Residents, leaders press city to keep Polk Street open amid George R. Brown expansion debate

Dozens of residents, neighborhood advocates and elected officials urged the Houston City Council on Oct. 7 to oppose permanently abandoning Polk Street as part of the planned George R. Brown Convention Center expansion, saying the closure would sever an important east–west connection between the East End and downtown.

The debate centers on whether Polk should be closed permanently to allow the convention center to expand and create new public plazas and circulation space. Advocates for keeping Polk open said the city has not shown adequate traffic modeling or contingency plans for East End neighborhoods, while supporters of the expansion said the project will generate large economic gains and new visitor activity that benefits the whole city.

"This is one of the most consequential transportation decisions facing Houston," said Catherine Fowler, identifying herself as an Eastwood resident. "Let Houstonians experience the temporary closure in November, then revisit any permanent vote with real‑world feedback. Keep Polk open." Fowler asked the council to interpret silence as an indication that members do not support permanent closure.

Community groups and…