Westchase has a long wish list of public improvements, and now it has a way to fulfill them. Under a 380 agreement with the City of Houston, the district will get millions from property tax growth revenue for city-approved infrastructure projects. Hear more about the agreement and how it will dramatically impact the area's streetscapes at Bisnow's The Future of Westchase event Oct. 26.
This fall, the Westchase District received its first check for $1.2M to spend on improvement projects. At the top of the list is a strategy to convert three key streets into more attractive and functional places.
"The wisest use of these initial dollars is in strategic improvements to Meadowglen Lane, Walnut Bend Lane and Westheimer Road, transforming them into signature streets that will support and encourage dense mixed-use development,” said Westchase District general manager Jim Murphy.
Leading the transformation effort will be civil engineering firm Binkley & Barfield and urban design and community planning firm Design Workshop. The two companies are tasked with developing master plans for each corridor.
The improved streetscape projects will be complemented by two new parks. Last week, the Houston City Council voted to purchase two plots of land in the Westchase District for $3.6M and develop them into city parks. One 3.4-acre parcel is on Wilcrest Drive just north of Richmond Avenue and the District's Library Loop Trail. The other 1.8-acre parcel is on Woodchase Drive just north of the Westpark Tollway.
"This is a huge step forward in realizing a dream of ours to have not just one, but two public parks in Westchase District," Jim tells us. "Once the land is secured, we'll be spending millions in funds from our 380 Area Agreement with the city to equip these parklands with quality amenities for all to enjoy." He expects both parks to be completed within two years.
Learn more about the improvements to the district and committed leadership behind it on Oct. 26 at Bisnow's The Future of Westchase.
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