From hospital restorations to sidewalk expansions and wage policy reforms, Harris County Precinct 1 is advancing a wide array of community-based projects in 2026. The updates touch nearly every corner of public life—health care access, neighborhood infrastructure, economic equity, and civic engagement—reflecting broad investment in residents' day-to-day experiences across Houston.

Expanding Access to Local Health Care

Two of the most prominent initiatives are focused on transforming how health care is delivered. The historic Riverside Hospital is undergoing a $200 million restoration and will reopen in early 2026. Originally known as the only hospital in Houston dedicated to serving Black residents, Riverside’s roots in the civil rights era give added weight to its future as a public health anchor. When it reopens, the facility will host Harris County Public Health’s headquarters and several key services—including clinical health, immunizations, STI screenings, and telehealth behavioral services—all housed under one roof.

The building will also serve as home to ACCESS Harris County, a system designed to connect residents with coordinated health and social care, reducing barriers to services.

Meanwhile, the expansion of Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital is underway on the city’s north side. Once complete, it will include the first Level I trauma center outside the Texas Medical Center, as well as enhanced emergency and specialty care options. The expansion supports a broader network of community health resources, mental health programs, and preventative care—particularly for underserved areas.

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Neighborhood Improvements from Sidewalks to Sailboats

Public infrastructure improvements also stretch across the precinct, with a number of park and trail projects either in progress or nearing completion.

• Hill at Sims Park (11808 Scott Street) will transform a 100-acre flood detention basin into a green-centered public park with trails, walkways, and nature-based amenities. Completion is expected by Q2 2026, with a ribbon-cutting later that quarter.

• Curtis M. Graves Park (6010 Homestead Rd) will see new trails and amenities around an existing detention basin, including a connector trail that links both the north and south ends of the area. Like Hill at Sims, this project is scheduled for completion in Q2 2026.

• Alexander Deussen Park (12303 Sonnier St) will receive a boardwalk and sailboat ramp at its lakefront. Groundbreaking began in late January 2026, with ribbon-cutting expected in Q3. Improvements include enhanced connections to Eisenhower Park and the Summerwood area via a new 0.85-mile trail segment.

• Ella Blvd Sidewalks between W. Richey and FM 1960 are undergoing a 1.5-mile rebuild with pedestrian and mobility upgrades. Construction is expected to wrap up in Q4 2025 and includes better sidewalk widths, drainage improvements, and pedestrian safety upgrades.

• At Tom Bass Park, renovations to the amphitheater are bringing added recreational and cultural amenities to Precinct 1. The upgrades will support expanded programming and community events once complete in 2026.

Many of these projects serve dual roles—supporting both recreation and stormwater management in flood-prone parts of Houston—while offering safer, more connected ways for residents to enjoy public space.

Economic Equity and Community Connection

In 2025, Harris County adopted a new wage policy aimed at closing pay gaps across county government. The measure established a $21.65 minimum wage for contracted workers and $20 for county employees, with annual cost-of-living adjustments now built in. This change followed a review showing disparities by gender and race in county roles, and was part of a broader push to ensure fair wages for public service workers.

Precinct 1 also continues its civic engagement efforts through the Last Tuesday Series, a monthly public forum that provides space for residents, local experts, and advocates to discuss timely issues. Events have featured conversations around voting rights, education, environmental justice, and disability access. Sessions include guest panels, community dialogue, and teach-ins—focusing not just on awareness, but on local action.

In past forums, participants have explored topics like the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education, the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Houston’s shifting educational landscape. These gatherings aim to build civic literacy and empower residents to help shape their communities.

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Honoring Lives and Legacies

The precinct also paid tribute to three influential figures in its 2026 “In Memoriam” section:

• Dr. Rod Paige, the first Black U.S. Secretary of Education, was remembered as a pioneering educator and public servant who believed in education as a pathway to opportunity.

• Mrs. Willie Belle Boone was honored for her legacy of grassroots leadership in Houston’s Sunnyside community and her role mentoring generations of civic leaders.

• Dr. Robert M. Stein, a political scientist from Rice University, was recognized for his decades of research and advocacy that shaped Houston’s approach to democracy and public policy.

• Commissioner Rodney Ellis reflected on their impact, writing, “Each of them showed me that progress comes from commitment, that public work is rooted in community, and that our responsibility is to create pathways for others to succeed.”

As these various projects progress, residents of Precinct 1 may not see results overnight—but the scope and scale of the work signals a long-term investment in health, mobility, opportunity, and community. Whether it's through improved access to care, safer sidewalks, or public dialogue, these initiatives aim to lay groundwork for a more connected and equitable Harris County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.