The OST-South Union neighborhood is a short drive from downtown Houston.
A southside Houston neighborhood steeped in history, arts and culture
Just 3 miles from downtown Houston, OST-South Union is intentional about its community. This shows up at neighborhood block parties, within its thriving Black-owned businesses and the everyday actions of neighbors helping neighbors. Surrounded by the vibrant Third Ward, OST-South Union is steeped in Black history, arts and culture. As its centrality and relative affordability naturally draw interest, it's also becoming a multicultural melting pot. "I think most people in Houston, when they think of places that are having a lot of new development, this area is one of the first places they think of,” says HAR Realtor and local expert Michaela Green. The community faced economic struggles after its once-thriving business core, the Palm Center mall, became a ghost town in the 1980s. But today OST-South Union is rising through a community that’s only growing stronger. Despite Houston's loose to no zoning laws, grassroots efforts ensure OST-South Union maintains cohesion, with much of the new construction matching its '50s era minimal traditional home styles.
Black-owned businesses along Martin Luther King Boulevard
A range of popular Black-owned businesses settles along Cullen Boulevard, Martin Luther King Boulevard and Old Spanish Trail. Best Soul Food In Town is the spot for Southern classics like pork chops with a side of mac and cheese. A mile from there, The Stuffed Baked Potato Factory serves spuds loaded with toppings. In the evenings, The Liv'n Room and The Local Seat are go-to's for affordable drinks and creative ways to let loose. "On Monday nights The Local Seat has open mics with people rapping and singing and reading spoken word poems," Green says. "You really get to see the culture." The Liv'n Room hosts The Tiny Room experience every Wednesday with live soul music and a happy hour. One of the most popular venues, however, is Shrine of The Black Madonna. The shrine houses Houston's only Buy Black Marketplace on the first Saturday of every month supporting Black-owned businesses. For everyday shopping Aldi's, Walgreens and Dollar Tree are at the intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Scott Street.
Engage with local arts and culture at The Shrine of Black Madonna Cultural Center.
The Stuffed Baked Potato Factory has many tasty options for OST-South Union residents.
Locals in OST-South Union visit Staring Line Up Black Barbershop for haircuts.
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Accessible housing options through Agape Development
OST-South Union's streets have character. The tall trees and the cracks in the roads speak to the area’s history as shiny new developments move in. Established traditional-style homes might range from the mid-$100,000s to the high $200,000s depending on the extent of their renovation. Completely remodeled homes and new construction generally range from the low $300,000s to $400,000s. Some of the most affordable housing in the area is spearheaded by nonprofits like Agape Development. "Community convenings were held to see what the residents wanted, and they didn't want anything starkly different from what already existed in the neighborhood," says Peter Freedman, Agape's director of housing. "Every home has a front porch so you can sit and talk to your neighbors and a back patio so you can still have privacy while relaxing outdoors." Agape homes are secured on an application basis with pricing that's adjusted for income. OST-South Union's proximity below the Brays Bayou, and within Houston, makes it at risk for flooding.
Many homes in OST-South Union come with front yards.
Craftsman style homes are sprinkled throughout the OST-South Union neighborhood.
New contemporary builds are popping up all over OST-South Union.
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Parks that celebrate Houston's civil rights activists
A few of OST-South Union's parks are named for prominent activists, including George T. Nelson Park off LaSallette Street. Originally called "Yellowstone," a yearlong effort spearheaded by neighbors who knew and loved him led to a name change honoring the prominent Houston civil rights leader. Today, the park has a community pool for cool swims on hot Texas days, a playground with swings and a green for dogs to run. Park at Palm Center, the re-imagined abandoned mall on Griggs Road, now has a splash park for the kids, trails and a community garden with vegetables and fruit locals can pick fresh off the trees. OST-South Union's has been a GO Neighborhood since 2013. GO Neighborhoods participate in multiyear efforts to create stronger communities in Houston. Beautification projects that promote connection, like the community garden, are just one way to create healing in areas where crime is higher than average. Currently, OST-South Union's CAP Score Crime Index is 6 out of 10, which is above the national average of 4
The public pool in OST-South Union is the place to be on hot summer days.
George T. Nelson Park is a great place to to take the kids in the OST-neighborhood.
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Metro rail provides transportation for OST/South Union residents.
Inside the 610 Loop
Being within the 610 Loop makes commutes throughout Houston quicker though essentials are all close at hand. Neighbors who don't have a car can take advantage of the Houston METRO, which stops throughout the area, or take the light rail. Corner churches, stores and restaurants also create a semi-walkable lifestyle here.
Yates High School's magnet program
Students in this neighborhood are served by the Houston Independent School District (HISD). They may attend Hartsfield Elementary School, Cullen Middle School and Yates High School, home to HISD's magnet program for communications and media. The elementary school earns a C-plus from Niche, the middle school maintains a C minus and the high school scores a C rating. On Griggs Road, the Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library provides a quiet place to study. Several higher education options, including the historically Black college Texas Southern University, just over 2 miles south, are a short drive away.
This is the entrance to Hartsfield Elementary.
Cullen Middle School is championing the spirit of exploration.
Yates High School is where curiosity meets the classroom.
The Houston Public Library has many learning options for all OST-South Union residents.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in OST-South Union, Houston sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in OST-South Union, Houston over the last 12 months is $245,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Recently renovated apartments at Yellowstone Blvd & Cullen Rd in Houston offer unbeatable convenience near the University of Houston, Texas Medical Center, Veterans Hospital, and NRG Stadium. Upgrades include new vinyl plank flooring, fresh paint, updated plumbing, fixtures, doors, and windows, plus individual HVAC in each unit. The gated community features controlled walk-through and parking
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