Houston

View of Houston buildings over White Oak Bayou

Proposed Park Yet Another Hurdle for Houston Interstate Expansion

The Interstate 45 widening project, halted by a federal order and opposed by many local officials and organizations, could hit a new snag if White Oak Bayou becomes a city park.

November 25, 2022 - Axios

Musician playing guitar in front of outdoor seating and sidewalk vendors in Houston, Texas

Houston Development Aims to Create Hyper-Walkable, Micro-Living Neighborhood

The 17-acre Second Ward project has spurred both optimism for a more walkable city and concerns about displacement and gentrification.

November 21, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Houston

‘Employment-First’ Program in Harris County Offers Work and Supportive Services

The Employ2Empower program pays participants $15 an hour to work on county projects and engage with service providers while they await housing.

November 4, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Downtown Houston and Buffalo Bayou

$100 Million to Help Fund Buffalo Bayou Expansion in Houston

Originally proposed in 2019, the Buffalo Park East Master Plan, which would extend Buffalo Bayou Park to the East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods, is suddenly in high gear.

September 27, 2022 - Buffalo Bayou Partnership

View of Houston freeway with bus, cars, and downtown skyline in background

Houston Metro Seeks Proposals for Transit-Oriented Development

The agency will assess ways to more effectively use its surface parking lots and encourage more mixed-use development near transit hubs.

September 27, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

A view of the Cross Bronx Expressway, an elevated highway that allows cars to drive past apartment buildings.

The Case for Urban Highway Removal

Instead of removing urban freeways, which have proven to be destructive to communities and economies—in some cases deliberately so—many cities are expanding freeways in and around cities.

September 12, 2022 - The New York Times

"QUIET Please be considerate of our neighbors" sign on outside of building with dim light

Houston Doubles Noise Violation Fine

In response to a spike in complaints from people living near bars and clubs, Houston has updated its noise ordinance to raise fines and require additional permits for amplified sound.

September 8, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Red Metrorail train in downtown Houston, Texas

Houston Inches Toward Reduced Car Dependency

The city is investing more in biking, walking, and public transit, but a lack of funding and counterproductive moves from the Texas Department of Transportation are slowing the process of shifting away from personal automobile dependency.

August 24, 2022 - Houston Public Media

Two cyclists on a wooden bike bridge across a bayou with downtown Houston skyline in background

Houston Bike Advocates Propose Two Bridges Across White Oak Bayou

An as-yet-unfunded proposal to build two new bridges would create essential connections and help riders avoid a mile-plus detour.

August 18, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Downtown Houston covered bus station with one parked bus

Editorial: Why Houston’s University Line BRT Is a ‘Crucial’ Project

The Houston Chronicle editorial board comes out in support of a proposed 25-mile bus rapid transit line, arguing it would provide essential service to transit-dependent residents.

August 3, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

View south along Interstate 45 (North Freeway) from the ramp between westbound Interstate 10 and southbound Interstate 45 in Houston, Harris County, Texas

Houston Apartments To Be Demolished for Freeway Widening

Despite a federal hold on the controversial freeway widening project, the Texas Department of Transportation is pushing ahead with the demolition of an apartment complex in downtown Houston.

July 5, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Conceptual rendering of proposed Dallas bullet train station

Central Texas Bullet Train Loses Steam

A proposed bullet train project between Houston and Dallas may have stalled for the last time as the Texas Central Railway CEO steps down.

June 17, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Unhoused person under a freeway overpass in Houston, Texas

How Houston Is Eliminating Chronic Homelessness

Taking a comprehensive ‘Housing First’ approach, the city of Houston has cut homelessness by 63 percent in the last decade.

June 15, 2022 - The New York Times

Two people on a bike trail with downtown Houston in the background

Houston Bike Summit Makes In-Person Return

The event will focus on improving bike safety and continuing maintenance on the city's growing network of bike lanes and trails.

May 17, 2022 - Houston Public Media

Houston Metro Bus

Houston Transit Ridership Highest Since the Pandemic Began

Ridership on Houston trains and buses rose sharply in March, thanks in part to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and a limited return to offices.

May 4, 2022 - The Houston Chronicle

Houston City Park

How Houston Is Growing its Bike Infrastructure

The famously car-centric city is investing more than ever in bike infrastructure, with ambitious plans to build 1,800 miles of protected bike lanes and trails.

May 3, 2022 - The Houston Chronicle

I-45 and I-69

A Freeway Rebellion Rises in the Unlikeliest of States: Texas

“There’s no train, there’s no bus, there’s no anything that supports mass transportation. It doesn’t exist.” -Houston resident Fabian Ramirez.

May 2, 2022 - The Guardian

Downtown Houston overlooking Interstate 45.

Cost Estimates Go up for Houston Freeway Project

The contentious reconfiguration of Interstate 45 is now estimated to cost $274 million more as the project faces community opposition and a federal investigation.

April 4, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Rendering of Memorial Park land bridge

First Part of Houston 'Land Bridge' Opens to Public

The land bridge over Memorial Drive will return 100 acres of green space to the area and provide a safe, convenient connection for humans and wildlife between the two sides of Memorial Park.

March 31, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Houston Third Ward

Houston Creating 'Equity Indicators' Report

To better plan and track its progress toward equity, the city of Houston is creating a new system of equity indicators.

March 31, 2022 - Houston Planning and Development Department

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