As the deadline approaches for the planned closure of Polk Street — a major thoroughfare linking Houston’s East End to downtown — local residents are calling for a delay in the city’s plans.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, around two dozen residents voiced concerns that the closure would negatively impact East End families, hindering their access to downtown parks and events.
Resident Kyle Rogers emphasized, “East End families will lose access to Discovery Green, downtown parks and civic programs. Children who walk or bike to events will be cut off. This creates two Houstons — one with access and one without.”
The much-debated closure is part of the $2 billion, 13-year expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center, which Houston First, the city’s local government corporation for tourism and conventions, is overseeing.
Additionally, the Texas Department of Transportation’s North Houston Highway Improvement Project is set to alter east-west connectivity in the area, rerouting Interstate 45 along the existing I-69/U.S. 59 over the next two decades.
A traffic study conducted by Houston First and revealed in late June concluded that the Polk Street closure would have “no adverse impact” on the surrounding area.
However, this finding has been contested by grassroots community group People for Polk, who argue that the projected increase in commute time, estimated at less than two minutes on average, does not accurately reflect the potential disruptions to residents.
People for Polk, along with several neighborhood associations, is advocating for a $250 million investment in infrastructure and mobility improvements as part of a community benefits agreement.
Organizer Amy Erickson stated, “A community benefits agreement could ensure communication, transparency, and accountability, while addressing the impacts on nearby neighborhoods.”
In an effort to mitigate connectivity issues, Houston First announced plans to convert Leeland Street into a two-way road.
In a statement to Houston Public Media, Houston First remarked, “At this time, Houston First is not in a position to offer additional concessions in connection with this project.”
The corporation added, “Our project team is working in collaboration with Houston Public Works to convert Leeland Street to a two-way configuration. That work is moving forward as quickly as possible and a recently released traffic study conducted by Transcend Engineers & Planners LLC shows minimal additional travel time across 48 different intersections in the area with the changes proposed.”
For the closure to move forward, the Houston City Council will need to transfer ownership of Polk Street to Houston First.
Council member Joaquin Martinez, who represents the area and is an ex officio member of the Houston First board, is supportive of the expansion plans but also insists on additional concessions for the community.
“I think concessions are important,” said Martinez, noting that the estimated conversion cost of Leeland Street is $10 million.
He questioned whether focusing on Leeland Street should be the end of the concessions, stating, “When it comes to the community benefits agreement, to ask for $250 million — it’s a heavy ask.”
The anticipated closure of Polk Street is expected to take place sometime in October.
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
