HOUSTON — On Monday, Houston leaders said they will be able to finish building and connecting 150 miles of trails and 3,000 acres of greenspace along nine of the city’s major bayous and waterways.
Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis pledged $7.4 million from his office to finish the $220 million Bayou Greenways 2020 project.
“I think the county oughta put some skin in the game, so on behalf of Precinct One, I’m gonna commit $7.4 million to wrap this up,” said Commissioner Ellis to a standing ovation during a Monday afternoon press conference.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the project’s first $100 million in a 2012 bond election. Covering the remaining $120 million has been up to donors.
Beth White, President/CEO of Houston Parks Board, the nonprofit leading Bayou Greenways 2020, says Commissioner Ellis’ pledge puts them “over the top”.
“This is a very momentous day,” said White. “(This) will help us close out the campaign and really put a bow on Bayou Greenways 2020.”
White says Houstonians won’t have to wait long to see projects built.
“We will be 94 percent complete with 2020, and we’ll be under construction in 2021 to complete the rest,” White said.
The public-private effort connects nine major waterways and neighborhoods of different income levels.
“We wanna make sure no matter where you live, no matter how much money you make, it’s a big deal for everybody to have a linear park 1.5 miles from where they live,” said Commissioner Ellis.
Mayor Sylvester Turner said Houston’s mayor said the trails and greenspace will improve health, provide an alternative to Houston’s traffic-filled streets, and help mitigate flooding.
“They are one of the key strategies to making our city more resilient,” said Mayor Turner.
Harris County Commissioners still need to approve Commissioner Ellis’ $7.4 million pledge. That vote should happen during their February 25 meeting
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