Primary Department: County Engineer
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV SP, County Engineer
Secondary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 2
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Adrian Garcia, Commissioner Precinct 2
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Award
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Houston-Galveston Area Council
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of the County Engineer for approval to accept from Houston-Galveston Area Council grant funds in the amount of $200,000, with a local match of $50,000 provided by Precinct 2, for the South Belt Livable Center Study and that the County Judge execute an interlocal agreement with Houston-Galveston Area Council to conduct the South Belt Livable Center Study.
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Background and Discussion:
The South Belt Livable Center Study was selected for federal grant funds in the amount of $200,000 with a local match of $50,000 through the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s (H-GAC) FY2025-28 Livable Centers Cycle 7 Call for Study Sponsors. H-GAC’s Transportation Policy Council approved the study recommendation in the October 25, 2024 Transportation Council Policy meeting. The project is in the South Belt area of Harris County, Precinct 2, with boundaries extending from Fuqua Road and I-45, down to Dixie Farm Road, and along the Harris County Precinct boundary with the City of Pearland. Blackhawk Blvd runs through the project area and is the focus of the livable centers study, which H-GAC will conduct. South Belt is an area of unincorporated Harris County characterized by mixed-use places which require increased multimodal travel options.
Expected Impact:
This study aims to enhance mobility, safety, and accessibility in the South Belt community by identifying multimodal transportation improvements, including sidewalks, bike routes, transit access, and ADA-compliant facilities. These enhancements will reduce vehicle dependency, improve air quality, and strengthen connections to jobs, schools, and services, particularly for residents with limited mobility or without access to a car. The project will also promote resilient infrastructure through environmentally conscious design and flood mitigation strategies, supporting long-term cost savings. Fiscal impacts will be addressed through coordination with regional partners.
Alternative Options:
Without a planning study, future improvements would lack the coordinated effort necessary for cost efficiency and alignment with county and regional goals.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: G: Expand and optimize multimodal transportation options.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): G1: Expand pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure on County-managed roads,
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N3: Promote increased physical activity of residents.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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07/15/24 |
186 |
Approval to submit South Belt Corridor (sic) Livable Centers Study |
Location:
Address (if applicable): Approximately 42 square miles in the South Belt area, encompassing I-45, south along Dixie Farm Road and north up to Fuqua Road, extended along the precinct border with the City of Pearland. Blackhawk Blvd runs through the middle of the proposed livable center location.
Precinct(s): Precinct 2
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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$200,000 |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/26/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Patrick Mandapaka, PhD, AICP, Sr. Director, Planning & Development Services, Office of the County Engineer
Attachments (if applicable): Court Order, Interlocal Agreement (includes budget, scope, and map)