A series of grants awarded to the Houston–Galveston Area Council by the Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide a $100,000 grant for study of the continued construction and implementation of the Cypress Creek Greenway project—an extensive trail system between Cypress and Little Cypress creeks.

There are six ongoing case studies in Houston's 13-county region as part of the "Regional Plan for Sustainable Development," according to Meredith Dang, H–GAC land use transportation coordinator.

"The case studies will include transferable recommendations that can serve as tools for local governments and implementing entities in the regions facing similar challenges," she said. "[This] case study could benefit Cypress Creek by examining in detail what steps are needed to implement the Bayou Greenway initiative along this corridor."

H–GAC's board awarded the contract to CDS Spillette Alliance—an urban consulting and market research group—and Marsh Darcy Partners—a real estate and planning firm—to prepare the study for the Houston Parks Board, which supports the development of Cypress Creek Greenway as a part of its Bayou Greenways Initiative.

"The Cypress Creek Greenway has the potential to provide connected green space in northwest Harris County, [which] can have multiple benefits," Dang said. "Providing options for residents in northwest Harris County to reach destinations by walking or bicycling along trails can also provide an alternative to driving in congestion."

According to HUD, the case study is required to provide more transportation options, promote affordable housing, enhance economic competition and support and increase values of surrounding communities. The study is expected to be complete by April 2013 and aims to prepare Cypress Creek for implementation.