View source for Sunset Terrace/Montclair, Houston

{{Short description|Inner Loop neighborhoods of Harris County, Texas, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
'''Sunset Terrace''' and '''Montclair Place''' are two Inner [[Interstate Highway 610 (Texas)|Loop]] neighborhoods (neighborhoods within the 610 Loop) of [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]], [[Texas]], [[United States]]. The two subdivisions are served by the Sunset Terrace/Montclair Civic Association.

Much of Sunset Terrace is in [[West University Place]],<ref>"[https://www.westutx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/638/zoning_map?bidId= Zoning Map]." [[West University Place, Texas|City of West University Place]]. Retrieved on March 24, 2019.</ref> while the rest of Sunset Terrace and Montclair are in Houston.

==History==
A cemetery was once located at the intersection of Auden and Drake in what is now Sunset Terrace. In 1956 the Sunset Terrace Garden Club planted [[oleanders]] to beautify a ditch formerly belonging to a [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] [[poor farm]].<ref>Lake, Deborah Mann. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2001_3299180/ditch-in-west-u-once-served-county-farm.html Ditch in West U. once served county farm]."{{dead link|date=February 2016}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday April 18, 2001. ThisWeek 4. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]], accessible with a library card.</ref>

It was created in the late 1940s and annexed by the city shortly thereafter.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

From January 1990 to October 1991 housing values increased by 21%. In October 1991 the average house price was $102.46 per square foot. A study conducted by the Sage Realty Advisors and the [[University of Houston]] Center for Public Policy stated that Sunset Terrace was one of the neighborhoods with the most quickly increasing house prices.<ref name=BivinsSurge>Bivins, Ralph. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1991_818599 Some homes see 22 percent surge/Prices outside Beltway 8 outpace those inside 610]."{{deadlink|date=November 2024}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday October 27, 1991. ThisWeek p. 4. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]], accessible with a library card.</ref>

==Cityscape==
The community is inside the [[610 Loop]]. Together the area that Sunset Terrace and Montclair occupy is bounded by Weslayan Street to the west, Westpark Drive to the north, Edloe Street to the east, and Bissonnet Street to the south.<ref name=Nicholson>Nicholson, Heather. "[http://www.chron.com/homes/article/Sunset-Terrace-Montclair-Place-offer-both-new-1735067.php Sunset Terrace, Montclair Place offer both new, resale homes]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday August 20, 2009. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.</ref> The community is between West University Place and [[Interstate 69]]/[[U.S. Route 59]] (Southwest Freeway).<ref name=BivinsSurge/> It is in proximity to [[Highland Village, Houston, Texas|Highland Village]], [[Rice Village]], [[Rice University]], and [[The Galleria (Houston)|The Galleria]].<ref name=Nicholson/>

The community has many mature oak trees. The street names in the community originate from U.S. universities and colleges. The sizes of [[Lot (area)|lot]]s in Sunset Terrace/Montclair are larger than typical properties in West University Place. Several lots are over {{convert|10000|sqft|sqm}} of area.<ref name=Nicholson/> In 1995 Joanne Flynn, a Sunset Terrace resident and a real estate agent with John Daugherty, said "You get a little bit larger lot in Sunset Terrace for the same amount of money. They're deeper than your typical West U. lot."<ref name=Feser>Feser, Katherine. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1995_1299684/neighborhood-comparatively-a-bargain.html Neighborhood comparatively a bargain]."{{dead link|date=July 2017}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday October 1, 1995. Business 8. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]] newspapers section, accessible with a library card and PIN.</ref> In 2009 Kathleen Dunwoody Graf, a real estate agent with Greenwood King Properties, said that house buyers choose Sunset Terrace mainly due to the central location and large lots.<ref name=Nicholson/>

===Houses and multifamily complexes===
As of 2009 Sunset Terrace housing prices ranged from $300,000 (${{inflation|USD|300000|2009|r=2}} inflation-adjusted) to almost $2 million (${{inflation|USD|2000000|2009|r=2}} inflation-adjusted).<ref name=Nicholson/> The lower priced houses include late 1940s and 1950s one story [[ranch houses]],<ref name=Feser/><!--Identifies the start of 1940s as late 1940s--><ref name=Nicholson/><!--Says that houses were built in 1940s and 1950s--> typically each with three bedrooms and two bedrooms. Each older style house, as of 2009, is priced from $300,000 to $600,000 (${{inflation|USD|600000|2009|r=2}} inflation-adjusted). By 2009 many of the older houses had been demolished, and newly built stone houses and stucco houses, typically priced up to $2 million, had replaced them. The houses often have stucco siding, summer kitchens, outdoor areas, and large entertainment spaces. In 2009 Dunwoody Graf said that there was an increasing trend of house buyers buying older houses for inexpensive amounts and refurbishing them.<ref name=Nicholson/> In 1995, older houses were priced from $130,000 (${{inflation|USD|130000|1995|r=2}} inflation-adjusted) to $250,000 (${{inflation|USD|250000|1995|r=2}} inflation-adjusted) and newer houses were priced at $300,000 (${{inflation|USD|300000|1995|r=2}} inflation-adjusted) and above.<ref name=Feser/>

As of 1995 several multifamily complexes are within Sunset Terrace/Montclair. Some apartments are located along Law Street. Some duplexes are located on the edges of the subdivisions.<ref name=Feser/>

==Government and infrastructure==
{{expand section|date=October 2012}}
In 1986 [[METRO (Houston)|METRO]] was proposing an Edloe Street station of its "station busway." Paul Bay, the METRO assistant general manager for transit systems development, said that Sunset Terrace/Montclair residents said that they felt concerns about the visual effects of the proposed station and issues with noise and traffic.<ref>Snyder, Mike. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1986_273340/metro-directors-reach-agreement-on-concept-for-sta.html Metro directors reach agreement on concept for `station busways']."{{deadlink|date=November 2024}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday October 17, 1986. A31. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]] website newspapers section, accessible with a library card.</ref> The station was never built.

In 1995 the civic club was discussing with the City of Houston the possibility of installing [[speed bumps]]. The community had experienced a lot of vehicular traffic going to [[The Galleria (Houston)|The Galleria]] and [[Greenway Plaza]].<ref name=Feser/>

In 2006, during a controversy of where to place the [[METRORail]] [[University Line (METRORail)|University Line]], Kristin Lindquist, the chairperson of the subdivision's rail committee, said that the community was opposed to having the light rail line placed on Westpark from Edloe to the [[Union Pacific]] railroad. She added that "We've been brushed off because we're not as rich as [[Afton Oaks]]," a Houston community opposed to the placement of the rail line on Richmond.<ref>Sallee, Rad. "[http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights-news/article/Metro-studies-limiting-rail-impact-on-Richmond-1888646.php Metro studies limiting rail impact on Richmond]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Saturday August 5, 2006. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.</ref> During that year, Tom Valega, a property owner in Sunset Terrace/Montclair quoted in the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', argued that the light rail should be placed on Richmond Avenue because the light rail can get additional ridership, and the federal funding of the light rail line depends upon ridership figures.<ref name=SalleeAccord>Sallee, Rad. "[http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights-news/article/Metro-studies-limiting-rail-impact-on-Richmond-1888646.php No accord reached on Richmond light rail route]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday July 26, 2006. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.</ref>

In 2008 Steve Halvorson, a resident of Sunset Terrace, said in a 2008 meeting outside of [[Houston City Hall]] that on a yearly basis, after the [[Tropical Storm Allison]] in 2001, flooding had occurred in Sunset Terrace.<ref>Christian, Carol. "[http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/pasadena-news/article/Group-denied-speaking-time-before-Pasadena-council-1560825.php Group denied speaking time before Pasadena council]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Tuesday March 25, 2008. Retrieved on October 17, 2012.</ref>

[[Harris Health System]] (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated [[Martin Luther King]] Health Center in southeast Houston for ZIP code 77005. The nearest public hospital is [[Ben Taub General Hospital]] in the [[Texas Medical Center]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmc.edu/hchd/LOCATE.HTM|title=Clinic/Emergency/Registration Center Directory By ZIP Code|publisher=[[Harris County Hospital District]]|date=2001-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011119141023/http://www.tmc.edu/hchd/LOCATE.HTM|accessdate=2021-04-08|archive-date=2001-11-19}} - See ZIP code 77005. [https://www.harrishealth.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/community-assessment/pregnancy-birth-data/2012/infant-mortality-rate-2012.pdf See this map for relevant ZIP code].</ref>

==Culture==
Many Sunset Terrace residents plan neighborhood events.<ref name=Nicholson/>

==Education==

===Primary and secondary schools===

====Public schools====
The [[Houston Independent School District]] serves residents of Sunset Terrace.
*[[West University Elementary School]]<ref>"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WestUniversityES.pdf West University Elementary Attendance Boundary] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617035402/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WestUniversityES.pdf |date=June 17, 2012 }}." ''[[Houston Independent School District]]''. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.</ref>
*[[Pershing Middle School (Houston)|Pershing Middle School]]<ref>"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/PershingMS.pdf Pershing Middle Attendance Boundary] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411010439/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/PershingMS.pdf |date=April 11, 2008 }}." ''[[Houston Independent School District]]''. Retrieved on November 29, 2008</ref> ([[Pin Oak Middle School]] as an option<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20020214054405/http://dist.houstonisd.org/southwest/schools/pin_oak/letter5.htm Pin Oak Middle School]." ''The Southwest District''. ''Houston Independent School District''. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.</ref>)
*[[Lamar High School (Houston)|Lamar High School]]<ref>"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LamarHS.pdf Lamar High School Attendance Boundary] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928085440/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LamarHS.pdf |date=September 28, 2011 }}." ''[[Houston Independent School District]]''. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.</ref>

Before August 1994,<ref name="History">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20070228233543/http://es.houstonisd.org/rice/j_history_of_trs.html History of The Rice School / La Escuela Rice]." [[The Rice School]]. February 28, 2007. Retrieved on September 8, 2009.</ref> a portion of the neighborhood was served by West University Elementary, and a portion was served by Will Rogers Elementary School. Historically West University Elementary had higher test scores than Will Rogers. After [[The Rice School]] opened, West U Elementary was relieved of many students, and the West U attendance boundary was modified to include all of Sunset Terrace/Montclair. In 1995 C.T.I. Information Services stated that test scores of the [[Texas Assessment of Academic Skills]] (TAAS) test at West U, Pershing, and Lamar were above average. Davis Whiteford, president of the Sunset Terrace/Montclair Civic Association, said that the schools attracted many homebuyers to Sunset Terrace.<ref name=Feser/>

===Colleges and universities===
[[Houston Community College System]] serves Sunset Terrace.

==Postal services==
The closest [[United States Postal Service]] office is the Weslayan Post Office at 5340 Weslayan Street, Houston, Texas, 77005-1048.

==Media==
The ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' is the area regional newspaper.

The ''[[West University Examiner]]'' is a local newspaper distributed in the community [http://www.westuexaminer.com/about_us/].

The ''[[Village News and Southwest News]]'' is a local newspaper distributed in the community.

==Notable residents==
* Maryann Young, Candidate for [[Houston City Council]] District C, spokesperson for city controller George Greanias,<ref name=Masonex>Mason, Julie. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1999_3152039/ex-reporter-seeks-to-fill-city-council-slot-fifth.html Ex-reporter seeks to fill City Council slot / Fifth candidate vies for District C seat]."{{deadlink|date=November 2024}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday July 15, 1999. A31. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]] newspapers section, accessible with a library card.</ref> public affairs consultant,<ref>Mason, Julie. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1999_3165597/chimney-rock-issue-may-decide-outcome-of-district.html Chimney Rock issue may decide outcome of District C]."{{deadlink|date=November 2024}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday September 19, 1999. A35 MetFront. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]] newspapers section, accessible with a library card.</ref> and news reporter (Sunset Terrace)<ref name=Masonex/> - Young served as the president of the Sunset Terrace/Montclair civic association<ref>Staff. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1999_3179058/for-young-ellis-runoff-choices-for-city-council-di.html FOR YOUNG, ELLIS / Runoff choices for City Council Districts C and F]."{{deadlink|date=November 2024}} ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday November 21, 1999. Outlook p. 2. Retrieved on October 17, 2012. Available from the [[Houston Public Library]] newspapers section, accessible with a library card.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*Sarnoff, Nancy. "[http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2012/10/developers-move-ahead-on-luxury-complex-near-west-u/ Developers move ahead on luxury complex near West U]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday October 3, 2012.
*"[http://www.chron.com/default/article/Sarnoff-Council-vote-looms-on-density-outside-2341519.php Sarnoff: Council vote looms on density outside Loop]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Friday December 2, 2011. - Discusses a meeting with the Sunset Terrace association

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Sunset_Terrace-Montclair_Place Sunset Terrace/Montclair Civic Association] (Neighborhoodlink)
* [https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.sunsetterracemontclair.com Sunset Terrace/Montclair Civic Association] (Archive)

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[[Category:Neighborhoods in Houston]]