June 2024

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Demographic Dashboards Feature Latest Census Data

Each year the Planning and Development Department pulls data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other agencies to develop and update citywide and regional demographic estimates, including the 11 Council Districts and 88 Super Neighborhoods. Demographic data includes, but is not limited to: population, housing, employment, income, and other socioeconomic characteristics.


Need a quick data snapshot of a Council District or a Super Neighborhood? You can access our newly released demographic dashboards to receive immediate information on population, housing, income, and other key statistics for a selected geographic area. 


Visit  https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Demographics/ to look up any data of interest, which are downloadable in .pdf or .xls or .xlsx format, unless indicated otherwise. These links are categorized into multiple tabs based on geographic type. 

Houston BCycle Operators Announce Decision to

Close Bike Share System Effective June 30

After 12 years of collaboration and support provided by the city of Houston, the Houston BCycle bike sharing system announced it will stop operating effective June 30, 2024. This will conclude the City’s contract with Houston Bike Share, the city’s operator of the bike share system. Though the program grew in popularity, it has been unable to sustain itself on fees and sponsorships alone.


Houston Bike Share and the BCycle program started in 2012 with three stations downtown and 18 bikes, which were funded by a grant from the Mayor's Office of Sustainability procured through the Environmental Protection Agency. Houston BCycle grew into the nation’s largest non-profit bike share program with more than 150 stations.


The system's subsequent expansion was a result of support from the city of Houston, funding from a federal Transportation Improvement Program grant, and support from Council District Service Funds, Harris County Precinct One and many other public and private partnerships.


Houston Bike Share previously announced plans to shut down in September 2023. However, Houston City Council’s approval of $500,000 enabled Houston Bike Share to continue operating over a nine-month period until other funding opportunities could be found. Despite combined efforts of the Houston Bike Share board of directors, partner agencies and advocates, the program could not overcome its financial challenges.


"Bike share systems across the United States have experienced similar challenges. Houston’s system has outlived many others, but we have learned that successful systems that serve more than just recreational purposes require corporate and public support to remain viable"


Interim Director Jennifer Ostlind

Going forward, the City will work with Houston Bike Share to remove stations and bikes over the next couple of months. The City owns much of the equipment, which will be sold to other bike share systems or through the City’s public surplus auction process to recoup transition funding.

MTFP Public Comment Period Open Until July 5

The City of Houston’s 2024 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP) Amendment Requests has begun. The MTFP is a long-range right-of-way (ROW) requirement plan to preserve adequate ROW for the orderly and efficient expansion of the transportation network. The purpose of the MTFP is to preserve mobility and ensure a safe and efficient development of the roadway system. It is updated annually through a process that begins in January and ends in September.

 

Visit the MTFP website to leave your comments. The public comment period is open until July 5. The Planning Commission Public Hearing will be held in person only at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 at the City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby St.


Learn more at https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/MTFP.html

City Savvy Newsletter Features Salsa Dancing Planner

Abraham Zorrilla

The City Savvy employee newsletter featured an interview with Abraham Zorrilla, a Planner IV with the Community and Regional Planning team.


Zorrilla, who moved to Houston from Peru in 1999, describes his two passions in life: community planning and Cuban salsa dancing. How does he keep the beat and find a rhythm to pursue both passions? Read the City Savvy article to find out.

https://bit.ly/3RGsMXi.

Employee Spotlight: Recognizing Staff Excellence

The department honors employees annually for their outstanding performance, collaboration and customer service. Please help us congratulate this year's winners. Be sure to check out our employees who have reached career milestones in the next issue of the Monthly Planner.

SUVIDHA BANDI

Development Services

Exemplary Achievement & Performance


Suvidha consistently exceeds job expectations, performing at a level well above requirements and makes significant contributions in her area. As the project manager for the Livable Places initiative, Suvidha worked closely with the committee over a three-year period, leading to transformative changes in the development codes. She collaborated with multiple departments, organizations, and agencies to achieve these changes, amending Chapters 42 and 26 while maintaining more than half of her other regular duties. Her dedication and innovative approach empowered and

energized the team.

YASMIN ARSLAN

Historic Preservation

Excellence in

Customer Service Award


Yasmin excels in managing changes in work priorities and fostering collaboration, communication, and cooperation among colleagues and the community. Her honesty with customers creates a comfortable environment, and she always puts the team before herself, going above and beyond to ensure everyone is included. Yasmin consistently applies a sense of fairness towards co-workers and customers, assiduously focuses on improvement, and leads by example. She encourages us to be better people by always being respectful and thinking of others. 

JOSE MENDOZA

Development Services

Outstanding Collaboration Award


As an honest and dependable team player, Jose contributes to collaboration and decision-making, showing empathy and respect while building and maintaining strong working relationships. He provides leadership to the permitting team and often offers his guidance during staff trainings and meetings. Every week, Jose can be seen answering new staff questions, introducing them to other members of the HPC office, and building relationships. His wealth of knowledge about the building construction process and daily collaboration with the HPC team has earned him the respect of department leadership, HPC supervisors, and leaders. Often sought after by other departments for advice, Jose is truly an

asset to the Planning Department.

CARA QUIGLEY

Historic Preservation

Rookie of the Year Award


Cara stands out as a beacon of dedication and excellence. Methodical and organized, Cara quietly and efficiently accomplishes her tasks in a timely manner. Her positive influence in Historic Preservation is undeniable, navigating a myriad of obstacles with grace and determination. Cara is a true team player, always eager to expand her knowledge in planning, taking on projects that had stalled, such as the Chapter 33 updates, and moving them forward. She works seamlessly with her colleagues, even volunteering for additional tasks like MLS/MBL applications. Cara's curiosity and willingness to ask the tough questions reflect her genuine desire to understand

and improve our processes.

PD Welcomes Hire Houston Youth Summer Interns

The Department welcomes its summer interns this year as part of the Hire Houston Youth Summer Internship Program. The interns are working within several divisions including GIS, Transportation, Community & Regional Planning, Management & Support and Development Services. The nine interns are learning on the job and obtaining skills that will guide them when they begin their careers. The paid internship will last eight weeks, concluding in early August. 

Department Resources:


Public Engagement | Activity Reports | Planning Publications | Press Releases

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Houston, TX 77002 
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