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Midtown residents protest removal of protected Austin Street bike barriers; council hears calls for transparency
Summary
Midtown residents and the Midtown Superneighborhood told council that removal of concrete barriers on Austin Street was done without adequate notice or meaningful public input; speakers urged restored protection and public meetings.
Residents and representatives of Midtown urged the Houston City Council on April 6 to restore protected bike-lane infrastructure on Austin Street and to increase transparency in decision-making after the city removed concrete barriers during recent work.
Jennifer Gribble, president of the Midtown Superneighborhood, said the community was not adequately informed and asked that the city hold public meetings before making such changes. “Transparency and collaboration are key to good governance, and the absence of these elements erodes trust,” Gribble told the council. Midtown board members presented results of a neighborhood survey showing strong support for maintaining protected lanes: of 157 Midtown respondents, 149 favored keeping a protected lane, the Midtown Superneighborhood’s communications secretary said.
Speakers described the protected lanes as vital for commuters, residents walking and parents with strollers; they urged that painted lanes alone are not a sufficient substitute for concrete protection. Several residents suggested a targeted restoration of concrete barriers in the most dangerous blocks (for example, McGowan to Pierce). Midtown leaders and councilmembers asked the city to coordinate with the Midtown Management District and the Midtown Redevelopment Authority on maintenance and outreach.
Councilmembers said safety and first-responder access were among the issues considered and expressed varying views on next steps; no immediate vote was taken. Council staff and Midtown leaders agreed to continue discussions and community engagement before further changes are implemented.
