Westridge & Braes Terrace Drainage Improvements

Project Overview

Council District: K

Project Number: M-410016-0001

Budget: $6,491,689

Start: Summer 2025

Completion: Fall 2026

Project Impact Area

project map

Community Feedback

Have questions or feedback about this project? Email us at engage@houstontx.gov or call 311.

Is there anything you want us to know?

Ready...Set...ENGAGE!

We understand that our initial response may not have met your expectations, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate through this exciting project. As you know, Phase 1 is currently underway, and we’re thrilled to share our tentative plans for the future: construction for Phase 2 is set to begin in Spring 2026, followed by Phase 3 in Spring 2028. Please note that these dates might change as we move forward.

Once the design for Phase 2 is finalized, we’ll be eager to unveil it to the community. We’ll create a dedicated project page and host a design update meeting to keep you informed and involved. Your engagement is invaluable to us, and we look forward to continuing this journey together!

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Share Please provide a status update on this project. The last we heard was that construction would begin in July. That is three weeks away and we have not had further community updates. on Facebook Share Please provide a status update on this project. The last we heard was that construction would begin in July. That is three weeks away and we have not had further community updates. on Twitter Share Please provide a status update on this project. The last we heard was that construction would begin in July. That is three weeks away and we have not had further community updates. on Linkedin Email Please provide a status update on this project. The last we heard was that construction would begin in July. That is three weeks away and we have not had further community updates. link

Please provide a status update on this project. The last we heard was that construction would begin in July. That is three weeks away and we have not had further community updates.

mcschafer asked 16 days ago

Ready...Set...ENGAGE!
Thank you for reaching out and for your continued interest in this project. We’re pleased to share that the project remains on schedule to begin construction in Summer 2025, with an anticipated completion in Fall 2026.
A virtual community meeting is planned closer to the start of construction to provide updates and answer any questions. We’ll be sure to share details on the meeting and other project milestones as soon as the schedule is confirmed.
We appreciate your engagement and will continue to keep you and the community informed as the project progresses.
Thank you!
Share Please advise as to the anticipated timing for storm trunk line rehabilitation construction. We have not heard anything on this project in months. on Facebook Share Please advise as to the anticipated timing for storm trunk line rehabilitation construction. We have not heard anything on this project in months. on Twitter Share Please advise as to the anticipated timing for storm trunk line rehabilitation construction. We have not heard anything on this project in months. on Linkedin Email Please advise as to the anticipated timing for storm trunk line rehabilitation construction. We have not heard anything on this project in months. link

Please advise as to the anticipated timing for storm trunk line rehabilitation construction. We have not heard anything on this project in months.

mcschafer asked 9 months ago

Ready...Set...ENGAGE!

Thank you for reaching out and for actively engaging with us. The project is expected to begin in the Summer of 2025 and be completed by Fall 2026.

We appreciate your patience and support. Thank you again for contacting us.

Best regards,
The Engage Houston Team
Share What is the status of phases 2 and 3, which still are not referenced in the official project timeline, budget or details? What assurances do we have that you are moving forward with phases 2 and 3? The design for phase 2 was supposed to commence this summer. Is that moving forward? Please confirm. on Facebook Share What is the status of phases 2 and 3, which still are not referenced in the official project timeline, budget or details? What assurances do we have that you are moving forward with phases 2 and 3? The design for phase 2 was supposed to commence this summer. Is that moving forward? Please confirm. on Twitter Share What is the status of phases 2 and 3, which still are not referenced in the official project timeline, budget or details? What assurances do we have that you are moving forward with phases 2 and 3? The design for phase 2 was supposed to commence this summer. Is that moving forward? Please confirm. on Linkedin Email What is the status of phases 2 and 3, which still are not referenced in the official project timeline, budget or details? What assurances do we have that you are moving forward with phases 2 and 3? The design for phase 2 was supposed to commence this summer. Is that moving forward? Please confirm. link

What is the status of phases 2 and 3, which still are not referenced in the official project timeline, budget or details? What assurances do we have that you are moving forward with phases 2 and 3? The design for phase 2 was supposed to commence this summer. Is that moving forward? Please confirm.

mcschafer asked about 1 year ago

Ready...Set...ENGAGE!
Thank you for your interest in the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project. We're happy to announce that Phase 2 began in the Spring of 2024 and is expected to be completed by the Summer of 2024. Additionally, Phase 3 is set to start in the Summer of 2024, with an anticipated completion date in the Fall of 2024. We appreciate your ongoing patience and support!
Share When can we expect to see updates on the progress of this project, specifically the construction of the drainage trunk, as well as the design for subproject 1? on Facebook Share When can we expect to see updates on the progress of this project, specifically the construction of the drainage trunk, as well as the design for subproject 1? on Twitter Share When can we expect to see updates on the progress of this project, specifically the construction of the drainage trunk, as well as the design for subproject 1? on Linkedin Email When can we expect to see updates on the progress of this project, specifically the construction of the drainage trunk, as well as the design for subproject 1? link

When can we expect to see updates on the progress of this project, specifically the construction of the drainage trunk, as well as the design for subproject 1?

mcschafer asked about 1 year ago

Ready...Set...ENGAGE!

Thank you for your interest in the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project. We are making progress towards awarding the contract for the commencement of construction. As part of our commitment to transparency and community engagement, we will be hosting a virtual community meeting before construction begins. Please stay tuned for further details and formal notice regarding the meeting. Thank you for your time and patience!
Share I still only see phase one outlined on the official project website. How and when will the total scope of this project be officially noted in this CIP, to ensure the work promised to Westridge residents actually gets budgeted and completed? on Facebook Share I still only see phase one outlined on the official project website. How and when will the total scope of this project be officially noted in this CIP, to ensure the work promised to Westridge residents actually gets budgeted and completed? on Twitter Share I still only see phase one outlined on the official project website. How and when will the total scope of this project be officially noted in this CIP, to ensure the work promised to Westridge residents actually gets budgeted and completed? on Linkedin Email I still only see phase one outlined on the official project website. How and when will the total scope of this project be officially noted in this CIP, to ensure the work promised to Westridge residents actually gets budgeted and completed? link

I still only see phase one outlined on the official project website. How and when will the total scope of this project be officially noted in this CIP, to ensure the work promised to Westridge residents actually gets budgeted and completed?

mcschafer asked over 1 year ago

Ready...Set...ENGAGE!
We appreciate your interest in the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project. We would like to invite you to have a look at the timeline on the project map. The link is provided below. Thank you for taking the time to explore the project details with us.
Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Loren Chorn 3321 Elmridge St. on Facebook Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Loren Chorn 3321 Elmridge St. on Twitter Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Loren Chorn 3321 Elmridge St. on Linkedin Email Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Loren Chorn 3321 Elmridge St. link

Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Loren Chorn 3321 Elmridge St.

Loren C. asked over 1 year ago

Howdy Neighbor!
Although we've been planning improvements in the Westridge and Braes Terrace Area for a while, only the design and construction for the first phase was funded in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP covers infrastructure needs in Houston over five years. The CIP projects are prioritized based on funding and needs and gets updated and approved by Council yearly.

To make sure we use funds efficiently, we're proposing an implementation plan that aligns with the CIP's revenue and current approval. The phases for street improvements are scheduled for later years. However, waiting for funds for these phases might delay the first phase (Drainage Improvements). So, we're recommending moving ahead with the approved design for Phase 1 to avoid delays. This plan aims to deliver these projects as quickly as possible while considering the money we expect to have for the next five years.

In addition to what we've discussed earlier, getting approval for the designs of Phases 2 and 3 takes two to three years to develop. Once the design is complete, contractors will need to be selected to get the work started. However, for Phase 1, construction will begin in early 2024.

The plan we're recommending does consider the money we expect to have for the next five years, so moving forward with construction for Phase 1 is the quickest way to get this entire project done.

It's important to note that a previous prioritization method model, which focused on 'worst first,' hasn't been used since 2016. Some challenges we've faced in finding good drainage solutions, like in the Westridge neighborhood, were due to this approach. However, our department is committed to sticking to the budget outlined in the five-year plan while implementing this proposed plan.

The main fix for the neighborhood's drainage issues is in Phase 1, set for construction in early 2024. This project includes improvements to the existing main storm line including adding some needed inlets to upgrade the neighborhood's drainage system.

When we design Phases 2 and 3, our commitment is to assess the paving slopes and other drainage infrastructure needed to manage regular rain events better. Even though the funding for water line upgrades comes from a different source and wasn't part of the initial plan, we'll collaborate with Houston Water. When we're already working on the road, we'll take the opportunity to replace old utility lines.

At the September 27th, 2023, meeting, only Phase 1 was presented, so individual requests through the Mayor's Office for ADA concerns were the way to make specific improvements with our limited budget across the city. But now, Phases 2 and 3 are programmed and we're actively working on them. So, the community doesn't need to submit more applications.

As we design Phases 2 and 3, we'll share the previously submitted applications from the neighborhood with our design consultants. This extra information may help address your concerns. However, our approach aims to create a completely new and well-planned pedestrian network on all streets, meeting the latest ADA requirements.
Share Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1.) The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2.) Construction on the Westridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3.) The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4.) At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents now. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Jean & Matt Best on Facebook Share Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1.) The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2.) Construction on the Westridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3.) The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4.) At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents now. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Jean & Matt Best on Twitter Share Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1.) The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2.) Construction on the Westridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3.) The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4.) At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents now. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Jean & Matt Best on Linkedin Email Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1.) The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2.) Construction on the Westridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3.) The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4.) At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents now. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Jean & Matt Best link

Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1.) The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2.) Construction on the Westridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3.) The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4.) At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents now. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Jean & Matt Best

JB asked over 1 year ago

Howdy Neighbor!
Although we've been planning improvements in the Westridge and Braes Terrace Area for a while, only the design and construction for the first phase was funded in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP covers infrastructure needs in Houston over five years. The CIP projects are prioritized based on funding and needs and gets updated and approved by Council yearly.

To make sure we use funds efficiently, we're proposing an implementation plan that aligns with the CIP's revenue and current approval. The phases for street improvements are scheduled for later years. However, waiting for funds for these phases might delay the first phase (Drainage Improvements). So, we're recommending moving ahead with the approved design for Phase 1 to avoid delays. This plan aims to deliver these projects as quickly as possible while considering the money we expect to have for the next five years.

In addition to what we've discussed earlier, getting approval for the designs of Phases 2 and 3 takes two to three years to develop. Once the design is complete, contractors will need to be selected to get the work started. However, for Phase 1, construction will begin in early 2024.

The plan we're recommending does consider the money we expect to have for the next five years, so moving forward with construction for Phase 1 is the quickest way to get this entire project done.

It's important to note that a previous prioritization method model, which focused on 'worst first,' hasn't been used since 2016. Some challenges we've faced in finding good drainage solutions, like in the Westridge neighborhood, were due to this approach. However, our department is committed to sticking to the budget outlined in the five-year plan while implementing this proposed plan.

The main fix for the neighborhood's drainage issues is in Phase 1, set for construction in early 2024. This project includes improvements to the existing main storm line including adding some needed inlets to upgrade the neighborhood's drainage system.

When we design Phases 2 and 3, our commitment is to assess the paving slopes and other drainage infrastructure needed to manage regular rain events better. Even though the funding for water line upgrades comes from a different source and wasn't part of the initial plan, we'll collaborate with Houston Water. When we're already working on the road, we'll take the opportunity to replace old utility lines.

At the September 27th, 2023, meeting, only Phase 1 was presented, so individual requests through the Mayor's Office for ADA concerns were the way to make specific improvements with our limited budget across the city. But now, Phases 2 and 3 are programmed and we're actively working on them. So, the community doesn't need to submit more applications.

As we design Phases 2 and 3, we'll share the previously submitted applications from the neighborhood with our design consultants. This extra information may help address your concerns. However, our approach aims to create a completely new and well-planned pedestrian network on all streets, meeting the latest ADA requirements.
Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Mary and Joe Abdou on Facebook Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Mary and Joe Abdou on Twitter Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Mary and Joe Abdou on Linkedin Email Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Mary and Joe Abdou link

Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Mary and Joe Abdou

Mary Abdou asked over 1 year ago

Howdy Neighbor!
Although we've been planning improvements in the Westridge and Braes Terrace Area for a while, only the design and construction for the first phase was funded in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP covers infrastructure needs in Houston over five years. The CIP projects are prioritized based on funding and needs and gets updated and approved by Council yearly.

To make sure we use funds efficiently, we're proposing an implementation plan that aligns with the CIP's revenue and current approval. The phases for street improvements are scheduled for later years. However, waiting for funds for these phases might delay the first phase (Drainage Improvements). So, we're recommending moving ahead with the approved design for Phase 1 to avoid delays. This plan aims to deliver these projects as quickly as possible while considering the money we expect to have for the next five years.

In addition to what we've discussed earlier, getting approval for the designs of Phases 2 and 3 takes two to three years to develop. Once the design is complete, contractors will need to be selected to get the work started. However, for Phase 1, construction will begin in early 2024.

The plan we're recommending does consider the money we expect to have for the next five years, so moving forward with construction for Phase 1 is the quickest way to get this entire project done.

It's important to note that a previous prioritization method model, which focused on 'worst first,' hasn't been used since 2016. Some challenges we've faced in finding good drainage solutions, like in the Westridge neighborhood, were due to this approach. However, our department is committed to sticking to the budget outlined in the five-year plan while implementing this proposed plan.

The main fix for the neighborhood's drainage issues is in Phase 1, set for construction in early 2024. This project includes improvements to the existing main storm line including adding some needed inlets to upgrade the neighborhood's drainage system.

When we design Phases 2 and 3, our commitment is to assess the paving slopes and other drainage infrastructure needed to manage regular rain events better. Even though the funding for water line upgrades comes from a different source and wasn't part of the initial plan, we'll collaborate with Houston Water. When we're already working on the road, we'll take the opportunity to replace old utility lines.

At the September 27th, 2023, meeting, only Phase 1 was presented, so individual requests through the Mayor's Office for ADA concerns were the way to make specific improvements with our limited budget across the city. But now, Phases 2 and 3 are programmed and we're actively working on them. So, the community doesn't need to submit more applications.

As we design Phases 2 and 3, we'll share the previously submitted applications from the neighborhood with our design consultants. This extra information may help address your concerns. However, our approach aims to create a completely new and well-planned pedestrian network on all streets, meeting the latest ADA requirements.
Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4. At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. on Facebook Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4. At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. on Twitter Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4. At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. on Linkedin Email Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4. At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. link

Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Thank you for responding to our concerns with a proposed solution. While we appreciate the city revisiting this issue, we have serious concerns about the proposed solution. 1. The project is broken into three Phases, and Westridge streets, sidewalks and lighting are in PHASE 3. This is how our neighborhood was forgotten in 2013 - the city abandoned the project before the final phase. We do not want that to happen again! Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work. 2. Construction on the Westbridge neighborhood is not set to begin until 2028 - that is much too late. Our streets and drainage pipes were included on the “worst first” list that was compiled in 2010. They were supposed to be updated in 2013, and are literally crumbling underneath us. The lack of sidewalks and lighting pose significant safety and security risks to the residents, especially to our large senior population. Please complete the Westridge & Braes Terrace Improvement Project in a single phase of work, to be completed in parallel with the drainage rehabilitation, with all construction to conclude before 2026. 3. The current proposed solution specifically omits the mention of redoing the pipes and drainage under the streets. While we are grateful that the city has again reinstated the proposed new concrete, sidewalks and lighting, we are concerned that continued neglect of 1940’s pipes underneath the new streets is ignoring a root cause of our street surfaces today. Pipes are bursting continuously, and the one that burst in August on Elmridge still hasn’t been fixed, and, comparing it to pictures taken in August, that part of the street has already sunk six inches below where it was. We are visibly seeing sinkholes forming which are incredibly dangerous. It is not reasonable to ask us to wait 15 years past the date that the pipes underneath our streets were originally supposed to be redone (from 2013 to 2028). 4. At the meeting on September 27th, we were told to submit applications for new sidewalks to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We painstakingly collected and submitted 18 applications on behalf of our disabled residents, one for each block (north and south), only to be told that the city doesn’t have the funding for that, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it all in one neighborhood, and that the streets that might qualify would have to wait three years anyway. We need safe streets for all our residents NOW. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, please respond to our messages, and address our concerns about the solution that the city has proposed. We would also like to invite you to our in person annual neighborhood meeting on January 23rd at 6:30pm at Linkwood Community Center. We really do appreciate you working with us to try to find a viable solution to our issues and we’d love the opportunity to thank you in person. Sincerely, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St.

cfitzbernard asked over 1 year ago

Howdy Neighbor!
Although we've been planning improvements in the Westridge and Braes Terrace Area for a while, only the design and construction for the first phase was funded in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP covers infrastructure needs in Houston over five years. The CIP projects are prioritized based on funding and needs and gets updated and approved by Council yearly.

To make sure we use funds efficiently, we're proposing an implementation plan that aligns with the CIP's revenue and current approval. The phases for street improvements are scheduled for later years. However, waiting for funds for these phases might delay the first phase (Drainage Improvements). So, we're recommending moving ahead with the approved design for Phase 1 to avoid delays. This plan aims to deliver these projects as quickly as possible while considering the money we expect to have for the next five years.

In addition to what we've discussed earlier, getting approval for the designs of Phases 2 and 3 takes two to three years to develop. Once the design is complete, contractors will need to be selected to get the work started. However, for Phase 1, construction will begin in early 2024.

The plan we're recommending does consider the money we expect to have for the next five years, so moving forward with construction for Phase 1 is the quickest way to get this entire project done.

It's important to note that a previous prioritization method model, which focused on 'worst first,' hasn't been used since 2016. Some challenges we've faced in finding good drainage solutions, like in the Westridge neighborhood, were due to this approach. However, our department is committed to sticking to the budget outlined in the five-year plan while implementing this proposed plan.

The main fix for the neighborhood's drainage issues is in Phase 1, set for construction in early 2024. This project includes improvements to the existing main storm line including adding some needed inlets to upgrade the neighborhood's drainage system.

When we design Phases 2 and 3, our commitment is to assess the paving slopes and other drainage infrastructure needed to manage regular rain events better. Even though the funding for water line upgrades comes from a different source and wasn't part of the initial plan, we'll collaborate with Houston Water. When we're already working on the road, we'll take the opportunity to replace old utility lines.

At the September 27th, 2023, meeting, only Phase 1 was presented, so individual requests through the Mayor's Office for ADA concerns were the way to make specific improvements with our limited budget across the city. But now, Phases 2 and 3 are programmed and we're actively working on them. So, the community doesn't need to submit more applications.

As we design Phases 2 and 3, we'll share the previously submitted applications from the neighborhood with our design consultants. This extra information may help address your concerns. However, our approach aims to create a completely new and well-planned pedestrian network on all streets, meeting the latest ADA requirements.
Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Please take a moment to read this email in its entirety. A month ago, we were told that you were waiting on estimates regarding reinstatement of the original scope of the Westridge-Braes Terrace Drainage Project. As a resident in that neighborhood, I am concerned that when the new mayor comes in January, my neighbors and I will lose our opportunity to get what we desperately need. As of now, we have not gotten any assurances from the city that our neighborhood will get all of the badly needed updates that we were promised a decade ago. Regarding the estimates you are waiting on, can you please confirmation of the following: 1. That the estimates you are waiting for are directly related to the improvements as set out in the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 from 2016, and detailed in the project update of 2017; 2. That they will be the same improvements that the adjacent neighborhoods got in 2013, so all the contiguous neighborhoods in this section (between Stella Link, Buffalo Speedway, S. Braeswood and S 610 Loop) will look the same; 3. That while you are waiting for the estimates for the above improvements, the solicitation of bids for the de-scoped CIP No. M-410016-0004 (which does not consist of repairing the streets, drainage or lighting in the Westridge/ Braise Terrace subdivision) has been paused pending the outcome of your meetings with Director of Public Works and Mayor Turner; 4. That the improvements will include both Westridge and Braes Terrace (not just Westridge) as the project was originally created for; and 5. That once the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 is reinstated, the Westridge/Braes Terrace improvements will take place in no later than 2024. When communicating with Director Haddock and Mayor Turner, please convey to them that there is no benefit in delaying the inevitable as the neighborhood continues to develop (in terms of new builds) and the streets keep getting worse - as you can see in this two-minute Youtube video. And as property taxes continue to rise, the expectations of the residents regarding safe roadways, sidewalks and lighting will only increase and their voices will only get louder, such as the press coverage on this issue as seen here. Last but not least, thank you for your efforts in pushing for the improvements that the City had funded and approved as far back as 2010, and for your statements in this Youtube video. Please respond with answers to our questions, not just a “we’re working on it” email, which does not allay our fear that we will once again be forgotten. Kind Regards, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. on Facebook Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Please take a moment to read this email in its entirety. A month ago, we were told that you were waiting on estimates regarding reinstatement of the original scope of the Westridge-Braes Terrace Drainage Project. As a resident in that neighborhood, I am concerned that when the new mayor comes in January, my neighbors and I will lose our opportunity to get what we desperately need. As of now, we have not gotten any assurances from the city that our neighborhood will get all of the badly needed updates that we were promised a decade ago. Regarding the estimates you are waiting on, can you please confirmation of the following: 1. That the estimates you are waiting for are directly related to the improvements as set out in the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 from 2016, and detailed in the project update of 2017; 2. That they will be the same improvements that the adjacent neighborhoods got in 2013, so all the contiguous neighborhoods in this section (between Stella Link, Buffalo Speedway, S. Braeswood and S 610 Loop) will look the same; 3. That while you are waiting for the estimates for the above improvements, the solicitation of bids for the de-scoped CIP No. M-410016-0004 (which does not consist of repairing the streets, drainage or lighting in the Westridge/ Braise Terrace subdivision) has been paused pending the outcome of your meetings with Director of Public Works and Mayor Turner; 4. That the improvements will include both Westridge and Braes Terrace (not just Westridge) as the project was originally created for; and 5. That once the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 is reinstated, the Westridge/Braes Terrace improvements will take place in no later than 2024. When communicating with Director Haddock and Mayor Turner, please convey to them that there is no benefit in delaying the inevitable as the neighborhood continues to develop (in terms of new builds) and the streets keep getting worse - as you can see in this two-minute Youtube video. And as property taxes continue to rise, the expectations of the residents regarding safe roadways, sidewalks and lighting will only increase and their voices will only get louder, such as the press coverage on this issue as seen here. Last but not least, thank you for your efforts in pushing for the improvements that the City had funded and approved as far back as 2010, and for your statements in this Youtube video. Please respond with answers to our questions, not just a “we’re working on it” email, which does not allay our fear that we will once again be forgotten. Kind Regards, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. on Twitter Share Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Please take a moment to read this email in its entirety. A month ago, we were told that you were waiting on estimates regarding reinstatement of the original scope of the Westridge-Braes Terrace Drainage Project. As a resident in that neighborhood, I am concerned that when the new mayor comes in January, my neighbors and I will lose our opportunity to get what we desperately need. As of now, we have not gotten any assurances from the city that our neighborhood will get all of the badly needed updates that we were promised a decade ago. Regarding the estimates you are waiting on, can you please confirmation of the following: 1. That the estimates you are waiting for are directly related to the improvements as set out in the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 from 2016, and detailed in the project update of 2017; 2. That they will be the same improvements that the adjacent neighborhoods got in 2013, so all the contiguous neighborhoods in this section (between Stella Link, Buffalo Speedway, S. Braeswood and S 610 Loop) will look the same; 3. That while you are waiting for the estimates for the above improvements, the solicitation of bids for the de-scoped CIP No. M-410016-0004 (which does not consist of repairing the streets, drainage or lighting in the Westridge/ Braise Terrace subdivision) has been paused pending the outcome of your meetings with Director of Public Works and Mayor Turner; 4. That the improvements will include both Westridge and Braes Terrace (not just Westridge) as the project was originally created for; and 5. That once the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 is reinstated, the Westridge/Braes Terrace improvements will take place in no later than 2024. When communicating with Director Haddock and Mayor Turner, please convey to them that there is no benefit in delaying the inevitable as the neighborhood continues to develop (in terms of new builds) and the streets keep getting worse - as you can see in this two-minute Youtube video. And as property taxes continue to rise, the expectations of the residents regarding safe roadways, sidewalks and lighting will only increase and their voices will only get louder, such as the press coverage on this issue as seen here. Last but not least, thank you for your efforts in pushing for the improvements that the City had funded and approved as far back as 2010, and for your statements in this Youtube video. Please respond with answers to our questions, not just a “we’re working on it” email, which does not allay our fear that we will once again be forgotten. Kind Regards, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. on Linkedin Email Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Please take a moment to read this email in its entirety. A month ago, we were told that you were waiting on estimates regarding reinstatement of the original scope of the Westridge-Braes Terrace Drainage Project. As a resident in that neighborhood, I am concerned that when the new mayor comes in January, my neighbors and I will lose our opportunity to get what we desperately need. As of now, we have not gotten any assurances from the city that our neighborhood will get all of the badly needed updates that we were promised a decade ago. Regarding the estimates you are waiting on, can you please confirmation of the following: 1. That the estimates you are waiting for are directly related to the improvements as set out in the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 from 2016, and detailed in the project update of 2017; 2. That they will be the same improvements that the adjacent neighborhoods got in 2013, so all the contiguous neighborhoods in this section (between Stella Link, Buffalo Speedway, S. Braeswood and S 610 Loop) will look the same; 3. That while you are waiting for the estimates for the above improvements, the solicitation of bids for the de-scoped CIP No. M-410016-0004 (which does not consist of repairing the streets, drainage or lighting in the Westridge/ Braise Terrace subdivision) has been paused pending the outcome of your meetings with Director of Public Works and Mayor Turner; 4. That the improvements will include both Westridge and Braes Terrace (not just Westridge) as the project was originally created for; and 5. That once the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 is reinstated, the Westridge/Braes Terrace improvements will take place in no later than 2024. When communicating with Director Haddock and Mayor Turner, please convey to them that there is no benefit in delaying the inevitable as the neighborhood continues to develop (in terms of new builds) and the streets keep getting worse - as you can see in this two-minute Youtube video. And as property taxes continue to rise, the expectations of the residents regarding safe roadways, sidewalks and lighting will only increase and their voices will only get louder, such as the press coverage on this issue as seen here. Last but not least, thank you for your efforts in pushing for the improvements that the City had funded and approved as far back as 2010, and for your statements in this Youtube video. Please respond with answers to our questions, not just a “we’re working on it” email, which does not allay our fear that we will once again be forgotten. Kind Regards, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St. link

Dear Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum, Please take a moment to read this email in its entirety. A month ago, we were told that you were waiting on estimates regarding reinstatement of the original scope of the Westridge-Braes Terrace Drainage Project. As a resident in that neighborhood, I am concerned that when the new mayor comes in January, my neighbors and I will lose our opportunity to get what we desperately need. As of now, we have not gotten any assurances from the city that our neighborhood will get all of the badly needed updates that we were promised a decade ago. Regarding the estimates you are waiting on, can you please confirmation of the following: 1. That the estimates you are waiting for are directly related to the improvements as set out in the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 from 2016, and detailed in the project update of 2017; 2. That they will be the same improvements that the adjacent neighborhoods got in 2013, so all the contiguous neighborhoods in this section (between Stella Link, Buffalo Speedway, S. Braeswood and S 610 Loop) will look the same; 3. That while you are waiting for the estimates for the above improvements, the solicitation of bids for the de-scoped CIP No. M-410016-0004 (which does not consist of repairing the streets, drainage or lighting in the Westridge/ Braise Terrace subdivision) has been paused pending the outcome of your meetings with Director of Public Works and Mayor Turner; 4. That the improvements will include both Westridge and Braes Terrace (not just Westridge) as the project was originally created for; and 5. That once the original CIP No. M-410016-0001 is reinstated, the Westridge/Braes Terrace improvements will take place in no later than 2024. When communicating with Director Haddock and Mayor Turner, please convey to them that there is no benefit in delaying the inevitable as the neighborhood continues to develop (in terms of new builds) and the streets keep getting worse - as you can see in this two-minute Youtube video. And as property taxes continue to rise, the expectations of the residents regarding safe roadways, sidewalks and lighting will only increase and their voices will only get louder, such as the press coverage on this issue as seen here. Last but not least, thank you for your efforts in pushing for the improvements that the City had funded and approved as far back as 2010, and for your statements in this Youtube video. Please respond with answers to our questions, not just a “we’re working on it” email, which does not allay our fear that we will once again be forgotten. Kind Regards, Carol & Lynn Bernard 3302 Cloverdale St.

cfitzbernard asked over 1 year ago

We heard you! We are pleased to deliver the paving and drainage improvements for your neighborhood. The Improvement project will include three phase. The first phase will be the drainage rehabilitation and the street improvements will subsequently be constructed in phases two and three (subprojects) and will include the following:

• Remove and replace all curb + gutter and driveway aprons
• Remove and replace inlets and leads (as needed) with better roadway grade
• New sidewalks on both sides of streets
• New streetlight system and poles
• New concrete pavement

For timeline and project details, click the link below. Thank you!

https://www.engagehouston.org/21328/widgets/69652/documents/48766

Page last updated: 30 May 2025, 10:02 AM

Westridge & Braes Terrace Drainage Improvements

Is there anything you want us to know?

Please provide a status update on this project. The last we heard was that construction would begin in July. That is three weeks away and we have not had further community updates.

Please advise as to the anticipated timing for storm trunk line rehabilitation construction. We have not heard anything on this project in months.

What is the status of phases 2 and 3, which still are not referenced in the official project timeline, budget or details? What assurances do we have that you are moving forward with phases 2 and 3? The design for phase 2 was supposed to commence this summer. Is that moving forward? Please confirm.

When can we expect to see updates on the progress of this project, specifically the construction of the drainage trunk, as well as the design for subproject 1?

I still only see phase one outlined on the official project website. How and when will the total scope of this project be officially noted in this CIP, to ensure the work promised to Westridge residents actually gets budgeted and completed?

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