Meyerland, Houston
The neighborhood is named after the Meyer family, who bought and owned 6,000 acres (24 km2) of land in southwest Houston.
Meyerland is the center of Houston's Jewish community; the Meyerland area is the home of Houston's Jewish Community Center, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, and several smaller synagogues.
Meyerland is partially located within the 100-year floodplain, and houses were prone to flooding during heavy rain events.
[1] Meyerland was inundated during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and stories and images of the flooded community were prominent in media coverage of the natural disaster in Houston.
[2][3][4][5] Large scale flood mitigation projects are underway which will greatly benefit Meyerland.
Luxury homes over $1m in value are being built several feet above the minimum base flood elevation.
[citation needed] On September 24, 1954, the Meyerland Community Improvement Association, a Texas non-profit corporation, was formed.
[10] Many white residents were moving away from the Third Ward area, so many houses in Meyerland were sold prior to construction.
The tree and a stone marker are located near Meyerland Plaza shopping center on Beechnut Street.
The group of robbers targeted Meyerland since the houses had valuables, and the community was in proximity to the 610 Loop and other major thoroughfares, providing easy avenues for escape.
[15] Area residents used their funds to hire private patrols, causing crime rates to decrease.
Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor, stated that as Meyerland became wealthier, the class structure increasingly was "rigidified."
[16] In 2017 the Israeli government stated it would spend $1 million to help pay for repairs for damages from Hurricane Harvey sustained by institutions of the Jewish community in Houston.
[10] Mimi Swartz of the Texas Monthly said "the neighborhood was a place where Jews could take care of their own and, they believed, could protect their children from negative influences while teaching them to follow religious tradition and embrace the values of family, education, achievement, and community.
[33] The portion of the neighborhood on the west (section 10, which has a western edge boundary of Hillcroft Avenue) is zoned to Herod Elementary School.
[29][39] All students who are zoned to Pershing, Johnston, or Long have the option to apply for the regular program at Pin Oak Middle School in the city of Bellaire.
[43] Yushang Chang, the author of Newcomer's Handbook Neighborhood Guide: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin, wrote that since Meyerland is zoned to Bellaire one could buy a house and guarantee that one's child could go the school without paying City of Bellaire housing prices and property taxes.
The document, labeled as a "draft", illustrated Meyerland being moved into the attendance zone of Westbury High School.
The rebuilds of Herod, Lovett, and Horn Elementary of Bellaire together had a cost of $49 million and were a part of a $1 billion bond program approved by HISD voters in 2007.
Hurricane Harvey gave the library moderate damage, and the city government closed it afterwards, with demolition scheduled.
The new library, which will also replace HPL Express Frank, will be at 5505 Belrose on a 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) plot of land in Westbury.
Residents of Meyerland, Maplewood, and Robindell appeared before the METRO board and protested the plans, stating that they would result in increased traffic.
The homeowners association maintains a contract with Harris County Precinct 5 Constable for improved local security.
[63] The Godwin Community Center, on the same lot, has an outdoor pavilion, a playground, and a lighted sports field.
[64] The sports facilities include a baseball diamond, a soccer field, and a covered basketball court.
Mimi Swartz of the Texas Monthly said "[t]he grass is shorn and green, the playground equipment freshly painted and sturdy.
The park is shaded by benevolent oaks that are about the same age as the homes that surround it[...]"[14] In the early years of Meyerland's existence, eight garden clubs formed.
