Every neighborhood’s assets, challenges and vision are unique. However, the goal of Complete Communities is the same: to improve neighborhoods so that all of Houston’s residents and business owners can have access to quality services and amenities. The Complete Communities Planning Process is designed to create an Action Plan that will guide how communities and their partners will reach that goal. This collaborative community-driven method will achieve consensus on a vision and goals, identify projects and strategies, set priorities, engage partners, create benchmarks to measure success over time and adopt the Action Plan. The final step is to implement the goals that completes the community’s vision. Third Ward has existing community plans rich with neighborhood participation and support. Because of its extensive planning work, Third Ward will begin with steps 3-5.

For more information on meeting specifics in Third Ward that are planned or have occurred, click:

Kick-Off Meeting October 30, 2017

Open House Feb. 7, 2018

Neighborhood Profile

Third Ward, located less than one mile southeast of downtown Houston, is one of Houston’s historic African American neighborhoods. The boundaries of the Complete Communities area span I-45 on the north, State Highway 288/I69 on the west, Wentworth and Blodgett to the South, and then along Spur 5 on the east.

Third Ward’s history is rich. It was one of Houston’s original “wards” dating back to the early 1800’s. Recently renovated Emancipation Park, once the only public park available to African-Americans, lies within its boundaries. Third Ward is home to two universities – Texas Southern University and University of Houston. Texas Southern University began in 1927 as a junior college for African-Americans, changed to a four-year college in 1934 and was later named Texas Southern University in 1951. Third Ward is also home to many notable people – Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, State Representative Garnet Coleman, U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, and Beyoncé among others.