Council to consider dedicating Howard Street at Christina Crossing to expand sidewalks and support nearby development

John Kurth, senior planner with the Department of Land Use and Planning, presented ordinance 26042 and related approvals (Planning Commission resolutions 726 and 1126; major subdivision 2601) to dedicate Howard Street — currently a private cut‑through serving Christina Crossing Shopping Center — as a public street.

Kurth said the dedication adds approximately 0.18 acres to the right‑of‑way and would allow construction of missing sidewalks and curb ramps to meet city standards. He described Howard Street as approximately 32 feet wide and 786 feet long and noted it serves as a pedestrian connection between South Market Street and South Walnut Street and contains a DART route 14 bus stop. The proposal would convert selected parking areas and portions of pad sites into sidewalks and integrate new curb ramps with existing segments.

Staff said establishing Howard Street as an official public street after nearly 18 years as an informal cut‑through would benefit transit riders, shoppers and future development. Kurth noted the change also supports the Luxor project — a cited $13 million, 125‑unit apartment complex — by creating an official second means of egress required by the Fire Marshal's Office.

Councilmembers expressed support for pedestrian safety and scheduled the ordinance for the July 2 full council meeting; no final council action occurred at the committee session.