Livable Centers Planning Studies

The study area is centrally located in Sugar Land, approximately five square miles bounded by Oyster Creek, First Colony Boulevard, Lexington Boulevard, and Williams Trace Boulevard. The study area contains two Regional Activity Centers, a Neighborhood Activity Center, and one Medium Density Mixed Use area. The intersection of U.S. 59 and State Highway 6 bisects the study area, which is the busiest and most congested intersection in the city. This intersection is a key crossing connecting the north and south portions of the central Sugar Land area and is one of the major barriers to connectivity.

The Alvin Livable Centers Study is 13.18 square miles and contains Alvin's historic downtown that includes the Alvin Senior Center, Alvin Historical Museum, City Hall, and the Chamber of Commerce. The boundary includes a community garden, seven city parks, the Tom Blakeney Jr. Hike and Bike Trail, numerous businesses, and residential neighborhoods. The study area is bordered by Shirley Street to the East, Dickinson Road to the North, Dilling Street to the Northwest, 2nd Street to the West, Lobitt Street to the North, Davis Bend Road (CR 179) to the Southwest and Stadium Drive to the South. 

The Airline Improvement District study provides recommendations for the Airline Drive corridor in Harris County. Local partners included the Harris County Community Services Department and the Airline Improvement District. Completed in 2011.

The City of Angleton Livable Centers Study provides recommendations for the downtown and county courthouse area in Angleton. Study was completed in 2021.

The Brays Oaks Livable Center Study will focus within the boundaries of the Brays Oak Management District (BOMD) which was established in 2005 for purposes of improving the quality of life for area residents, promoting opportunities for reinvestment, and reaffirming the community as one of the best in Houston to live, work, and play. The study was completed in 2022. 

The Cypress Creek Parkway study provides recommendations for the area near the intersection of Cypress Creek Parkway (FM 1960) and Kuykendahl Road in Harris County. Local partners included the Ponderosa Forest Utility District, the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, and the Cypress Creek Parkway Property Owner’s Association. Completed in 2014.

Cloverleaf is a community located in east Harris County just north of the Houston Ship Channel and situated within Harris County Precinct 2. The area is bounded by I-10 to the south, Beltway 8 to the east, Alderson Road to the north, and Evanston Road to the west. The Cloverleaf community was designated as target area by the U.S. Department of Housing. The study was completed in 2023.

The City of Clute was incorporated in 1952 and grew into a bedroom community of the petrochemical industrial complex centering on the Stratton Ridge salt dome. The study area is located in Brazoria County south of Lake Jackson and north of the City of Freeport. The area study area is bounded by TX-288/332 to the south, Lazy Lane and Main Street to the west, Railroad Drive/Old Angleton Road to the north-northwest, and South Brockman Road to the east. The study was completed in 2023.

The Downtown/EaDo study provides recommendations for the area bounded by Pease Street, St. Charles Street, Commerce Street, and Austin Street and includes such major destinations as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and Discovery Green in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Houston Downtown Management District and East Downtown Management District. Completed in 2011.

The East Aldine Livable Centers study provides recommendations for the East Aldine Management District roughly bounded by the Hardy Toll Road to the west, Beltway 8 to the north, Hirsch to the east and Langley Road to the south. The study area includes a 61 acre Town Center and Keith-Wiess Park which offers the largest recreational space in the region with an extensive trail system. Completed in 2021.

The East End study provides recommendations for a portion of the East End area of Houston, bounded by Harrisburg Boulevard, York Street, and Clinton Drive in the City of Houston. Greater East End Management District served as the local partner. Completed in 2009.

The Energy Corridor study provides recommendations for a portion of Energy Corridor near the Addicks Park and Ride Lot along SH-6 between Grisby Road and Park Row Drive and along both sides of I-10 from SH-6 to West Lake Boulevard, in the City of Houston. The Energy Corridor District served as the local partner. Completed in 2011.

The Fifth Ward/Buffalo Bayou/East End study provides recommendations for the area bounded by Capitol Street, York Street, Lyons Avenue, and Lockwood Drive in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the Fifth Ward CRC (TIRZ 18), and the Greater East End Management District. Completed in 2015.

The Fourth Ward study provides recommendations for the Fourth Ward area of Houston, bounded by Allen Parkway, Heiner Street, Dennis Street, and Taft Street in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority and the City of Houston. Completed in 2010.

The Fulshear Study provides recommendations for the City of Fulshear in Fort Bend County. Completed in 2018.

The Galveston study provides recommendations for the area between the Strand and the University of Texas Medical Branch, bounded by 14th Street and 19th Street in the City of Galveston. Local partners included the Galveston Housing Authority and the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership. Completed in 2012.

The Greater Eastwood Livable Centers Study provides recommendations for the Greater Eastwood area in East End District Houston. Study completed in 2020.

The Healthy Pasadena Livable Centers study area is focused on the medical cluster anchored by HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast, the leader of medical care in Pasadena for more than 59 years. The study area of approximately 600 acres is roughly bounded by Strawberry Road, Spencer Highway, Tulip Street and Fairmont Parkway. In addition to a high concentration of medical services, it is home to the largest concentration of senior citizens over the age of 65 in Pasadena. Study completed in 2023.

The Hempstead study provides recommendations for the Downtown Hempstead area in the City of Hempstead. Local partners included the City of Hempstead. Completed in 2012.

The Hobby Study provides recommendations for the neighborhoods surrounding the William P. Hobby Airport. Completed in 2017.

The Independence Heights-Northline study provides recommendations for the Independence Heights area west of I-45 and the Northline Commons area in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Greater Northside Management District, the Independence Heights Redevelopment Council and Northline Development. Completed in 2012.

The International Management District Study provides recommendations for the Alief area in southwest Houston. Local partners include the International Management District. Completed 2019.

The Kashmere Gardens Study provides recommendations for the area bound by I-610 to the north, I-10 to the south, Lockwood Drive to the east, and Jensen Drive to the west. Study partners included the Near Northside Management District and the City of Houston. Completed in 2017.

The League City Study provides recommendations for the Main Street corridor, generally bounded by Clear Creek, Reynolds Street, Walker Street, and SH-3 in the City of League City. Local partners included the City of League City. Completed in 2012.

The Midtown study provides recommendations for the area around the Ensemble/HCC light rail station in Midtown in the City of Houston. Local partners included the City of Houston. Completed in 2010.

The Mont Belvieu Study provides recommendations for the City of Mont Belvieu in Chambers County. Study completed 2018.

The Montrose Livable Centers Study provides recommendations for the Montrose TIRZ, which is bounded by W. Dallas to the north, Spur 27 to the east, IH 69/US 59 to the south and S. Shepherd Dr. to the west. Study was completed in 2021.

The Museum Park Study provides recommendations for the area south of Downtown and Midtown, north of the Texas Medical Center, and between Rice University and the Third Ward in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Museum Park Super Neighborhood, Houston Southeast (Greater Southeast Management District), and the City of Houston. Completed in 2016.

The NASA Area study provides recommendations for the commercial area of Nassau Bay, bounded to the north by NASA Parkway/NASA 1 Bypass in Harris County. Local partners included the NASA Area Management District and the City of Nassau Bay. Completed in 2012.

The Near Northwest study provides recommendations for the Antoine Corridor area in the City of Houston, bounded approximately by West Gulf Bank, Pinemont, TC Jester Boulevard, and Bingle Road. Local partners included the Near Northwest Management District. Completed in 2012.

The North Houston/Greenspoint Livable Centers Study provides recommendations for the North Houston Management District's northwest sector. Study completed in 2020.

The Northside study provides recommendations for the Northside area in the City of Houston, directly north of Downtown Houston, bounded approximately by 1-10, 1-45, Patton Street, and Elysian Street. Local partners included the Greater Northside Management District. Completed in 2010.

The study focus area is along Old Spanish Trail and Griggs Road from 288 to Texas Spur 5.  OST/Griggs Road Corridor provides a connection to the Texas Medical Center, is adjacent to several world-class universities, and hosts a METRO light rail route with plans for expansion. Additionally, the corridor runs parallel to Brays Bayou and includes a mixture of multi-family residential, restaurants, retail, employment opportunities, schools, the Palm Center Business and Technology Center, and MacGregor Park. This study was completed in 2022. 

The Pasadena Livable Centers study will provide recommendations for the area roughly bounded by Richey Avenue, Shaw Avenue, Red Bluff Road, and Southmore Avenue in the City of Pasadena in Harris County. Study completed in 2020.

The Prairie View Livable Centers Study area is 0.5 square miles and sits within the City’s Central Business District which hasn’t been developed on since the city’s inception in 1969. The boundaries of the study area are Sandra Bland Boulevard to the east, Texas Highway 290 to the south, Santee Street to the west, and Owens Road to the north. Prairie View is in Waller County, 50 miles northeast of downtown Houston. The study was completed in 2024.

The Rosenberg/90A study provides recommendations for the Avenue H/90A corridor in the City of Rosenberg. Local partners included the West Fort Bend Management District and the City of Rosenberg. Completed in 2015.

The Seabrook Livable Centers study provides recommendations that focus on Oldtown Seabrook District. This historic and charming area of Seabrook encourages a complementary mix of land uses perfect for small businesses and residents alike. Study was completed in 2021.

The City of South Houston is a community located in southeast Harris County south of Pasadena, 4 miles southeast of the 610 loop​. The study area is in Harris County Precinct 2 and consists of the 3.05 square miles that make up the City of South Houston. The area is bounded by Genoa St. and E Edgebrook Dr. to the south; Shaver St. to the east, Kolb Rd., Allen St., and Winkler Dr. to the north; and Caniff Rd. and East haven Blvd. to the west.​ Study completed in 2023.

The Spring Branch Study provides recommendations for the Long Point Road corridor in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Spring Branch Management District and the City of Houston.

The study area covers 25 square miles and is located south of Loop 610, bordered on the north by Main Street, to the south by McHard Road, to the east by Almeda Road, and the west by Fondren Road.  The area contains a mixture of land uses including residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, industrial establishments, and undeveloped land. Completed in 2022. 

The overall goal of the study is to create a Livable Centers plan for the Texas City study area that will promote pedestrian accessibility, increase access to transit, promote a range of quality housing options and increase opportunities for private investment. Completed in 2016.

The City of Tomball study provides recommendations for  a suburban residential mix along the FM 2920 commercial corridor in Tomball. Various educational and civic, as well the Tomball Regional Medical Center, are in proximity to the downtown focus area.  Completed in 2009.

The Upper Kirby study provides recommendations for the area bounded by Buffalo Speedway, W. Alabama, Greenbriar, and U.S. 59, in the City of Houston. Local partners included the Upper Kirby District. Completed in 2010.

The Waller study provides recommendations for the original Downtown Waller area in the City of Waller. Local partners included the Waller Economic Development Corporation and the City of Waller. Completed in 2009.

The Washington Avenue study provides recommendations for the Washington Avenue Corridor from Washington & Westcott to I-45 in the City of Houston. Local partners included the City of Houston, TIRZ 13, and Better Houston. Completed in 2013.

The Westchase Study provides recommendations for the eastern portion of the Westchase Management District in the City of Houston. Completed in 2018.