How long does it take to cross four lanes of traffic? Is there a curb ramp at the corner? Does the sidewalk to the bus stop actually connect? For a neighbor using a walker, a parent pushing a stroller, or an older adult heading to the bus, these questions shape whether getting around the neighborhood is comfortable or nearly impossible.
Answering them is exactly why the Hiram Clarke/Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority brought AARP walk audits to the community this month. Supported by a $2,500 AARP Community Challenge grant and guided by AARP’s Walk Audit Tool Kit, residents, community leaders, and team members visited key intersections along the US 90A corridor, including South Main at Hillcroft, South Post Oak, and Hiram Clarke. We counted who was using the corridor, including neighbors in wheelchairs, on walkers, and on bicycles, marked cracked sidewalks and curb hazards on maps, photographed problem spots, and timed pedestrian signals to see whether they give people enough time to cross.
This is redevelopment work at its core. Connected sidewalks and safe crossings make a community a place where families want to stay, businesses want to open, and developers want to invest, and they determine whether longtime residents, especially older neighbors, can continue living independently in the community they built. The Hiram Clarke/Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority is already investing in that connection, including a planned pedestrian bridge over US 90A, and the walk audits help ensure those investments are guided by the people who use the corridor every day.
The information collected is now being turned into a summary report built around solutions. It will include a map of the audited areas, photos of what participants found, the data they recorded, and specific recommendations for improvement. The report will be submitted to AARP by the end of the year and shared directly with city officials and agencies that have the authority to make changes, and the Hiram Clarke/Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority will use the findings to advocate for improvements and shape its own mobility priorities. We will share updates as the report moves forward so the community can see exactly where its input lands.
You do not have to wait for the report to make a difference.You can take action now.
- If you notice a broken sidewalk, damaged curb ramp, or crossing signal that does not give enough time, report it to Houston 311 by calling 311 or using the Houston 311 app.
- Attend one of our monthly public board meetings to hear about upcoming projects and share what matters to you.
- You can become a Community Impact Ambassador and help share updates with neighbors, bring concerns back to our team, and shape the next round of improvements. Sign up to become a Community Impact Ambassador here.
