Date: June 28th 2010

June 28, 2010


Dear Southampton Neighbors,

The monkey grass in the Sunset Boulevard esplanades between Kent and Greenbriar sustained serious damage during the Southampton Water Line Replacement Project. Acting as liaison with the City on behalf of the residents of Southampton, Southampton Civic Club (SHCC) is pressing for the restoration of the esplanades to their preconstruction condition.

Although the Contractor was asked repeatedly to stay off the esplanades and retain as much of the lush and healthy monkey grass as possible, existing thick plantings were destroyed and healthy topsoil was removed by heavy earth-moving vehicles, leaving an unhealthy top layer of clay and debris. New monkey grass placed on top of this uneven surface was left to “melt into” the beds, leaving their root systems unprotected. Sink holes and a variety of other problems have developed, including the unsightly weeds that have sprung up due to improper preparation of the beds. Too-wide spacing of new plantings and the application of fertilizer in absence of pre-emergent herbicide also contributed to the explosive weed growth.

We have urgently requested, on behalf of the residents of Southampton, that the Contractor be held accountable for proper restoration of the esplanades, including the weed situation. Although the weeds must be dealt with immediately, the issue of the bad soil must also be resolved and we trust that the Contractor will be held to proper restoration of the soil and the beds. SHCC has conferred with an experienced landscaper and recently submitted recommendations to the Contractor and the City for remediation of the weeds. Absent a copy of the actual contract between the City and the utility installation contractor, SHCC cannot determine the standard to which the contractor will actually be held. Our neighborhood, therefore, is awaiting the final verdict on this point. We will keep you posted on the outcome of our efforts.

This update is also included in the Southampton Newsletter that will go to every home in Southampton this week.

Sincerely,

Southampton Civic Club

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Southampton Civic Club Inc.
PO Box 540331
Houston, TX 77254
713-523-SHCC (7422)
info@southamptoncivicclub.org