Bagby Gets a Make-over

One of downtown’s main gateways will soon undergo a major facelift. New plans call for a redeveloped Bagby Street, which is known as the “spine” of western downtown, as it connects the Theater District and key civic institutions such as City Hall, Central Library, and the Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park.

It’s a move that signals an approach to urban planning and walkability. Currently between four and six lanes wide, Bagby Street, one of just a few two-way streets in downtown, will be reduced to between three and four vehicular lanes to allow for wider pedestrian walkways, a bicycle lane, beautification elements, and signature lighting. Bagby flows between nine parks and public attractions, requiring careful consideration and attention to how the street, buildings, and park spaces all interact. Several studies, including Plan downtown and the Theater District Master Plan, have identified Bagby as a key pedestrian and vehicular passageway. The corridor provides connections to Buffalo Bayou in several locations, linking downtown to the broader greenways network.

Source: Culturemap.com