Archived 2013-10-31 at the Wayback Machine.." Houston Community College. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
  19. ↑ "SECT2-key.gif." Westchase. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Henington-Alief Regional Library." Houston Public Library. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.
  21. ↑ "2010 Chinese Lunar New Year Festival." International District. Retrieved on June 3, 2010.

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