Houston Style Magazine was on the scene in Alief as Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones announced a new $33.5 million investment in community infrastructure, marking the third year of her Places 4 People initiative. The latest round of funding will support seven major infrastructure projects designed to enhance public safety, improve flood mitigation, strengthen neighborhood connectivity, and expand access to parks across Precinct 4.

The announcement took place in the Alief community, underscoring the area’s central role in this year’s investments. One of the most significant efforts highlighted was the Alief Forest South neighborhood transformation, a $25.6 million infrastructure investment aimed at improving resiliency and quality of life for residents. The project includes $7 million from Harris County Precinct 4 and $18.6 million from the City of Houston.

Funding for the Alief Forest South project will go toward reconstructing nearly 3.9 miles of local streets, adding two new detention ponds to reduce flooding risks, replacing four miles of water lines, and upgrading 3,000 feet of sanitation lines. Together, these improvements are designed to address aging infrastructure while strengthening flood prevention and public safety in one of Houston’s most diverse communities.

The seven projects announced are being developed in partnership with the City of Houston, the Westchase District, the Houston Parks Board, and the Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 20. These collaborations reflect a coordinated, community-driven approach to infrastructure planning and delivery.

The Places 4 People initiative focuses on working with local agencies and organizations to deliver impactful improvements that directly benefit residents. This latest investment continues that mission by prioritizing roads, intersections, traffic signals, parks, sidewalk improvements, drainage, and other critical infrastructure needs.

Beyond this year’s $33.5 million announcement, the broader effort to build safer and more resilient infrastructure across Precinct 4 represents a total investment of $252.4 million. Harris County Precinct 4 is contributing $110.7 million, with an additional $141.7 million coming from 28 different partners, highlighting the scale of collaboration behind the initiative.

Houston Mayor Whitmire

 

The event brought together local and regional leaders, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire; City of Houston Council Member Tiffany Thomas of District F; Alief Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays; Houston Parks Board President and CEO Justin Schultz; Westchase District President and CEO Irma Sanchez; and Welcome Wilson Jr., Chairman of the Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 20.

As the Places 4 People initiative enters its third year, the continued focus on Alief and other communities across Precinct 4 reflects an ongoing commitment to creating safer, more connected, and more resilient neighborhoods throughout Harris County.