Port Houston To Relocate Office To Fifth Ward

Port Houston is planning to relocate its administrative office from its longtime home near the Buffalo Bayou turning basin, just above the 610 bridge, to Houston’s Fifth Ward in the East River mixed-use development.

The new facility will be on the east bank of Buffalo Bayou at the intersection of Jensen Drive and Clinton Drive, just down from Allen’s Landing. The landing is named after August and John Allen, who in 1836 envisioned Houston as a center for commerce on the Gulf Coast. Early trade on Buffalo Bayou eventually led to the development of the Houston Ship Channel, which is in the midst of its 11th expansion project.

“It was important to us to remain close to the ship channel we serve,” said Ric Campo, chairman of the Port of Houston Authority’s commission. “Part of the appeal of the property at East River is being able to contribute to the continued growth of the local community. It’s thrilling to see the expansion of businesses and green spaces in the area, and we are happy to be a part of it.”

East River is a 150-acre development by Houston real estate company Midway. The new Port Houston administrative building will feature six floors of office space encompassing 96,000 square feet and a 300-space parking garage. The port’s government relations, community relations, legal, accounting, business equity, economic development, human resources and others will be based in the new office. The port will move to the site by the summer of 2025.

“This announcement shows great insight on behalf of Port Houston, given everything taking place at the East River development, as well as the improvements Buffalo Bayou Partnership is making from downtown Houston to the turning basin,” said Rev. Harvey Clemons, a Fifth Ward neighborhood leader and pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. “It’s an excellent move, and we’re happy to have Port Houston join the Fifth Ward community.”

Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston, said the move is about connecting with the port’s past while also being a part of a bright future.

“This strategic decision has been made to accommodate our growing needs as an organization, which has long supported the Houston Ship Channel as its local advocate,” Guenther said. “In addition to being the local sponsor of this federal waterway, we also oversee Houston’s public marine terminals, which serve America’s No. 1 city and state in exports. This location takes us back to our original roots where the Houston Ship Channel began, while also providing our staff with a collaborative environment and a modern workspace that all Houstonians can be proud of. [It’s] the ideal place to house the administrative offices serving our nation’s largest waterway.”

Port Houston’s current administrative building will be demolished to make way for expanded cargo operations at the City Docks terminal.