More Space Main Street 2.0
Downtown Houston+ is expanding the successful “More Space: Main Street” initiative into a permanent and visionary project in partnership with the City of Houston. Initially conceived to support local bars and restaurants during the early pandemic days, Houston City Council unanimously voted to permanently convert seven blocks of Main Street from Commerce to Rusk into a pedestrian promenade in March 2023. Downtown Houston+ has entered the planning phase for the next iteration of this project, aptly named “More Space: Main Street 2.0.” The project’s objectives are multifaceted, aiming to attract more visitors to the Downtown area, activate the public realm throughout the day and night, enhance mobility, ensure safety, and establish a vibrant identity for this stretch of Main Street. In Q4, the conceptual plan will be completed. To date, the plan includes repurposing the former vehicular lanes into dynamic public spaces by raising the roadway to sidewalk level to enhance accessibility. Additionally, new elements will be introduced, including more areas for seating, shade, events, and greening. The project will transition to a final design and engineering phase in 2024, and construction is planned for 2025. The timeline aims for completion before the FIFA World Cup 2026™ arrives in Houston.