Brenham Greenways

Brenham, Texas

The Brenham Greenways project was a collaboration between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), The City of Brenham and Main Street Brenham. The project developed as an opportunity for the community to secure funding in the form of a TxDOT TEA-21 grant designated for downtown improvements as part of a hike-and-bike trail to connect downtown northward to the high school and city sports fields via existing city parks. 

Alamo Alley, trailhead, sidewalk improvements and a public restroom building – long desired by downtown retailers for public convenience – highlight the downtown portion of the project, collectively addressing a Main Street goal to improve the downtown experience for residents and visitors to Brenham and Washington County.  

Alamo Alley addressed inadequate parking for a block of downtown retailers by converting an alley between two primary downtown streets into a pedestrian path that connects public parking with the retail street. More than a connection, the alley created an urban space with trees and other plantings for green and shading, benches, a small stage, and shade structures. A respite between two primary streets providing opportunities for a quiet seat or gatherings for events and entertainment. This kind of public space was a first for downtown Brenham.

The Trailhead with trail map and visitor information was part of a small plaza anchored by the public restroom building. The plaza provided bike racks, planters, trash bins, drinking fountains, and benches.  Anchoring this site is the public restroom building, an amenity long desired by downtown retailers for public convenience. 

Upchurch Architects led a multi-disciplinary team to develop the project scope and designs for Alamo Alley, the public restroom building and plaza, and downtown street improvements. 

The TEA-21 grant represented the most funding Brenham had ever received for a public project, and marked the next step towards a formal master planning process.  Upchurch Architects continued service to the community providing citizen leadership in the next phases for a Downtown Master Plan and subsequent planning and implementation for downtown zoning and wayfinding signage.