Polk Street, a vital connection between Houston’s downtown and East End neighborhoods, is in danger of being abandoned as part of the George R. Brown Convention Center expansion. The touted benefits of this expansion are speculative at best, but there’s proof that Polk is valuable now. People for Polk, a grassroots organization, is sounding the alarm on why Polk Street matters for Houston and why Houston needs to keep Polk.

To make Houston a safer, more productive city, we need to confront some ugly truths about street design and traffic with some practical solutions. Houston need more than just guiding mobility principles, we need a Strong Towns approach.

Houston is facing a $700 million budget shortfall — but it’s not just a revenue problem. It’s a land use problem. Empty lots, underused properties, and speculative land holdings are dragging down our city’s finances while homeowners carry the weight. In this post, we explore how a Land Value Tax and Vacancy Tax could rebalance the system, reduce the burden on working residents, and make Houston more affordable, walkable, and financially resilient.

🛑 Houston residents woke up to bulldozers ripping out a protected bike lane on Austin Street—without warning. This can't be how public decisions are made. A new proposal from City Council could change that.

✍️ Read why we support Council Member Ramirez’s ordinance to bring transparency and accountability back to City Hall.