HOUSTON—Last year, the Houston Downtown Management District identified the need to prepare and issue a new development framework or plan for Downtown Houston. With the advancements made since the 2004 Houston Downtown Development Framework, the goal was to develop a new plan that positions downtown at the forefront in leading Houston's advancement as a pre-eminent global city. In addition, it will build upon the goals and core strategies in Plan Houston, the general plan adopted by the city council in fall 2015.

GlobeSt.com learns that partnering organizations include Houston First Corporation, Central Houston Inc., Downtown Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ No. 3, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, the city of Houston, Harris County and Theater District Houston. Board members from these organizations and from neighboring management districts—East Downtown, Greater East End, Greater Northside and Midtown—comprise a leadership group guiding the framework process from inception to final delivery. In addition to the leadership group, there is a 150-member steering committee comprised of leaders from downtown, adjacent neighborhoods and the Houston region—elected officials, governmental staff, business executives, private developers, social and non-profit organizations, residents and emerging millennials—all of whom will inform Plan Downtown and serve as its future champions.

Plan Downtown will serve these organizations and a broad range of stakeholders as a 20-year vision plan. This new framework will lead towards development recommendations and implementation of public and private improvements or initiatives for downtown. The geographic area for planning consideration is generally bounded by Interstate 10, 45 and 69 with stakeholder collaboration for connections to adjacent neighborhoods.