morning, Malcolm Allicock sets out from his apartment complex, which is along Addicks Clodine and Westpark. Walking cane in hand, he navigates the path to the neighborhood convenience store ─ a path he knows by touch and memory.
The unpaved path to the store, however, is anything but safe for Malcolm, who lost his sight in 2020. With no sidewalk to help guide him, Malcolm was forced to tread uneven terrain, relying on markers like a fire hydrant to avoid losing his way.
he only way I can go to the end of the road is by tapping the concrete that will lead me,” Malcom said. “If I walk on the grass, I won't know where I'm going, and I'd end up in the bayou.”
And one day, Malcolm did up near the edge of the bayou.
Spotting a need, taking swift action
Milton Acevedo, Chief Inspector with the Harris County Engineering Department, first noticed Malcolm while working on another project.
“I rememAcevedo said.
To get a better understanding of how to best help Malcom, Acevedo walked side-by-side with Malcom on his daily trek to the convenience store – from his apartment door, down the unpaved path that was inches away from the busy street to the store.
Acevedo then raised the issue to Precinct 4, which took rapid action to create a safer path for Malcolm through its Sidewalk 4 Precinct 4 initiative.
Safe paths for safe futures
Through the program, Precinct 4 conducts gap analyses, which identify connectivity issues in paths residents take to work, play, and worship. Unlike other jurisdictions, where sidewalk construction would take two to four years, Sidewalk’s 4 Precinct 4 combines its planning, design, and construction efforts to leverage $20 million to create 50 miles of sidewalks in just one year.
Malcolm’s stretch of road wasn’t originally part of the Precinct’s gap analyses, but Commissioner Lesley Briones’ advocacy ensured it became a priority.
“None of this would have been possible without the leadership and commitment of Commissioner Briones,” Luis Guajardo, AICP, Precinct 4’s Director of Planning & Community Development, said. “Her resolve was to implement Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 in way that has a large-scale impact. It’s because of her that we’ve been able to do these projects in one fell swoop.”
Now, a smooth, ADA-compliant sidewalk has replaced the hazardous path Malcolm once relied on. The transformation has not only improved his daily routine but has also brought peace of mind to his wife Angela.
“I used to worry constantly when he went to the store alone,” she shared. “Now I can breathe easier knowing he has a safe path.”
For Malcolm, the sidewalk is more than just a concrete path — it’s a symbol of independence and a safer future. “I don’t have to worry about where I’m stepping now. It’s a whole new experience,” he said with a smile.
Whether it’s a sidewalk that needs repair, or a streetlight that needs to be fixed, Precinct 4 is there to help. Visit the Community Assistance Department’s website to make a requ. Residents can also call the Department at 832-927-4444, or email service@hcp4.net for direct assistance.