METRO Celebrates New Bus Shelter Artwork in Historic Independence Heights

6/30/2023, 3:28 p.m.

METRO Board Members and staff along with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston City Council Member Karla Cisneros and leaders from the Independence Heights neighborhood cut the ribbon on new bus shelters designed in partnership with the community.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee presents a proclamation at the ribbon cutting event.

"At METRO we strive to invest in communities that we serve," said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. "We are honored to make this investment, but also help share these special stories of perseverance and of the pioneers of Independence Heights."

The Independence Heights neighborhood is a historic Black community and the first city incorporated by African Americans in Texas.

At Airline @ 34th, riders learn about Washington Stokes, known as the “The Fruit Man.” He used farming to become a self-made entrepreneur.

The new bus shelter designs feature the neighborhood’s rich history and stories of the many notable figures of the community.

"It is a project that has been a labor of love ... When people are riding, they will see pictures of the first mayors, pictures of young people in the schools, pictures of the early businesses," said Tanya Debose, executive director of the Independence Heights Redevelopment Council.