Midtown Houston has bars, restaurants, and places to live, but people from the area tell Eyewitness News that over time, it feels the amount of crime and unhoused people has grown.
Jorge Ramos told ABC13 last week that the area has changed, but not for the better.
"I've noticed there are a lot of people on the street roaming aimlessly," Ramos said.
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In emails obtained by 13 Investigates, ABC13 learned it's a priority of the Mayor John Whitmire administration to remove what they call "dilapidated buildings." In those emails, they single out the old Greyhound station, Holiday Inn, and Wells Fargo buildings.
According to Houston Public Works, they've done inspections, issued violations, and done follow-up investigations at the three buildings.
All three buildings were found not dangerous according to city code, tying the city's hands in what they are able to do, though public works says they are monitoring the properties ahead of the World Cup as "a concerted effort to hold property owners accountable for their buildings that pose a risk and add blight in the community."
Those emails did mention reaching out to the property owners. ABC13 spoke to the newest owner of the Greyhound station, Adam Brackman, back in February, who said he could be open to selling the property to a developer who wants to tear it down and rebuild, saying vacant buildings aren't good for neighborhoods.
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"If someone was walking five blocks and there's activity, activity, and then something vacant, it really drops off, it doesn't feel safe," Brackman said.
But as of today, Brackman says the city has yet to reach out to him. Right now, he is gutting the space and says he's willing to work with the city to make it more visually pleasing if they reach out.
Meanwhile, Midtown Super Neighborhood President Giselle Martinez says communities change, but points out the area's parks and sense of community as bright spots.
"I think it's gotten better and there's so much room for improvement, that's for sure," Martinez said.
Houston Public Works says the most recent city budget set aside $20 million for the demolition of dangerous buildings, which they say is larger than previous budgets.
The old Holiday Inn and Wells Fargo are owned by LLCs. Eyewitness News tried to contact the owners but was unsuccessful.
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