A seven-block stretch downtown will remain closed to cars after the success of a pandemic-era outdoor dining program.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston closed a portion of its Main Street to cars in an effort to make room for outdoor dining and support local restaurants and businesses. Last week, the city council unanimously voted to keep the street permanently closed to vehicles, reports Michael Murney in the Houston Chronicle.
According to Chief Transportation Planner David Fields, “We surveyed the businesses. All of them said this was exactly what they wanted.” Fields said the program let local businesses add a total of 154 seats on outdoor patios.
The city wants to replicate the program in other parts of the city where local businesses express interest.
FULL STORY: Houston is closing a stretch of downtown's Main Street for good
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