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Main Street pedestrian areas to become permanent part of Houston

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.

Some context: 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.

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.

 
On The Business Beat
Kroger's Heights location set to close at end of March

The last day to shop in-store at Kroger in the Heights will be March 28.

What we know: The grocery store chain is closing the store at 239 W. 20th St. as part of a series of closures in the Houston area. The store was originally reported to close in April, however, store management confirmed that the last day to shop in the store will be March 28.

Other stores in the Houston area are closing, including a store in Spring, set to close in early April.

  • 239 W. 20th St., Houston
 
Latest News
Houston Humane Society to open 10,000-square-foot veterinary clinic, expand capacity by 30%

The Houston Humane Society will celebrate the opening of its first stand alone clinic on March 24, according to a March 17 news release from the organization.

What you need to know: The grand opening will take place at 2 p.m. and be attended by the organization's leaders including Executive Director, Mary Beck, and Chief Clinic Veterinarian, Dr. Tony Malone, according to the release.

The details: The 10,000 square foot veterinary clinic will expand the HHS' ability to serve 30% more animals by expanding access to competitively priced veterinary care. 

What else: The state-of-the-art facility features five exam rooms, surgery suite with two additional surgery tables, private recovery and comfort rooms with private access, treatment and dental room, separate cat and dog waiting areas, a call center, conference room, open workstations and administrative offices, according to the release.
  • 3100 W. Fuqua St., Houston
 
Across The Region
13 Greater Houston transportation projects to watch as construction, planning move forward

From road widenings and asphalt repairs to interchange work and transit upgrades, transportation projects are progressing across the Greater Houston region. Some are already under construction, while others are entering design, public input or bidding phases. 

Here are updates on 13 transportation projects that could affect commutes. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Upcoming projects
Shaw Road widening
Project: Shaw Road would be widened from two to four lanes between Northpointe Boulevard and Boudreaux Road, per Harris County Precinct 3’s website.
Update: The study phase has been completed, and future roadway options are being evaluated, according to Harris County Precinct 3 officials.

  • Timeline: TBD
  • Cost: TBD
  • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3

Ongoing projects
Woodlands Parkway asphalt shoulder replacement
Project: Asphalt shoulders will be replaced between FM 2978 and I-45.
Update: Construction has started, and milling is underway on sections west of Lake Woodlands Drive to FM 2978.
  • Timeline: ongoing
  • Cost: $1.33 million
  • Funding source: Montgomery County road bond
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Archery at Clear Lake Park

Cy-Fair Home & Outdoor Living Show

March 20, 5-7 p.m.
Seabrook

March 21-22, times vary
Cypress

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

HTX Card Show

Amazing Race

March 21-22, times vary
Montgomery

March 22, 1-3 p.m.
Houston

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Statewide News
Texas families now have until March 31 to apply for education savings accounts, judge rules

Texas families now have an additional two weeks to apply for the state’s new education savings account program, a Houston federal judge ruled March 17.

What's happening: U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered the state comptroller’s office to extend the application deadline to March 31 over concerns that no Islamic private schools had been greenlit to accept state ESA funds. In two lawsuits filed in early March, four Muslim parents said they felt deterred from applying for education savings accounts because the Islamic schools they send their children to were not among the 2,200 schools authorized to participate in the program.

Parents previously had until 11:59 p.m. March 17 to apply for the program.

Latest update: In a March 17 news release, the comptroller’s office confirmed that applications would be accepted through March 31 in compliance with the judge’s order.

Over 229,000 students had applied for the $1 billion program as of March 17, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock said. The state will use a need- and income-based lottery system to determine who is accepted.

 

Your local team

Cassie Jenkins
Editor

Chloe Mathis
General Manager

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