West University Place, Houston, Texas

Nestled within the Houston-Sugarland metro area is the City of West University Place, also known by the nickname The Neighborhood City. Named for its proximity to Rice Institute (now known as Rice University), University Place was formed in 1917 and incorporated in 1924 after the City of Houston declined to extend power lines into the area. Thus, it escaped annexation during Houston’s expansion and has evolved into a bedroom community for high income families that work in the Houston area or at Rice University. On March 6, 2000, West University was the first Houston community to be designated a Super Neighborhood. West University Place has a Council-Manager form of government with the City Council made up of a mayor and four council members. The Council adopts budgets, enacts legislation, establishes policies and appoints positions including a city manager, a city attorney, a city secretary, clerks, municipal judges and prosecutors. The city has its own police department, fire department and municipal court system. A branch of the Harris County Public Library is also located in West University Place. According to the most recent census, the population of the city was 14,955 in 2020. The Houston Independent School District serves West University Place, with public schoolchildren zoned to West University Elementary School, Pershing Middle School (with the option to apply to Pin Oak Middle School), and Lamar High School. Early in 2025, the Public Works Director retired and a new Director was sworn in at a crucial time as West University had begun replacing sidewalks and making plans for some major infrastructure upgrades at an estimated cost of $44 million. There are several public parks in West University Place that serve different age groups and interests. There are playgrounds for children, a passive park featuring lush landscaping and a clock tower, tennis, basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, walking paths, a gaga ball pit, BBQ grills, nature areas,

green spaces, and even a quiet park featuring a streambed with a push button water feature, and a front porch style shade structure furnished with rocking chairs. City amenities that require a membership include a swimming pool and a recreation center. West University Place has made it onto a list of best places to brunch, best patio dining, and in 2018 it was named one of fifty cities across the nation named to 24/7 Wall Street’s list of America’s Best Cities to Live In. It is a city that takes its responsibilities seriously, provides a variety of parks and recreational facilities for its residents, places a priority on safety and takes pride in what it has accomplished.