MONEY

In many places, the available public right-of-way along Long Point for the street, sidewalks, trees, and utilities is approximately 60-feet wide. Therefore, the acquisition of additional land to create an 80-foot right-of-way would result in a significant price difference versus a 70-foot right-of-way.

Exclusive of ROW costs, when designing a 70-foot versus 80-foot street, it would depend on what improvements are desired (medians, sidewalks, better transit stops, trees, etc.). In general, an 80-foot street requires more work than a 70-foot street. But depending on design decisions, an 80-foot street will not necessarily cost more.

Ultimately, funding for this project will come from multiple sources. The purpose of the study is to identify projects along the corridor, how much they cost, their sequence to optimize implementation, and from there we can begin to identify funding opportunities. Funding can come from grants, private developers, partnerships with Spring Branch Management District, and others. Changes to utilities (electrical poles, etc.) require coordination with CenterPoint Energy.

See question 2.

See question 2.

See question 2.

COMMUNITY DESIGN DESIRES

We will use best practices to maximize safety for pedestrians and cyclists while working within the limited right of way. Once a pilot project site is defined, specific approaches such as a protected intersection would be considered if appropriate. Safe intersection operations would be emphasized.

Community gardens are currently included in the concept plan for Haden Park.

This will be considered in construction design process as it occurs.

The study will identify potential improvements to transit along Long Point and improved Bus Shelters will be explored. The Team will coordinate with METRO to identify potential implementation opportunities.

Where appropriate, driveway consolidation will be considered with the pilot project recommendations. Ideally the pilot project will work with adjacent property owners to develop opportunities related to driveways.

PROJECT CONCERNS

Any road construction will take into account detention and drainage opportunities.

Any road construction will take into account detention and drainage opportunities.

SBMD is not a regulatory agency. It has no control over private land use.

The operations of transit and vehicle mobility are important considerations for potential design options. Any proposed design will be developed to balance the needs of a range of users of Long Point. Currently the highest boarding locations along the corridor tend to coincide with locations at major intersections where the street has already been widened to include 4 lanes and median. This provides adequate room for transit and personal vehicles to share the corridor with limited impacts.

Participation is completely optional for all building and property owners.

The function of a management district is to serve the commercial properties. Information on SBMD’s program can be found here.

We have found CenterPoint to be receptive to all redevelopment efforts across the city.

LOGISTICS

The property owners with the assistance of Spring Branch Management District.

Needs cooperation of the property owners.

Realistically it would require dedicated or purchased right-of-way.

Typically with these types of barriers, the most cost-effective solutions are on-street bike lanes and at-grade crossings where a surface street crosses underneath the freeway at the closest location to the trail.

See next question.

We hope to implement some pilot projects within the year. Criteria for selection will include: being representative of typical conditions along the corridor, cooperation of adjacent property owners, ease of implementation / minimal disruption, and costs / available funding. Community input is desired to make sure a location is determined that will best showcase improvements. We will also coordinate with adjacent property owners.

Long Point Road begins and ends within Spring Branch (Conrad Sauer on the west to Hempstead Highway on the east). Major roadway connections Including Hempstead and IH 10 provide regional connectivity. There are connections via transit (bus) that lead towards Downtown and other areas of Houston (north/south of Long Point). Additional improvements may be identified in the course of this study. Additionally, this project will significantly support and be affected by any development that may take place near the Texas Central High Speed Rail hub that will be located at the old Northwest Mall. Connecting the CenterPoint corridor to White Oak Bayou will provide trail access via Bayou Greenways to Downtown.

The potential CenterPoint trail located north of Long Point Road will provide a major off-street, east-west connection for walking and biking. The Houston Bike Plan has identified potential north/south corridors that aim to connect this potential trail with Long Point and other areas within Spring Branch and beyond. The District is about to conduct a detailed study with H-GAC linking the CenterPoint Trail locally and regionally.

CULTURAL / DIVERSITY PRESERVATION

BUSINESSES

TIRZ, 380 agreements, and tax abatement agreements are all administered by the City of Houston. SBMD is committed to assisting any landowner or business regarding incentives programs administered by the City on a case-by-case basis.

See first question.

See first question.

TIMELINE

Timeframes vary; some can get started immediately, others will take planning, design and construction before results are apparent and still others will require longer lead times in the multiples of years. The implementation strategy is to have projects in the pipeline at all times so progress is constant. We are hoping to see actual improvements beginning in 2019.

See first question.

See first question.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

You can get involved by signing up to receive our newsletter and joining us for our committee meetings. Find a calendar of our meetings here. You can also like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Long Point’s evolution will likely be gradual through in-fill development as opposed to major land clearing with new development, although even this has and will continue to occur. We have met with developers who are planning project announcements in the future. Stay tuned.

Not clear what is meant by a “project like this”. Would say any corridor project has some elements similar to Long Point (e.g., Bagby – Midtown Navigation – East End etc.). Let us know how you’d like to tackle this as I think part of the answer should be redevelopment as much or more than roadway geometry. Austin has done a number of roadway “right-sizing” projects that they summarized here.

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