Livable Center Study examines redevelopment, connectivity options in Spring

However, she said the 52-acre parcel at Kuykendahl Road—which houses some existing apartments—would be ideal for a mix of residential and retail redevelopment. The plan showed retail in the southeast corner of the property, with a hidden parking garage and a park at its center and a mix of residential developments, including townhomes, on the northern edge.

Both plans called for denser, more urban environments with sidewalks, landscaping and 80-foot and 120-foot roadways that would be pedestrian-friendly. Hempel said the study's vision for FM 1960, also known as Cypress Creek Parkway, could make use of Houston's transit corridor ordinance that allows developers to bring buildings closer to the streets, but requires them to provide 15 feet of pedestrian space.

"It gets into a more pedestrian environment and you support the same amount of cars, but it's just built a better way," she said. "It's a more urban form [of development]."

Although the redevelopment options were long-term goals, the plan also provided for more easily attainable improvements, such as pathways and parks. Dayton Crites, landscape architect for Design Workshop, said the study found possible trail options along either a drainage channel in the middle of the service area or Ella Boulevard.

Crites said the path along the drainage area would be preferred, as it could help connect Ponderosa Elementary School to the Cypress Creek Greenway.

Three park locations were also presented as part of the study, which included a longer, linear park using existing right-of-way along Ella Boulevard. Hempel said the parks and pathways were medium-term goals that could be achieved in one –to –three years.

However, the creation of design guidelines is a "low-hanging fruit" that could be addressed far sooner, she said. The design guidelines could not be mandatory without the creation of an architectural review board, but they could encourage developers to consider landscaping, lighting, signage, faade materials and building height among other variables.

Barbara Thomason, president of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber could use the design standards to help improve the community. Thomason said the creation of an architectural review board could also be a possibility for the region in the future.

"I've wanted that for a long time, but we never had this expertise," Thomason said.

A group of local stakeholders will hold one final meeting Sept. 10 to consider the recommendations before a final report is posted on H-GAC's website sometime this fall, Hempel said. H-GAC could place some recommended projects on their long-term transportation plans to be considered for federal funding. However, she said it is up to the community to follow through with the study and see many of the pieces to fruition.

"It's up to the community partners to carry the torch for the projects and we feel like there are some great partners who can carry this thing forward," Hempel said.

There are other funding opportunities as well, Crites said, including the Highway and Safety Improvement Program and Transportation Alternative Program through the Texas Department of Transportation. Although it may take a developer who is willing to improve the area to make some of the redevelopment plans a reality.

Thomason said there have been conversations with developers about the redevelopment of the area in the past, but the final report from the Livable Center Study should encourage more of those discussions.

"We'll have to have a compelling message to get their attention the most compelling message we'll have will be this report," Thomason said.

For more information or to provide feedback to the study, visit cypresscreek.mindmixer.com.