Houston’s ‘Sawyer Street’ May Soon Get A Complete Streets Makeover

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Cities can often find themselves challenged when it comes to designing streets that meet the needs of all road users–however complete streets policies are one way to help change that.

By working to make streets friendlier for bicyclists, pedestrians, and public transit users communities become more vibrant and healthy.

According to a blog post by Houston’s Asakura Robinson Company, the city of Houston, which has no zoning code faces a unique challenge in designing complete streets. Nonetheless, a 2013 Complete Streets executive order issued by Mayor Anise Parker, is guiding the city in finding ways to improve street conditions for all.

By seeking community input from local stakeholders who live and work in the area, planners are helping shape the Washington Avenue Corridor, which is known for its historic urban features and its close proximity to downtown Houston.

The plan proposed planners designated to the project includes design guidelines, separated bicycle lanes, pedestrian refuges and shade trees, in addition to other traffic calming methods.

If the complete streets plan is implemented, Houston will have a new complete street that: (1) crosses through three urban districts; (2) connects two of Houston’s busiest bike trails (the Buffalo Bayou and the MKT trail).

Read more about this here. Access the Sawyer Street Vision, Complete Streets report here.

To learn more about Latino kids and some of the barriers to physical activity they face, such as unsafe streets, see Salud America!‘s Active Spaces resources here