Before		After

HOUSTON, Texas (March 24, 2004) – Baseball fans arriving for Houston Astros games this year at Minute Maid Park can expect to enjoy more ease of movement around the stadium and the neighboring George R. Brown Convention Center as the result of street projects completed since last fall.

South of Minute Maid Park, the project to extend Avenida de las Americas two blocks from the George R. Brown Convention Center to the stadium was finished in December. The boulevard is expected to ease traffic for both pedestrians and vehicles.

“Having four street lanes, wider sidewalks, improved street lighting and a clear line of sight from the Hilton Americas hotel and the George R. Brown to Minute Maid Park will help dissipate crowds greatly this year,” said Dawn Ullrich, director of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

North of the ballpark, new lanes have been built on Franklin Street and adjacent sidewalks are complete. Jackson, Hamilton and Commerce streets are also being rebuilt. Access to all parking lots on these streets is unimpeded.

Parking availability around Minute Maid Park has grown since last season. The nine-story garage connected to both the George R. Brown and the Hilton Americas offers 1,600 spaces in a direct line to the stadium. A little farther away is the 2,400-car garage at Toyota Center. New on-street metered parking has been added along Lamar, Crawford and LaBranch streets.

Finally, fans can make the trip downtown aboard the new 7.5-mile light rail system that drops passengers off on Main Street, just six blocks from Minute Maid Park.

Contact:

Pete Radowick
713-853-8077
peter.radowick@cityofhouston.net