Commissioner Lesley Briones announced $80.2 million in resilient infrastructure projects spanning Alief, Cypress, Gulfton, Katy, Lazybrook/Timbergrove, Sharpstown, Uptown, and surrounding neighborhoods as part of her fourth annual Places 4 People initiative.
“As costs continue to rise, we are leveraging the power of partnership to deliver for our families. By coming together across jurisdictions, we are stretching every taxpayer dollar further and getting projects done that otherwise wouldn’t happen. These are so much more than numbers: they are safer streets, homes at lower risk of flooding, and neighborhoods people are proud to call home. In unity, we can keep delivering the progress our families deserve,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones.
The initiative leverages $61.8 million invested by partner organizations and $18.4 million invested by Precinct 4 totaling $80.2 million in infrastructure projects. Partners include the City of Houston, Houston Parks Board, TIRZ 5 - Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority, TIRZ 12 - City Park Redevelopment Authority, TIRZ 20 - Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority, MUD 105, Cinco MUD No. 9, and TIRZ 16 - Uptown District.
City of Houston Partnership Project
Safe Crossings: This $1.02 million investment funds new High-intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossings, along with ramps, sidewalks, and crosswalks at five intersections in Alief, Gulfton, and Sharpstown: Bellaire Blvd. & Atwell Drive, Richmond Avenue & Ocee Street. (HAWK), Briar Forest Drive & Terry Hershey Park (RRFB), Wilcrest Drive & Boone Loop Road (RRFB), and Renwick Drive & Elm Street (RRFB).
Municipal Utility District (MUD) Partnership Projects
Cinco MUD No. 9 Street Drainage Improvements: This $120,200 partnership with Cinco MUD No. 9 funds the repair and replacement of 42 storm drains and manholes in Cinco Ranch. These structures are the entry and access points of the neighborhood’s storm drainage system, and when they are damaged or failing, rainwater can back up onto streets. The upgrades will help mitigate flooding for more than 1,400 residents by improving drainage, reducing ponding, and keeping streets safer and easier to travel during heavy rain.
MUD 105 Westgreen Boulevard and West Little York Roadway Improvements: This $34.2 million partnership funds the design and construction of new roadway extensions along West Little York Road and Westgreen Boulevard. The project connects the Lantana, Jasmine Heights, and Settlers Village subdivisions to FM 529, the Grand Parkway, and Hemmenway and Walker Elementary Schools.
“Aging infrastructure is one of Commissioner Briones’ top priorities, and this funding helps us act on it. The 42 storm drains and manholes in this project are about 40 years old and have deteriorated. Rehabilitating them will let us direct our own dollars to other needs in the community,” said Harvey Nelson, Vice President of Cinco MUD No. 9.
“Thank you to Commissioner Briones and Precinct 4 for building on their work to deliver the sidewalks our students and families rely on every day. The Westgreen Boulevard and West Little York Road project will ease daily traffic around Walker Elementary and create a dependable, storm-ready route over Bear Creek, giving parents peace of mind and ensuring our children always have safe access to school,” said Kendra Yarbrough Camarena, School Board Trustee for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.
“With Precinct 4’s $10 million investment, we will finish Westgreen Boulevard and West Little York Road and build a new bridge over Bear Creek. For the first time, these neighborhoods will connect directly to FM 529 and the Grand Parkway, with a crossing that stays open when the water rises. It completes a missing link in the regional grid and makes every Precinct 4 dollar go a long way,” said Taylor Goodall, Attorney for Harris County MUD 105.
Houston Parks Board Partnership Projects
Alief Connectivity Improvements: This $900,000 partnership funds the construction of a 0.35-mile shared-use path linking Alief and Meadows Place to the Alief Connector Trail and Keegans Bayou trails, with new ramps, crosswalks, and an RRFB crossing at West Bellfort Avenue. The project serves a high-needs community.
Keegans Bayou Connectivity Project: This $900,000 partnership funds the design of a 1.33-mile shared-use path connecting to the Alief trail, with planned ramps, crosswalks, and RRFB crossings at Dairy Ashford Road, Keegan Road, and Huntington Estates Drive. The project serves a high-needs community.
Langham Creek Connectivity Study: This $300,000 planning partnership will study the feasibility of a 16-mile regional trail linking communities to Bear Creek Park, Weekley Park, and John Paul Landing Park. It will also connect to newly built sidewalks in from Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 effort at Barker Cypress, West Little York, Greenhouse, Clay, and Fry Roads.
“This investment reflects more than three years of partnership with Commissioner Briones through Places 4 People. We share a vision of stronger, more connected communities, with trails and greenspaces that improve quality of life for Harris County residents. Funding for planning and design is what moves projects from vision to reality,” said Justin Schultz, CEO of Houston Parks Board.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Partnership Projects
TIRZ 5, White Oak Bayou Safety and Access Improvements: This $2.2 million partnership funds the construction of nine new crossings along West TC Jester Boulevard with crosswalk striping, ADA ramps, sidewalk improvements, eight RRFBs, and one HAWK signal.
TIRZ 12, Seamist Drive Roadway Improvements: This $3.48 million partnership will fully reconstruct Seamist Drive with new pavement, improved drainage, wider sidewalks, lighting, and trees.
TIRZ 16, Memorial Park Connectivity Improvements: This $33.8 million partnership funds the construction of a 2.5-mile shared-use path connecting Uptown across Loop 610 to Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum, and the Northwest Transit Center. The project also adds stormwater storage and repairs Buffalo Bayou's banks.
TIRZ 20, Safe Routes to School: This $3.26 million partnership funds safety improvements at three High Injury Network intersections near six schools in Alief and Greater Sharpstown. The project serves a high-needs community.
“The White Oak Bayou Trail is part of what makes our community special, but residents in Timbergrove and Lazybrook haven’t had a safe, direct way to reach it. Thanks to Commissioner Briones and Precinct 4, both neighborhoods will have a much easier route to enjoy the trail,” said Matt Zieve, Director of TIRZ 5.
“Places 4 People is the most innovative partnership program Uptown has ever entered. This funding closes a key gap in the Uptown Memorial Park Trail and Bridge project, creating more accessible and comfortable connections for people walking, bicycling, and rolling along the I-610 West Loop,” said Clark Martinson, Director of Public Space Design & Operations of TIRZ 16.
“We are excited to continue working with Commissioner Briones and Precinct 4 to complete the reconstruction of Seamist Drive. Building on our earlier work together, this investment will address longstanding drainage challenges and improve roadway safety, pedestrian access, and connectivity throughout Lazybrook and Timbergrove,” said Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, Board Member for TIRZ 12.
“With more than 7,400 students attending nearby schools, safe routes for children and families are a priority. This investment will improve pedestrian access and connect neighborhoods to schools, transit, and everyday destinations. We appreciate Commissioner Briones and Precinct 4 for working with us to make that happen,” said Welcome Wilson Jr., Chairman of TIRZ 20.
Since 2023, Commissioner Briones has secured over $332.6 million in infrastructure investments across 69 projects. Of that total, 61% ($203.5 million) has been contributed by external partners, with Precinct 4 investing $129.1 million.
For more information about the Places 4 People initiative and upcoming projects, visit:cp4.harriscountytx.gov/Infrastructure/Places-4-People/2026-Projects