Houston's Main Street Getting $14M Makeover Ahead of World Cup

Downtown Houston's Main Street is undergoing a major transformation to create more pedestrian-friendly spaces and expanded business opportunities.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Downtown Houston's Main Street is receiving a $14 million renovation project that will convert former car lanes into expanded pedestrian areas, add greenery and artistic elements, and provide more space for businesses to grow and create inviting outdoor spaces. The project, funded by a federal grant, is scheduled for completion by June 2026 just in time for the World Cup, which organizers hope will serve as a catalyst for lasting change in the area.

Why it matters

The Main Street renovation is part of a broader trend of downtowns across North America adapting to changing consumer and work patterns, such as the rise of remote work. By creating more pedestrian-friendly spaces and opportunities for businesses to expand their offerings, the project aims to establish Main Street as a vibrant destination for both locals and visitors long after the World Cup concludes.

The details

The $14 million renovation project spans seven blocks of Main Street from Rusk to Commerce. It will convert former car lanes into expanded sidewalks and pedestrian areas, add bayou-inspired greenery, decorative brick street art, and enhanced shade structures to provide space for expanded outdoor dining. Around 40 businesses along Main Street are expected to benefit from these improvements.

  • The renovation project is scheduled for completion by June 2026, just in time for the World Cup.
  • The project emerged from the successful adaptation of businesses during pandemic restrictions, when establishments were granted additional outdoor space.

The players

Downtown Houston+

The organization overseeing the Main Street renovation project, which is focused on planning and economic development for downtown Houston.

La Diabla Retro Bar

A business located on the corner of Main and Congress that plans to triple its customer capacity with the new outdoor seating and expanded space provided by the renovation.

Ramon Soriano

The owner of La Diabla Retro Bar, who sees the World Cup as a catalyst for lasting change in the area and plans to add lunch and dinner service to expand his business model.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Main streets across North America are doing a lot of soul-searching. Downtowns are changing. Working from home is something that a lot of downtowns are adjusting to. But what downtowns are also seeing is an influx of visitors.”

— Cassie Hoeprich, Director of planning and economic development at Downtown Houston+ (click2houston.com)

“La Diabla until now has been just a nightclub, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The expanded space will allow the venue to add lunch and dinner service throughout the week, creating new jobs and expanding their business model.”

— Ramon Soriano, Owner of La Diabla Retro Bar (click2houston.com)

“This will become the best corner in downtown. Once people get to know downtown thanks to the draw that the World Cup is going to bring... we'll create the cadence that we've been looking for in downtown for a while.”

— Ramon Soriano, Owner of La Diabla Retro Bar (click2houston.com)

What’s next

The renovation project is scheduled for completion by June 2026, just in time for the World Cup, which organizers hope will serve as a catalyst for lasting change in the area.

The takeaway

The Main Street renovation project in downtown Houston represents a broader trend of downtowns across North America adapting to changing consumer and work patterns, such as the rise of remote work. By creating more pedestrian-friendly spaces and opportunities for businesses to expand their offerings, the project aims to establish Main Street as a vibrant destination for both locals and visitors long after the World Cup concludes.