Over time, the City of Houston recognized the need to provide drainage improvements to alleviate flooding due to insufficient pipe capacity in the River Oaks neighborhood. In July 2002, Phase I of the Kirby Drive storm sewer relief project was launched with its focus along Kirby Drive.
In 2009, Phase II of the project commenced and the project area was generally bounded by River Oaks Boulevard, Westheimer Road, Kirby Drive and Inwood Drive. River Oaks Boulevard was demolished to make way for the new storm sewers and other infrastructure.
Now ten years later, the River Oaks Foundation is committed to the beautification of our signature Boulevard and has launched a campaign to fund the improvements to the esplanades and provide long-term maintenance funds.
Our goal is to honor our founders’ vision and restore the Boulevard to its historic role as the exemplary design element in the original landscape plan.
We began construction on three of the nine esplanades in April 2020. With more fundraising, we hope to complete the remaining esplanades within the next year.