News
News Mentions
Sabine Street Texas Historical Marker Celebration
On October 12, the Old Sixth Ward Neighborhood Association gathered to celebrate the Sabine Street Texas Historical Marker designation. The oldest of Houston’s six remaining brick-paved roads, Sabine Street’s brick paving construction from Washington Avenue to the Sabine Street Bridge was completed in 1902 with stone curbs. These three remaining blocks were restored and refurbished in 2018.
Zone News
Potential Projects
The Old Sixth Ward TIRZ 13 is seeking input to its list of potential projects. The list is updated annually. This is a list of potential projects; not a list of scheduled projects. Inclusion on the list does not mean that the resources are available to implement the project. Please view the potential projects list here: Potential Projects List
If you have a project recommendation that is not on the list or if something is on the list that is incorrect, please send your comments and recommendations to: sherry@old6wardtirz.org.
Recommendations are due by Wednesday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Coming Soon! Hemphill Reconstruction Project
The reconstruction of Hemphill from Washington Avenue to Lubbock Street is set to begin in early Fall 2025. In addition to the reconstruction of the street itself, curb and gutters and sidewalks will be added. During reconstruction, one lane will be open for traffic flow. However, you may want to find an alternate route if you travel through here. For those property owners along the street, you will have access to your driveway and home during construction. At some point during construction a new driveway connection will need to be completed for each driveway which will impact driveway access for a few days, that will be worked out individually with each homeowner to minimize the inconvenience. The TIRZ will notify property owners along and adjacent to the construction site in advance of the start of construction. Follow the progress of this and other projects on the TIRZ’s Project Page.
Call for Potential Projects
The Old Sixth Ward Redevelopment Authority / TIRZ 13 is seeking input to its newly released potential infrastructure projects for consideration within the zone!
This effort supports the TIRZ’s long-term vision for infrastructure investment in the Old Sixth Ward and is part of its broader strategic planning process. The Potential Projects list helps identify public improvements that advance mobility, safety, infrastructure resilience, and preservation of the neighborhood’s historic character, while informing future updates to the Capital Improvement Plan.
The list outlines a range of concepts focused on core neighborhood needs, including:
- Street reconstruction and reconditioning along corridors such as Washington Avenue, Hemphill, Edwards, and Oliver
- Sidewalk gap closures, ADA upgrades, and pedestrian and intersection safety improvements
- Drainage analysis and infrastructure improvements to address surface water challenges
- Improvements to neighborhood parks and open spaces, including Dow Elementary Park and the Park for Humans and Dogs
- Evaluation of longer-term infrastructure concepts
Input from property owners, developers, and other stakeholders helps inform how future tax increment revenues may be programmed to support growth, connectivity, and long-term community functionality. If you have a project recommendation that is not on the list, please contact sherry@old6wardtirz.org.
Recommendations are due by Wednesday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m.
The Potential Projects list is available here:
https://old6wardtirz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Potential-Projects-January-2026.pdf
*This is a list of potential projects, not scheduled projects. Inclusion on the list does not mean that resources are available to implement a project or that it will move forward.
Projects planned for 2026
Oliver Street Reconstruction
The TIRZ is working with the City of Houston to survey the drainage, traffic and road conditions of Oliver Street from Washington Avenue to Summer Street. This effort will guide the engineering design for complete reconstruction. The reconstruction will bring the street up to current curb and gutter standards and install continuous sidewalks along the corridor. More information will be available once the preliminary design is complete.
Sidewalk Improvements
The TIRZ is currently surveying sidewalks north of Washington Avenue to determine which sidewalks need repair and where no sidewalks exist. The plan is to fix sidewalks in poor condition and fill in sidewalks where there are gaps. The project plan will be updated once the results of the survey are completed. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
