Houston

A Freeway Rebellion Rises in the Unlikeliest of States: Texas
“There’s no train, there’s no bus, there’s no anything that supports mass transportation. It doesn’t exist.” -Houston resident Fabian Ramirez.

Cost Estimates Go up for Houston Freeway Project
The contentious reconfiguration of Interstate 45 is now estimated to cost $274 million more as the project faces community opposition and a federal investigation.

First Part of Houston 'Land Bridge' Opens to Public
The land bridge over Memorial Drive will return 100 acres of green space to the area and provide a safe, convenient connection for humans and wildlife between the two sides of Memorial Park.

Houston Creating 'Equity Indicators' Report
To better plan and track its progress toward equity, the city of Houston is creating a new system of equity indicators.

Houston Plans for More Bus Rapid Transit
The city's transit agency hopes a more comprehensive and connected rapid transit network will encourage more Houstonians to use buses.

Houston's First Bus Rapid Transit Line Sees Low Ridership
Hindered by the pandemic and other factors, ridership numbers have been disappointingly low on the city's first BRT, but Metro officials are undeterred in their plans for future BRT lines.

Houston Interstate Widening Continues To Threaten Communities
The proposed freeway expansion in downtown Houston has faced searing backlash from local residents who see the project as a relic of the era of rampant freeway construction and neighborhood disruption.

Freeway Intersection at the Heart of Intense Debate in Fort Bend County
The location of a proposed crossing in the fast-growing southwest Houston suburbs could have a significant impact on the area's development.

New Master-Planned Community Will Bring Thousands of Homes to Houston Suburbs
A 1,258-acre development is beginning construction near Fulshear, one of Houston's fastest-growing suburbs.

Houston Transit Barely Beats Out Dallas for Ridership
Out of the top five U.S. metro areas, Houston's transit ridership is second-lowest only to Dallas.

Houston Area's Center of Gravity Shifts Outside the Loop
The population center of Harris County is now outside central Houston, a shift that occurred over the last two decades as the region's suburbs blossomed.

Eminent Domain Questions Still Dog Texas Central High Speed Rail Plans
The Texas Attorney General took a break from its crusade against unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud to weigh in on a controversial question of property rights.

Replacing Houston's Missing Ghost Bikes
A Houston couple is asking for help installing 'ghost bike' memorials, a stark reminder of the dangers of unsafe roads to cyclists.

Big Developments Coming to Houston Next Year
Houston residents can anticipate a slew of projects that will transform some of the city's most iconic landmarks and create new centers for work and play.

Contentious Houston Freeway Widening Project Inches Forward
Federal officials have given TxDOT the go-ahead to resume work on a small portion of a controversial interstate widening project in downtown Houston.

Houston Could End Homelessness With Less Than 2,000 Housing Units
Houston's homeless response program has yielded strong results in the last few years. Just 1,900 new affordable housing units could 'effectively end' homelessness in the city.

Signs of Financial Distress Among Office Properties
The foreclosure risk facing a pair of high-profile office buildings highlight the debt difficulties facing the office sector as it deals with the fallout of the pandemic. The trend could be on the verge of picking up steam.

Houston's East River Redevelopment Threatens Historic Black Neighborhoods
Longtime residents are being left behind by new development that has raised housing costs and property taxes for some of Houston's most vulnerable communities, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle.

Houston Council Will Consider Stricter Apartment Inspection Process
The proposal would reform the inspection process to improve coordination between departments and institute a fine for landlords who don't make requested repairs.

Houston Needs More Public Transit Funding, Report Finds
While ridership dropped during the pandemic, many 'essential workers' continued to rely on Houston Metro's services, signaling the crucial role of public transit for the city's economy.
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