More than $30 million in funding toward several infrastructure projects aimed at flood protection across western Harris County Precinct 4 were awarded and will move forward in 2026, Commissioner Lesley Briones announced during a Jan. 7 news conference.

“Infrastructure is critical to our safety, to our quality of life,” Briones said. "I hope that together in unity, we can keep coming together to get things done, because that is the spirit of Houston and Harris County.”

The details

Projects announced span throughout Alief, Sharpstown, Westchase and surrounding neighborhoods and include:

  • Reconstructing nearly 4 miles of local streets and adding two new detention ponds in Alief
  • Constructing sidewalks and roadways as well as upgrading stormwater sewer drainage in the Westchase District
  • Improving mobility with a shared-use path linking Beechnut Street to Brays Bayou in the Sharpstown area
  • Linking schools and parks to Brays Bayou Greenway
More than $250 million in projects are part of the Places 4 People project listings, according to Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones’ website which show infrastructure initiatives stemming from 2023. (Courtesy Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones Office)
More than $250 million in projects are part of the total Places 4 People project listings, according to Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones’ website, which shows infrastructure initiatives stemming from 2023. (Courtesy Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones Office)

Breaking it down

The seven infrastructure projects across Precinct 4 were developed in partnership with the city of Houston, Westchase District, Houston Parks Board and the Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 20, according to a news release. The projects prioritize public safety, flood mitigation, enhanced connectivity and improved park access as part of the next phase stemming from the Places 4 People initiative, which launched in 2023.



The $30-plus million funding breakdown, according to a news release, is divided by several entities:

  • $10.9 million from Harris County Precinct 4
  • $22.6 million from the city of Houston, Houston Parks Board, Westchase District and Southwest Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 20

“This is an area where over 70 properties have repetitive loss, an area where 94 structures that we know of flooded during Hurricane Harvey,” Briones said. “This is a transformative $26.5 million investment with a substantial portion from the city of Houston.”

The completion of partnership agreements between local agencies is set for June, with project start dates estimated for the fall, according to the county project’s website.

Digging deeper

The $33.5 million investment marks the latest round of city and county partnership funding projects targeted toward public safety, flood mitigation and community infrastructure connectivity.



Houston Mayor John Whitmire and several other local officials spoke at a news conference in Alief at the former David M. Henington Regional Library, a site earmarked by Houston Public Works as a stormwater detention pond, according to county officials.

“We all know there are many other communities that need these services,” Whitmire said. “And let me just safely say that if we had not come together, we would not be here today.”

Houston Mayor John Whitmire spoke at a Harris County Precinct 4 news conference in Alief on Jan. 7 at the former David M. Henington Regional Library that is now earmarked by Houston Public Works as a stormwater detention pond, according to county officials. (Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)
Houston Mayor John Whitmire spoke at a Harris County Precinct 4 news conference in Alief on Jan. 7 at the former David M. Henington Regional Library that is now earmarked by Houston Public Works as a stormwater detention pond, according to county officials. (Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)

More project details are listed on the county webpage for Precinct 4 infrastructure projects.