Trees and landscaping should be a part of every public building project in the Houston region. Houston's Quality of Life Coalition supports forestation of freeways under the Texas Department of Transportation’s Green Ribbon Plan as the most cost-effective way to change the way the region looks from the road. We work to protect existing trees on Houston streets and to plant more of them. We support tree planting and landscaping of highways, toll roads and all public building projects. Trees not only brighten our home town, they increase property values and lessen the urban heat island effect.  Freeways & Interchanges: Plant trees and landscape freeways & interchanges inside Beltway 8 at a total cost of $78 million (+/- $15 million annually for 5 years) Encourage context-sensitive design by passing the Texas Scenic Act, which requires TxDOT to consider "the scenic and aesthetic character of the area in which the project is located" City Thoroughfares: Create a master plan for tree planting of major city thoroughfares City should plant trees & landscape city thoroughfares Change council resolution into an ordinance requiring 1% of capital & special facility budgets to be dedicated for trees & landscaping City Streets: Enforce tree protection & planting ordinances Mayor's Special Committee to make recommendations for improvements of these ordinances based on best practices of competing cities Public Spaces: City & County should landscape their own facilities at least as is required of private developers Initial major opportunities: Reliant Stadium,George R. Brown Convention Center expansion, Convention Center Hotel, Rockets' Arena, Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airports Airports: Plant trees & landscape on major approaches & public spaces. Other: Explore whether to create a "Scenic Authority" to plan, plant & maintain landscaping     The Good                                                                                  The Bad Landscaping makes freeways more attractive, increases property values, provides direct cooling benefits, reduces the urban heat island effect and minimizes the need for mowing, thereby reducing maintenance costs. ACHIEVED Supported federal efforts to landscape freeways in the Houston region.  Congressman Ted Poe secured $22.8 million from Transportation Reauthorization Bill in FY 2005.  In FY 2004, $500,000 was obtained by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison through the Transportation Appropriations Bill.  Federal funds will go to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Green Ribbon Program.   Supported State Representative Garnet Coleman in his successful efforts to require ½ to 1% of TxDOT’s capital budget be used to enhance the appearance of public highways.  This legislation incorporates in the design and improvement of public highways the planting of trees and shrubs, emphasizing natural beauty and greenspace. Since inception of the Green Ribbon Master Plan in 1999, it has led to a total expenditure of $12.4 million to landscape Houston ’s freeways through 2005.   Working with Harris County Toll Road Authority to support the esthetic development and landscaping of the Hardy Toll Road and extension ultimately creating an entrance to downtown that is landscaped and attractive.    In 2005, HCTRA allocated $500K for landscaping the toll road system and expects to continue the program with an additional $500K for the 2006 planting season.  Three hundred and fifty native tree species and about 200 shrubs have been planted on the Hardy Toll Road as part of HCTRA’s pilot program.   Negotiated with owners and contractors of all three sports facilities -- Reliant Center, Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park -- to include landscaping in capital budgets.         Reliant Center                                                                            Minute Maid Park   Supported new beautification ordinance passed in 2003 that requires more landscaping per space and made it more visible to the public.      Supported landscaping efforts of City Parks and Recreation Department.  From 2001-2005, the City Parks Department planted approximately 11,400 trees, 90% of which were planted on esplanades and city streets.  The remaining 10% were planted on public facitlities and in parks.   Worked with airport facilities to ensure landscaping and maintenance improvements of the new Central Concourse at Hobby Airport and in new the Rental Car Facility, Cargo Center and the first phase of Terminal E at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.