The Greater Heights Strategic Connections Plan survey is now open, and it includes an important project that could reconnect the Heights to the bayou in a meaningful way.
Project C7 — (MKT Heights Bird Sanctuary Loop) includes a new bridge connection at Patterson Street.
This Patterson Bridge would help link neighborhoods on both sides of White Oak Bayou while improving access between the MKT Trail, nearby green spaces, and surrounding streets.
The project also includes improvements to the surrounding corridor that could help transform the area into a larger greenspace and nature destination, with better walking and biking connections along the bayou.
Projects like this help strengthen the Heights’ trail network while protecting and expanding the natural spaces that make the neighborhood special.
Help Prioritize This Project
The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority is collecting community feedback through a short survey. If this project matters to you, please take a moment to participate.
When asked:
“Which project would have the biggest impact on improving your access to neighborhood destinations?”
Enter: C7 – MKT Heights Bird Sanctuary Loop
This project includes the Patterson Bridge connection and bayou corridor improvements.
Community feedback helps determine which projects move forward first.
Take the survey here:
The M-K-T along the MKT Trail is one of Houston’s great economic development success stories in the last decade. The popularity of the local businesses alongside the MKT Trail and nearby green spaces like Lawrence Park and Nicholson Trail have created a virtuous cycle creating a true sense of place in the heart of the Heights.
New projects, including Phase 2 of the Shepherd-Durham Corridor, the Rutland Bridge over the Bayou, Cottage Grove sidewalk and drainage improvements, and the Swift Building promise to add to the growth and success of this area.
The MKT Bird Sanctuary Loop offers a set of projects that will improve connectivity to and within this growing commercial and recreation district.
New Trail Miles
A new trail on the north bank of White Oak Bayou would connect from Shepherd Drive and the programmed bikeway along that corridor to W 5th Street and the programmed Rutland Bridge that will cross White Oak Bayou in the east. This new trail will create new trailside access points for the W 6th Street Commercial Corridor and access points to the Houston Heights Bird Sanctuary. An added trail on the north bank can also include opportunities for public art and placemaking with views of the Downtown Houston skyline.
W 6th Street Bridge & Improvements
W 6th Street is currently disconnected at TxDOT’s detention basin (the Houston Heights Bird Sanctuary). This project envisions closing that gap with a bridge over the detention basin to serve all modes. This bridge should include significant room for pedestrians and bicyclists and a viewing platform to enjoy the scenery of the Bird Sanctuary. Additional improvements along W 6th could include installation of pedestrian-scale lighting and crosswalk improvements at Waverly Street and parking lot entrances.
Bird Sanctuary
Local organizations should work with TxDOT to formally designate their detention basin as a park and formalize the existing desire paths within the detention basin as official walking trails with added seating, lighting, and other amenities. TxDOT’s Rutland Bridge project will also provide an SUP connection along the eastern boundary of the detention basin to connect the bridge with W 5th Street, W 6th Street and the MKT trail.
Patterson Bridge & MKT Trail Connection
Patterson Street plays a unique role as a local street that connects across I-10, offering an important north-south link from the Heights south to the Washington Avenue corridor and connecting via local streets to Buffalo Bayou Park and ultimately Montrose. This unique quality makes Patterson Street a great candidate for a bridge connection across White Oak Bayou to continue that north-south connectivity with links to the MKT and Nicholson Trails. The Loop proposed a new Patterson Street Bridge over the Bayou with an additional new trail connection between the M-K-T and the Swift Building to tie directly into the MKT Trail.
Key Destinations
- Love Elementary School & Love Park
- Heights High School
- Harvard Elementary School
- Travis Elementary School
- Stude Park
- White Oak Bayou Greenway
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