Performance-Based Planning Explained: TGC Chief Operations Officer participates at the 2022 H-GAC Livable Centers Workshop

 

Performance-Based Planning Explained:

TGC Chief Operations Officer participates at the 2022 H-GAC Livable Centers Workshop

 
 
 

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) annually hosts Livable Centers Workshops with the purpose of providing communities and local governments the resources, training, and information they need on key topic areas such as funding, planning, infrastructure, sustainability, mobility, transportation, housing, and economic development. Monisha Khurana, AICP, TGC Chief Operations Officer, was invited to present at their most recent workshop titled “Finding the Money: Getting Projects Prepped for Funding,” on September 16, 2022.

During this half-day webinar and in-person event, attendees explored strategies to leverage existing resources and expand active transportation projects’ funding potential. Often, the process of getting projects funded may not necessarily follow a single set of steps applicable to every project in the same exact way. Having the right set of tools, resources, and information to navigate these challenges is key.

In her session titled “Performance-Based Planning: Identifying & Developing Projects,” Khurana presented an overview of the performance-based planning process, organized into five phases through which projects are identified, selected, and prepared for funding and implementation:

  • Phase I: Project Needs Assessment

  • Phase II: Project Development

  • Phase III: Project Evaluation

  • Phase IV: Project Development

  • Phase V:  Project Implementation

Khurana also presented three case studies of areas and projects located in the cities of Dayton, Waller, and Houston, respectively. All three study areas were identified under previously completed Livable Centers planning studies.

“I think we often see the pretty pictures of the final product, but no one really talks about how to get there,” said Anita Hollmann Matijcio, H-GAC Regional Planning Manager. “That was really the point of this presentation. To say: let’s take a step back, and when you are just starting, [ask:] what are the things that you should be thinking about, and what are the tools that are available that you can take to your city municipalities to really understand how to move these projects forward.”

For more information on H-GAC Livable Centers Workshops, visit: https://www.h-gac.com/livable-centers/events.

 
Livable Centers Workshop Presentation excerpts

Figure 1. Workshop presentation excerpt

Figure 2. Workshop presentation excerpt

 
 

Case Study Feature: TGC recognized at the H-GAC Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable

WALLER, TX – On July 26, 2022, TGC was recognized as an important team member in the advancement of Downtown Waller improvements at the H-GAC Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable event in Waller City Hall and Civic Plaza. Community goals and project implementation can be achieved through a performance-based planning approach, as demonstrated by TGC’s work in Waller, TX.

TGC served as project manager and overall lead in the planning and implementation of a $1.5M project to revitalize Downtown Waller. Services included intergovernmental coordination, project financial planning, design management, and owner’s representation. The project was let for construction under budget and has resulted in the establishment of new businesses and activity in Downtown Waller.

At the roundtable event, the City of Waller, the Waller Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), and participants discussed the overall planning process, resources, and project outcomes. The event concluded with a brief downtown walking tour.

In 2019, TGC also completed a short-range (5 year) and long-range (6-10 year) capital improvement plan (CIP) designed to capitalize on current and future discretionary funding opportunities, inform a long-term CIP, and revive and spur economic growth for the city. Short-term outcomes of this effort included securing $1.1M in Transportation Alternatives-Set Aside funding, TxDOT agreeing to construct a $600,000 access improvement along US-290, and TxDOT agreeing to extend a $4.26M widening and reconstruction project along FM 2920 through the City of Waller.

 

Figure 3. Roundtable presentation excerpt

Figure 4. Roundtable presentation excerpt

Figure 5. Infrastructure improvements in Waller, TX

Figure 6. Infrastructure improvements in Waller, TX

 

Led by H-GAC, the Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging from small business support to mobility infrastructure.

For more information on H-GAC Bringing Back Main Street Roundtables and Workshops, visit: http://www.h-gac.com/bringing-back-main-street.

 

For additional information or questions, contact TGC to learn more about our services, our team, and our mission to connect capital to communities across Texas and beyond.

 
Ana Pradilla