First, it’s emerged as a multi-cultural city. Forty percent of the residents identify themselves at Latino; and only half the population is white. Thus Spanish is widely spoken throughout the region. In addition their mayor is not only a female, but an openly gay female. Both statistics can catch a non Houstonian off guard if they want to slip Houston into the typical Texan stereotype. The City can be portrayed as conservative, especially with the influx of oil and gas. Yet the population is fairly young and mobile, and have some mindsets that can counter the typical conservative nature of our country. Thus, there are pushes to urbanize Houston.
Even in the last few years downtown is finally moving away from ‘just’ the Central Business District. Many of the adjacent urban neighborhoods have seen an influx of young professionals in the last few years, and the trend is finally working its way into downtown. This coincides with the Light Rail system as it expands from the one line to many.
But judging a book by the cover isn't exactly the best way to occupy yourself for hours. Starting with downtown. It’s well kept, has a strong business center, light rail, shopping, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The key uses are there, but it is still falling short in streetlife and after hours activity. Take for instance the indoor/outdoor mall across the street from the hotel. The mall is obviously a new build, but I felt like I was walking through a downtown in the 1970’s after everything had closed up shop. The few stores in existence were typical urban stores. The rest was vacant - with a slight music track playing off in the distance. It was somewhat surreal. But it kind of fit in with the 1970 building style Macy’s across the street, which is probably the only downtown department store within a five hundred mile radius. While the essence of the downtown department store died in the 1990's, it's reemerging. Macy’s is (hopefully) holding on to Houston’s when it can sustain the downtown department store (hopefully soon). Further up the street (on the rail line) is a cluster of after hour restaurant and bars. It begins to establish an after hour vibe, and (somewhere) there has to be residential around. It has easy access to the sport venues, and students from Rice can easily come up from campus. Mind you, this not even close to what a city the size of Houston needs (or sustain a downtown residential population). But it’s there nonetheless.
Even in the last few years downtown is finally moving away from ‘just’ the Central Business District. Many of the adjacent urban neighborhoods have seen an influx of young professionals in the last few years, and the trend is finally working its way into downtown. This coincides with the Light Rail system as it expands from the one line to many.
But judging a book by the cover isn't exactly the best way to occupy yourself for hours. Starting with downtown. It’s well kept, has a strong business center, light rail, shopping, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The key uses are there, but it is still falling short in streetlife and after hours activity. Take for instance the indoor/outdoor mall across the street from the hotel. The mall is obviously a new build, but I felt like I was walking through a downtown in the 1970’s after everything had closed up shop. The few stores in existence were typical urban stores. The rest was vacant - with a slight music track playing off in the distance. It was somewhat surreal. But it kind of fit in with the 1970 building style Macy’s across the street, which is probably the only downtown department store within a five hundred mile radius. While the essence of the downtown department store died in the 1990's, it's reemerging. Macy’s is (hopefully) holding on to Houston’s when it can sustain the downtown department store (hopefully soon). Further up the street (on the rail line) is a cluster of after hour restaurant and bars. It begins to establish an after hour vibe, and (somewhere) there has to be residential around. It has easy access to the sport venues, and students from Rice can easily come up from campus. Mind you, this not even close to what a city the size of Houston needs (or sustain a downtown residential population). But it’s there nonetheless.
Then for the first time I ventured on the light rail's Rail Line down to the Medical District and Rice University. In addition to the Red Line, they are currently constructing several rail lines, but this rail line is the only link thus far. It goes from downtown to the baseball stadium, hospital district, university, and further south to housing. Seems to capture a good population. Plus it's functionally nice. We got off at Rice University and walked to their commercial area for lunch. Not bad for two bucks.
The inner-city neighborhoods themselves are the defining moment of Houston. Usually the neighborhoods are the first to revitalize - followed by the central business district. I of course spend my time to the west inside the Heights area and Montrose. Like a lot of cities, the gay neighborhood was the first to take hold; and the rest of the young professionals followed. The infrastructure itself isn't there (nothing compared to Dallas), but the stores, restaurants, and bars are all present. There is definitely a huge influx of young professional. Which is good for a city like Houston, because it is attracting high paying jobs (mostly related to gas).
Houston has a lot going for itself. But it needs to step up its game to attract the quality of life young people want now-a-days.