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The Houston Downtown Management District will now be responsible for implementing, operating and managing programs and outdoor spaces in the Main Street Promenade.
The areas will cover Commerce Street to Dallas Street and intersecting streets between Fannin Street and Travis Street.
The big picture
Rather than individual businesses creating their own enhanced pedestrian spaces within the public street right of way as part of the program, now the HDMD will maintain and manage the spaces.
According to the ordinance, HDMD and city officials worked with community members and business stakeholders on how it could enhance the Main Street Promenade. Those enhancements include:
The city approved the More Space: Main Street Pilot Program in 2020 during the pandemic to transform Main Street into more pedestrian-friendly outdoor spaces.
The area, now called the Main Street Promenade, will be managed by the Houston Downtown Management District.
Council member Joaquin Martinez praised Kris Larson, president and CEO of Downtown Houston Plus, which operates the HDMD, for its work with the city on the program.
“There were some questions with some businesses, but I think they see the benefit of it now, especially with the FIFA World Cup,” Martinez said. “This is going to be great for businesses, great for pedestrians alike, for Houstonians just visiting downtown.”
What they're saying
Mayor John Whitmire praised partners with the city, including Downtown Houston Plus, Central Houston and TIRZ, for working quickly on the project.
“[Downtown Houston Plus], Central Houston, in collaboration with the city, TIRZ, they were going to repave 85 blocks. They blew by that under budget, on schedule, ahead of time and now going to over 100 blocks,” Whitmire said.
Larson clarified that they were on schedule to repave 120 blocks.
“It’ll be done before FIFA’s here, long overdue. It’s not just in preparation for FIFA, but all of our downtown residents and workers; great work,” Whitmire said. “I’m using you as a model as I talk to other projects, especially METRO. You’ve got to move faster, quicker and under budget to get it done.”
Stay tuned
No official completion date has been announced, but officials from both the city and Downtown Houston Plus say it will be done by early summer, before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
