About $128.4 million in infrastructure improvement projects was approved for the Memorial Heights Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone by Houston City Council after it passed the zone’s capital improvement plan budget for fiscal years 2026-2030 on Dec. 3.

The big picture

The Memorial Heights TIRZ spans about 1,456 acres, covering the Greater Memorial Heights and lower White Oak Bayou recreational corridors, according to Dec. 3 Houston City Council meeting documents. Projects in the FY 2026-30 capital improvement plan budget include:
  • $45 million in roadway and drainage improvements along Shepherd-Durham Drive and its cross streets
  • $27.8 million for reconstruction along 19th Street
  • $24 million for the North Canal Project
  • $1.3 million in Little Thicket Park upgraded
  • New pedestrian bridges and safety improvements
  • New hike and bike trails
“[The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority is] doing a lot of infrastructure investments in the neighborhoods themselves,” council member Abbie Kamin said during the meeting. “So, [I] really want to lift up the work they're doing because it is making a very visible and important difference for the district.”

On Dec. 3, City Council also approved the FY 2026-27 operating budget for the Memorial-Heights Redevelopment Authority that includes $32.4 million for projects, according to meeting documents.

Zooming in


The Shepherd-Durham Drive project will run along the roadway—from its intersection with 15th Street until its intersection with 610 Loop North and from 15th street to I-10—according to meeting documents. The project will include adding:
  • Bike lanes
  • Storm water drainage systems
  • Curbs and gutters
  • Sidewalks
  • Street lights
  • Landscape improvements
The 19th Street rebuild will impact the roadway between the roadway's intersection with Nicholson and 20th Street, and funding will begin in 2027, according to meeting documents. The project’s scope includes:
  • Rebuilding the roadway
  • Adding a storm water drainage system
  • Installing curbs and gutters
  • Building new sidewalks
  • Adding street lights
  • Installing landscaping
In case you missed it

Houston City Council approved a $109 million capital improvement projects budget for the Memorial Heights TIRZ for fiscal years 2025-29 during a March 26 City Council meeting, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Of the $109 million, $23.6 million focuses on the second phase of the Shepherd-Durham reconstruction project.