The Planning and Development Department recommends extending the More Space: Main Street Program, which is currently set to expire on March 31, 2023, permanently. The program allows the Planning Department and the City Traffic Engineer to maintain closure of portions of Main Street, between Commerce Street and Rusk Street, not needed for continuous vehicle throughput and reallocate that street space as “reclaimed pedestrian area” to be made available to restaurants and bars that face the street to use as customer-serving spaces.
The Planning Department continues to coordinate with a wide range of city departments, as well as external partners that include Houston Downtown Management District (Downtown District) and METRO, to provide a program that supports businesses while providing safe access and use.
The More Space: Main Street Program will continue to:
- Allow restaurants and bars to serve customers by establishing temporary enclosures and setting up tables and chairs.
- Assign businesses who apply, the responsibility to apply for participation in the program, design their space per the City’s Design Guide, and receive appropriate permissions or permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Five businesses currently participate in the More Space: Main Street Program. All participants referenced benefits from the program, including an increase in revenue and safety, and customer and employee retention due to the partial closing of Main Street. The Greater Houston Restaurant Association and Downtown District have both submitted letters of support for the permanent extension of the program. Downtown District will work with the City of Houston on a long-term design for the space that meets all other City codes and requirements.
This item was presented to the Quality of Life Council Committee on February 22, 2023.
The Planning and Development Department recommends that City Council approve the permanent extension of the More Space: Main Street program.
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Margaret Wallace Brown, AICP, CNU-A
Director
Planning and Development Department