Overview
Formed in 1987 and the first district of its kind, the Uptown Houston District (Harris County Improvement District #1) is a political subdivision of the State of Texas created by a special act of the 70th Texas Legislature to obtain and provide a variety of services and improvements for Uptown Houston. Its primary focus and purpose is not to reduce public sector responsibilities, but to leverage public funds with coordinated private resources to improve facilities and services as well as accelerate area improvements.

Tax Information
The Uptown Houston District levies ad valorem property taxes, based on a percentage of the county's assessment of property values.

• Property owners may assess themselves on an ad valorem or benefit basis for needed improvements and programs.
• The District may issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes and/or assessments.

Services
The Uptown Houston District focuses its efforts on the following:

• Traffic operations/monitoring: improve mobility to and from the area; decrease congestion along major intersections within the area; and monitor the area with a traffic surveillance system and traffic management police officers under contract with the District.
• Public maintenance and beautification: maintain cleanliness; improve public facilities; increase number of public benches and park areas; and resurface roads.
• Infrastructure and improvements: improve mobility and access.
• Economic development: implement improvements so that current and future businesses, residential areas and visitors continue to come to Uptown, and provide useful information about the area and its real estate to assist future brokers, developers, and its current and potential tenants.
• Communication and marketing: increase awareness and better publicize Uptown locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.