Houston’s Gulfton Neighborhood to Transform with $1.2 Million Federal Investment in Transit-Oriented Development

Houston’s METRO has been granted a substantial investment to reshape the Gulfton neighborhood’s approach to public transportation and urban planning. The Federal Transit Administration is funneling $1.2 million into the area, with the focus on developing a transit-oriented hub that caters to the community’s high reliance on public transit systems, according to a

Houston Public Media

report.

A proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line is central to a plan aiming to provide a cost-effective alternative to light rail. The initiative brings together METRO, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire to attract public and private investment for Gulfton’s development. “This is an exciting step toward Gulfton’s revitalization,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, as per a

Metro Press release

.

The funding, from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Biden-Harris administration, aims to improve mobility, affordable housing, and infrastructure to withstand Houston’s heat and flooding. Briones emphasized the need for such efforts in a community where residents are five times more likely to use transit than the average Houstonian. She noted that the grant would amplify and accelerate Harris County Precinct 4’s work in the area, which has long-awaited investment.

The plan focuses on linking housing and transportation, moving away from car-centric models. Peter Eccles, policy director for LINK Houston, explained that the vision is for housing developments to offer access to vibrant streetscapes, not massive, hot parking lots. He supports a comprehensive approach that ensures growth in the area and maintains Gulfton’s affordability and spirit of opportunity, especially as the neighborhood serves as a starting point for many newcomers and new Americans.

METRO is focused on engaging the local community to shape the future of the Gulfton Corridor, with the grant covering planning, community engagement, area analysis, and strategy development. This will promote diverse transportation options and support economic growth. “I’ve seen change in how transportation is conceived of and approached,” Eccles said in a statement obtained by

Houston Public Media

.

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