This is your chance to learn about the new Midtown Parking Benefit District (PBD) and the exciting projects it has in store for those who live, work, and play in Midtown Houston.
Houston City Council designated Midtown Houston as the city’s third PBD late last year, following earlier approvals for the Museum District and Washington Avenue corridor. PBD designation provides tools to help manage traffic and on-street parking while at the same time generating dollars for public improvements.
How does it work?
The city returns sixty percent of the net revenue from parking meters and permits in the PBD to the Midtown Management District (MMD) to reinvest in the neighborhood. Approximately a quarter of a million dollars will flow to Midtown from parking collections in 2021 and 2022, with more dollars coming in future years
Sidewalk improvements, amenities for cyclists – such as more bike racks, bike lanes, and bike share stations – landscaping, pedestrian enhancements, and public art are possible options for the money. Safety and accessibility will be top of mind for all spending decisions. MMD will manage all the improvement projects.
Residents can park for free
An interesting aspect of the PBD is that it allows some residents to purchase permits to park at meters after 6 p.m. for free. It is a small perk that helps ensure residents will still have access to on-street parking for them and their guests.
The responsibility for ensuring all plans align with the community’s needs rests with a five-member advisory committee. The interlocal agreement with the City of Houston dictates committee members must be representatives from local businesses and Midtown residents. In keeping with those requirements, the inaugural committee members are James Llamas, a Midtown resident and Vice Chair of the Midtown Management District; Maggie Segrich and Scarlett Yarborough, Midtown business owners; Scott Irby, an agent for a Midtown commercial property owner; and Cynthia Aceves Lewis, an appointee of the Midtown Super Neighborhood and a residential property owner.
The advisory committee meets in the first-floor conference room at 410 Pierce St., and every meeting is open to the public, so do not hesitate to attend and contribute to the discussion. Visit the Midtown Houston events calendar to find upcoming meeting dates.
Parking permit applications are available at houstontx.gov/parking. To dig deeper into the details of the PBD, check out the official document available here. And do not forget to return here frequently for more exciting developments we are working on to make Midtown Houston the safest and most attractive area in Houston for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.