When attendees can walk from meetings to restaurants, shopping, and hotels, it not only saves on transportation costs and reduces car emissions, but it also brings the opportunity for exercise, conversation, and camaraderie.
To improve the walkability of the city center, Downtown Houston+ is leading an initiative called “More Space: Main Street 2.0.” In 2021, the organization began the project to transform 11 blocks downtown into pedestrian-only zones. The Houston City Council approved the permanent change in March of last year.
Expanding Main Street from Commerce Street to Rusk Street, and from there to Allen’s Landing Park, the new promenade will open the Central Business District to foot traffic, aiding local businesses and introducing additional outdoor dining and gathering spots. Now in its final design and engineering phase, the project is set to be completed in 2026.
