East Downtown residents say they're unhappy that green space isn't returning after FIFA Fan Fest

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Residents in Houston's East Downtown neighborhood say a popular green space near Shell Energy Stadium has lost some of its appeal after grass was replaced with crushed granite.

Nguyen Le, who lives in East Downtown, said he was disappointed to see the once-green Bastrop Promenade transformed into what he described as a barren, rocky landscape.

"We're baking, brother. We're baking in the heat!" Le said.

The promenade leading to Shell Energy Stadium served as the site of Houston's FIFA Fan Festival for 34 days during the tournament.

Now that the festival has ended, some residents say they expected the green space to be restored.

"It was nice and now it's not," resident Donna Keaton said.

Keaton said she and other residents have been patient, hoping the area would eventually return to the way it looked before the festival. She said her dog, Gypsy, used to enjoy rolling in the grass but now spends time pacing around the area.

"Now instead of nice grass and trees, we have dirt," Keaton said.

Le said he appreciated that the area hosted the Fan Festival and gave people a place to gather. But he said residents expected the grass to return once the event ended.

"We were happy Fan Fest folks were able to host the fan festival for people to enjoy, but my neighbors and I were hoping that after everyone leaves town that they will return the green space to the way it was ... and it wasn't," Le said.

ABC13 asked how that made him feel. Le responded, "Betrayed."

The East Downtown Management District said the decision to keep the decomposed granite surface is intentional.

The district said the surface provides better drainage, is more durable and is better suited for a gathering space that can host markets, festivals and other events.

The district also said the work at the promenade is not finished. Plans are in the works to install 100-gallon live oak trees in the area.

Despite the changes, a few blades of grass have begun growing through the rocky surface.

Le said he hopes the greenery eventually returns and that residents can once again enjoy the space.

"We are in the middle of a concrete jungle and we want to protect the little spaces that we have," Le said.

East Downtown Management District shared a full statement that read in part

"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."