Westchase District and the City of Houston created the 380 Area Agreement to support the District’s ambitious Long-Range Plan and provide a clear path forward. The initial 10-year agreement was passed by a unanimous vote of the Houston City Council in late 2013 and renewed for an additional 10-year term in November 2023. The agreement supports construction of City-approved and City-owned infrastructure projects with local tax dollars. By any measure the first ten years of Westchase District’s 380 agreement have been an unqualified success.
Trails
The Brays Bayou Connector Trail and the HCC Campus Trail were completed, allowing walkers and cyclists to connect from the existing Library Loop Trail to a 4-mile network of trails that can take them all the way to Art Storey Park. Along the beautifully landscaped trails, you’ll find exercise stations, emergency phones and informational spikes that detail the history and ecology of the area. There is also a self-help bike repair station, murals and other one-of-a-kind art created by local artists.
Wilcrest Access Improvements & Landscaping
Intersection improvements on Wilcrest immediately north of Westheimer have resulted in better traffic flow in that area. Median openings were rebuilt to align with existing driveway openings to ensure smoother, safer traffic to and from the businesses on Wilcrest. Crews also installed special paving in the medians to deter pedestrian traffic in the roadway. This project marked the first time that Westchase District has made improvements outside the District’s boundaries, as allowed by the 380 program. Sixteen medians on Wilcrest between Westheimer and Lakeside Place received enhanced landscaping, featuring Mexican Sycamore trees, Drift Roses, Asian Jasmine, Foxtail Fern, Red Yucca, Variegated Flax Lily and Dwarf Bottlebrush, accented by river rocks and moss boulders.
WOODCHASE PARK
Woodchase Park features a children’s play area, dog park, water-misting feature, community garden, restrooms, fitness space, multipurpose pavilion and large activity lawn. Park guests can enjoy the book cart, games cart and Imagination Playground daily. Woodchase Park is maintained, staffed and programmed by Westchase District personnel, who plan hundreds of free events at the park each year. Seasonal activities include boot camp, Zumba, tai chi and chess club. Special holiday events celebrate Spring Break, Halloween and Christmas. Since its opening, Woodchase Park has hosted more than 25,000 visitors each year.
Pedestrian Paths & Bike Lanes
The 2.25-mile CityWest/Deerwood Path and the 1.25-mile Elmside/Woodchase Path offer enhanced conditions for cyclists and pedestrians in Westchase District. Cyclists can connect to the Terry Hershey Trail via a dedicated two-way bike lane on Deerwood Drive. Pedestrians can also move about safely via 8-foot sidewalks along CityWest Blvd. The project included a complete repaving of Deerwood Drive to eliminate water ponding along that heavily-traveled street. Meanwhile, continuous sidewalks and improved landscaping are the centerpiece of the Elmside/Woodchase Path, which also features seat walls, bike racks, colorful crosswalks, pedestrian lighting, additional shade trees and a pedestrian-activated traffic signal at Richmond and Elmside.
WALNUT BEND LANE RECONSTRUCTION
Nowhere is the dramatic transformation of Westchase District under the 380 agreement more visible than on Walnut Bend Lane. The roadway has been completely rebuilt with new underground utilities and drainage to mitigate future flooding. Improved features for pedestrians and cyclists include custom bus shelters, pedestrian lighting, dedicated bike lanes and improved sidewalks. Meanwhile, motorists will appreciate the clearly-marked lanes, on-street parking and traffic signal mast arms, which have replaced the unattractive and unreliable span wires. Property values along Walnut Bend Lane have increased 40%, compared to a 21% increase for all other properties in Westchase District during that same time frame.
WESTHEIMER STREETSCAPE
The $16-million Westheimer Streetscape project added ADA-enabled hardscapes, curb ramps and signals at each of the major intersections along Westheimer between Westerland and Kirkwood. Custom transit stops have also been installed, featuring LED lighting, special paving, trash cans and upgraded signage, along with seat blocks made of a concrete blend with a glossy finish. All transit stops on Westheimer have been rebuilt with 9-inch curbs, which will speed up boarding times — and minimize traffic delays behind the bus — because buses won’t have to “kneel” at the transit stops. All traffic signals are being upgraded from span wires to mast arms. Pedestrian lighting and enhanced landscaping will complete the look.
CAMDEN PARK
Construction is underway on Camden Park, a 3.4-acre park on Wilcrest Drive, which will feature an activity lawn with multi-purpose pavilion for concerts and cultural performances, sprawling children’s playground with rolling hills, play structures and water features and a fenced dog park with turf-covered mounds, tunnels and separate spaces for small and large dogs. Family-friendly dining will be available seven days a week from Sunday Press. Indoor seating will be available in addition to a rooftop terrace where guests may enjoy their meals. The park will offer an outdoor reading room with complimentary books, exercise stations and restrooms. Hundreds of year-round free events will focus on fitness, education, arts and culture.
MEADOWGLEN LANE REBUILD
Improvements to Meadowglen Lane (west of Beltway 8) represent the last of the projects that were part of the original 10-year 380 agreement with the City of Houston. It is anticipated that construction will begin in late 2024. The newly-improved roadway will be rebuilt similarly to Walnut Bend with one travel lane in each direction and three lanes at the intersections (Rogerdale, Walnut Bend, Wilcrest, Hayes and Woodland Park) to accommodate turning movements. New traffic signals will be added at Meadowglen and Hayes and all the existing signals will be upgraded. Two key differences between Meadowglen and Walnut Bend are that there will be no on-street parking on Meadowglen and the bike lanes on Meadowglen will be separated from the driving lanes and the sidewalks by a physical buffer.