Come along for a walk to help shape a shared vision for Emancipation Avenue.

Come along a historic tour, learn about local investments, and visit development sites.

Join us for a private breakfast on supportive missing middle development policies and solutions to financing small scale projects.

Network with active developers, investors, and decision makers over drinks and lite bites.

Play developer for a day as part of a team to learn the trade offs between a project’s vision, city objectives and resident’s goals.

Move & Mingle: Walk Hermann Park, talk small-scale Houston development, connect, imagine future.

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods.

Connect with neighbors, local business owners, and real estate creators to collaborate, share insights, and drive community-led growth.

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods.

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods.

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or newly curious about development, this is your space to learn, connect, and contribute to the future of our blocks.

Join us for an Interactive Site Visit at an active project along 8027 Betty Boop St. Houston, TX 77028.

Join us and help inform the next generation of community-led development.

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods.

Join us for the Neighborhood Developer Meetup: Food Truck Park Visit on February 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM. We hope you’ll join us for this opportunity to connect and continue building momentum together.

Join us as we grow Houston's small scale development ecosystem!

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods.

Connect with local developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders shaping Houston’s neighborhoods.

Join the 3rd Ward Real Estate Council for a hands-on workshop on how to design, finance, and develop a real quadplex site in Houston. This event turns theory into action and gives participants the tools to move from ideas to impact.

Move & Mingle: Walk & talk small scale development & community revitalization in Hermann Park — connect, ideate, and shape Houston’s future from the ground up.

Houston is growing fast, but too many neighborhoods lack attainable housing, quality local businesses, and thoughtful development. As part of the Do the Things that Matter! campaign, the 3rd Ward Real Estate Council is launching the inaugural Bridge to Action Small Scale Developer Program—a pioneering effort to equip a new wave of developers committed to revitalizing communities through small-scale, people-centered projects.

“Move & Mingle: Walk & talk small scale development & community revitalization in Hermann Park — connect, ideate, and shape Houston’s future from the ground up.”

Join The 3rd Ward Real Estate Council’s monthly meetup and become part of Houston’s growing ecosystem for small-scale development. Connect, collaborate, and build walkable, vibrant neighborhoods together.

It’s just as important for us to activate spaces in the neighborhoods were working in as it is to build in them. Demonstrating a commitment to neighborhood wellness and inclusion strengthens trust, informs future development, and supports more sustainable, community-rooted projects.

Join us each month for Play at the Park, a free, family-friendly gathering in a different local park designed to get residents moving, foster connection, and activate our shared public spaces. This isn’t just a walk in the park—it’s a step toward stronger, more engaged, and more vibrant neighborhoods. Each outing includes activities like group fitness, walking clubs, kid-friendly games, and time to simply connect with neighbors. 

Parks are vital community infrastructure. As "third places"—spaces outside of home and work—they create opportunities for social connection, health, and civic engagement. When consistently activated, parks contribute to safer, more cohesive neighborhoods and send a powerful signal of care and investment. They also increase surrounding property values, support mental and physical well-being, and build a sense of place.

Introducing our Small on Purpose monthly pop-up market – a vibrant celebration of local entrepreneurship, artistry, and community spirit!

This recurring event is designed to shine a spotlight on small businesses and emerging talents, offering them a platform to showcase their unique products and services. Each month, you'll find an exciting variety of handmade goods, artisanal foods, creative artwork, and innovative offerings that reflect the rich diversity of our local creators.

Beyond shopping, this market is a social hub where neighbors can gather, connect, and enjoy music, food, games and social activities. Join us in supporting local talent, fostering creativity, and building a stronger, more connected community!

Call for artists, vendors, and program managers or host your next event. Come out to get an early peek at the market.

Become a vendor - apply here

Market vendors benefit from being positioned on historic Emancipation Ave which gets close to 7000 cars daily. The market is nestled between Emancipation Park, the newly renovated El Dorado Ballroom, and One Emancipation office building. Market operators work to provide programming to attract neighbors as well marketing support. Vendor space available beyond Small on Purpose pop up.

Join us for a Volunteer Interest Meeting hosted by The 3rd Ward Real Estate Council (TWREC) to learn how you can play a vital role in shaping equitable development and revitalization efforts in the 3rd Ward.

This virtual call will:
🔹 Recap key takeaways from our recent Lost Spaces Conference
🔹 Welcome new volunteers and share current opportunities to get involved
🔹 Provide an overview of TWREC’s mission, ongoing initiatives, and impact areas

Whether you're passionate about affordable housing, small business development, community education, or activating underused spaces—there’s a place for you on our team.

Let’s work together to build a stronger, more inclusive 3rd Ward.

RSVP now and take your first step toward making a meaningful difference.

Join us for an immersive tour of Houston’s historic Third Ward — a neighborhood rich in culture, resilience, and opportunity. This experience is designed for developers, entrepreneurs, investors, and community advocates who want to build projects that honor the past, serve the present, and shape a thriving future.

What to Expect:

• Community History : Learn about the deep roots of Third Ward, its pivotal role in Houston’s Black history, and the stories that continue to shape its identity today.

• Development Site Visits: Explore key residential and commercial sites currently in progress or poised for new investment.

• Context + Conversation: Hear directly from community leaders and longtime residents about the needs, priorities, and hopes for equitable development.

• Best Practices: Gain insights on how to approach development thoughtfully, centering local voices and creating spaces that welcome both existing and new residents.

Why Attend?This tour offers crucial context for anyone planning to build in Third Ward or similar communities. Understanding the layered history and current dynamics is key to creating projects that are both successful and socially responsible.

Details:

📅 Date: June 8

🕘 Time: 11:00-4:00 PM CDT

📍 Starting Location: [Insert Meeting Spot]

🎟️ Tickets: [Insert Link if Needed]

Let’s build with history in mind and community at heart.

Join us for an evening of meaningful dialogue, good food, and collaborative visioning as we tackle one of our city’s most pressing challenges: creating responsible development policies that build an affordable and diverse housing inventory.

This dinner brings together policymakers, developers, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates to discuss key changes needed to:

• Support responsible development that respects neighborhood character while expanding opportunities for all.

• Create pathways for funding infill projects in key growth areas.

• Ensure that affordability, diversity, and sustainability are at the heart of our urban future.

Through curated conversation and connection, we’ll explore innovative policy ideas, funding mechanisms, and community-driven solutions that can help us move from plans to action.

Why Attend:

• Contribute your insights to shaping equitable development policies.

• Build partnerships with others committed to housing and community resilience.

• Help design strategies that make infill housing projects viable, impactful, and accessible.

Details:

📅 June 7th

🕖 6 - 8

📍 TBD

🎟️ RSVP Required

Let’s rethink how our cities grow—together.

Join us for a half-day interactive coaching workshop designed to support aspiring and active small-scale developers in bringing their neighborhood-focused projects to life. Whether you're exploring your first infill opportunity or refining plans for your next community-enhancing development, this workshop will provide the expert guidance, practical tools, and collaborative environment you need to move forward with confidence.

Led by a diverse team of experienced real estate and development professionals, the session will focus on three critical pillars of successful small-scale development: acquisition, design, and sustainability. Through hands-on coaching, group discussions, and real-world case studies, attendees will receive personalized support and insights tailored to their current or future projects.

This workshop is ideal for community-minded developers, property owners, and entrepreneurs who are committed to creating responsible, inclusive, and lasting impact at the neighborhood scale. Come ready to learn, connect, and take the next step toward turning your development vision into a reality.

Key Takeaways:

•Strategies for identifying and acquiring viable properties

•Design principles for functional, beautiful, and context-sensitive infill projects

•Tools and practices for long-term sustainability—economic, environmental, and social

•Personalized coaching from experienced professionals in the field

•A supportive network of like-minded developers and changemakers

Who Should Attend:

Aspiring and active small-scale developers, real estate entrepreneurs, property owners, and anyone with a vision for community-centered development.

Up to 50% off for DT3M campaign supporters.

Become a supporter at www.dt3m.com

Join us for Building Belonging, a dynamic half-day symposium exploring the future of equitable development in our city. Through two thought-provoking sessions, we’ll unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the way we live, move, and connect in urban spaces.

Session 1: Unlocking the Middle – Rethinking Policies to Enable Missing Middle Housing

Hosted by the American Planning Association, this panel discussion will bring together developers, designers, land planners, and real estate professionals to examine the policy barriers preventing the development of missing middle housing. Participants will explore how outdated zoning, parking minimums, and other local regulations hinder inclusive growth—and what policy shifts could pave the way for more diverse, attainable housing options.

Session 2: Connecting Corridors – The Intersection of Housing, Transit, and Belonging

Presented by Link Houston, this session will explore how transit-oriented and trail oriented development can serve as anchors for equitable development. A panel of developers, planners, and transit advocates will discuss how activating and revitalizing corridors can support small businesses, improve access to housing and mobility, and foster a stronger sense of belonging in our communities.

Whether you're a practitioner, policymaker, or advocate, this event will spark new ideas and help align cross-sector efforts to create more vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods.

Up to 50% off for DT3M campaign supporters.

Become a supporter at www.dt3m.com