A project aims to increase Houston’s walkability by transforming seven blocks in downtown into a car-free, pedestrian-friendly destination. The project, dubbed More Space: Main Street 2.0, will extend Main Street from Commerce to Rusk and add four additional blocks from Rusk to Allen’s Landing, bringing the area to span a total of 11 blocks. This expansion will permanently block off traffic to the area, creating a promenade where people can safely eat, shop and gather.  Click to expand Originally launched as a response to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the More Space: Main Street 2.0 project initially enabled businesses to utilize roadway space for outdoor dining while people enjoyed expanded walking areas. The program’s popularity led the Houston City Council to formally approve its permanent implementation in 2023, with the goal of attracting more visitors to the area.  Click to expand Spearheaded by Downtown Houston+, the project is currently in its final design and engineering stages, which include plans for new safety crossings, shaded social areas, landscaping and public art installations. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2025 and expected to finish ahead of the city’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches.  "The Main Street Promenade is a transformative project defining the next chapter of Main Street and Downtown," Mayor John Whitmire said in a news release, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. "I am excited about the City's future, including downtown, where we are designing a destination that attracts more people to work, live and play."  More Space: Main Street 2.0 is just one of several initiatives underway aimed at improving walkability in Houston. Another project, East Blocks, led by real estate developers Pagewood and Wile Interests, will convert warehouses in East Downtown into a walkable 10-block mixed-use district. Additionally, The Plant, a 17-acre mixed-use district, will revamp the historic streets of Second Ward, establishing a pedestrian-friendly district lined with a diverse mix of restaurants and shops.  Discover more about living in Houston. 

In a move to increase exposure for minority business enterprises (MBEs), the Greater Houston Partnership’s One Houston Together launched the Houston MBE Accelerator, a new 16-week pilot program designed to harness the collective purchasing power of our region’s business community to grow spending with MBEs. The accelerator has seen initial success by facilitating 32 matches for participating MBEs with seven major corporations, resulting in the awarding of four contracts valued at $3.5 million and seven Request for Information (RFI). “These are remarkable results from the pilot offering of the MBE Accelerator. The Partnership is focused on creating opportunity, both for companies and Houstonians alike. The new business relationships spurred by this initial program are a great start, and we look forward to expanding the initiative to more corporates and MBEs in the future.” -- Steve Kean, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership The Houston MBE Accelerator focuses on facilitating introductions to MBEs that are business-ready, have a proven track record of delivering goods and services for corporate and institutional purchasers, and are currently doing business with a Partnership member company. These three factors differentiate the program from other accelerators. Seven Partnership members participated in the program:    Baker Hughes CenterPoint Chevron Harris Health System JPMorgan Chase Oxy* Shell The following nine MBEs participated in the program:   Cole Chemical Collaborate Competitive Choice MCA Communications Prime Elevator Corp. Sterling Staffing Solutions Twice Media Productions Vecor Pipeline Integrity Vizion Crane & Industrial Support “We are pleased to partner with organizations that share our commitment and values.  The Greater Houston Partnership’s minority business accelerator program aligns with our own aspirations to increase our spend with minority-owned businesses in the greater Houston region which we believe helps us grow and prosper along with the businesses and surrounding communities.”   -- Steve Freeman, Chevron, Chief Procurement Officer The MBE selection process began with 28 MBEs representing 15 different categories and all with prior experience providing goods and services to Partnership member companies. The nine MBEs selected for the Accelerator pilot were chosen based on their product and service offerings being aligned with potential upcoming purchasing opportunities of the seven Partnership members. Determining a match between goods and services and potential spend opportunities paved the way for meaningful engagements between corporate decision makers and the nine MBEs. As of June, the program has initially resulted in new spend of $3.5 million across four contracts with the MBEs.  Outcomes from introductions made during the pilot will continue to be tracked over the next year including the in-process RFIs. The accelerator’s focused approach has allowed the participating corporations to identify potential opportunities with MBEs that likely would not have been possible without the program. “The Partnership’s minority business accelerator program has served as a catalyst in our own efforts to improve outcomes in supplier diversity. We’ve made several meaningful connections facilitated by this program.  I’m very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking effort.”  -- Terence Baptiste, Chevron, Supply Chain Advisor, Supplier Diversity If you are interested in learning more about the MBEs or are a Partnership member purchaser and want to participate in the next accelerator, check out our MBE directory or contact LaTanya Flix, Senior Vice President, Inclusive Leadership & Opportunity.