In 2013, the Texas legislature passed a bill which limits Centerpoints liability for public use of its rights-of-way.

Thanks to the leadership of State Representative Jim Murphy, State Senator Rodney Ellis the bill passed with broad, bipartisan support. As of Summer 2013, CenterPoint and the City of Houston began negotiations for an agreement whereby Houston's citizens will be able to utilize paths and greenways along CenterPoint's rights-of-way. The project outlined herein is meant to help facilitate that discussion. The proposed project is a visioning exercise only and not a firm plan. Many details have yet to be considered. The creation of this project has been a collaboration of SWA Group, Memorial Park Conservancy, the Morgan Group, and Michael Skelly.

Utility Corridor Project AUGUST 2013 SWA Group 1245 West 18th Street Houston, TX 77008 713-868-1676

THE UTILITY CORRIDOR PROJECT

The Utility Corridor Project proposes to create a valuable pedestrian and bicyclefriendly trail along the utility easement running through Memorial Park. This trail would connect Houstons largest green space with areas south of Buffalo Bayou and would become a vital addition to Houstons north-south urban trails, linking residential, commercial and public park destinations. The Project will provide dynamic new venues for bicyclists, athletes, nature enthusiasts and casual recreationalists while also stimulating economic activity in the trails adjacent urban areas. This, along with the roughly 300 miles of pathways proposed by the Bayou Greenways Initiative, will help elevate Houston to one of the top quality of place cities in the nation. This document presents precedent projects where similar trails have proved successful as well as a beginning vision for a possible phase 1 which leverages desirable destinations and creates important green passageway.

URBAN TRAIL PRECEDENT: KATY TRAIL, DALLAS

URBAN TRAIL PRECEDENT : METROPOLITAN BRANCH TRAIL, D.C.

URBAN TRAIL PRECEDENT : MIDTOWN GREENWAY TRAIL, MINNEAPOLIS

URBAN TRAIL PRECEDENT : LA RIVER, LOS ANGELES

BIG IDEA

CORRIDOR OF INTEREST

The Utility Corridor Project will connect Memorial Park - Houstons largest green space - with the greater city fabric by significantly contributing to a network of pedestrian and bicycle friendly urban trails. The project will afford a dynamic new venue for bikers, athletes, nature enthusiasts and casual recreationalists while also stimulating economic activity in the trails adjacent urban areas. Phase 1 begins by building upon the success of urban trails like those along Buffalo Bayou, connecting the existing east-west greenway system to a new north-south trail that includes Memorial Park. This new trail will add a public component to a strip of land dedicated to urban infrastructure. There are three vibrant and distinct spaces in Phase 1: an Urban Connection, a Linear Park, and a Nature Bridge.

UTILITY CORRIDOR

PHASE 1

ON AND OFF STREET BIKE WAYS

North

CORRIDOR TYPOLOGIES - PHASE 1

W E S THE I M E R
North

WHAT CAN THIS CORRIDOR BECOME?

M E M O R I A L

S A N F E L I P E

GREEN RESOURCE COMMUNITY ACTIVE URBAN PRAIRIE RECREATION

ADVENTURE

INTER-CONNECTED CITY LIFE URBAN PLAZA MULTI-MODAL

TREKKING

PA R K

DESTINATION

urban connection

linear park

nature bridge

.35 MILES / 1,830 FEET

UTILITY CORRIDOR

.55MILES / 2,881 FEET

.23 MILES / 1,220 FEET

TRAIL SCENARIOS
North

WHO USES THE CORRIDOR?

I use the corridor to bike to Memorial Park!

Urban trails serve a diversity of public needs. They are an amenity to any neighborhood and provide a more appealing passageway to destinations than busy city streets.

I use the corridor to go shopping and get to work!

I use the corridor to take walks and run errands!

San Felipe

Potential Utilty Corri dor Trail

We use the corridor to go on family outings!

Westheimer

TYPICAL SECTIONS
WESTHEIMER

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?

SAN FELIPE MEMORIAL
SECTION B-B 0 10 25

URBAN CONNECTION - SECTION A-A

SECTION A-A

PARKING

+ 15 TRAIL

HCFCD ROW

RAILROAD ROW

PARK
50

LINEAR PARK - SECTION B-B

E. BRIAR HOLLOW LN

+ 30 TRAIL

HCFCD ROW

RAILROAD ROW
0 10 25 50

URBAN CONNECTION - WESTHEIMER TO SAN FELIPE

EXISTING CONDITION

HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE THE UTILITY CORRIDOR?

LINEAR PARK - SAN FELIPE TO MEMORIAL PARK

EXISTING CONDITION

LINEAR PARKS THROUGH HOUSTON.

NATURE BRIDGE - MEMORIAL PARK

EXISTING CONDITION

PATHWAY TO NATURE