The Midtown Redevelopment Authority (MRA) completed work on $150,000 of landscaping improvements adjacent to the Brazos Street Bridge, which faces Bagby Street at the end of Spur 527. Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin contributed $25,000 from her council district service fund to the project, and the Courtlandt Place Civic Association provided another $25,000. The MRA picked up the remainder of the costs and managed the design and construction.
The active involvement of the Courtlandt Place Civic Association and Council Member Kamin was pivotal in bringing the vision to fruition. Their dedication and advocacy reflect the spirit of community engagement that drives progress in Midtown Houston.
The scope of work included the demolition of concrete paving, pressure washing the bridge wall, new trees and shrubs, ground cover, soil, mulch, and irrigation. Beyond the aesthetic upgrades, the Brazos Street Bridge landscaping project provides significant environmental benefits. Adding trees and shrubs helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, reducing heat absorption and enhancing overall comfort for pedestrians and motorists alike. This multifaceted approach underscores MRA's commitment to aesthetics and functionality, which it prioritizes in all its improvement projects.
This project is the latest in a string of improvements to the area surrounding the Brazos Street Bridge. In 2019, the bridge underwent reconstruction by the City of Houston. The new bridge surface and reinforced steel structure will last another 50 years. The project also brought intersection improvements to Smith, Bagby, Elgin, and Holman streets—previously designated as among the 12 most dangerous intersections for bicyclists and pedestrians. The result is safer, functional and aesthetically pleasing public infrastructure in this area that commuters use daily to travel from the Southwest Freeway into Midtown and points farther east in downtown Houston.
The reconstruction of Brazos Street through the heart of Midtown is yet to come. MRA will also lead and finance this project. Public input will help drive the decisions on design features, ensuring the project aligns with the community’s evolving needs. Construction is scheduled to get underway in late 2025.
The completion of the Brazos Street Bridge landscaping project and the other Brazos Street improvements on the horizon show MRA’s ongoing commitment to building an urban environment with mobility and pedestrian enhancements that increase safety, improve transit, and enrich the quality of life for those who work, live, and play in the area.