Is Houston’s Midtown in decline? Residents and business owners weigh in

Like many urban neighborhoods, Houston’s Midtown has experienced waves of transformation, some for the better, others not so much.

Like many urban neighborhoods, Houston’s Midtown has experienced waves of transformation, some for the better, others not so much.

Like many urban neighborhoods, Houston’s Midtown has experienced waves of transformation, some for the better, others not so much.

Like many urban neighborhoods, Houston’s Midtown has experienced waves of transformation, some for the better, others not so much.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Like many urban neighborhoods, Houston’s Midtown has experienced waves of transformation, some for the better, others not so much.

For Jorge Ramos, the area once held a special charm.

“It was a very beloved part of town,” Ramos recalls. “A really fun area to go out to.”

But lately, Ramos says something feels different. On his drives through the neighborhood, he sees more people on the streets, some wandering aimlessly, and a general sense of decline.

“The falloff of Midtown has got to be studied,” he says in a now-viral TikTok video. “Remember when Midtown used to be the (expletive), the go-to. Now? it’s dangerous out there.”

Ramos’s video struck a nerve, tapping into a broader conversation among Houstonians who have noticed changes in Midtown. The phrase “falling off,” as he explains, is popular slang, but also, in this case, a pointed observation. His post received significant engagement and spurred dozens of replies.

“It’s like, what happened?” he said.

Midtown saw major revitalization in the late 1990s. Its walkability, proximity to downtown, and vibrant bar and restaurant scene made it a destination for young professionals and longtime Houstonians alike. But over the past decade, some say that momentum has slowed or even reversed.

Issues like increased homelessness, crime, and the closure of key businesses have some questioning whether the neighborhood has lost its spark.

Still, not everyone agrees with the narrative.

“Do I think Midtown is falling off?” Giselle Martinez, president of the Midtown Super Neighborhood No. 62, said. “I think it’s gotten better. There’s so much room for improvement. That’s for sure, but I don’t think it’s falling off.”

Martinez lives on the east side of Midtown, which is more residential. The west side, by contrast, is denser with commercial space and apartments. She points to the closure of the Whole Foods Market in 2023, which left just one grocery store serving the entire district, as a significant loss, but not a fatal blow.

“I love Midtown. I don’t plan to leave here,” she says, highlighting the area’s parks and community atmosphere.

Public safety remains a central concern. The closure of the Greyhound bus station in late 2023 was seen as a win by many residents, but they say broader concerns about homelessness and safety still deter development and foot traffic.

Midtown Houston, the area’s management district, says it has invested more than $2 million this year in public safety initiatives. Officials cite a double-digit decrease in crime over the last 5 years, even if not everyone feels it.

“Until people feel safe and feel like it’s a place they can walk and be happy,” Tenel Tayar, managing partner with Fifth Corner, a commercial real estate firm, said. “Nobody else will develop the area.”

Tayar’s company owns 100,000 square feet of property in Midtown. While he believes the fundamentals for long-term success are in place, he says city government needs to step up.

“I see the city wanting to make a difference, but I see nothing changing,” he adds.

Back on TikTok, Ramos’s commentary has started a conversation, bringing attention to the neighborhood’s challenges, and its potential.

“We want Midtown to thrive,” Martinez says. “And we’re fighting for Midtown to thrive.”

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