Breaking Language Barriers: TransLangua Provides Interpretation Services for Houston Mayor Whitmire at $11.3M Park Transformation Project
TransLangua's certified interpreters working alongside Mayor John Whitmire and community leaders at Burnett Bayland Park community engagement events.
In the heart of Houston's most diverse neighborhood, a transformative $11.3 million park project is taking shape – one that truly represents its multicultural community, thanks to inclusive language access. TransLangua proudly played a crucial role in this historic development, ensuring every community member could contribute to their neighborhood's future, regardless of the language they speak.
Bridging Communities in Houston's "Ellis Island"
When Harris County Precinct 4 launched its ambitious Burnett Bayland Park Improvements Project, they faced a unique challenge: how to genuinely engage with Gulfton's incredibly diverse population of 50,000 residents. Known as the "Ellis Island of Texas," Gulfton stands as Houston's densest neighborhood, where multiple languages and cultures converge.
TransLangua stepped up to this challenge by providing:
- On-demand interpretation in Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Spanish, and ArabicÂ
- Certified interpreters at all community engagement eventsÂ
- Cultural liaison services to ensure meaningful participationÂ
- Real-time translation of community feedbackÂ
Making Every Voice Count
The success of this project relied heavily on community input, and TransLangua's team ensured language barriers wouldn't prevent anyone from participating. Our involvement helped facilitate:Â
- Three major community workshops with over 1,000 participantsÂ
- 850 multilingual survey responsesÂ
- Engagement with 30 civic and stakeholder groupsÂ
- Direct communication between residents and project leadersÂ
"Our interpreters didn't just translate words; they helped bridge cultural gaps and ensure that every community member could actively participate in shaping their neighborhood's future," says [TransLangua Representative Name], who coordinated the interpretation services for the project.Â
Impact Through Inclusive Communication
The project's success in gathering diverse community input led to securing substantial funding:Â
- $11.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of InteriorÂ
- Total of $39 million for Phases 1A and 1BÂ
- Development expanding from 35 to 75 acresÂ
Commissioner Lesley Briones noted, "Gulfton is one of the most vibrant, diverse communities in the nation." TransLangua's services ensured this diversity was reflected in every aspect of the park's planning.
Project Highlights Shaped by Multicultural Input
Thanks to inclusive communication, the project will deliver features that truly serve its diverse community:Â
- Enhanced connectivity for all community membersÂ
- Expansive green spaces addressing urban heat concernsÂ
- Culturally inclusive gathering areasÂ
- Sports fields and recreational facilitiesÂ
- Picnic areas designed for family and community gatherings
A Model for Future Development
The Burnett Bayland Park project sets a new standard for inclusive community development. By ensuring all voices were heard, the project has become a blueprint for how major urban developments can truly serve their diverse communities.
Timeline for Implementation
- Design Phase: Began August 2024Â
- Construction Start: Late 2025Â
- Phase 1A Completion: 2026Â
- Phase 1B Implementation: Starting 2026
Timeline for Implementation
- Design Phase: Began August 2024Â
- Construction Start: Late 2025Â
- Phase 1A Completion: 2026Â
- Phase 1B Implementation: Starting 2026
The TransLangua Difference
Our involvement in this transformative project showcases TransLangua's commitment to:Â
- Professional, certified interpretation servicesÂ
- Cultural competency in community engagementÂ
- Rapid response to interpretation needsÂ
- Support for inclusive urban developmentÂ
- Building stronger, more connected communitiesÂ
Looking Forward
As Burnett Bayland Park moves toward its construction phase, TransLangua remains committed to supporting Houston's diverse communities. This project demonstrates how professional language services can transform community engagement and ensure public spaces truly serve everyone.
Get Involved
Need professional interpretation services for your community project? TransLangua offers:Â
- On-demand interpretation in 300+ languagesÂ
- Certified interpreters for community eventsÂ
- Cultural liaison servicesÂ
- Document translationÂ
- Virtual interpretation optionsÂ
Contact TransLangua today to learn how we can help break down language barriers in your community project. Call (281) 814-3939 or visit our contact page.