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. 

Houston has once again topped the rankings of an annual list of America’s Best Cities, claiming first in the state and No. 10 in the nation, surpassing Dallas and Austin.  The report, compiled by international consulting firm Resonance, ranks cities with a population of more than 500,000 based on livability, lovability and prosperity. The Bayou City has consistently ranked high on Resonance’s list over the years, placing No. 9 in 2023 and No. 11 in 2022, drawing praise for its cultural diversity, award-winning restaurant scene, number of Fortune 500 companies and quality of life.  Houston’s population gains can be attributed to its quality of life and strong economy. According to a Greater Houston Partnership analysis, Houston added nearly 140,000 residents in 2023, marking the second highest population growth among U.S. metros.  “Austin may get the attention, but the promise of the Lone Star State drawing Californians and New Yorkers is quietly being fulfilled in Houston,” the report stated.  This year’s report again recognizes Houston as one of the most diverse cities in the nation, with one in four residents being foreign-born and over 145 languages spoken, earning it the No. 21 spot in the report’s Culture category. The report also highlights the city's wealth of international festivals, world-class museums and cultural centers, including the new Ismaili Center set to open next year.  Houston’s dining scene ranked fourth in the report’s restaurant subcategory, ahead of popular foodie destinations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami. The city earned acclaim for its diverse blend of dishes, described in the report as “Southern Soul and barbecue with Mexican that’s then seasoned with global cuisine.” Earlier this year, 11 Houston restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards.   The report also applauded Houston’s robust economy, ranking No. 3 in the country for the number of Fortune 500 companies and patents. Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 companies, making it the third-largest hub for Fortune 500 headquarters in the nation. As a hub for business development and opportunity, Houston was also recently named the best city to grow a business, according to a new study by The RevOps Team.  Additionally, Resonance recognized the Bayou City for its leadership in the global energy transition, with an estimated $250 billion in potential investment in the region over the next 15 years, according to a recent McKinsey report. The report also highlighted Houston’s reputation as Space City, noting key facilities and investments such as the Houston Spaceport, which is anchored by NASA-contract-winning companies Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.  Learn more about living in Houston.