Several blocks of main street closed as city aims to permanently convert area into dining space

getting people back to downtown. That is the goal of a once pilot program that is now permanent. KPRC to severe Rayford in downtown Houston with how the more space initiative is transforming the downtown experience. Spaces like this are now a permanent fixture downtown and city leaders say an expansion is coming. Even on a damp dark day, I love downtown over here. Patrick Coleman can be found at his favorite watering hole. We took the bus and the train to come here today, and so that's what I like so much about it.

That way you don't you're not worried about where you're going to park. Along Main Street from rust to commerce, tables and chairs are parked on the roadway. But the long term plan is a space that is really active. It's called more space Main Street originally piloted during the pandemic. Main Street at one point was actually four vehicle lanes. Years ago they put a train in the middle of it. Nobody's noticed the difference traffic wise because this stretch just doesn't go that far.

Now the city is given the more space program a permanent green light. David Fields, the chief transportation planner, believes the additions on Main Street can become a model for other areas around the city. We don't need it for transportation stuff. Let's use it for quality of life stuff. Let's use it for economic development stuff. Joshua Justice is the marketing director of the Flying Saucer. He says so far they've invested $17,000 to expand their outdoor seating.

It's great to have this added patio space, a gigantic bar. We hit capacity a lot. He calls it a step in the right direction to get downtown back booming. The infrastructure is here. The people are here. It's a matter of getting a few more bars and restaurants back in here. City leaders say next steps is to work with design consultants to create uniform guidelines for more spaces like this.

Reporting downtown, Sabir Raeford, KPRC, 2 News.

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