The reconstruction of West Alabama Street is moving toward its next major design milestone, despite residents and community advocates still asking the Montrose Redevelopment Authority to make changes they say would make the corridor safer for pedestrians.
The update
The $28.5 million project calls for the reconstruction of about 1.6 miles of West Alabama Street from Shepherd Drive to Spur 527. Plans include new pavement, sidewalks, drainage infrastructure, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and other improvements.
At an Aug. 17 meeting, project representatives shared that the updated topographic survey has been reviewed and comments were sent back to the surveyor, phase two of the environmental site assessment is in progress, a geotechnical report and environmental assessment are underway and the project remains on schedule to reach 75% design by this fall.
The environmental assessment will examine areas where soil could potentially be contaminated, including locations near former dry-cleaning businesses. The information will help determine how contaminated soil would need to be handled if it is found, project representatives said.
What they are saying
While the project has undergone changes based on public feedback, some residents and advocates said more changes are needed before the design advances.
Margo Fendrich, speaking on behalf of Friends of the Boulevard and a coalition of 76 organizations, said the group supports rebuilding West Alabama but wants additional pedestrian safety features.
She said the coalition had contacted hundreds of businesses and found that many were not aware of the project.
Among the group's requests are additional protected pedestrian crossings, pedestrian refuge islands, a raised crossing at Dunlavy Street and traffic-signal timing that prioritizes pedestrians.
"A project this consequential on a street on Houston’s high injury network deserves robust community input before it’s submitted, not after,” Fendrich said. “Before this design goes to the city, please meet with the coalition ... we are organized, we are constructive and we are ready.”
Also of note
The project team said it is continuing to incorporate feedback as the design progresses.
The 75% design is expected by the end of September, and the public comment period closed Aug. 25. Project representatives said responses to questions submitted during the comment period are expected to be posted online within about three weeks.
