Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | April 2023

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

COMPILED BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & MELISSA ENAJE

Bellaire residents show concern for potential sale of Mapleridge Street The future of a Bellaire street located within one of the rst

ONGOING PROJECTS

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WESTPARK TOLLWAY

spaces, landscaping and pedestrian access between the two adjoining properties, according to the March 6 agenda documents. “Our desire is to create a sense of place where Bellaire citizens can nd a unique shopping and dining expe- rience, enjoy outdoor patio landscap- ing and amenity space, nd a truly walkable environment over the entire development, and spend their money in their community,” said Dan Meyer, MC Management’s leasing director, at the March 6 meeting. An analysis about the potential eects the closure could bring to trac found the street closure would not signicantly impact trac in the area, according to Bellaire Develop- ment Services Director Travis Tanner. During the March 6 meeting, two residents spoke in opposition of the sale, and at least 14 residents submit- ted their opposition in writing. Con- cerns included the eects on trac and the belief that the city should not sell the land at a discounted price.

Bellaire ocials are considering selling a segment of Mapleridge Street for $1 to developers who want to convert it into parking and a pedestrian pathway through the Bellaire Triangle development. PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY

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shopping centers in the city could be on the chopping block for a potential new purpose: a pedestrian walkway with additional parking lot space. The portion of Mapleridge Street up for consideration is approximately 0.3804 acres of land and valued at nearly $1.5 million, according to city documents. It is situated within the Bellaire Triangle commercial center between Bellaire Boulevard and Bis- sonnet Street. At a March 6 meeting, City of Bellaire ocials considered selling the land for $1 to developers with MC Management, which owns the Bellaire Triangle. The three entities involved with the purchase are Luel Partnership Ltd., EKG Partners LLC and FKM Partnership Ltd. Luel and EKG ocials wrote in their petition to the city that their goal if they acquire the land is to change it from a public street into a private parking area that would contain at least 20 parking

N. BRAESWOOD BLVD.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF APRIL 3. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT BMWNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. bolster transportation connections in areas that have seen connections sev- ered by past infrastructure decisions. The grant will fund a study in Gulfton that will look at how to form better connections along Hillcroft Avenue so residents can more easily access schools, parks, commercial centers and transportation hubs. Timeline: early 2023-early 2024 Cost: $690,200 Funding sources: city of Houston, federal grant Reconnecting Communities: Gulfton and Beyond study The city of Houston received a $552,160 grant Feb. 28 from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of a new federal pilot program to

BELLAIRE BLVD.

BELLAIRE TRIANGLE

SOURCE: CITY OF BELLAIRECOMMUNITY IMPACT

If the street closure and sale do not occur, Meyer said the exterior of the shopping center will still be updated. As of press time April 3, no decision had been made on the sale, and the Bellaire City Council is expected to consider the item at a future meeting.

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