“The Bagby Street Improvement in Downtown Houston sets the tone for 21st century multimodal infrastructure while stitching together civic uses along a beautiful corridor for people of all ages and abilities. It is transformational, to say the least.”
– Luis Guarjardo, AICP and the APA Houston Board of Directors 2022-2023
The Bagby Street Improvements Project brings a complete renovation and transformation of one of Houston’s most important cultural and civic corridors. As the western gateway to downtown, Bagby Street is home to City Hall, the Central Library, major theater and entertainment venues, hotels, and some of Houston’s most significant urban parks.
Utilizing the principles of Complete Streets, the proposed improvements redefine mobility opportunities while providing a unifying design language that binds a diverse collection of architecture and open space. By reducing the number of traffic lanes, the corridor will accommodate wider sidewalks, enhanced street tree plantings, site furnishings, and an off-street, two-lane cycle track that links to adjacent communities. Likewise, an expanded pedestrian realm will enhance the street’s functional role for civic and cultural events.
Walks and bike lanes with enhanced street lighting provide a safe, durable, and iconic atmosphere for the corridor. Innovative suspended paving and structural soil systems are utilized extensively to protect existing live oaks and ensure the long-term health of new street tree plantings.
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