Houston is a city that thrives on transformation, and 2025 promises to be no exception. From groundbreaking developments redefining sustainability to multi-use destinations enhancing urban walkability, Houston’s skyline and neighborhoods are set for exciting changes. Here’s a closer look at some of the most anticipated developments shaping the city in the years to come.   Tony Marron Park  The revitalization of Tony Marron Park is at the heart of the $310 million Buffalo Bayou East project that will extend the park into Houston’s East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods. The plans for Tony Marron Park include nearly doubling the park’s size, growing it from 19 acres to 40. As a central hub for Buffalo Bayou East, the redesigned park will feature sprawling lawns, civic spaces with soccer fields, vibrant public art, a multi-age play area, an interactive water playscape, a barbecue pavilion with a picnic grove and more. Construction is set to begin as the park closes this month.  Click to expand One Bridgeland Green  One Bridgeland Green is a key feature of Bridgeland’s Village Green at Bridgeland Central, a mixed-use development located within the 925-acre master-planned community in Cypress. This innovative project will be the region’s first mass timber office building, designed to significantly reduce environmental impact by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and lowering annual water consumption by 80 percent. The development is on track for completion this summer.     Click to expand GreenStreet  GreenStreet, the four-block mixed-use district in downtown managed by Texas-based real estate firm Rebees, is slated for a multimillion-dollar makeover. Planned updates include converting the former Forever 21 building into a pedestrian-friendly alleyway filled with dining, retail and nightlife attractions. Additional enhancements feature the installation of rooftop solar panels, improved landscaping with lush gardens and upgraded office spaces with multi-level amenities. Phase one of construction is expected to commence in Q1 2025 and be completed by Q3.  Click to expand Swift Building  The former Swift and Co. building, located in Houston’s Heights neighborhood, is set to be transformed into a 4.47-acre mixed-use development. The new Swift Building will encompass over 60,000 square feet dedicated to retail, office and restaurant space, all overlooking the popular Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail nearby. The project is set to be completed this year.   Park Eight Place  The former Halliburton campus in the Westchase District is set to be transformed into Park Eight Place, a walkable, 70-acre mixed-use destination. The $1 billion project will feature a mix of residential, retail, hotel and office space with access to nature and recreational amenities in the adjacent 200-acre Arthur Storey Park. Construction on roads and utilities is scheduled to begin this year.  Click to expand More Space: Main Street 2.0  The More Space: Main Street 2.0 project aims to increase Houston’s walkability by transforming seven blocks in downtown into a pedestrian-friendly destination. The project will extend Main Street from Commerce to Rusk and add four additional blocks from Rusk to Allen’s Landing, bringing the area to span a total of 11 blocks. This expansion will permanently block off traffic to the area, creating a promenade where people can safely eat, shop and gather. Construction is scheduled to start this year and expected to finish ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches.  Click to expand San Jacinto Marketplace  The former San Jacinto Mall in Baytown is getting a makeover. The 105-acre project, dubbed San Jacinto Marketplace, will include 500,000 square feet of retail and dining space, and a public green space. Pedestrian walkways will also be constructed to connect key areas throughout the marketplace, enhancing accessibility and walkability. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed next year.   Ritz-Carlton Residences  The Ritz-Carlton Residences, the first stand-alone of its kind in Texas, began construction in The Woodlands last year. Nestled along Lake Woodlands, the luxury condominium offers 39 floor plans and an array of upscale amenities, including a wine cellar, library, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, sauna, multi-sport simulator, dog park and more. Completion of the project is anticipated in 2027.  Learn more about why businesses are choosing Houston and what it means to live, work and play in the Bayou City. 

Following the success of the Texas Water Fund initiative in the 88th Texas Legislative Session, voters overwhelmingly supported the constitutional amendment to fund $1 billion in water infrastructure solutions. With lawmakers set to convene in January, the Partnership sat down with state leaders to explore key updates and insights ahead of the 89th Legislative Session. Here are six essential questions you need to know about water policy.   For those who don’t know much about Texas water systems, what is a high-level overview of how it works? Specifically, who owns the water in Texas and who controls water regulations?  In Texas, the general rule is that any water on the surface belongs to the government, and water below the surface belongs to the property owner. As for who regulates water, there are three main state agencies in play:  Public Utility Commission (PUC): The PUC oversees general regulations regarding utilities, with help from ...  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees the regulation and enforcement of water quality throughout the state. This includes reviewing reports on poor drinking water and other concerns from the general public.  Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) manages various funds for water infrastructure, including the state’s overall water plan.   In addition to these state agencies, regional and local entities oversee water resources. These include the river authorities and groundwater conservation districts, which provide local water-use regulations and water table management.   What are the current challenges facing Houston's water infrastructure, and how do they affect local businesses and residents?  Houston is facing two major challenges related to water resources: fast growth and aging infrastructure. For decades, limited resources have prevented the city from adequately investing in its water infrastructure. This long period of deferred maintenance has left many projects needing funding to modernize or restore old systems. At the same time, as our region continues to grow, there is a need for additional systems to supply the water necessary for new homes and businesses.  With 274 industry and utility connections, the City of Houston supplies substantial water to the region. An emergency interruption would be detrimental and could hinder businesses and slow regional growth in the long term. Investing the necessary dollars to address growth and strengthen existing systems will ensure our economic engine remains strong throughout Greater Houston. How does reliable water infrastructure foster economic growth and competitiveness for Texas and Houston?  Reliable infrastructure is critical to economic growth, ensuring businesses and people thrive. Texas will struggle to attract and retain investments without reliable and safe access to water.   Texas is a beacon of opportunity for industry and people. As the state grows, so does the need for vital resources like water supply and water infrastructure. By prioritizing investments like the Texas Water Fund, we are making clear that our people and their future are a priority. It is not just an investment in water; it is an investment in quality of life. We are fostering opportunity by meeting these infrastructure needs and providing access to critical resources.   For an economic engine like Houston, home to the world’s largest petrochemical complex and the Texas Medical Center – which receives untreated and treated water from the city - the stakes are incredibly high. As the energy capital, it is essential for Texas, not only the region, for Houston to continue to thrive – which could be jeopardized without increased investment in critical infrastructure.   What legislative measures have been passed in previous sessions to address water infrastructure challenges in Texas, and how do you expect the legislature to expand on those efforts in the coming year?    The Texas Water Fund, which received $1 billion contingent upon voter approval, was overwhelmingly passed by the 88th Legislature and approved by Texas voters in 2023, with nearly 78% supporting the ballot initiative. Lawmakers proposed restructuring the $1 billion within the Texas Water Fund to begin delivering solutions and driving innovation to bolster available resources.   This session, securing a dedicated funding source — similar to the Texas Highway Fund — to support ongoing water infrastructure needs will lay the foundation for future investments. It will also give local governments a regular source for long-term planning projects.  Additionally, an expanded focus will likely be on growing the workforce pipeline for the water treatment and delivery industries. This would be similar to pushes in recent years to increase the availability of skilled tradesmen and expand the energy corridor workforce.  The Texas Senate Committee recently released a report with 20 legislative recommendations aimed at improving water infrastructure across the state. What are some recommendations that the Partnership may be taking a closer look at?  Each of the recommendations is worthy of consideration and deep discussion by lawmakers in Austin. Some key recommendations from the report include:  Establish a dedicated revenue stream for long-term water infrastructure development, including expanding available funding in the Texas Water Fund.  Supporting the TRUE grant program and encouraging partnerships between water systems, licensing agencies, and technical colleges will put workforce expansion on the fast track.  Modernizing case management at the Public Utility Council and establishing alternative legal classifications for treated produced water.  Creating an emergency fund and expanding “safe harbor” provisions to help rehabilitate smaller, failing systems before a catastrophe strikes.  Click here to read the full report and recommendations by the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs. What role can the business community play in advocating for and supporting improvements to water infrastructure during the upcoming legislative session?   The business community will have a vital role to play during the upcoming 89th Legislative Session in advocating for and supporting water infrastructure investment. By highlighting the critical connection between reliable water systems and economic growth, we can implore the Legislature to prioritize investments in water infrastructure and secure much-needed dollars to improve systems in our region. This collaboration will be key as we look ahead to the future.  Learn more about the Partnership's Legislative Priorities, click here. For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.