EaDo residents call for green space to be restored after FIFA Fan Fest

HOUSTON - Some East Downtown residents are calling for grass and trees to be restored along the EaDo Promenade following the conclusion of Houston’s FIFA Fan Fest.

EaDo residents asking for grass, trees to be restored in promenade following Houston's FIFA Fan Fest

What they're saying:

Nguyen Le, who has lived at the nearby Herrin Lofts for a while, said the promenade was once one of the neighborhood’s few green spaces, filled with grass and mature trees. 

He said the area was transformed to accommodate Fan Fest activities, but after the event ended, residents were left with what he described as a "barren desert" of gravel and dirt. 

Le said residents understood that temporary changes were needed to host visitors and major events, but many believed the area would be restored afterward.

"They took over our neighborhood to throw a big party for the city and the world," Le wrote in a message to the East Downtown Management District. "Now that everyone has left our neighborhood, the least they can do is give us our green space back." 

Le said he and his neighbors are not opposed to economic development. He said residents regularly support local restaurants and businesses before, during and after major events in the area. 

However, he believes landscaping, and green space should be included in future development plans to help make EaDo cooler, more walkable and more inviting.

Residents said they were previously told that improvements connected to FIFA would create cooler community spaces for people to enjoy before, during and after the event.

Now, some worry the lack of grass, trees and shade could make the promenade less comfortable for residents and visitors and could discourage people from spending time outside the area’s restaurants and businesses.

Le suggested that officials consider shutting down nearby streets for future programming instead of permanently changing the promenade’s green space.

In an email to Le, that was shared with us, East Downtown Management District Executive Director Elizabeth Whitton said the district is planning a substantial tree-planting effort in the fall, when temperatures and weather conditions are more suitable.

Residents say they appreciate the planned tree planting, but still want the grass and green space restored to the condition it was in before Fan Fest.

"We’re simply asking them to do the right thing by restoring the green space prior to its destruction," Le said.

Future plans in EaDo

Elizabeth Whitton, executive director of the East Downtown Management District, sent FOX 26 this statement about plans for the space:

"East Downtown was proud to welcome the world this summer, and we're grateful to the residents, businesses, and visitors who made the FIFA Fan Festival a defining moment for our neighborhood. We've also heard the questions residents have raised about the Promenade since the event, and we want to be transparent about our decision and our broader plans for East Downtown's public spaces.

Following the event, the Management District's board chose to keep the improvements built for the Fan Festival in place — including the lighting, signage, and decomposed-granite surface. This was an intentional decision, not a delay. The new surface is more durable and flexible, drains better, and lets us activate the Promenade as a true community gathering space for markets, festivals, and events throughout the year.

At the same time, we're equally committed to green space and a comfortable, shaded environment. This fall, TxDOT will lead a significant tree-planting effort along the edges of the Promenade, installing 100-gallon live oak trees that will build a substantial shade canopy over time. Exact planting dates will depend on weather — extreme heat and storms can affect the health of newly planted trees — but the plan and the commitment are firmly in place.

The Promenade is part of a larger, ongoing investment in East Downtown's public realm. East Downtown recently put more than $100,000 into improvements at Hutchins Park — including grass seeding and the removal of impervious surfaces — adding green and recreational space and strengthening connections to the EaDo/Stadium METRO station. EaDog Park and its adjacent playground already give residents a green, family-friendly place to gather. Once nearby construction wraps, the District will refresh the dog park with new mulch, a thorough cleaning after a summer of heavy use, repairs to fencing and other construction-related damage, and service to bring its water features fully back online. And this June, the District — alongside the Greater Southeast Management District and the City of Houston — celebrated the launch of Phase 1 of a $7.5 million improvement to the Columbia Tap Trail, adding more than 300 solar-powered lights along the four-mile route, with further safety, signage, and intersection upgrades planned through 2027.

We take the concerns of our businesses and residents seriously, including those about green space and heat. Community and business input has shaped East Downtown throughout its growth and we welcome continued dialogue as these plans move forward. We’ll share more details as they're finalized."

Eastside/EaDoHouston