Houston has been selected to receive almost $25,000 from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Anniversary Urban Innovation Fund Grant Program. The grant, which will be matched with $122,750 in local funds and in-kind donations, will be used to develop a “High Impact Redevelopment Toolkit” for transforming distressed communities.

“ULI is a tremendous partner in helping the City find creative solutions to land use challenges in Houston,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “We will be able to use these tools to protect historic assets and provide appropriate, sustainable housing choices for a broad spectrum of citizens.”

Thee goal is to develop new models and options for sustainable and transit-oriented development that strikes a balance between neighborhood interests and private investment.  The concepts, strategies and tools created by this initiative will be applied directly to the Third Ward community. Third Ward is at the nexus of two new METRO rail lines and flanked by University of Houston and Texas Southern University.  This collaborative effort will result in a toolkit that can be used by public agencies, the non-profit community and faith-based organizations to attract private investment in an underserved area.
"A strong and diverse group of public and private stakeholders aligned to support this project," Jonathan Brinsden, chair, ULI Houston, said.  "It builds upon two previous ULI-funded initiatives: The Collaborative Community Design Initiative at the University Of Houston Gerald D. Hines College Of Architecture, and the ULI Daniel Rose Center Mayor Fellowship in Houston. Redevelopment strategies and concepts developed in these two earlier ULI initiatives will be applied directly to a community that is ready and ripe for change."

The project will be lead by the Urban Land Institute in partnership with the Southeast Houston CDC, Holman St. Baptist Church, University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture/University of Houston MBA Graduate Real Estate Program, Houston Housing Authority, City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department, City of Houston Planning and Development Department, METRO, LISC-Houston, Capital One Bank, UCR MoodyRambin, Walter P Moore, Morris Architects and ULI Houston District Council.

CONTACT:   Suzy Hartgrove: 713-837-7719
                     Email: Suzy.Hartgrove@houstontx.gov