Government
Transportation
BY KEVIN VU
BY KEVIN VU
Houston’s $7B budget for FY 2026 will eliminate $330M shortfall
$12M Main Street Promenade project to start in June
Buffalo Bayou Park to get 2 EV stations Two electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in Buffalo Bayou Park after city officials approved the project during a May 14 City Council meeting. In a nutshell The $100,000 project will install two charging stations by the end of the summer along Allen Parkway at Buffalo Bayou Park, according to a May 14 news release. Council member Abbie Kamin, District C, said this project is part of an agreement with the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and represents “the revival of meaningful investment in Houston’s sustainable infrastructure.” “As the Energy Capital of the World, we have a responsibility to lead the energy transition,” Kamin said.
Department head cuts Houston officials requested all department heads to reduce their FY2026 budgets by at least 10%, which resulted in $16.2 million in savings for the city.
Houston will start construction on the Main Street Promenade project in June, turning a stretch of Main Street into a lively, pedestrian-friendly corridor in Downtown Houston, according to a May 7 public hearing and presentation. The details Spearheaded by Downtown Houston+—a coalition of downtown organizations and author- ities—the $12 million project will work on seven blocks of Main Street that stretch from Rusk Street to Commerce Street to create a space for people to walk and dine, according to the presentation. Brian Crimmins, a special projects manager at the Mayor’s Office, presented to Houston City Council the final design plans May 7. He said the project plans on achieving the goal of a pedestri- an-friendly walkway by raising the existing street to sidewalk level, allowing a wider walkway and making it more accessible for wheelchair users, as well as providing more space for restaurants.
1 Parks and Recreation: $4,021,000
2 General Services: $3,244,000
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Mayor John Whitmire said his proposed $7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year addresses the city’s projected $330 million shortfall without raising taxes or fees. The overview Houston has a projected $330 million budget shortfall heading into fiscal year 2026; however, Whitmire said during a May 6 news conference that this proposed budget addresses the shortfall through numerous initiatives. One of the largest financial strains posed to the budget was a drainage lawsuit, which would’ve forced Houston to allocate $100 million toward the street and drainage fund by the end of the fiscal year. However, the city and the plaintiffs reached a deal in April to allocate these funds over time by 2028.
A third of the eligible employees also accepted the voluntary retirement program, a one-time volun- tary retirement incentive, which Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said will save the city $30 million. The Mayor’s Chief of Staff Chris Newport said con- solidations were also made in city departments and specific positions, which saved the city $7 million. Budget explained The $7 billion proposed budget is a $160 million increase, with $1.1 billion of the general fund going toward the Houston Police Department and $659 million to the Houston Fire Department, roughly 60% of Houston’s general fund. However, some city departments received cuts, such as the Department of Neighborhoods and the Library Department, seeing $7 million and roughly $2 million in cuts, respectively.
3 Health: $2,347,000
4 Library: $1,854,000
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5 Municipal Courts: $1,805,000
6 Finance: $988,000
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7 Legal: $944,000
The project also wants to create more shade for the area by increasing tree canopy and implement- ing structures that could provide further shade. What else? The north and southbound lanes of the seven blocks along Main Street will be closed off to cars as part of the project, but the east and west will remain open during construction.
8 Office of Business
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Opportunity: $345,000
9 Planning & Development: $321,000
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6 7 9 8 11 10
10 Fire: $254,000
11 Housing & Community Development: $32,000
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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