Transportation
Government
BY SHAWN ARRAJJ
BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & MELISSA ENAJE
Houston Methodist pulls plans for Bellaire project Officials with Houston Methodist confirmed Feb. 15 the hospital system has pulled plans for a mixed-use project within downtown Bellaire. The project would have included a mix of retail and medical office space at a site that formerly housed a Randalls, which closed in 2021. Method- ist has also terminated its lease with Kimco, which owns the property. What happened In a letter sent to Bellaire city officials, Method- ist officials said they appreciated the opportunity to present their project to the city. “However, we also respect your vision to pro- vide something different for your community. It is unfortunate we could not obtain approval of our site plan. We appreciate the City Council’s detailed review of our plan and wish you luck in fulfilling your vision for Bellaire,” officials wrote.
Art projects coming to high-crime areas Officials with Harris County’s crime pre- vention and neighborhood safety program are launching a $3 million public art-based initiative in 11 communities that aims to shape the physical space, spur economic development and promote social change. Explained The 11 neighborhoods include Alief, Bar- rett, Cloverleaf, Cypress Station, East Aldine, Gulfton, Highlands, Northshore, Sharpstown, South Houston and Sunnyside. They were prioritized based on violent crime rates and lack of infrastructure, according to county administration officials. Precinct officials can request proposals for projects such as murals, sculptures, artistic crosswalks and park installations through the third quarter of 2024.
TxDOT pitches 2 options for adding lanes to I-10 Officials with the Texas Department of Trans- portation presented details at a Feb. 8 public meeting on two options to add four managed lanes along a 6.3-mile stretch of I-10 between Voss Road and I-45. Average daily vehicle counts in the targeted area have grown from 273,450 in 2018 to 292,460 in 2023 and are projected to grow to 422,220 by 2038, according to TxDOT information. The details Both options would allow I-10 to carry 460,000 vehicles per day, compared to 380,000 vehicles per day if nothing is done. • Alternative 1: Two elevated managed lanes are added in each direction. • Alternative 2: Two managed lanes are added in each direction at the height of general lanes.
DARTMOUTH AVE.
ACADEMY ST.
45
COLERIDGE ST.
610
Former proposed Houston Methodist building site
UNIVERSITY BLVD.
COMMUNITY DR.
10
MARQUETTE ST.
N
MEMORIAL PARK
5TH ST.
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West U advances panel replacements Construction wrapped up in February on a series of localized panel replacements in the city of West University Place. Work entails aligning and leveling roadways, and improving drainage. The city awarded an $800,000 construc- tion contract to TB Concrete Construction at a Jan. 22 meeting as part of a two-year agreement that will also include future panel replacement work.
BELLAIRE BLVD.
N
Both alternatives involve reconstructing frontage roads, and adding a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along the westbound frontage road. Alternative 2 would require the acquisition of 12.54 acres along the westbound frontage road and the displacement of 52 residences and 30 com- mercial buildings. TxDOT would also acquire 0.53 acres of Cottage Grove Park. What’s next TxDOT plans to select an alternative later this year, after considering public feedback. Con- struction could begin in early 2028 and last six to eight years.
Methodist’s proposal dates back to 2022 and had gone through several revisions in an effort to earn the approval of the Bellaire City Council. What’s next Bellaire Mayor Gus Pappas said the city has received “a tremendous amount of interest” from developers in the Randalls site, and that he was optimistic about what the future held. “I am very hopeful that that’s just the jump off and a start for something that comes to the city that is incredibly beneficial to all of us,” he said.
BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9733 Buffalo Speedway (713) 838-7486
HOLCOMBE 2314 W Holcombe Blvd (713) 669-1722
WESLAYAN 3902 Bissonnet (713) 218-8144
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