Popular Post texan Posted November 16, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted November 16, 2023 Significant overhaul in the works for a portion of Main St. downtown. This project would permanently remove vehicle lanes from these sections of Main St. and raise the grade of the former roadway to sidewalk level. https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20231025/More-Space-Main-Street.pdf 20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downtownian Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 I live downtown on Main. I am pro-pedestrian improvements in general. Every other section of downtown that has this becomes a homeless encampment. Not sure what the intent is but if the city wants to create large areas for homeless encampments, this would be the best path forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 What are you talking about? Main Street downtown is really the only area anywhere in the city that's been pedestrianized like this. I genuinely have no idea what other streets you could be referring to, but these seven blocks have the advantage of lots of foot traffic and more weekend/evening foot traffic in particular than the rest of downtown. Encampments seem pretty unlikely, and, though I have mixed feelings about this, I think it's safe to say that the Downtown Management District will do everything in their power to keep any from forming on this stretch. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downtownian Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 47 minutes ago, Texasota said: What are you talking about? Main Street downtown is really the only area anywhere in the city that's been pedestrianized like this. I genuinely have no idea what other streets you could be referring to, but these seven blocks have the advantage of lots of foot traffic and more weekend/evening foot traffic in particular than the rest of downtown. Encampments seem pretty unlikely, and, though I have mixed feelings about this, I think it's safe to say that the Downtown Management District will do everything in their power to keep any from forming on this stretch. Main Street between Dallas and Lamar is completely closed to traffic and is basically this plan. I walk by it daily on the way to the gym and it’s a homeless encampment. Not saying homeless encampments are good or bad but they seem like they’re the outcome to pedestrian improvements like this. The downtown management district has limited ability to remove homeless 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 The problem with that block is that it's completely vacant except for that corner store. So you have the combination of a store that provides a useful service for people with limited/inconsistent means, a covered area that provides (at least some) shelter, and few reasons for other people to be there. Yes, you have the SB station, but the stations are so closely spaced downtown that it's not very inconvenient to go up to Central Station. There is so much more activity north of Rusk that I just don't think it's a comparable situation, but even look just one block north (Lamar to McKinney) or the west side from McKinney to Walker. Do you see the same homeless concentration there? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downtownian Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 42 minutes ago, Texasota said: The problem with that block is that it's completely vacant except for that corner store. So you have the combination of a store that provides a useful service for people with limited/inconsistent means, a covered area that provides (at least some) shelter, and few reasons for other people to be there. Yes, you have the SB station, but the stations are so closely spaced downtown that it's not very inconvenient to go up to Central Station. There is so much more activity north of Rusk that I just don't think it's a comparable situation, but even look just one block north (Lamar to McKinney) or the west side from McKinney to Walker. Do you see the same homeless concentration there? At Lamar and McKinney, yes. From McKinney to walker, no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted November 16, 2023 Share Posted November 16, 2023 I think that this is a really good plan. The fire access solution is interesting. It is kind of annoying that Metro wouldn't just allow fire trucks to drive on top of the light rail lines as needed, but maybe they would be broken in some way. I also don't think it is a surprise that they are stopping at Rusk. For a "fun" project in grad school I did a mini feasibility of closing the entire length of Main all of the way through Midtown, and I assumed that the JW Marriott losing their valet access would be a big sticking point. There's also a parking lot between Franklin and Congress, and it appears that they are keeping a fire lane (car access?) across that part of the block. It is my understanding that the city would be forced to purchase that land if you cut off car access because it would be a taking because of the current car-focused use. Overall this is a great plan, and I hope they keep marching it south and Midtown starts to close it in that corridor. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 On 11/15/2023 at 9:01 PM, texan said: Significant overhaul in the works for a portion of Main St. downtown. This project would permanently remove vehicle lanes from these sections of Main St. and raise the grade of the former roadway to sidewalk level. https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20231025/More-Space-Main-Street.pdf I also hope that this improves traffic in the area. If we only need red lights for light rail or the occasional pedestrian needing to cross, that should hopefully improve the travel times as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 18 hours ago, Triton said: I also hope that this improves traffic in the area. If we only need red lights for light rail or the occasional pedestrian needing to cross, that should hopefully improve the travel times as well. For east/west travel? Good luck. Everything is mostly timed for north/south priority. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 8 hours ago, wilcal said: For east/west travel? Good luck. Everything is mostly timed for north/south priority. Agreed but that east/west travel can take quite a hit while waiting at the rail lights. Not only do you have to wait for the trains to pass which is fine, seconds later it may turn green for yet the vehicle traffic to cross too, thus causing further delays. I have to wait for quite a while just to drop off/pick up my son to/from daycare in this area so trust me, I know. My hope is, if they eliminate vehicle traffic, this may improve east/west traffic in this small area. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
004n063 Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 On 11/16/2023 at 9:30 AM, downtownian said: At Lamar and McKinney, yes. From McKinney to walker, no. McKinney to Walker is not fully pedestrianized, and neither block has nearly the density of active tenants that the "last" eight blocks of Main have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 Planning Commission meeting on Zoom Nov. 30th 7 pm. https://ctycms.com/tx-houston/docs/233005-public-workshop-1-boards-msms-20.pdf 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 Found the link for those wanting to attend the Zoom meeting. https://downtownhouston.org/about/priority-projects/more-space-main-street-20?fbclid=IwAR12odas65fyQ7yxZMKvGPslu0fH5Q38fYftb24SNaTRHnDQpzSopBYrM9Q 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hindesky Posted December 1, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 1, 2023 Public engagement Zoom meeting screen caps. 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted December 1, 2023 Share Posted December 1, 2023 16 hours ago, hindesky said: Public engagement Zoom meeting screen caps. Im happy to see the “green barrier” make it in their plans, safely separating the promenade from rail. During one of the planning sessions I showed them Hilcorp Tower and its section of Main St square as being an example of this (a prototype if you will) and it looks like they’re implementing some of those elements into this plan. https://x.com/thachadwick/status/1663721970490277889?s=46&t=zrFvaO6tbFH7POh1WfkjuA 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbg.50 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Video with Q&A… * No vehicular traffic including bikes * Street raised to level with sidewalks * Construction to start in 2025, completed by World Cup 2026 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacoDog Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 This is awesome! In time for the World Cup could really create an identity into the community here. I walk along this area every time I visit downtown, it has a lot of potential. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
004n063 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 On 12/8/2023 at 9:33 AM, steve1363 said: Video with Q&A… * No vehicular traffic including bikes * Street raised to level with sidewalks * Construction to start in 2025, completed by World Cup 2026 Really cool. Two questions for the general crowd: 1) Does anybody know whether the crossings will be raised as well? 2) With bikes being prohibited (correctly, I think), are there any plans for bicycle facilities on Fannin or Travis? Main St. was really the only bikeable north-south street through the center of Downtown - it'd be nice to retain that access without having to awkwardly snake over to Bagby or Austin. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 Why does it keep going out to begin with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn173 Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 When I was growing up my mother would have special dishes, bath towels, and furniture that were strictly for "special guests" and off-limits otherwise. I think the fountains fall into the same general category. Only for guests and special events. Not for the people who live here every day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 2 hours ago, Brooklyn173 said: When I was growing up my mother would have special dishes, bath towels, and furniture that were strictly for "special guests" and off-limits otherwise. I think the fountains fall into the same general category. Only for guests and special events. Not for the people who live here every day. I think I'd feel ok with that idea if it was in a different part of the city, but most visitors are going to be downtown first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 (edited) 21 hours ago, hindesky said: Just in time to host the CFP National Championship Game and all of its festivities downtown. And after welcoming Aggies for the Texas Bowl, the city could be welcoming Longhorns for the title game. Maybe a UT-Bama rematch too Edited December 30, 2023 by tigereye 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATH Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Last night…… 1 4 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 (edited) ^^^ you mean to tell me that city officials "CLOSED" down such a gorgeous fountain for maintenance... while downtown is loading up with fans and visitors from out of state for the CFP championship game? why on earth, wasn't this taken care of beforehand? my goodness houston! Edited January 7 by monarch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 20 hours ago, monarch said: ^^^ you mean to tell me that city officials "CLOSED" down such a gorgeous fountain for maintenance... while downtown is loading up with fans and visitors from out of state for the CFP championship game? why on earth, wasn't this taken care of beforehand? my goodness houston! They did "fix" it before the visitors. The problem is this city doesn't know how to keep things running. I can't believe this is down once again. What is the real problem with this thing? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Animated fountains are pretty finicky (lots of pumps, valves, sensors, and software to run it all), the parts aren't always off the shelf items, and there aren't a whole lot of vendors who know how to diagnose and fix them. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 25 minutes ago, mollusk said: Animated fountains are pretty finicky (lots of pumps, valves, sensors, and software to run it all), the parts aren't always off the shelf items, and there aren't a whole lot of vendors who know how to diagnose and fix them. ^^^ animated fountains - las vegas ^^^ animated fountains - dubai, uae ^^^ yet, in other cities like DUBAI and LAS VEGAS and so on, "animated fountains" seem to harbor no issues staying operable throughout. trust me, i have personally witnessed these particular and remarkable fetes of mankind many times... especially in dubai, uae. therefore, i'm just not interested in the "EXCUSES" for houston's non-viability with basically the same instruments and technology. something is REALLY wrong here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 (edited) 1 hour ago, monarch said: ^^^ animated fountains - las vegas ^^^ animated fountains - dubai, uae ^^^ yet, in other cities like DUBAI and LAS VEGAS and so on, "animated fountains" seem to harbor no issues staying operable throughout. trust me, i have personally witnessed these particular and remarkable fetes of mankind many times... especially in dubai, uae. therefore, i'm just not interested in the "EXCUSES" for houston's non-viability with basically the same instruments and technology. something is REALLY wrong here... I don't know about Dubai, but certainly, in the case of Las Vegas, you are comparing private, for-profit, operations with a city operation. The fountains are a big part of the marketing identity for those casinos and the like. The profit motive is very motivating indeed. Public entities just don't function as well. The last time I was in Rome, the Trevi Fountain wasn't working. The other problem with your post is that none of us are in these other places all the time, monitoring their operations 24/7. All fountains need some maintenance from time to time. It is highly unlikely that the various fountains in Las Vegas, Dubai, etc. are ALWAYS fully operational. But we're all thrilled that you've been to Dubai AND Las Vegas (or at least are able find lovely videos of their animated fountains on the internet). Edited January 8 by Houston19514 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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