On Tuesday, March 4, the sky was overcast. Conversely, the mood of the UHD@1801 Main open house was cheerful. The university’s 17,000-square-foot expansion at the Amegy Bank Building was celebrated with king cake, optimism for UHD’s future and the future of downtown Houston, and a ribbon cutting featuring seven pairs of giant scissors.
President Loren J. Blanchard opened the Mardi Gras-themed festivities and emphasized the strategic importance of the space, noting how it increases access to professional and academic services for alumni and students. He also said the Center for Crime, Urban Research, and Education (C-CURE), to be housed at UHD@1801 Main, will work to address complex urban challenges through research, education, and collaboration.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony also served as a backdrop for the successful conclusion of the UHD Law Summit, a joint effort by the Career Center and the Office of the Provost. The event brought together Gator students and leading legal professionals from the Houston Bar, South Texas College of Law, and the Harris County District Attorney’s office.
Allen Douglas, Chief Operating Officer of the Downtown Houston+ Redevelopment Authority, also spoke at the ceremony on Tuesday, saying that UHD@1801 Main will enhance the vibrancy of downtown and serve as yet another example of the university’s commitment to downtown and Houston’s urban core.
The new location is reachable by Metro Train from the main UHD campus, and shuttle service from the main campus will begin soon. With its strategic location, innovative programs, and commitment to collaboration, UHD is poised to play an even greater role in shaping the future of downtown Houston.