Dorris Ellis is standing on the bricks laid by descendants of freed slaves. She and members of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition said next week’s mediation hearing should lead to an agreement with the city, on how best to install new water, sewer and utility lines.
“I believe that we will work to come out with a good solution for the preservation of the Freedmen’s Town, and also to provide the infrastructure that the citizens of this area are need of,” said Dorris Ellis, president of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition.
A court hearing, planned for Friday, will not take place because of the mediation. Ellis said she’s optimistic something can be resolved then.
“That is what the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition, that is our notion when we go in. We can reach a resolution where both parties are happy, because it’s much better when the parties are able to find their own solution, and under the order of the judge,” Ellis said.
The Coalition wants the city to preserve the bricks on Andrews and Wilson Streets in 4th Ward when the utility improvement project resumes.
The city had previously said it is more cost effective to temporarily move the bricks to complete the work.
Related articles:
Bricks To Stay In 4th Ward’s Historic Freedmen’s Town
Judge Orders Crews To Halt Removal Of Freedmen’s Town Bricks
Preservationists, City Engage In Talks Over Freedmen’s Town Brick Streets
Freedmen’s Town’s Brick Preservationists Take Fight To City Hall
Houston to Move Forward with Removal of Freedmen’s Town Bricks
Mayor: Freedmen’s Town Bricks Will Be Put Back After Construction
Subscribe to Today in Houston
Fill out the form below to subscribe our new daily editorial newsletter from the HPM Newsroom.