Houston Business Journal

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project at 2520 Airline Drive was held Aug. 6. Scheduled to be completed in late 2020 or early 2021, the 17.67-acre market will include more modern infrastructure, climate-controlled spaces, open-air market areas, restrooms and common seating areas. That’s in addition to improved parking, sidewalks, landscaping and the addition of green spaces. Office spaces for tenants will be added.

The redevelopment has been in the works since Houston-based MLB Capital Partners bought the market in 2017.

Todd Mason, managing principal of MLB Capital Partners, said that his team will preserve the cultural diversity and history of the market, a concern of some critics who call the project an example of gentrification. The Houston Business Journal previously reported rents at the space would rise about 5 percent to 10 percent, but Mason doesn’t think the increase will drive out tenants.

“It’s still going to be an open-air market, but I’m going to clean up the electrical wires that are hanging down, and get the birds out of it, and get the bathrooms (to) where everyone feels comfortable about going there,” Mason said at the Aug. 6 groundbreaking.