We have some wonderful news to share. The City of Houston has acknowledged a need for increased safety along N. Main. Curtis Belknap, a neighbor, and member of the Sunset Heights Civic Club has had fantastic success motivating them to take action on the need for crosswalks across North Main. His strategy, encouraging them to review their own traffic data on N. Main between 610 and 20th/Cavalcade, has been successful! This is a huge win for safely connecting the east and west Sunset Heights!!! Way to go Curtis! If you see him in the neighborhood be sure to thank him for all of his hard work. The city plans to install several Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) along the corridor, something akin to the following image:
Sunset Heights has a great reputation for walk-ability. We can stroll to restaurants, shops, schools, parks, the library, the post office, hike/bike trails, and more. Yet crossing the major thoroughfares around the Sunset Heights is more difficult over time, as traffic builds on North Main, Yale, and 20th Streets. Residents worry about pedestrian safety and access to all the neighborhood amenities we love.
Some have suggested adding or improving crosswalks at certain locations:
1) Across North Main Street, perhaps at 24th Street, which is already designated as “non-dedicated on-street bicycle route” on the Houston Bike Plan. It would allow easier travel between Sunset Heights and East Sunset Heights, and access to the Sunset Heights Park, which will open in 2023, while avoiding the complicated traffic near 20th Street at busy times.
2) Across 20th Street at Columbia Street, to provide a crossing between the lights at Studewood & N. Main and the one at Heights Blvd., making it safer and easier for Sunset Heights residents to reach restaurants, retail, and other parts of the Heights.
3) Yale Street: the stretch between the light at 22nd Street and the North Loop is hard to cross on foot during rush hours, but no specific location has been suggested.
What Can Residents Do?
1) Make a request to 311. You can do this by phone (just dial 311), or online at https://www.houstontx.gov/311/ You’ll get a confirmation number to track your request.
2) Tell your elected officials what we need. Call, email or write your district city council member. If you live in Sunset Heights west of N. Main, it’s District C and Council Member Abbie Kamin (districtc@houstontx.gov, 832-393-3004). If you live east of N. Main, it’s District H and Council Member Karla Cisneros (districth@houstontx.gov, 832-393-3003). There are also five at-large members of City Council; you can see all their information here: http://www.houstontx.gov/council/. Mailing address for all council members is 900 Bagby St., City Hall Annex, First Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
3) Discuss it with affected businesses, neighbors, neighborhood groups, churches, and schools. Make it clear that convincing the City of Houston to make a change will require a concerted effort and some time. Encourage them to chime in and raise the issue as they plan for the future.
Decisions about crosswalks are handled by the city's Public Works Department, and they take time and study. Making clear what we want now will get the ball rolling on what we will need in the future.