One of Houston's busiest community centers and polling locations is set for a major upgrade, thanks to recently secured federal funds.

The West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, managed by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, has been approved to receive a $1 million through a Community Project Funding Request made by Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher as part of the Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative section of the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Besides being one of Houston's busiest polling sites, the center primarily serves individuals with disabilities through adaptive sports, physical therapy, paralympic training and wheelchair rugby.

Over the past two decades, West Gray has seen tremendous growth — from about 600 monthly users to over 6,000 — but minimal upgrades have accompanied this increase, resulting in structural deterioration, limited space, and capacity issues.

While city council approved an ordinance to secure the funds on Tuesday, its ultimate allocation is still being processed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"This is the acceptance of long-awaited dollars from previous congressional cycles for repairs to some of the plumbing at West Gray Multi-Service Center," District C Council Member Abbie Kamin said during Tuesday’s city hall session.

Kamin highlighted that the latest community-based funding requests were omitted from the current congressional cycle, which has delayed additional improvements. Kamin also said the multi-service center is the largest public rehabilitative and adaptive sports programming center for Houston's disability community, the second largest disaster hub and the county's largest polling location.

"Yet, the building is deteriorating and does not reflect the dignity of everyone who comes through its doors," Kamin said in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. "I’m grateful for Congresswoman Fletcher’s leadership and partnership in securing funds for plumbing repairs. These repairs are critically needed and part of a broader effort to revitalize the community center."

Prentiss Collins, deputy director of Houston's Parks Department, said the funding will directly address longstanding plumbing issues exacerbated by the center's high usage. Collins described scenarios where the facility serves hundreds of residents during emergencies, placing immense strain on its aging infrastructure.

"It's about making enhancements to the existing structure — upgrading bathrooms with new stalls, adding more showers, and updating plumbing systems to handle heavy usage," Collins said. "This center is a crucial community hub, especially during emergencies when it acts as a warming or cooling center for vulnerable populations."

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, said in a statement that the funds will, "help ensure that West Gray remains a safe, accessible, and welcoming space."

"The West Gray Multi-Service Center improvements are vital to ensuring the space can continue to provide inclusive and empowering programs for disabled members of our community," Fletcher said.

Collins said renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, after final designs and planning are coordinated between the city's General Services Department, the Housing and Community Development Department, and other city teams.

Read this story in the Houston Chronicle.