The Director of the Planning and Development Department recommends that City Council adopt an ordinance approving and authorizing an interlocal agreement between the City of Houston and Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and appropriate funds for the Southwest Livable Center Study (Study) in Council District K.
H-GAC has awarded the City of Houston funding to conduct the Study and will require a minimum local match of 20%. The goal of the Livable Centers Study in Southwest Houston is to create multi-modal travel choices, create quality spaces, improve environmental quality, and promote economic development, by evaluating transit-oriented developments, including bus and light rail transit, biking, and walking. The study will identify opportunities for the Livable Center, such as improvements in access to public transportation, pedestrian realm enhancements, bike and ride options, and the creation of attractive public spaces. The goal of the study phase is to develop initial plans, design specifications, and implementation strategies that will be transferred to the selected contractor when final design and implementation funds are available. The project study area is located south of Loop 610, bordered on the north by Main Street, to the south by McHard Road, to the east by Almeda Road and the west by Fondren Road.
H-GAC will contract and pay for a firm to conduct the study in partnership with the Planning & Development Department at a cost of $303,125.00. H-GAC will cover the cost of $242,500.00 (80% of the total Study cost) through a federal assistance grant award. The City will fund the non-federal local match cost of $62,577.13, which includes $60,625.00 for study costs and $1,952.13 for TxDOT grant oversight costs.
Vice Mayor-Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum is supportive of the Study and is providing $31,288.56 towards the local match from District K’s Council District Service Fund.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Margaret Wallace Brown, AICP, CNU-A Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Director Director
Planning and Development Department Houston Public Works
WBS No. N-322017-0018-7, N-320100-0021-7