What We Do
The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (MHRA) is dedicated to building a safer, stronger, and more connected Houston. As the governing body for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 5 (TIRZ 5), we lead strategic investments that enhance infrastructure, improve mobility, and elevate quality of life across the Memorial Heights area.
Our work addresses real challenges such as aging streets, outdated drainage systems, and limited transit options, transforming them into opportunities for long-term community growth. Through collaboration with public and private partners, MHRA delivers meaningful improvements that revitalize neighborhoods and support thoughtful residential and commercial development.
Above all, we believe progress should be both shared and understood. MHRA is committed to transparency, collaboration, and keeping residents informed every step of the way. From construction timelines to project milestones, we provide clear and consistent updates so the community always understands what is happening and why it matters.
Mission Statement
The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority invests public funds to build and improve infrastructure that enhances quality of life, supports resilient growth, and revitalizes the communities within and around the Zone. Through targeted upgrades to streets, stormwater systems, mobility networks, public spaces, and parks, we work to eliminate blight, strengthen connectivity, and create vibrant, thriving places for people to live, work, and visit.
Overview of TIRZ Model
Tools like Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs) empower communities to reinvest in themselves, fostering a stronger, more connected future. By attracting new investment and ensuring public funds support areas with the greatest need, TIRZs enhance a city’s capacity to create safer, more livable neighborhoods.
What is a TIRZ
A Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, or TIRZ, is a tool cities use to improve neighborhoods and support smart growth without raising taxes.
Here is how it works:
- When a TIRZ is created, the current value of property in the area is recorded.
- The TIRZ boundaries and projected funding are outlined in a project plan.
- The project plan forecasts the proposed improvements and investments within the prescribed boundaries.
- These projects can include better streets and sidewalks, improved drainage, new parks, public transportation, and other infrastructure that benefits residents and businesses.
- As the area improves and property values rise, the extra tax revenue from that growth is set aside to fund more improvements in the same community.
Board Members
Donna McIntosh
Donna McIntosh is a public finance attorney with Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Her law practice is focused on representing local governments, school districts, special districts and state agencies on matters related to infrastructure, debt financings and related projects. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Accounting degree from University of Houston-Downtown and her J.D. from University of Houston Law Center. She is a resident of the Memorial Heights area where she has lived for 2 years.
Nikki Knight
Nikki Knight is a native Houstonian who has spent the majority of her professional life as a management and operations consultant for a diverse portfolio of public, private and nonprofit entities. A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Knight holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Organizational Communication. She currently serves as the District Program Manager with the Greater Southeast Management District and performs advisory and board service to several non-profit organizations nationwide. Her commitment to strategically navigating the intersections of policy, people and preference drives her work in the City of Houston and beyond.
Janice Hale-Harris
Janice Hale-Harris is a former VP for a leading waste and environmental services organization leading the Learning and Organizational Development departments. She is also a resident of the Memorial Heights area where she has lived for 15 years. In addition to the Memorial Heights board, Janice is an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow. She is passionate about helping make Houston a great place to live and work.
Christopher Manriquez
Christopher Manriquez was born and raised in Houston and spent the vast majority of his childhood within Memorial Heights. He attended U of H and then transferred to Oregon to study Horticulture. He returned to Houston to purchase the family business, making him a third-generation owner. In addition to the family business, he founded other companies where he served as CEO. He now works with young entrepreneurs helping and mentoring them to establish their own businesses. In addition to the Memorial Heights board, he serves on the Building Committee and Finance Committee for the Arch Diocese Galveston-Houston and the U of H Pike (Pi Kappa Alpha) Alumni Board. His goals moving forward consist of serving his community, continued education and mentoring the youth and young business professionals.
Ann Lents
Ann Lents, a native Houstonian, has worked for many years in the civic and policy arenas with a particular focus on City infrastructure, parks and public spaces. She was one of the founders of the Quality of Life Coalition and served as its Co-Chair throughout its existence; the Coalition consisted of 100 community organization endorsers and successfully urged a quality of life agenda to increase parks, trails, and tree planting, and to limit billboards, signage, litter, and graffiti. She practiced law for a number of years with Vinson & Elkins, where she was a partner focusing principally on commercial litigation and antitrust. She also serves on the boards of Texas Children’s, where she is a past chairman of the board, and the Houston Parks Board LGC.
Matt Zeve
Matt Zeve has been a Heights resident for 16 years. He graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering. He has worked as a drainage engineer in Houston for 22 years in both the public and private sector. He is a strong proponent of public infrastructure investments and enjoys educating anyone who will listen about the importance of public infrastructure in our daily lives.
Staff Members
Sherry Weesner
Sherry Weesner is President of the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority. She has lived in the Houston area since her parents moved to Houston when she was in the second grade. She is a registered professional engineer and has a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, a M.S. Degree in Finance from the University of Houston and is a Certified Public Manager. In addition to working with the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 5, Sherry is a Leadership Houston Alumnus, and an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow.