The City of Galveston this week will kick off internal planning meetings for a multi-year improvement project spanning 20th to 26th streets and from Harborside Drive to Church Street. This effort is designed to enhance pedestrian safety, repair and widen sidewalks, improve ADA accessibility, and incorporate green infrastructure improvements, such as raingardens, while creating a more inviting and connected downtown.

In October, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the city a $24 million grant to fund construction. Notably, this grant requires no local match for construction costs, which is a significant win for Galveston taxpayers. In the past ten years, the city has secured more than $360 million in federal and state grants, including $60 million in 2025, through successful applications to competitive nationwide programs and close partnerships with our regional, state and federal partners. The most recent awards were achieved by leveraging Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) coordinated through H-GAC, minimizing the burden on local taxpayers.

The city was able to secure this highly competitive funding thanks to a 2018 downtown design plan and a successful pilot project on 23rd Street. That project introduced a new transit stop, upgraded sidewalks, landscaping, and a shaded pedestrian walkway, serving as a model for the larger vision we are now advancing.

To meet federal grant requirements, the City must complete environmental clearance, a cultural resources study, and detailed project documentation in coordination with our design team. This preliminary phase, funded by downtown parking revenue, is expected to take most of 2026. In January, the Galveston City Council approved a professional services agreement with Clark Condon, a landscape architecture design firm, to complete this work.

This investment is about strengthening our historic downtown, supporting local businesses, and creating a safer, more walkable Galveston for residents and visitors alike. We look forward to keeping residents informed as this project moves ahead.