HOUSTON – The Houston City Council is set to vote Wednesday on whether to close a section of Polk Street in downtown — a move that would clear the way for the George R. Brown Convention Center’s major expansion and tie into TxDOT’s massive I-45 rebuild .

But not everyone is on board.

INITIAL REPORT: Polk Street closure on the table as GRB expansion and I-45 rebuild reshape downtown traffic

For many East End residents, Polk is a critical route into downtown. Neighbors say losing it would make commutes longer and further isolate their community.

Last week, dozens of residents packed City Hall, urging council members to reject the proposal. They argue that large-scale projects like this have repeatedly come at their expense — from freeway construction to other city developments —

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