Challenge
The Schumacher area within the St. George Place Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 1) in Houston, Texas, faced significant infrastructure challenges. Narrow streets with inadequate roadside ditches caused frequent flooding due to poor drainage and excessive offsite sheet flow. Additionally, the area suffered from safety concerns, including a lack of adequate parking and the absence of sidewalks, which forced pedestrians to walk on the edge of the pavement.
Solution
Our team was contracted to design and implement a comprehensive set of drainage and mobility improvements to address these issues. Improvements spanned several key roadways, including Schumacher Lane, Star Lane, Beverley Hill Street (from Chimney Rock to Fountain View Drive), and Bering Drive (from Richmond Avenue to US 59).
Key project components included:
- Converting the existing two-lane asphalt road with open ditches into a two-lane concrete curb and gutter road with improved traffic lanes, parallel parking, and wide sidewalks on both sides of the street.
- Developing a storm sewer system to replace the outdated ditch drainage system. A complex 2D hydrologic and hydraulic analysis was performed to manage overland flow and ensure no adverse flooding impacts, with drainage solutions designed in coordination with regional flood mitigation efforts.
- Installing 6- to 8-foot-wide sidewalks to enhance pedestrian safety, promote walkability, and improve connectivity to local amenities such as Anderson Park.
Benefit
The improvements significantly enhance both mobility and safety in the Schumacher area. The new roadway configuration accommodates traffic, pedestrians, and parking needs, and upgraded drainage infrastructure minimizes the risk of flooding.
