Contention continues over the proposed closure of a two-block section of Polk Street, a thoroughfare crucial for East End residents connecting to downtown Houston.
The planned abandonment of the street is part of a $2 billion expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center, overseen by the city’s tourism and convention corporation, Houston First, and could be executed as early as October.
Residents have voiced strong objections at Houston City Council meetings over the past months, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation of the decision.
Lindsay Williams, president of the Eastwood Neighborhood, expressed concerns about the impact on local traffic and community mobility, stating, “Our city deserves better than a rushed decision that will gridlock our street for years. Please slow down, study the full impact and develop solutions for everyone who calls this city home.”
Council member Joaquin Martinez, representing the area, acknowledged the concerns but insisted that the process is neither hasty nor uninformed.
“I know it’s happening quick, but it’s not happening blindly,” Martinez stated, noting that community members have been consulted.
Approximately 228 public comments were submitted to the overseeing committee regarding the proposed street abandonment, all opposing it.
“The main points people were concerned about was with their mobility,” said Amy Erickson, an Eastwood resident and organizer of the People For Polk group, which obtained the comments through a public records request.
She highlighted that members of the community rely on Polk Street for access to various modes of transportation, including public transit, bicycles, and single-occupancy vehicles.
To further discuss the proposed closure and related transportation issues, the People For Polk group plans to hold a town hall meeting on Saturday at Holy Family Episcopal Church.
Martinez attended the meeting to engage directly with the community, whereas a spokesperson for Houston First confirmed that the organization would not have representatives present.
Marcie Hysinger, an East Downtown resident, expressed optimism about the upcoming town hall, citing a gap in communication from Houston First.
“They had promised to come back with answers to questions, and they were going to do it quickly, and there was often this kind of, ‘Oh, in the next couple of weeks’ response without a date set,” Hysinger said.
Reflecting the concern for more structured engagement, organizers have criticized Houston First’s lack of participation in recent community meetings since March.
In addition to the town hall, Martinez encouraged citizens to attend a meeting scheduled for July 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center. In this session, Houston First will likely present new plans regarding nearby Leeland Street’s conversion into a two-way road, aiming to serve as an alternative route to downtown, in addition to sharing outcomes from a recent traffic study.
Community members continue to raise questions about whether any adjustments to the original abandonment proposal could be made in light of their feedback.
Despite the significant community opposition, Houston First remains steadfast in its commitment to the project, stating that the closure of Polk Street is “necessary” for the expansion.
A letter from Houston Public Works, obtained by People For Polk, indicated that a committee preliminarily approved the request to abandon Polk Street, laying out requirements for further assessment and recommending a mobility study to analyze the broader implications of the proposed changes.
Before any action can be finalized, Houston First will need to secure approval from the city council, which is required to authorize the abandonment of the street as part of the ongoing expansion project.
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