Montrose Among 10 'Great Neighborhoods'

HOUSTON - The electic southwest Houston neighborhood known to people in the Houston area as 'the Montrose' has been named as one of the ten Great Neighborhoods of 2009 in the U.S., according to the American Planning Association website.

The APA credits the Montrose neighborhood with having "a fusion of architectural styles, land uses, and people." Eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, who died in 1976, had a home in the neighborhood which has since been incorporated as a building on the University of St. Thomas campus.

'The Montrose' is also recognized with having "a thriving art, museum, and cultural scene and local businesses."

Almost 1/3 of Houston historic districts are located within the neighborhood.

Other neighborhoods among the list of great ones include the following:

-- Bungalow Heaven in Pasadena, California

-- Faubourg Marigny in New Orleans, Louisiana

-- The Haymarket in Lincoln, Nebraska

-- Village of Kenmore in Kenmore, New York

-- Downtown Fargo in Fargo, North Dakota

-- Ladd's Addition in Portland, Oregon

-- Downtown Franklin Historic District in Franklin, Tennessee

-- Historic Hilton Village in Newport News, Virginia

-- Browne's Addition in Spokane, Washington