In December, 2023 the Montrose TIRZ finalized the plan for Phase 1, after years of public input.

In February, 2024 the Montrose TIRZ submitted this plan to the city: schematic for Phase 1 (scroll left to right).

Mayor Whitmire ignored it until October of 2024 when his administration radically altered the original plan, without any notice and input from the community: Whitmire’s cartree plan

At the October 21st, 2024 Montrose TIRZ meeting, this plan was widely rejected by the community and the board voted against it.

With 48 hours notice, the Montrose TIRZ called a special board meeting on November 1st, 2024 to present the cartree plan in more detail. More than 30 people showed up in person and 40 people online. The community overwhelmingly opposed the new plan. 60 people gave detailed, factual reasons in support of the original plan and why the new plan is deeply flawed. 4 members of the board ignored the community and voted to authorize work on it, at an additional cost of $400,000.

Drainage

The Montrose Blvd. Improvement Plan started in 2019 with an analysis of drainage for the area. The area is rapidly densifying, especially along the boulevard. The longer the project is delayed, the more it will cost to address drainage.

At the May, 2024 meeting, Gauge Engineering presented the results of the drainage study.

Montrose has yet to experience a 100-year flood event. Harvey was not as severe for Montrose as it was for other parts of Houston.

Montrose has the oldest drainage infrastructure inside Loop 610. Everything drains to Buffalo Bayou. The boulevard is the main conduit because it runs north - south and connects to so many streets which run east - west.

The existing drainage infrastructure is a 48” stormwater pipe and a single 24’ pipe. This is grossly insufficient for NOAA's updated data which shows Houston should expect 15-18 inches of rain during a 100-year event, not 12-14 inches previously estimated.

The current system will be replaced with 10’ x 10’ storm sewer boxes. The corridor will then meet the City’s new criteria for NOAA’s ATLAS 14 rainfall projections for the U.S. These estimates serve as the de-facto standards to design, build and operate stormwater infrastructure.

Safety Improvements

Montrose Boulevard has not been updated since the 1960’s.

It’s a dangerous street with so many crashes that it is part of Houston’s High Injury Network where 58% of crashes occur on 9% of our streets. In the last 3 years, more than 500 people were involved in crashes, at a cost of $10 million a year.

The average speed is 45 mph but the speed limit is 35 mph.

It’s not safe to walk and roll along the boulevard. It is difficult to cross it safely.

The plan includes a shared use path. Shared use paths allow for two moms with strollers walk side-by-side comfortably; shared use paths also allow for individuals with disabilities roll side by side.

The plan includes safe mid-block crossings between traffic lights which allows for kids to safely cross through a pedestrian signalized crossing.

After extensive study, the Montrose TIRZ determined the median at W. Clay should be closed and Toucan signals added for traffic calming and pedestrian safety.

Traffic calming does not increase traffic and it reduces crashes. 

Trees for Our Future

The Montrose TIRZ has examined every tree in Phase 1; many of them are not healthy. Trees directly underneath utility lines can never thrive; they’ve been badly trimmed by Centerpoint. Most of these trees grow in a space restricted by concrete and asphalt, without adequate soil volume to support the trees long term. The TIRZ has documented the condition of every tree in Phase 1. See Gauge Engineering’s presentation at the October, 2023 meeting.

The Montrose TIRZ’s plan for new trees (pages 3-22) is very detailed and specific. Twice as many trees will be planted. All mature trees in the medians will be protected. No mature trees in the medians will be removed. There is a maintenance plan to care for them for 4 years to help them thrive.

Community Supports the Original Plan

The original plan is detailed and thorough. The Montrose TIRZ held many meetings with the public over the last 4 years; many improvements were incorporated as a result.

Numerous community organizations support the original plan: