Glenshire, Houston facts for kids
Glenshire is a neighborhood located in the Brays Oaks area of Houston, Texas. It's close to Fort Bend County. In 1989, about 5,000 people lived here. Back then, Glenshire was known as a "middle-class residential area."
The neighborhood is surrounded by West Bellfort to the north, West Airport to the south, Keegan's Bayou to the west, and Riceville School Road to the east. It's also divided by a large highway called Beltway 8.
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Glenshire's Past: A Look at Its History
Glenshire was built between 1972 and 1976. Before the neighborhood was developed in the 1960s, the State of Texas had already planned to build Beltway 8 through this area.
Community Concerns About Beltway 8
In 1989, people living in Glenshire were very concerned about the construction of Beltway 8. They even said they would sue the State of Texas. Bill Hill, who was the president of the Glenshire Community Association, threatened to stop the construction if their worries weren't addressed. Residents wanted better ways to get between the two parts of the neighborhood that the highway would separate.
In 1990, Glenshire residents won a court order. This order temporarily stopped the building of a part of West Airport Boulevard. Residents were worried about loud noise and lots of fast traffic affecting their homes. They also felt they weren't given enough warning about the project. U.S. federal law requires public notice when projects use federal money.
Recycling Efforts and Growth
By 1991, over 90% of Glenshire residents were taking part in the city's recycling program. One resident, Patti Niswanger, even organized a large group of neighbors to encourage everyone to recycle.
By 1996, the part of Beltway 8 south of Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 was being built. This improved how people could get in and out of Glenshire. A real estate expert, Frank Lucco, said that while homes right next to the highway might lose some value, the improved access to the city would likely help overall property values. A special sound wall was planned to protect houses near the Beltway from noise.
North of Beltway 8, new businesses started to appear. These included a Cinemark movie theater, a Home Depot store, hotels, and restaurants. Some homeowners were worried about this new development. They didn't want more areas that looked run-down close to their homes.
Moving Within Glenshire
Around 1996, many residents were moving to different houses within Glenshire itself. They could get bigger homes for a good price. An employee from a real estate company explained that people were moving from the west side of Glenshire to the east side. This was because it was becoming too expensive to buy a house in nearby Sugar Land for under $100,000.
Glenshire's Look: Cityscape
Glenshire is part of the Brays Oaks district and is close to Fort Bend County. A section of Beltway 8 runs right through the neighborhood. This part of the highway is between Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (Southwest Freeway) and U.S. Highway 90A.
In 1996, a reporter from the Houston Chronicle described Glenshire as having "vacant land" along the Beltway, West Bellfort, and West Airport roads. It was also near an area with many "low-rent apartments and half-vacant retail centers."
House Sizes and Prices
As of 1996, the houses east of Beltway 8 were generally larger. They ranged from 2,000 square feet (190 m2) to 3,000 square feet (280 m2). The houses west of the Beltway were smaller, ranging from 1,600 square feet (150 m2) to 2,400 square feet (220 m2).
In 1996, the prices for houses east of the Beltway were between $85,000 and $105,000. For houses west of the Beltway, prices ranged from $69,000 to $85,000.
Education in Glenshire
Glenshire is part of the Houston Independent School District. Kate Bell Elementary School, which is the local elementary school for the area, is located right within Glenshire.
The schools that students from Glenshire attend include:
- Bell Elementary School
- Welch Middle School
- Westbury High School
Parks and Recreation
In 1996, Glenshire had places for fun and sports on both sides of Beltway 8. These recreational spots included swimming pools and tennis courts.
The community used to have soccer and baseball/softball fields. However, these fields were removed to make way for two new three-lane access roads for Beltway 8. In 1989, the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation gave an $11.5 million contract to build these roads. Bill Hill, the president of the Glenshire Community Association, said in 1989 that residents were not told about this plan and felt upset about it.
