Pleasantville is a neighborhood located in Houston, Texas, United States. Pleasantville is predominantly African-American, and located inside of the 610 Loop in eastern Houston
History The Pleasantville neighborhood was established in 1948 by two land developers, Melvin Silverman and H.M. Cohen, who partnered with real estate agent and mortgage broker, Robinson Judson Robinson Sr. Silverman, owned property to the north of the Houston Ship Channel. In the post World War II period, the two aimed to create a community for Jewish American military veterans and African American servicemen, two groups that were known to face housing discrimination at the time.“Urban Research and Resource Center, Inc. Annual Report”. Texas Southern University Urban Research and Resource Center. p. 12 of 21. Retrieved on December 17, 2020.
The community attracted a wave of African American residents as it became one of the first areas where they could legally own a home.“Housing Amendments of 1953”. United States Congress House Committee on Banking and Currency. p. 201 of 209. Retrieved on December 17, 2020. Residents became heavily involved with their community, forming a Pleasantville Civic Club League and a Garden Club among many other community organizations that continuously worked to improve the area.“Pleasantville Civic League”. Neighborhood Link National Network. Retrieved on December 17, 2020.“Pleasantville Garden Club”. Retrieved on December 17, 2020.
Although the deed restrictions limited the area of Pleasantville to residential purposes only, the lack of zoning in Houston allowed for an encroachment of industrial buildings within close proximity of Pleasantville.“Deed Restrictions for Pleasantville”. Pleasantville Civic League, Inc. Neighborhood Link National Network. Retrieved on December 17, 2020. This encroachment was accelerated after the finished construction of the I-610 highway that outlines the eastern border of the residential area. The resulting increase in traffic from the highway attracted more industrial establishments such as the Southern Produce Co distribution center, Budweiser, and several chemical plants.
On the morning of June 24, 1995, a seven alarm fire broke out in a chemical storage warehouse in the Pleasantville neighborhood. The fire burned uncontrolled for a day, and firefighters had to evacuate due to lack of knowledge of the chemicals that the warehouse contained. The neighborhood was evacuated. In response to the fire and community advocacy, Mayor Bob Lanier promised to create a better system for disclosing chemical locations in residential areas. The Hazardous Materials Ordinance was passed in 1996 to better regulate where hazardous materials can be stored.Trevizo, Perla. "Worried about the air quality, Pleasantville residents came up with a one-of-a-kind solution". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
Pleasantville has a demonstrated history of community advocacy. Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS), a community-based advocacy group, started working for flood mitigation after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. In 2019, ACTS launched a community-owned air monitoring network to address environmental justice concerns. Due to Pleasantville’s location next to the ship channel, the interstate, and industrial sites like a large brewery, as well as events like the warehouse fire, Pleasantville residents became concerned by air quality issues. With funding and support from groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund and Texas Southern University, Pleasantville is establishing at least one community-owned and monitored air monitor. The community of Pleasantville is highly engaged in the project and will use the information from the monitors to inform future plans.Moore, Katie. "Here’s how a Houston neighborhood is taking action after decades of environment injustice". Environmental Defense Fund. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
Cityscape Pleasantville is in proximity to the 610 Loop and the portion of Interstate 10 labeled the "East Freeway".Crowe, Robert. "Houston grants council to Pleasantville." Houston Chronicle. October 18, 2001. Retrieved on May 17, 2014. The area surrounding the community includes rail lines and industrial businesses.Olson, Bradley. "Smelly mounds of Ike debris tower over Pleasantville." Houston Chronicle. January 13, 2009. Retrieved on May 17, 2014.
Government and infrastructure The Houston Police Department Northeast Patrol Division serves the neighborhood .
Houston City Council District B serves Pleasantville.City of Houston, Council District Maps, District B ." City of Houston. Retrieved on November 5, 2011.
The Pleasantville and Groveland Terrace subdivisions are a part of the Super Neighborhood Council No. 57 Pleasantville Area, which officially formed in July 2001.
In the 1991 Mayor of Houston election most Pleasantville voters voted for Sylvester Turner; Pleasantville's voter turnout was almost 50 percent.Rodriguez, Lori. "Saying goodbye, with no regrets." Houston Chronicle. Saturday November 9, 1991. A31.Bernstein, Alan and Jim Simmon. "Black vote went solidly for Turner/Whitmire failed to produce split." Houston Chronicle. Thursday November 7, 1991. A21.
Debbie Allen founded the Pleasantville Strategic Revitalization Planning Committee,"Problem: Lane restriping on hold until construction on Pleasantville wraps up -- Day 3." Houston Chronicle. June 27, 2005. Retrieved on May 17, 2014. which became sponsored by the city government. The Texas Southern University (TSU) School of Public Affairs and several community-based organizations are a part of the committee.Jaitapker, Nabeel. "Pleasantville homeowners hear results of survey." Houston Chronicle. June 16, 2005. Pasadena News. Retrieved on May 17, 2014. Allen became the committee's president."Pleasantville residents help in fight against crime." Houston Chronicle. June 3, 2008. Retrieved on May 17, 2014.
Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated Ripley Health Center in the East End for ZIP code 77029. - See ZIP code 77029. See this map for relevant ZIP code. In 2000 Ripley was replaced by the Gulfgate Health Center."Gulfgate Health Center" (Archive). Harris County Hospital District. Accessed October 17, 2008. The designated public hospital is Ben Taub General Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.
Crime and environment In 2005 there was a door-to-door survey conducted by the Strategic Planning Committee and TSU. Residents stated in the survey that their major concerns were gang activity, drug trafficking, a lack of presence of police, drive-by shootings, and prostitution. In addition residents mentioned issues with noise pollution originating from railroad tracks, abandoned and vacant buildings, and the overall quality of the environment. On Saturday June 10, 2005, residents attended a meeting at the Judson Robinson Sr. Community Center to discuss the survey.
By 2008 Allen had, as part of the METRO Adopt-a-Stop/Shelter program, adopted 28 bus stops in Pleasantville, and she stated that she did this in order to stop criminal activity from occurring at the bus stops.
Education
Pleasantville is served by the Houston Independent School District. Zoned schools include Pleasantville Elementary School, Holland Middle School, and Furr High School."Pleasantville Elementary School Attendance Boundary ." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved October 12, 2008."Holland Middle School Attendance Boundary ." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved October 12, 2008."Furr High School Attendance Boundary ." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
The Pleasantville Neighborhood Library of the Houston Public Library is in the community."Pleasantville Neighborhood Library." Houston Public Library. Retrieved on March 17, 2014.
Parks and recreation The Robinson Sr. Community Center is located in Pleasantville.
It was named after Judson W. Robinson Sr., a precinct chairperson in Pleasantville, the founder of real estate company Judson W. Robinson & Sons, Inc., a director of the Riverside General Hospital, and a member of the board of commissioners of the Housing Authority of the city of Houston. He was born in Crockett, Texas and he died on Sunday May 11, 1986. The Houston Chronicle stated that he was "a notable leader in the city's black community".Staff. "Services set today for Judson W. Robinson Sr." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday, May 13, 1986. Section 3, p. 8. NewsBank Record Number: HSC0513238425. Available at the Houston Public Library website with a library card. His son, Judson W. Robinson Jr., served as a member of Houston City Council.
References
External links Pleasantville Strategic Planning and Revitalization Committee.