Places 4 People 2024: $48.8M in Community Infrastructure Projects

Harris County Precinct 4's Places 4 People initiative brings $48.8 million in infrastructure improvements to northwest Harris County communities in 2024. Commissioner Lesley Briones leads this partnership program that matches county funding with local organizations to build safer, more connected neighborhoods. This year's 20 projects include traffic safety upgrades, public transit improvements, and community facility enhancements. The initiative works with 14 partner organizations, including the City of Houston and METRO, combining $17.7 million in county funds with $31.1 million in partner contributions. Projects range from planning studies to full construction, addressing real community needs like intersection safety and bus stop accessibility. For example, one project upgrades traffic signals at 11 intersections with better lighting, protected crosswalks, and ADA-compliant sidewalks. Another expands METRO bus stops to improve public transit access. These investments directly impact daily life for residents in Precinct 4 communities, making travel safer and more convenient. The program shows how local government partnerships can stretch tax dollars further while addressing neighborhood priorities. To learn about future opportunities or see how projects might benefit your area, contact Harris County Precinct 4 or attend community meetings where these initiatives are discussed.

Commissioner Lesley Briones is excited to announce the 20 projects selected for partnership as part of the 2024 Places 4 People initiative! This $48.8 million investment, with $17.7 million from Precinct 4, will bring transformative improvements to communities across the region. The selected projects include nine planning projects, eight in design and construction, two design-only, and one maintenance project. Through collaborations with 14 valued partners—including nine new and five returning—this initiative will deliver much-needed resources and enhancements to our neighborhoods. 2024 Investment: $48,893,932 Precinct 4 Cost: $17,746,403 Partners Cost: $31,147,529 Total Partners: 14 Total Projects: 20 Partner: City of HoustonTotal Cost: $1,550,000Precinct 4 Cost: $930,000Partner Cost: $620,000Type of project: Design & Construction 5 Intersection Public Safety Enhancements. The project will upgrade traffic signals at 11 intersections. Key improvements include relocating poles and cabinets from high-impact areas, enhancing lighting, adding protected crosswalks with controlled traffic flows, and installing mast arm poles with luminaires. The project will also incorporate Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) cabinets with uninterruptible power supplies, advanced traffic controllers, cabling, pedestrian signals, audible push buttons, vehicle detection, emergency vehicle preemption, communications, and signs. Additional enhancements will address ADA compliance by reconstructing ramps and sidewalks, implementing crosswalk improvements, and making minor intersection adjustments for safe and unobstructed crossings. All proposed traffic signals enhance mobility to the state highway network, as they are situated within a half mile of an interstate highway or a county road. Partner: METROTotal Cost: $6,000,000Precinct 4 Cost: $1,000,000Partner Cost: $5,000,000Type of project: Design + Construction Bus Stops Supplementing the 2023 METRO bus stops -- additional bus stops specifically in the Gulfton and Sharpstown neighborhoods. Partner: MUD 127Total Cost: $6,105,400Precinct 4 Cost: $2,984,692Partner Cost: $3,120,708Type of project: Design + Construction: Hike & Bike 5.6 miles of sidewalks and trails, including five trailheads adjacent to Cypress Lakes High School. Cypress Lakes High School in Cy-Fair ISD, a school district that recently shifted its bus policy, along with amenity stations and lighting to enhance the trails' appeal. The project addresses existing infrastructure deficiencies by creating safe commuting trails and public amenities for residents to enjoy the outdoors in the Brenwood Park community. Cost: $350,000.00 Precinct 4 Cost: $267,200.00 Partner Cost: $82,800.00 Type of project: Maintenance: Hike & Bike Harris County MUD 346 proposes to replace approximately 9,363 feet of sidewalk in the Green Trails and Heatherwood Park area to enhance safety and promote walkability. The proposed Green Trails and Heatherwood Park sidewalk replacement project is located within the Katy Independent School District (KISD). The nearest KISD schools are Hazel S. Pattison Elementary School and James E. Taylor High School. Partner: MUD 478Total Cost: $17,120,000Precinct 4 Cost: $ 5,000,000Partner Cost: $12,120,000Type of project: Design & Construction Partner: Harris County Municipal Utility District 346Total Cost: 360,000Precinct 4 Cost: $252,000Partner Cost: $108,000Type of project: Design & Construction Thanks to a partnership with Harris County MUD 346, together we will design and build new sidewalks in the Barker area, south of I-10 that create connections for the community to George Bush Park. The project involves a 6 to 8-foot-wide and 800-foot-long sidewalk extension along the east side of S. Barker Cypress Boulevard, connecting the existing sidewalk from Cypress Chase to Kingsland Boulevard. This extension will provide direct access for neighborhoods southeast of Interstate 10 and Highway 99 to the Barker Clodine Trail in George Bush Park and other surrounding communities. The sidewalk aims to enhance walkability, create a safe route for pedestrians, reduce vehicular traffic, and improve access to schools, parks, and neighboring areas. Total Cost: $393,000 Type of project: Design and Construction Transform a detention area into a public space with trails and activated recreation. Partner: City of HoustonCost: $500,000Precinct 4 Cost: $250,000Partner Cost: $250,000Type of project: Planning Analysis of sidewalk needs across the City of Houston and prioritization, with an emphasis on accessibility and safe access to schools due to open-ditch drainage constraints. The City of Houston will use Harris County Precinct 4’s Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 initiative as a model to design their own sidewalk program, that connects neighborhoods. Partner: City of KatyCost: $1,356,920Precinct 4 Cost: $678,460Partner Cost: $678,460Type of project: Design Study for road widening of Katy Ford Bend Road from Kingsland to I-10. The Katy Fort Bend Road is critical to getting people from the Katy Freeway to the Katy Boardwalk District. We look forward to partnering in the design/reimagining of this road: to improve drainage, public safety, sidewalks, mobility and creating a sense of place. As Katy continues to grow, we're happy to partner with the City of Katy 50-50 on this project to make the Katy Boardwalk District a destination for the region. Partner: Westchase DistrictCost: $350,000Precinct 4 Cost: $246,500Partner Cost: $103,500Type of project: Planning Improve multi-modal connections and enhance the image of the corridor to residents of Alief, Sharpstown, Mid-west, and Royal Oak neighborhoods within Precinct 4 that are centrally located in Houston's path of growth. Connections for Healthy Communities (CHC) aims to enhance trail connectivity to schools, transit, parks, businesses, and other destinations in the Westchase District. The project focuses on designing four trail enhancements based on existing plans identified in the Trailways for Precinct 4 initiative. Initial planning evaluated regional connectivity to Alief, Sharpstown, Midwest, and Royal Oaks neighborhoods, building on Westchase’s Long-Range Plan to improve the off-street pedestrian and bicycle trail system. These enhancements will connect the Westchase District Trail System, Westchase Park and Ride, Arthur Storey Park, Brays Bayou Greenway Trail, Alief Schools, and Amity Park, addressing community needs effectively. Partner: Houston Parks BoardCost: $120,000Precinct 4 Cost: $72,000Partner Cost: $48,000Type of project: Planning Design for the final, 1 mile segment of Cullen Park Path, providing a safe connection for pedestrians and cyclists between trails connected to Cullen Park north of I-10 and the trail network south of I-10. Partner: Bridgeland Management DistrictCost: $350,000Precinct 4 Cost: $245,000Partner Cost: $105,000Type of project: Planning: Hike & Bike Trail Feasibility study for a 3-mile trail connecting John Paul Landing to Jack Road along a CenterPoint easement. Partner: City of HoustonCost: $500,000Precinct 4 Cost: $250,000Partner Cost: $250,000Type of project: Planning: Drainage Develop a plan to improve drainage and road safety in the Catalina neighborhood located in the Alief-Westwood area. Partner: City Park Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 12)Cost: $500,000Precinct 4 Cost: $250,000Partner Cost: $250,000Type of project: Planning Complete the City of Houston’s Design Concept Review process for its 12th Street Drainage and Mobility Project. Ultimately, the process will reconstruct 12th Street from Hempstead Road to Ella Boulevard into an urban street with appropriate stormwater utilities and multimodal facilities. Currently, the two-lane asphalt road lacks sufficient drainage, sidewalks, and is in poor condition. The proposed project will result in a 12th St more appropriate for this urban, growing neighborhood. Complementing drainage and mobility studies identified the proposed improvements. Total Cost: $50,000 Precinct 4 Cost: $30,000 Partner Cost: $20,000 Type of project: Planning: Sidewalk + Pedestrian Bridge Study will evaluate the extension of sidewalks and the installation of an 8-foot-wide pre-fabricated pedestrian bridge across a ditch to connect the Morton Ranch subdivision with Katy ISD's Morton Ranch Elementary, Junior High, and High School. The study will address the current indirect walkway, which forces students to walk to Mason Road and cross at a designated point. It aims to create a more direct route by extending sidewalks along the drainage channel from two access points: one at the intersection of Ember Canyon Land and Stonecross Terrace Lane and another at Hannover Grove Lane and Chisolm Creek Court. Total Cost: $415,000 Precinct 4 Cost: $249,000 Partner Cost: $166,000 Type of project: Feasibility Study Study to determine feasibility of enclosing Bering Ditch and using the resulting space as a linear park or green space. Partner: Houston Parks Board Total Cost: $1,647,585 Precinct 4 Cost: $988,551 Partner Cost: $659,034 Type of project: Design 2.7 mile trail connecting Wirt Road to the White Oak Bayou Greenway, including one pedestrian bridge over White Oak Bayou. Planning will take place in coordination with Precinct 4's All in 4 Inner Northwest study. Spring Branch Trail East is the last segment to complete the overall Spring Branch Trail. It's listed as 'Future Phase' in the map.