Under the leadership of Commissioner Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 has emerged as a statewide leader in community-centered planning — recently earning five prestigious awards from the local chapter and section of the American Planning Association (APA).
The Houston section of the Texas Chapter in the APA awarded Precinct 4:
- Gold for Community of the Year
Precinct 4 also received a statewide Silver from the APA’s Texas Chapter for the Places 4 People program, a highly competitive distinction with applicants across the entire State of Texas.
We sat down with Precinct 4’s Director of Planning & Community Development, Luis Guajardo, to talk about what these awards mean to his team and the community.
Tell me about the work that went into each of these plans and how it feels to have that recognized.
local awards this year from our professional peers in the industry is a reflection of the team constantly reaching for higher standards and being a beacon for strong urban planning in the Houston metropolitan area. But taking home an award at the state level is special, given that we are competing against the most forward-thinking local governments across the state that are transforming and creating great communities for all.
Can you tell me how these plans were created and what inspired them?
These plans were driven by Commissioner Lesley Briones’ leadership after years of inaction from the County in equitably supporting communities across the Precinct.
The Burnett Bayland Master Plan is situated in the heart of Gulfton — our modern-day Ellis Island — and builds on over 21,000 interactions with area residents in over seven languages to re-imagine this cherished park into Gulfton's oasis for nature, play, multiculturalism, and economic opportunity. Gulfton has the highest density in the region, yet only 10% of the recommended amount of greenspace, and boasts the hottest ambient temperatures in Harris County. The master plan proposes doubling the park’s footprint by leveraging adjacent County-owned land and will introduce more nature into an area that is heavily park-deprived. Places 4 People is about democratizing infrastructure investments and promoting local partnerships to maximize public tax dollars. The program has resulted in $220 million worth of sustainable infrastructure projects and helps support smaller jurisdictions (i.e., MUDs, TIRZs, Management Districts, cities, and school districts) that need funding to complete projects. The program is designed to attract projects that further resilience, sustainability, equity, healthy places, and universal design. 43 out of 52 projects in the program are located in high/medium socioeconomically vulnerable areas, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in making equitable investments in infrastructure. Finally, the Barbara Quattro Alief Forest is a prime example of environmental stewardship. Alief is 17 degrees hotter than the coolest neighborhoods in town. By planting over 2,000 trees on county-owned roads in Alief, Commissioner Briones is delivering progress for the next generation and building on the legacy of Barbara Quattro, an Alief icon who has planted thousands of trees and inspired a generation of area students.
How significant is it that P4 won the Community of the Year award, which is not given out every year?
This award signifies that cutting-edge solutions to urban challenges can also come from County government. Commissioner Briones is making the case that County government can play a more significant role in shaping the built environment and stronger urban planning.The Burnett Bayland Master Plan won gold in the Advancing Diversity and Social Change Category. Why do you think that is? What is Precinct 4 hoping to achieve with the plan?
The Burnett Bayland Park Master Plan is reframing how park plans should be undertaken. It is not just about the landscape — it’s a plan that directly confronts the issue of gentrification and affordable housing from the start.
It’s grounded in robust public engagement and support. It addresses decades of inaction in a marginalized community and significant disparities in access to greenspace by doubling the park's footprint. And the project has already broken ground on Phase 1 in record speed, thanks to the commitment from the Commissioner to keep momentum going
. What does it mean to you to see the plans not only get recognized but come to fruition?
It is common in the planning profession to see great plans never implemented, either due to funding limitations, lack of champions in government, or institutional differences among government agencies. But to see many, if not most, of our plans moving forward is incredibly rewarding. It shows the power of local government to deliver progress in profound and thoughtful ways when the right leadership is at the helm. And to the persistence and rigor of Commissioner Lesley Briones in following through for her constituents — a shining example to other elected officials on how to commit and deliver on community p
lanning initiatives.Are there any new plans in development you can tell us about?
The Bayland Park Master Plan (not to be confused with Burnett Bayland) just wrapped up and is moving into a 12-month design process led by our engineers. It is an exciting project that promises to transform the 65-acre park into a regional destination of Southwest Houston once completed. Additionally, we are close to wrapping up our Healthy Parks Plan. This plan takes a systematic and data-driven approach to addressing short- and long-term park needs across the Precinct and will be published in the 4Q of 2025. Finally, the All in 4 Inner Northwest Community Plan is also nearing completion and is a comprehensive area plan for Precinct 4 neighborhoods in East Spring Branch, Lazybrook, Timbergrove, and Cottage Grove, addressing quality of life, economic revitalization, parks, and infrastructure in the area.
To learn more about Precinct 4’s ongoing infrastructure projects, visit the infrastructure page on our website.