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Nottingham Forest, Houston: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 29°45′59.3346″N 95°35′52.512″W / 29.766481833°N 95.59792000°W / 29.766481833; -95.59792000
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In 2006, the Houston Chronicle listed Nottingham Forest as a slightly higher-priced subdivision in the west Houston superneighborhod (outside Beltway 8) <ref>[http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/business/homedata/n.html Houston Chronicle HomeFront]</ref>, with the most expensive home listed at approximately $425,000 USD. Unlike the rest of the city, in 2007 Nottingham Forest (along with the rest of the Memorial area) reported an 8% increase in home sales, one of only seven areas in Houston to report a sales increase.<ref>[[The Houston Chronicle]], March 19, 2008. Page D1, "Real Estate" section.</ref> The poor performance in the Houston housing market has been caused by the [[subprime mortgage crisis]].
In 2006, the Houston Chronicle listed Nottingham Forest as a slightly higher-priced subdivision in the west Houston superneighborhod (outside Beltway 8) <ref>[http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/business/homedata/n.html Houston Chronicle HomeFront]</ref>, with the most expensive home listed at approximately $425,000 USD. Unlike the rest of the city, in 2007 Nottingham Forest (along with the rest of the Memorial area) reported an 8% increase in home sales, one of only seven areas in Houston to report a sales increase.<ref>[[The Houston Chronicle]], March 19, 2008. Page D1, "Real Estate" section.</ref> The poor performance in the Houston housing market has been caused by the [[subprime mortgage crisis]].


Nottingham Forrest was the childhood home of comedian [[Bill Hicks]].<ref>{{Cite web
Nottingham Forest was the childhood home of comedian [[Bill Hicks]].<ref>{{Cite web
| title = Bill Hicks Biography, Bio, Tour Dates
| title = Bill Hicks Biography, Bio, Tour Dates
| work = Comedy Central
| work = Comedy Central

Revision as of 20:30, 3 October 2010

Nottingham Forest, Houston
A map of Nottingham Forest, Nottingham Forest VIII and related neighborhoods and schools.
subdivision in Houston, Texas
Building population932
EducationSpring Branch ISD:
Nottingham ES and Meadow Wood ES
Spring Forest MS
Stratford HS
LocationHouston, Texas, United States (77079)
Home value range$265,000 — $469,000 USD (median $329,500 USD)
All infobox data from: [1]

Nottingham Forest (29°46′1.9524″N 95°36′54.1578″W / 29.767209000°N 95.615043833°W / 29.767209000; -95.615043833 and 29°45′59.3346″N 95°35′52.512″W / 29.766481833°N 95.59792000°W / 29.766481833; -95.59792000{{#coordinates:}}: cannot have more than one primary tag per page) is a subdivision (the combined name of two middle-class neighborhoods, Nottingham Forest and Nottingham Forest VIII) located on the far west side of Houston, Texas, south of Interstate 10 and west of Beltway 8. They are both bordered by Memorial Drive to the north and the Buffalo Bayou to the south and west.

The two are members of a group of neighborhoods and apartment complexes that sprung up in the 1960s in west Houston. Much like many other neighborhoods in the surrounding area, they are populated by numerous clapboard and brick one- and two-story houses shaded by what once was thick oak forest.

History

The two neighborhoods were simultaneously developed in the late 1960s. The area was mainly grassland and wood, with little commercial development.[2] Interstate 10 had recently been built north of the area, attracting westward suburban growth.

Looking east on Chadbourne Drive in Nottingham Forest VII, 2006

The neighborhoods have seen numerous tropical storms, including Hurricane Alicia (1983), Tropical Storm Allison (2001), Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008). None of these storms have had a severe impact beyond downed trees and power lines.

In 2006, the Houston Chronicle listed Nottingham Forest as a slightly higher-priced subdivision in the west Houston superneighborhod (outside Beltway 8) [3], with the most expensive home listed at approximately $425,000 USD. Unlike the rest of the city, in 2007 Nottingham Forest (along with the rest of the Memorial area) reported an 8% increase in home sales, one of only seven areas in Houston to report a sales increase.[4] The poor performance in the Houston housing market has been caused by the subprime mortgage crisis.

Nottingham Forest was the childhood home of comedian Bill Hicks.[5] Hicks jokingly referred to the neighborhood as a "strict Southern Baptist ozone".[6][7]

Government and infrastructure

A floodplain map of Nottingham Forest. Sections of both neighborhoods are prone to flooding from the Buffalo Bayou. Light blue indicates a 500-year floodplain (FEMA Zone X) and darker blue indicates a 100-year floodplain (FEMA Zone AE). The darkest blue (around the Buffalo Bayou itself) is the floodway.

The neighborhoods are served by the Houston Police Department's (HPD's) Westside Patrol Division [8].

In May 2007, representatives from Nottingham Forest VIII and Westchester met with council member Pam Holm and HPD Captain Richard Gerstner to discuss changes to the area.[9] Unlike other places in the city, crime in the area is slightly higher than earlier in 2006. Nottingham Forest and Westchester are hoping for approval from the council to increase forces.

Flooding

Due to its proximity to the Buffalo Bayou, both neighborhoods of Nottingham Forest are extremely prone to flooding in areas closer to the bayou. The southern regions of both neighborhoods are within 100-year floodplains, and larger areas of the subdivision are within 500-year floodplains.[10] Flooding generally occurs during heavy thunderstorms, which cause flash flooding on streets and in cul-de-sacs, and hurricanes and tropical storms.

The elevation of the neighborhoods and surrounding areas is generally around 80 feet, spots in the mid to lower 70s are most prone to flooding.[10]

Education

Stratford High School

The neighborhoods are located on the southwestern edge[11] of Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD). Two elementary schools, one serving each neighborhood, are located in the subdivision: Nottingham Elementary School and Meadow Wood Elementary School. Middle and high school students are zoned to Spring Forest Middle School and Stratford High School, respectively.

Additionally, one local library serves the area — Kendall Branch Library on Eldridge Parkway, approximately 1.5 miles west of Nottingham Forest VIII.

Local destinations

A jogging trail/grass park that runs right along the Buffalo Bayou, accessible from both neighborhoods.

  • Nottingham Park

Medium-sized park with a water park, playground, baseball fields, tennis courts and a small jogging trail. Located slightly north of Memorial Drive and Spring Forest Middle School.

  • Nottingham Forest Club

A private, members-only club located on the extreme southeastern side of Nottingham Forest; includes sports facilities, a pool and playground.

Popular shopping centers.

Extremely large city park west of State Highway 6.

Another large city park and miniature zoo to the north of Interstate 10.

Notes

  1. ^ Nottingham Forest at Houston Association of Relators website
  2. ^ Richard West (04-1975). "Texas Monthly Reporter". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2010-09-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Houston Chronicle HomeFront
  4. ^ The Houston Chronicle, March 19, 2008. Page D1, "Real Estate" section.
  5. ^ "Bill Hicks Biography, Bio, Tour Dates". Comedy Central. Retrieved 2010-09-25.
  6. ^ Paul Outhwaite, author of One Consciousness – an Analysis of Bill Hicks’ Comedy. "Bill Hicks Biography". Retrieved 2010-09-25. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Cynthia True. "American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story". Retrieved 2010-09-25.
  8. ^ Houston Police Department - Westside Patrol Division page Last accessed September 1, 2007
  9. ^ RAP news stories at Westchester.org
  10. ^ a b Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP) floodplain and elevation map
  11. ^ Official map of Spring Branch Independent School District


U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nottingham Forest, Houston