Community Update: The Martin & Merritt Development
Special Edition: Resident Concerns and Demands
Date: April 11, 2025
Dear Neighbors,
This special edition of our community newsletter focuses on the proposed Martin & Merritt Hotel & Residences development and the strong concerns raised by Hamilton Avenue residents.
As you know, this project has significant implications for our neighborhood, and we want to ensure everyone is informed about the key issues.
The Issue: Resident Preference vs. Metro Policy
The Martin & Merritt development offers three design options, each with different trade-offs. After a community meeting on April 7, 2025, Hamilton Avenue residents, who are directly affected by this project, overwhelmingly (100%!) supported Option A. This option features an alley connection to Hamilton Avenue with hidden loading, prioritizing safety and public space.
Why Option A?
Safety First: Option A significantly reduces the danger of commercial vehicles navigating Merritt Avenue's steep slope, a major safety concern.
Public Space: It provides the largest and most cohesive public plaza (8,500 SF), a valuable community asset.
Commercial Benefits: Continuous retail frontage creates opportunities for neighborhood-serving businesses.
Equitable Impact: While it brings some service traffic to Hamilton Avenue, it distributes the impact more fairly across the neighborhood.
Metro's Resistance: Unclear and Concerning
Despite the clear resident preference, Metro policymakers have expressed resistance to the Hamilton Avenue connection, citing vague "character area requirements" from a 2019 plan.
have failed to provide:
Specific safety concerns about the Hamilton alleyway connection.
Clear explanations of the relevant ordinances or regulations.
A comprehensive analysis of the safety risks associated with the alternative options.
Hamilton Avenue Residents' Demands:
Evidence-Based Decision Making: We demand a thorough safety analysis comparing the risks of service traffic on Hamilton Avenue versus commercial vehicle operations on Merritt Avenue's steep slope.
Transparency: We require clear and specific information regarding the ordinances or regulations that prohibit the Hamilton connection.
Respect for Resident Voice: Our unanimous support for Option A must be acknowledged and respected.
Community First: We urge metro to prioritize the safety and community values of the wedgewood-Houston residents.
Key Takeaways from the April 7th Meeting:
An overwhelming majority of Hamilton Avenue residents present supported Option A.
Over 50% of the meeting attendees voiced support for the project, with 100% of Hamilton avenue residents present Support the project.
The NDOT representative could not articulate specific safety concerns about option A.
The developer provided safety data showing the danger of loading on the Merritt Ave slope.
What You Can Do:
Stay Informed: Visit www.wedgewoodhouston.org
Contact Metro Officials: Express your support for Option A and demand transparency.
Spread the Word: Share this newsletter with your neighbors.
Attend Future Meetings: Stay engaged in the decision-making process.
We are a community that values safety, transparency, and resident input. Let's work together to ensure the Martin & Merritt development enhances our neighborhood for everyone.
