New sidewalk improvement plan underway in the Heights

HOUSTON, Texas -- Several new sidewalk areas are planned in the Heights after the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority secured an $850,000 federal grant to improve mobility and pedestrian safety. 

The gist

MHRA was approved for the grant secured through U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s office, with the funding going toward sidewalk improvements, safer connections, and improved access for students and children. 

The grant was part of a Community Project Funding request during fiscal year 2023-2024, according to a news release on MHRA’s website. The grant will provide the funding needed to improve sections of sidewalk that are missing, in poor condition, or undersized, organization officials said. 

The grant funds will specifically be allocated to the construction portion of the project. The associated design, survey, environmental, and grant management work will be funded locally by MHRA.

Some background

In a sidewalk evaluation, MHRA found that almost 25% of sidewalks within the district boundaries were in poor condition or non-existent, and over 40% of sidewalks did not meet current standards for width.

“We are very grateful for the Congresswoman’s efforts in delivering these funds,” said MHRA Board Chair Ann Lents in a previous statement. “The initiative to provide safe and continuous sidewalk access in the area will improve quality of life in the community and have mobility, health, and economic benefits.”

The project will also improve access to transit, as Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) bus routes in the area connect to areas like downtown and Uptown. 

Also of note

Work is already underway, with the project team finalizing sidewalk routes and coordinating with the City of Houston on design plans, according to a post on MHRA’s Facebook page. 

Construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2027.

This article comes from our ABC13 partners at Community Impact Newspapers.