The City of Houston has just begun a major road repair project on Bissonnet that will affect your ability to get to the gallery. We apologize in advance for this inconvenience (but check the end of this story for a construction special from Fine Toon). The total project will extend from Kirby to Mandell. Phase One, which has just begun, has the Eastbound lane of Bissonnet closed from Kirby to Shepherd for about four months. Then they will close the Westbound lane which will last about another four months. Phase Two will close the alternate lanes from Shepherd to Mandel. The total project will last about 18 months.
I have talked to the Traffic Engineer with the City and he has helped me with alternative routes to the gallery. Below are the best routes for the immediate future.
Coming from 59
I recommend you take Kirby South and turn left on South Blvd. (This street is one block north of Bissonnet and is just past Burger King). Go to your first possible right (just past a lawnmower repair shop). This is Morningside - turn right. Then turn right on Bissonnet. The gallery is one block on your left.
Currently the Southbound traffic on Greenbriar is also under construction (the powers that be in the city did not think this one out in advance) and only one lane is open. This construction is supposed to be finished in April. Once this is completed, you can either take Kirby or Greenbriar from 59.
Coming from the South of Bissonnet you can either:
Take Kirby and turn right one block north of Bissonnet (just before Burger King). Go to your first possible right (just past a lawnmower repair shop). This is Morningside - turn right. Then turn right on Bissonnet. The gallery is one block on your left.
Take Morningside north to Bissonnet and turn left. The gallery is one block on your left.
Take Shepherd to Bissonnet and turn left. The gallery is three blocks on your left.
The city Engineer says that no residential streets around the gallery are scheduled for construction. However, in order to discourage people cutting through they have put up signs which partially block access. The key to whether you can use the street is if they have left plenty of room to drive around the sign - then the street is actually open and you should be able to use that street.
In order to make your life easier, we will ship you any purchase you make over the phone or from our web site FREE. And from now until April 15th Fine Toon will pay your Sales Tax on any purchase from the gallery!
For those of you who come to the gallery in person we will reward you with 10% off any purchase during Phase One of construction!!! Now that should make the detour worth your while. (Note we cannot honor the 10% off your purchase and pay your sales tax or combine it with any other offer.) We are only extending this offer to our special customers so you must bring a copy of this letter in with you.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience you may experience during this construction. We recommend that you either call us for construction updates and the quickest route (713) 522-6499 or check out our construction section on our web site www.finetoon.com.