CURRENT PROJECTS

Aluminum Recycling

The neighborhood began a recycling program in 1991 in cooperation with the city.  In 1992, the city began curbside recycling so PRORA changed to recycling just aluminum.  The proceeds are used to support the organization.  Collection is every second Saturday of the month, from 10:00 - 11:00, at the corner of Lowell and Tamarac.  Volunteers from the Beautification Committee take the aluminum to a local dealer.  Since its inception, PRORA has recycled over 8 tons of aluminum and raised nearly $6000.

Annual Garage Sale

PRORA puts on a garage sale every year in May or June for all residents who want to participate.  PRORA sets a date and provides the publicity.  Residents enjoy the free publicity as well as the larger market draw because of the many sellers.  This is a great way to reuse that old stuff instead of sending it to the landfill, and making a few dollars at the same time!

Annual Picnic

PRORA puts on a neighborhood picnic every year in September.  It has been held at 12215 San Victorio, very generously hosted by Steve and Jan Seligman.  The picnic is a great way to meet your neighbors and enjoy some sun, great food, and some volleyball for the energetic!  It is also a good way to meet the PRORA board, and often our city counselor.

 PAST PROJECTS

Centex House Height

A home being built by Centex corporation was designed to a height of 28 feet, higher than the maximum 26 feet specified in the covenants.  The PRORA Board of Directors believed it important to enforce the covenants, and decided to pursue legal action in late 1991.  A legal fund was established with contributions from neighborhood residents.  The case was successfully resolved with the builder.

Apartment Complex Heights

Water Pressure Problem

Weed Pulling and Spraying

When the neighborhood was built, the parkways -- the area between the sidewalk and the curb -- along Spain, Lowell, and Academy were left in loose gravel or dirt.  They were subject to considerable weed growth.  Starting around 1992, PRORA organized weed pulls to clean up these areas.  Starting in 1996, the weed got too thick to pull and so we started spraying, which lasted until the parkways were paved in 2002.

Graffiti Removal

In the mid-to-late 1990's, there was a large growth in the city graffiti problem.  The PRORA Beautification Committee established a team to help homeowners clean it up.  The team functioned for about two years, until the city established their hot line and graffiti removal team.

Lowell Median Landscaping

Landscaping the median on Lowell was one of the very first projects pursued by PRORA.  The project went through a number of designs and bond issues before finally coming to fruition in 200x.

Spain Median Landscaping:

In 2000, we submitted a CIP application to construct the upper Spain median, from Lowell up to Tramway.  Since the voters approved all bond issues in the fall of 2001, funding was made available.  By 2002, construction was complete and it looks great. Maintenance will be required to keep it looking good. The city Parks and Recreation Department performs maintenance.

PRORA Sidewalks:

This was our other Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project for 2000.  It involves filling in the gaps between the curbs and the sidewalks on Spain, Academy, and Lowell.  The project was needed to prevent weeds and grass from growing along our boundary sidewalks.  The 2000 CIP projects were approved, and funding was provided.  Construction was completed in 2002.

Tramway Sidewalk:

This is a funded Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project, submitted by PRORA in 1998, that will add a paved walkway along the west side of Tramway from Spain to Academy.  This project is now approved and should start as soon as bids are evaluated.

Additional Street Lighting:

Early in 2000, after a rash of vandalism incidents, we asked the City to do a lighting survey to see if we qualified for additional street lighting.  The survey was conducted in the spring of 2000 -- 16 street segments within the PRORA area qualified for additional lighting.  After polling the residents of those streets, 8 petitions for added lighting were sent to the City Traffic Department for their action.  To date, 5 lights have been installed, 2 are awaiting installation, and one was voided by the local residents.