Houston officials unveiled plans for a significant expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center, promising to transform the city’s convention district and stimulate economic growth.
The first phase of the 700,000-square-foot expansion, aptly named GRB South, will feature a new pedestrian plaza that provides direct access to the Toyota Center. Michael Heckman, president of Houston First Corporation, highlighted the project’s impressive offerings, including a spacious ballroom, the largest in the state of Texas, which will enable the center to accommodate more business events, benefiting the community.
However, the project has faced opposition from East End residents who claim to have been excluded from discussions and express concerns about losing access to Polk Street, a crucial thoroughfare that connects their neighborhood to downtown.