A hallmark of every M2L Associates project is strong and rich stakeholder collaboration and public input to move the project from imagination and renderings to execution and user satisfaction. Thanks to successful in-person feedback and continuing dialogue, a proposed corridor project along Old Spanish Trail between Calhoun and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at MacGregor Park is one step closer to successful completion.
M2L provided landscape concept boards in collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) at an April 13 open house at the Houston Texans YMCA — soliciting public input for proposed medians as part of a larger TxDOT project. The segment of US 90A from east of Griggs Road to Spur 5 is part of a larger effort to reconstruct US 90A, according to TxDOT. The proposed project includes improvements to roadway and pedestrian features consisting of road, sidewalk and driveway reconstruction, upgrading intersection signals and signage, and drainage improvements.
M2L is representing the OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority (Tax Increment Redevelopment Zone #7), a funding and development arm that promotes growth and community development projects to attract private investment along Almeda, Old Spanish Trail, the Griggs Corridor and the Upper Third Ward area. M2L has worked extensively throughout the community within the redevelopment zone, including a recent master plan for the historic MacGregor Park, which is adjacent to the corridor project. The Houston Parks Board is leading the effort to redevelop MacGregor Park along with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
The roadway segment from Calhoun Road and Martin Luther King Boulevard is proposed to include the addition of raised landscape medians along MacGregor Park. The project will improve the landscape character of the corridor, support future MacGregor Park entrances, provide safe access to the park from the communities south of Old Spanish Trail, and improve corridor traffic mobility.
“Strong community engagement produces rich dialogue that allows us to hear firsthand how the communities served by the design proposals can benefit from the improvements,” said M2L Principal Michael Mauer, lead landscape architect for the project. “M2L becomes an ally and advocate for all stakeholders, ensuring barriers to successful completion are understood and overcome. We showed neighbors, businesses and potential park users concept boards and detailed plans for right-of-way enhancements, giving them an opportunity to be involved in the design process.”
The presentation is available to view and provide feedback; click here for Spanish and English versions.