Fifth Ward
At first glance, Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward neighborhood could be unfairly categorized as another lost inner-city “other America” – exemplifying the country's ills: poverty, neglect and urban decay.
A stroll past the small wood frame homes off Jensen Drive and the vacant lots along Liberty Road hint at the struggles this close-knit Ward has faced over recent decades.
Struggles the Fifth Ward has faced, and overcome.
To the more observant, the Fifth Ward of 2006 can evoke more powerful ideals; qualities most believe characterize the heart of this country: Hope, community, justice and opportunity. These qualities are the Fifth Ward's true resources.
And today, they are not being squandored ruminating on the mistakes of the past, but rather, invested in the possibilities of the future.
Hang tight -- A quick peek around Clinton Street lends evidence these forces are at play.
The site of a multi-million dollar new home for the Halliburton subsidiary KBR now stands where a collection of abandoned building once stood. Houston independent rap label Rap-A-Lot Records is also headquartered in the Fifth Ward of downtown Houston.
Small clusters of brick homes identify a small middle class population. Many original, sub-standard housing units have been demolished over the past two decades atop a wave of commercial activity and new home construction now filling these empty lots.
The Fifth Ward is an important historical and political district to both Houston and the state of Texas; The Fifth Ward is currently undergoing a dramatic re-vitalization project.
A leader on this front the Fifth Ward Community Revitalization Corporation – a non-profit organization – is determined to spread its philosophy of “Invest – Build – Grow” in 5th Ward. Efforts are aimed at creating a positive image of the 5th Ward by attracting investment from homebuyers, homeowners, businesses, and government.
Some highlights of the Fifth Ward CRC plans include: a Buffalo Soldiers National Museum featuring the accomplishments of African-American soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the present; The American Cowboy Museum focusing on African American cowboys and cowgirls; and the Magic Johnson Theatre built by former basketball great Magic Johnson; This state of the art multi-plex features12 screens with 3,500 capacity seating and new stadium-style seating for unobstructed viewing. The theatre will anchor the new Northline Mall.
