January 14, 2003

Pasadena Groundbreaking Ceremony

Pasadena city officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Richey Street and Highway 225 Tuesday to officially launch the Highway 225 Beautification Project, a cooperative effort of the City of Pasadena, the Texas Department of Transportation, the North Pasadena Business Association and area refiners and chemical manufacturers.

Mayor John Manlove said the project has been planned for the past two years, to provide a gateway to Pasadena for an estimated 250,000 people who travel on Highway 225 past Richey Street each day.

“This is a vital part of improving the quality and image of our city, and a prime example of public and private sectors working together to achieve those goals,” said Manlove.   “Appearance is a key to image, and our new look at the Richey Street interchange will be a great example of positive changes being seen throughout the Pasadena community.”

The low-water landscape and irrigation design includes over 100 palm trees and 3500 shrubs.

The $414,000 project is being funded by the Texas Department of Transportation, the North Pasadena Business Association, and local industry.

“It is great to see a project of this magnitude finally coming to fruition," said Michael Isermann, assistant to the Mayor for leisure and education services.  "A great amount of time and effort went into this project and we are appreciative of all the work city staff members and the North Pasadena Business Association put into this project.” 

"It's history in the making," said City Council Member Jeri Neely.  "The people who live in this particular part of town are the old homestead folks, who have been here forever."