The University of Houston Downtown is expanding its programs and services in Downtown Houston.

What's happening?

Officials with the four-year college plan to open a Crime and Urban Issues Data Analysis Center as well as a new Idea Hub and Entrepreneurship Center while increasing academic programming over the next several years.

The announcement came during the 2024 State of the University Address in September. UHD President Loren Blanchard shared the expansion details during his speech and in a news release that followed the address Sept. 26.
  • UHD is expanding to 1801 Main St., Houston, and will be referred to as UHD@1801 Main or The Launchpad.
  • The university will occupy the entire 10th floor, which includes 17,000 square feet of office and classroom space.
  • It will house a career center annex, continuing education office and the office of alumni relations.
According to the news release, future plans are also underway for the Idea Hub and Entrepreneurship Center, designed as a place to bring students, faculty, staff and community members together to explore ideas, prototypes and business plans.

As for the Crime and Urban Issues Data Analysis Center, Blanchard said it will be the core focus of the university's 2026-27 legislative requests with hopes that future state funding will allow the center to expand into its own space.


Looking ahead

According to the Future of UHD website, the downtown staple also has plans to move forward with a three-part campus master plan that will be on the heels of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project set to begin in 2027 and end in 2038.
  • By 2030, new buildings—including student housing, a convocation center and a performing arts center—are set to be developed.
  • By 2040, UHD will renovate existing buildings and build new construction in the Warehouse District and Downtown District.
  • By 2050, the university will complete a campus expansion with residential housing, academic buildings, supporting facilities and green space.
UHD currently occupies 40 acres in Downtown Houston with satellite locations in Northwest Houston and inside Lone Star College-University Park.

In similar news

Houston Community College's Coleman College at Midtown will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 1 for the new health sciences program. The ceremony will start at 2:30 p.m. on the second floor of the building at 3100 Main St., Houston.


According to the college's website, the Midtown campus will offer evening and weekend pre-health care courses to help working students with more flexible program options.