The Gateway Program’s branded wayfinding signage can be spotted throughout the North Houston District, proudly announcing your arrival to the area. The District recently completed Phase 6 of the program, with the latest installment’s construction in the median of W. Hardy Road to the north of Beltway 8.

Local business owners are taking notice of the Gateway program and its impact on the area. “I drive by the new monument sign at W. Hardy Road and Beltway 8 five days a week on my way to work. My route takes me by nearly all gateway locations, and I got to see the process of this one being built. It feels good to finally have a gateway in our neck of the woods,” says Terry Alexander, Asset Management at HPI Holdings II, LLC and North Houston District board member.

Phase 6 design was completed by KW Landscape Architects with Stone Castle Constructors as the builder. This gateway has the same design and is made of the same materials as the others in the series, however, it presented some unique construction challenges.

“We had to move the gateway to the northern end of the median to avoid a large Centerpoint Energy easement that goes through the median with gas and oil pipelines built in it. The signage had to sit back a bit further from Beltway 8 than some of the other gateways to steer clear of the easement,” shares Robert Fiederlein, NHD Vice President of Planning and Infrastructure.

This gateway location was a joint effort between the North Houston District and the Greenbriar North POA, a local commercial property owner’s association. While the District installed and paid for the cost of the gateway, the POA will be responsible for maintaining it over time.

The placemaking efforts and aesthetic improvements are a physical symbol of the area’s growth and market appeal. “When a company invests in a location in the District, it means they see value in the area. Two impactful ways to show pride in an area are through landscaping and public art. These help to enhance a location, and, importantly, help to validate the decision of business owners and corporations to relocate here,” says Alexander.

Maintaining the District’s Gateways

The monument signage was intentionally built with materials that are meant to stand the test of time and require minimal maintenance—steel and concrete.

The materials themselves are durable nods to the District’s growing reputation as an industrial powerhouse. The concrete blocks with corten steel are designed to weather while maintaining eye-catching aesthetic appeal.

Each gateway site is accompanied by landscaping that includes native plantings like asian jasmine, foxtail ferns, and sandy leaf fig ivy. The landscaping also includes irrigation systems, which will help the plants thrive over time. “It’s going to be fun watching the landscaping take hold and prosper,” Alexander mentions.

Phase 7 is Up Next

Fiederlein says that Phase 7, the Gateway Program’s final installment, is currently out for bid. It will be constructed at the Greens Road overpass at Hardy Toll Road and is slated to be built this Spring.

“The Gateways are a visible sign of progress. The North Houston District has made a considerable investment in time and money to help improve the area and successfully transition it into a world-class hub for product distribution,” Alexander says.