Neighborhood Empowerment Grants

During the 2022 - 2023 grant year, seven neighborhoods were awarded grants: Lakewood, Allenbrook, Baybrook Place, Lincoln Cedars, Pelly, and West Baytown Civic Association. Their neighborhood projects include neighborhood signage, solar speed signs, park art, wayfinding signage and neighborhood block parties.

During the 2021-2022 grant year, seven neighborhoods were awarded grants: the Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment (ACE) District, Central Heights, Lakewood, Lantern Park, Oak Addition, Pelly, and West Baytown Civic Association. Their neighborhood projects include neighborhood signage, park benches, public art projects (crosswalk art and murals), wayfinding signage and a neighborhood block party.

A large scale mural paying homage to Pelly's historic roots and local charms was painted on the Outboard Performance Service building directly across from Pelly Park. Local artist Jessica Rice used actual homes in the neighborhood as inspiration and incorporated natural elements native to the area such as blue herons, fig and pecan trees. Take a quick tour here.

Central Heights received a grant for a street art project to add interest to a well used intersection in front of the popular Central Heights Park. Local artist Magdalena Esparza incorporated elements of resident-requested nature and vibrant colors in the art piece she painted. The artwork fills the entire intersection and provides a cheerful backdrop for the residents of Central Heights and Baytown.

Lakewood Civic Association received grant funding for six personalized street sign toppers in their neighborhood. Customized street sign toppers can provide a way for the community to showcase pride in their neighborhood while adding aesthetic value to the landscape.

During the 2020 - 2021 grant year, six neighborhoods were awarded grants: West Baytown Civic Association, Central Heights, Oak Addition, Lakewood Civic Association, Glen Meadow Neighborhood Association, and the Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment (ACE) District. Their neighborhood projects include neighborhood signage, traffic cabinet art and murals.

The West Baytown Civic Association and the Promise Center of Baytown partnered together on their grant application for a wall mural at the Promise Center of Baytown. This mural was completed by local artist Jessica Rice.

Artist Statement: The designs are different in the way they get the message across, but do share some of the same symbols. For example I chose the hands with different skin tones to show diversity, and some of the same symbols to show different types of industry (the microscope, paintbrush, stethoscope, apple for teaching, etc). We discussed showcasing education, so I included books, a globe, and graduating/academic achievement with grad caps and diplomas. The design uses the space the most effectively and it conveys the message while still leaving room for personal interpretations/viewers' experience. It's colorful, bright and sunny, positive, and makes the biggest impact. I loved using the idea of the hands reaching up and almost looking like trees signifying personal growth; branching out and up into the future. I put in some wildflowers that are actually native to the area (something I like to do in my work often) and also a flying Heron to represent Baytown.

Three Baytown neighborhoods, Glen Meadow, Oak Addition, and Central Heights, received grant funding for personalized sign toppers for their neighborhood.

The Lakewood Neighborhood Association partnered with the local Sea Scout group to replace their neighborhood sign that was knocked down by a motorist.