Nick believes District C needs an overall transit plan, looking ahead rather than reacting to issues street by street. The goal is to ensure that vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists are all moving safely together.
Nick believes every street project should have community input and be reviewed from the viewpoints of everyone who will be using the street. He will work to bring City officials and residents together to work out a plan that works for all. Nick is not in favor of removing infrastructure that has already been built.
- Each year, the District C office will identify the ten most dangerous or troublesome intersections in the district using crash data, community input and traffic safety analysis. Working in partnership with Public Works, local TIRZs, and neighborhood stakeholders to develop targeted improvements to make these intersections safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Where appropriate, district service funds can help accelerate practical upgrades such as improved crosswalks, lighting, signal timing and traffic calming measures. By focusing on the highest-risk locations each year, we can steadily reduce accidents and make our streets safer for everyone.
- A defining project for the district will be completing the long-needed trail connection between Memorial Park and Buffalo Bayou Park. This transformational link would create a safe, continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists between two of Houston’s most heavily used and iconic parks. Nick will advocate for this project to move forward as quickly as possible working with the City, Parks Board, private stakeholders, and regional stakeholders to move this project forward as quickly as possible.
- The Patterson Street Bikeway is a critical piece of infrastructure that has support from residents, neighborhood groups and bikers yet it has languished for years. The bikeway would safely connect White Oak and Buffalo Bayous. It includes upgrading the dangerous crossing at Patterson and Washington. Super Neighborhood 22 first put it in their Transportation Plan in 2010. The most recent public hearing on the project was on February 12, 2019. Nick will fight to get this project moving again.
- Even though Nick has not taken office yet, residents are reaching out to him for help getting speed cushions in their neighborhoods. This can be a long process. As Council Member, Nick will personally carry their requests to the Public Works Department to start the process. Some neighborhoods have gone through the process and are waiting for funding. Nick will work with TIRZ and management districts and even businesses and business organizations to seek funding. District Service Funds will also be used for speed cushions. He knows how to be creative to get what District C needs.
- Areas on Washington Avenue need safer mid-block crossings after the completion of the latest project. Safe crossings are spaced too far apart along Washington Avenue, with gaps of 1,500 to 3,500 feet in some areas. Mid-block pedestrian islands would improve walkability and transit access. Where feasible, these islands could also support street trees and greenery, which the community could help fund. Nick supports SN 22’s requests and will seek funding for these projects.
- Cut-through traffic has become a serious issue in several neighborhoods in the district, particularly in the area south of I-10 near Shepherd and Durham, where drivers leaving the feeder frequently divert through residential blocks. Nick will work directly with residents, Public Works and transportation planners to study traffic patterns and identify practical solutions. Potential tools include traffic calming measures, signage, turn restrictions and street design changes that discourage non-local traffic. The goal is to restore neighborhood streets to their intended use allowing parents to walk with their kids and residents to walk their dogs without fear of being hit by a speeding car.
