The Houston Chronicle asked readers last month which new projects and developments they are the most excited about that will alter the Bayou City landscape for years to come.
There were several projects readers inquired about more than once. We compiled the most-asked-about projects here and answer whether these developments are still headed for Houston and if so, when.
The Houston-to-Dallas High-Speed Bullet Train (that is probably not coming)
The high-speed train was one of the most popular answers to our poll. But according to the Chronicle's transportation reporter Dug Begley, things aren't looking promising. Instead of being months from construction as promised, it appears the planned rail line is only slightly alive in paperwork. No construction permits have been filed, and confusion remains about Texas Central's headquarters. Its former CEO left the company in June, and its last statement was made in early July. Whether the project will actually come to fruition or not, it still has landowners in its path on edge.
The Ike Dike
Galveston's massive and multifaceted engineering project to protect Houston and Galveston from future storms was another popular response from readers. The long-awaited project is still years away but has made more progress than ever before in recent months.
The main components of the Ike Dike include an expansive gate system that will extend roughly 22 feet above the surface of the entrance to Galveston Bay;
a ring barrier of floodwalls and other components that will encircle part of Galveston Island, restricting traffic when they are closed;
and a series of dunes that will be 14 and 12 feet above sea level and will require continual maintenance.
The Houston Chronicle's recent interactive project offers a bird's eye view of the Ike Dike and shows how the project will work, look and impact the island. See how in our fly-through tour.
Buffalo Bayou East Expansion
The Buffalo Bayou East expansion will transform portions of the park that extend into Fifth Ward and Eado with new projects and infrastructure upgrades that include a bayou-front boardwalk, entertainment complex, new and upgraded pocket parks, pedestrian bridges, entry gardens, sports fields, picnic pavilions and a possible food truck court.
The expansion also calls for an 80-unit affordable housing project that is expected to break ground this month. Construction on the various upgrades will be ongoing through at least 2024.
Artist rendering shows plans for an industrial site called Turkey Bend (left) and expansion plans for Tony Marron Park (right) (MVVA/Courtesy)
Houston airport upgrades
Millions of dollars are being put toward expanding and improving Houston's airports.
Bush Airport is set to receive $40 million of federal funding, and Hobby Airport will receive $3.6 million. The money is intended to improve the security process, ease luggage retrieval, increase energy efficiency and add more gates. Southwest Airlines is additionally planning a $250 million terminal expansion at Hobby Airport, constructing seven new gates. Construction is expected to last through 2024.
East River
East River is a massive, 150-acre mixed-use development that will completely transform the historically black neighborhood of Fifth Ward, for better or worse. The $2.5 billion plan calls for a slew of projects that include apartments, office space, restaurants, retail shops and medical and entertainment buildings. The development will span a mile along the waterfront on the north shore of Buffalo Bayou. Midway broke ground on the project, which is being built in five phases, last year. The first phase is expected to finish completion in 2023; the entire project could take 15 to 20 years.
The development and investment firm working on the project has announced retail and restaurants opening in the new space, including Riverhouse Houston, a restaurant and patio bar overlooking Buffalo Bayou, and East River 9, a nine-hole, par-three public golf course.
Rebecca Hennes, Clare Fonstein, Staff writers
