Bye-bye, infamous McDonald’s, hello progress

The demolition of an infamous McDonald’s and relocation of a Greyhound station has opened up land for redevelopment in Houston’s Midtown.

Unnamed “developers” have a vision to drastically change the neighborhood, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The fast-food restaurant closed recently after a regular review of the portfolio, McDonald’s told the outlet. The location was infamous among locals for being a frequent backdrop of criminal activity and earned multiple unsavory nicknames like “McStabby” and “Crackdonalds”.

The Greyhound bus station, across the street at 2121 Main Street, is expected to close next year and relocate its operations. The company’s leaseback at the property ends in October 2024, and Cushman and Wakefield is marketing the 1.44-acre site for sale on behalf of owners Twenty Lake Holdings.

The properties are located near where civic organizations have proposed building an elevated park above a section of Interstate 45. The plan is to convert an abandoned piece of the highway, known as Pierce Elevated, into a linear park that connects Hamilton Street to Heiner Street along the southeastern edge of downtown.

“After having those freeways in the city for the better part of 70 years, it’s challenging and exciting to have the opportunity to come back and reshape how they fit,” Bob Eury, executive director of the Houston Downtown Management District, told the outlet.

The organization Midtown Houston helps coordinate development in the area and will hold a virtual public meeting on Feb. 22 to share updates to a master plan for the neighborhood.

A few blocks north, Brookfield Properties is in the process of “mothballing” its office tower at 1600 Smith Street. New York-based Brookfield, the largest landlord in downtown Houston, is asking current tenants to move to one of the company’s other 11 properties in the city’s central business district, suggesting the potential for a redevelopment.

 — Victoria Pruitt