Houston taxpayers are expressing frustration over what they perceive as a significant waste of money following revelations about the cost of removing medians along Houston Avenue.
The ongoing construction along Houston Avenue north of downtown has caught many commuters off guard.
“I didn’t even know this needed to be repaired,” remarked one driver.
Long queues and the hefty price tag associated with the construction crews on Houston Avenue have exacerbated drivers’ ire.
“That’s a lot of money,” one driver remarked.
“Oh my goodness,” another exclaimed. “Wow, that’s kind of crazy, to be honest.”
The source of their frustration stems from a few months ago when former District H council member Karla Cisneros allocated $100,000 to install medians on Houston Avenue to enhance pedestrian safety. However, Mayor John Whitmire contended that they impeded businesses and posed safety risks, prompting their removal.
According to Public Works, the cost to remove the medians totaled $230,000, with an additional $500,000 earmarked for repaving the road.
“They could’ve put that money toward a better cause,” voiced Houston resident Candice Flugence.
The newly elected council member for the area, Mario Castillo, expressed concern, noting his desire for cost transparency prior to commencing the work.
“If there was that significant of a safety issue and they needed to be removed right then and there, people deserve to know why,” Castillo emphasized.
While the medians were intended to slow down drivers, their removal has left some questioning the efficacy of other projects.
“Pedestrian safety is a big concern of mine for sure,” said Houston resident Abe Kroger. “I would like steps being made, but if they’re destroying them, no step was made.”
Castillo acknowledged this as an early example in the mayor’s term, emphasizing the need for more time to assess the approach to similar projects.
Despite attempts to reach Mayor Whitmire for comment, he was unavailable. In a statement issued earlier this month, Whitmire reiterated that pedestrian safety remains his top priority.
While the medians may have been removed, plans for pedestrian improvements are still on the table. Public Works has committed to conducting a safety study, a measure Castillo intends to oversee. However, Public Works has not specified when crews will complete work on Houston Avenue.
