It was an idea during the pandemic, but now it’s a project expected to be complete by the time the World Cup starts.

HOUSTON — Main Street is in the middle of a facelift!

Wednesday, Houston city councilmembers gave another stamp of approval for seven blocks from Commerce to Rusk to become the Main Street Promenade. And it’s on schedule to be ready for the FIFA World Cup kickoff this summer.

It’s an idea that was birthed back in 2022, and today we can hear and see it happening.

Little New Orleans on Main Street opened four years ago. For owner Jermaine Reed, it’s a dream turned reality.

“Our burgers are homemade,” she said. “We got pasta, we got étouffée, gumbo. Everything is original and cooked to order.”

He says business has been great, even with construction along a portion of the Main Street Promenade just outside his storefront windows.

“It’s wonderful for everybody,” Reed said. “Everybody can make a lot of money and capitalize off of it.”

That’s part of the plan. Downtown Houston Plus CEO Chris Lawson said the construction work is about 80 to 90 percent complete and on track to be finished ahead of World Cup fans pouring in.

When asked if “the grinding in the background is music to your ears,” Lawson said, “That’s the sound of progress. That tells me that we are working hard right now to deliver this project for the community.”

Renderings help paint a picture. Traffic lanes were removed to expand sidewalks, improving walkability and expanding business patio space. City councilmember Joaquin Martinez said this project was birthed out of the pandemic, and people wanted to visit restaurants, have retail, but also enjoy outside space.


“It’s really supposed to be that epicenter,” he said. “The heart of downtown Houston connected back to Allen’s Landing, which is, of course, where Houston started.”

For Reed, he’s seen one dream come true and is ready to see what else is in store.

“Hopefully, when the World Cup comes, we will be ready,” Reed said.

Downtown Houston Plus is working to bring in even more businesses between now and the World Cup. And with traffic lanes removed, they are hopeful Metro rail will help usher people here.

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