HOUSTON \u2013 With 50 days until Houston hosts the FIFA World Cup, the city is about to see some of its most visible changes yet, and residents will start noticing the transformation almost immediately.<\/p>\n
Beginning May 1, eight blocks of East Downtown (EaDo), just south of Shell Energy Stadium, will begin converting into a massive fan festival zone. Main Street and the surrounding area will also undergo significant changes as the city ramps up its final preparations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long journey, and it\u2019s absolutely amazing that it\u2019s almost here,\u201d said Chris Canetti, President of the Houston World Cup Committee. <\/p>\n
Metro, hotels, short-term rentals all part of the plan<\/p>\n
METRO will play a central role in moving fans between downtown and the stadium. According to the Houston World Cup Committee, fares will not increase during the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to say they are not changing their fare at all,\u201d Canetti said.<\/p>\n
New data from Houston First shows downtown hotel bookings are up 66% in June and 83% in July. Short-term rentals have also surged, climbing more than 53%.<\/p>\n
Downtown projects on track for May 30 deadline<\/p>\n
Downtown Houston Plus says a $14 million Main Street revamp will be completed by May 30. This weekend, 41 additional shade trees will be planted along Main Street, designed to make the area cooler, more walkable and more comfortable for the influx of visitors.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the city is well-prepared, Canetti expressed confidence in the collective effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I mean, as host committee, there\u2019s certain responsibilities and duties and obligations that we have and we get a lot of the credit for being at the forefront,\u201d he said. \u201cBut there\u2019s been so much being done across the city by so many different entities to prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n
Biggest wildcard: The weather<\/p>\n
Despite the extensive planning, the host committee acknowledges one factor remains outside their control: Houston\u2019s summer weather. Officials say they have been working closely with public safety agencies to develop contingency plans.<\/p>\n
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