August 2024 UPDATE: BID PROCESS
BID Closed November 3, 2023: The Greater Northside Management District – Quitman Project Bid released to the Houston Business Journal. Sealed proposals will be received through CivCast, no later than 2pm on December 13, 2023.
March 10, 2023: The Greater Northside Management District – Quitman Project Bid released to the Houston Business Journal. Sealed proposals will be received through CivCast, no later than 2pm on April 17, 2023. Bids were not accepted Summer 2023. The Quitman Street Project needs to be rebid. We are in the process of value engineering to prepare the infrastructure project for rebidding.
February 2024: Project Update Presentation with HISD
January 2024: Project Update Presentation Near Northside Super Neighborhood 51
January 2024: Updated Community Engagement Flyer
December 2023: Project Flyers and Signs Distributed
November 2023: Quitman 100% Final Design Stamp (Approved: 11.23)
October 2023: Quitman 100% Final Design Plans Submittal (Approved: 10.23)
November 2022: Quitman 100% Final Design Plans Submittal (Approved: 1.23)
June 2022: Quitman Third Design Submittal Draft Plans
April 2022 and Ongoing: Quitman Design Concept Survey
March 2022 and Ongoing: Project Flyers Distributed Along with Signs
February 2022: Quitman Second Design Submittal Draft Plans
January 2022: Quitman First Design Submittal Draft Plans
- 2017: Houston Bike Plan Quitman corridor was included in the final short and long-term plan for Houston that was adopted by City Council.
- 2015: GNMD received the H-GAC 2015 TIP Call for Project Funding for the Quitman Pedestrian Enhancements Project
- The project entails the (re)construction of sidewalks and the installation of pedestrian amenities such as curb/gutter, ADA ramps, and lighting along 0.72 miles of Quitman Street, from South Street to Gano Street. The streetscape improvements along Quitman Street will enhance the sense of place and preserve the cultural fabric by augmenting the overall quality of the area.
- 2015: City of Houston Heights-Northside Sub-Regional Mobility Study
- Future Vision: Given the area context and projected volumes of the corridor, it is recommended it be reclassified as a Major Collector and the multi-modal classification identified as an Urban Street
- 2013: Greater Northside Management District (GNMD) Pedestrian/Transit Access Master Plan
- Pedestrian Level of Service (PLOS) Average Letter Grade of D from N. Main to Hardy Street. Recommendation to improve pedestrian infrastructure on corridors that have failing infrastructure. Install pedestrian-oriented lighting, ADA ramps and crosswalks, where needed.
- 2010: Northside Livable Center Study
- Identification and emphasis of the Quitman and Fulton Street area as the “heart” of Northside. Recommendation: Encourage pedestrian and streetscape improvements along main north-south and east-west streets as well as streets within close proximity of new transit stations
The Quitman St. Partnership Project includes pedestrian and bike improvements from Houston Ave to Elysian St. anticipated date of completion in late 2024/early 2025. The streetscape improvements along Quitman Street will enhance the sense of place and preserve the cultural fabric by augmenting the overall quality of the area. Over the past few years and multiple studies, Quitman was identified as the “heart” of the Northside and encouraged pedestrian and streetscape infrastructure improvement due to its Pedestrian Level of Service average letter grade of D throughout the corridor. GNMD received the 2015 Houston Galveston Area Council TIP Call for Project Funding for the Quitman Pedestrian Enhancements Project to install pedestrian-oriented lighting, ADA ramps and crosswalks where needed from South Street to Gano Street. After discussing the project with local partners, we discovered there were multiple parallel projects in planning/design along the Quitman corridor from METRO (Bike Lanes and Floating Bus Stops) and the City of Houston (Milling Overlay and Bike Lanes). Harris County Precinct 2 with Commissioner Garcia also showed interest in the project with additional funding for Pedestrian, Bikeway improvements and hardscape amenities. This led to the interlocal governmental partnership that enhances Quitman Street to a higher level of safety and comfort for all users from Houston Avenue to Elysian Street. The Quitman St. Partnership Project includes pedestrian and bike improvements from Houston Ave to Elysian St. It is a partnership among GNMD, Harris County Precinct. 2, METRO and the City of Houston. Public transit is essential to provide access to businesses, jobs and services. The project partnership and design will serve as a catalyst project that will improve connectivity within the area to businesses and neighborhoods as well as major commercial thoroughfares in the District. We support the economic development impact this project could have on the Greater Northside area, especially the possibility of providing increased connectivity, mobility, safety for all modes of transportation (Traffic, Pedestrian, and Bike Riders), Transit Oriented Development and METRO ridership.
WHO IS WORKING ON THE QUITMAN STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT?
The Quitman Street Project is a partnership between Greater Northside Management District, Harris County Precinct 2, METRO and the City of Houston that will bring about a higher level of safety and comfort for Quitman Street users from Houston Avenue to Elysian Street.In 2019, parallel projects were being planned and/or designed along the Quitman corridor, including METRO’s bike lanes and floating bus stops and the City of Houston’s milling overlay and bike lanes. At that time, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia became a partner and committed to providing additional funding for pedestrian and bikeway improvements and hardscape amenities.
Before Partnership: The Quitman Pedestrian-Transit Improvements Project is GNMD’s capital infrastructure project that included improvements to the pedestrian realm, such as ADA accessible sidewalks and ramps, landscaping and streetlights. The project extended along 0.72 miles of Quitman Street from South Street to Gano Street and is currently under preliminary design. GNMD received the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) 2015 Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) Call for Project Funding for the Quitman Pedestrian Enhancements Project. The Quitman Corridor history that assisted in the the H-GAC TIP Call for Projects.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENT BENEFITS?
Increased Connectivity & Mobility, Safety for all modes of transportation (Traffic, Pedestrian, and Bike Riders), Transit Oriented Development and Ridership & Economic Development
The streetscape improvements along Quitman Street will enhance the sense of place and preserve the area’s cultural fabric by improving safety and the quality of life for businesses, community members and visitors to the Greater Northside.
All modes of transportation improvements will occur, including right-of-way permits, newly built 6-foot sidewalks and solar pedestrian lighting. New landscaping and over 90 trees will beautify the Quitman corridor, which will provide shade and promote walkability in the area. The Quitman Corridor Streetscape Improvement Project will increase connectivity and mobility, provide safety for all modes of transportation (traffic, pedestrian and bike riders), Transit-Oriented Development and Ridership & Economic Development. Multiple studies over the past few years identified Quitman as the “heart” of the Northside. The studies encouraged pedestrian and streetscape infrastructure improvement due to its Pedestrian Level of Service average letter grade of D throughout the corridor. GNMD received the 2015 Houston Galveston Area Council TIP Call for Project Funding for the Quitman Pedestrian Enhancements Project to install much-needed pedestrian-oriented lighting, ADA ramps and crosswalks from South Street to Gano Street. Quitman corridor was included in the final short- and long-term plan for the Houston Bike Plan that was adopted in 2017 by City Council.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENT BENEFITS?
After the partnership agreement occurred with the following agencies, the budget includes:
Commissioner Adrian Garcia – Precinct 2 Pedestrian Improvements -$3,400,000
Greater Northside Management District – GNMD/Federal Transit Authority Grant – Pedestrian Improvements -$1,999,000
METRO – On-Street Bike Lanes – $365,000
City of Houston – On-Street Bike Lanes and Mill and Overlay Funding – $815,000
WHERE ARE THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAPPENING?
The Quitman Street Partnership Project between GNMD, Harris County Precinct. 2, METRO and the City of Houston includes pedestrian and bike improvements project limits from Houston Avenue to Elysian Street.
ARE YOU REMOVING DRIVING LANES FROM QUITMAN?
No, the Quitman Street Project does not include removing driving lanes. Quitman Street is a two-lane road and will remain a two-lane road. The Quitman Street Project will include bi-directional bike lanes.
IS ANY RIGHT-OF-WAY TAKING HAPPENING?
No right-of-way taking is happening along Quitman. Since the project will upgrade driveways along the corridor, the GNMD team has visited with each property owner to show the construction plans and how the driveways are being reconstructed.
