TEI led development of a new vision for Hillcroft Avenue, to improve safety for all users along the primary commercial corridor in the Gulfton neighborhood of Houston. This effort focused on defining implementable short- and long-term design changes to improve safety along Hillcroft Avenue between Bellaire Boulevard and High Star Drive/Westward Street.
download “Gulfton’s Main Street: A New Vision for Hillcroft Avenue” final report (82 mb PDF)
Spurred by the Mayor’s Safer Streets Initiative, the nonprofit Connect Community championed this project with Together for Safer Roads. TEI worked closely with Houston Public Works to define a new multimodal vision for the Hillcroft corridor. The City pledged funding and implementation is underway.
TEI completed a rigorous process of data analysis, led public engagement, and managed weekly involvement with a group of seven local high school students who were part of the Summer Safety Internship. This seven-week program recruited students who live in Gulfton and go to school and work near the study area to participate in the safety assessment and help develop recommendations.
These students participated in every phase of project development, from the first public meeting to the final presentation of recommendations to the City. They provided invaluable insight for the project team to help tailor recommendations to what the community really wanted and needed.
The plan identified three transformative projects for implementation within 1 to 3 years:
- redesign Hillcroft as Gulfton’s Main Street by reallocating space from cars to people with an enhanced pedestrian realm, optimized bus stops, beautification, and a new traffic signal;
- create High Star Community Plaza; and
- construct a 10’ shared use path along Westward to link new Hillcroft bikeways to Gulfton destinations.
TEI volunteers helped paint intersection mural
TEI team members joined community volunteers in September 2022 to help paint the new intersection mural and high-visibility crosswalks at Hillcroft and High Star.
(photo credit Up Art Studio)
Hillcroft intersection mural completed in 2022
The gorgeous new mural and high-visibility crosswalks for the intersection of Hillcroft Avenue and High Star Drive were completed in September 2022.
(photo credit Up Art Studio)
Summer Safety Internship
Seven local Gulfton area high school students completed a seven-week Summer Safety Internship. They participated in the safety assessment of Hillcroft Avenue, and helped develop recommendations.
Interns completed field work
The Gulfton-area students who completed the Summer Safety Internship helped complete field work along Hillcroft Avenue as part of the safety assessment.
Students brought local insights
High school students who live in Gulfton and go to school and work near the study area participated in the safety assessment and helped develop recommendations.
Gulfton community developed the preferred street cross section
Through public meetings and a community design forum, Gulfton area residents worked hands on to develop a preferred street cross section for Hillcroft Avenue.
New safer street cross section
This transformative plan will redesign Hillcroft Avenue as Gulfton’s Main Street by reallocating space from cars to people with an enhanced pedestrian realm, optimized bus stops, beautification, and a new traffic signal.
