Houston City Council unanimously voted to extend the More Space: Main Street program during its Feb. 2 meeting.
The city of Houston started More Space: Main Street in November 2020 to help businesses navigate the coronavirus pandemic. The program blocks off vehicular traffic on a portion of Main Street between Commerce and Rusk streets—a total of seven blocks—allowing restaurants and bars to extend out into the roadway to serve customers with adequate social distancing.
The intent of the program was to re-energize Main Street as an “interesting and vibrant corridor,” according to the city of Houston’s website.
“The program has temporarily transformed seven blocks of main street,” District 1 Council Member Robert Gallegos said. “I encourage my colleagues to see how popular these spaces are, especially on the evenings and weekends.”
More Space: Main Street was supposed to end March 31 of this year, but it will now be extended for one year or until the city-adopted COVID-19 directives end.
With the extension of the program, participating businesses and others who want to join will still be allowed to serve customers under their temporary enclosures. The program is voluntary and free of fees.
Businesses owners who would like to apply to participate in More Space: Main Street’s extension will have their business designed to fit with the city’s design guide. Restaurants and bars must also get the appropriate permits or permissions from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to legally operate, according to the ordinance.
“It has been working, and it is quite popular,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “This is maybe something that will be long term because it is well-received.”
Several members of Houston City Council hoped that other parts of the city will soon implement similar programs.
