Downtown Identity + Beautification
Creating a clean, beautiful and inviting environment is a significant part of Downtown Houston+ efforts. From lighting the street and pedestrian walkways, to caring for the flowerpots and landscape beds, we are committed to adding vibrancy, decor, and pops of color to the sidewalks and streets of Downtown.
Lighting
The Houston Downtown Management District, an arm of Downtown Houston+, designed and continues to expand, improve and support the operation of a street/pedestrian light system that has significantly increased the quality of lighting on Downtown’s sidewalks and streets. In early 2024, a lighting study was completed and will guide future lighting improvements for Downtown. Learn more about the 2024 Pedestrian Lighting Study.
Wayfinding
The Downtown District manages the wayfinding signs throughout Downtown Houston at street-level and in our tunnels. The wayfinding provides maps and directions to the various districts, landmarks, attractions, adjacent neighborhoods and highways in the area. Signage includes pedestrian and vehicular; the vehicular signage is a partnership with Houston Arts Alliance and showcases art by local artists on the backside of the large signs.
Landscaping
The District cares for thousands of street trees, flower planters and landscape beds in Downtown's public right of ways. In addition, the District is responsible for providing an elevated level of beautification service along Main, Dallas and Bagby Streets and at Market Square and Trebly Parks.
Holiday Decor
As Downtown has grown and become an active place 24/7, the Downtown District has invested in a robust Holiday Decor Program. Lights, trees, street pole decor, banners and other photo opportunities are installed in early November remaining up through the new year.
Banners
The purpose of the Downtown Banner Program is to add color and excitement to Downtown as well as create a sense of place. The Downtown District manages the banner program on behalf of the City of Houston. Banners, as referred to in the attached document, are an outdoor display that is placed, erected or fastened to a street light standard owned and maintained by an electric utility or by the Downtown District (located in the public right of way).
The banner program is guided by the City of Houston’s Code of Ordinances (Section 40-30) which states that banners are to be used to accentuate the aesthetic appeal of Downtown. Banners shall be used for noncommercial and nonpolitical purposes only and shall use a word or words only as a part of an artistic composition. (Banners are not meant to be used as an advertisement of a business, a product or other private or personal message).
- The Code of Ordinances has been amended relating to permitting the use of banners for certain conventions and large-scale events.
- If you are a non-profit, large convention at the GRBCC or a major, city-wide event, you may be eligible to use the on-street banners poles. Expenses include fabrication and install/removal costs. Please note that if there are District banners up, you may be required to incur the expense of removing and reinstalling per the needs of the Downtown District.