Pedestrian Plaza Progress Outside Punjabi Grocery & Deli; New M21 Bus Stop Proposed

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Punjabi Grocery & Deli put out the clarion call, and now progress is finally palpable. While the global East Houston capital works project is nowhere near completion, the smaller pedestrian plaza component is edging toward the finish line. New cement and some circular brickwork design is now visible.

You’ll recall that the Department of Transportation promised in May that the East First Street sidewalk extension – part of “Greenstreets” – would wrap sometime in August. Looks like that initiative, along with the hard-fought cab stand, is being fast-tracked.

Until last year, East Houston merged with First Street at Avenue A. It was a dangerous traffic configuration that the DOT wanted remedied. The new pattern was finally realized back in November and motorists must now enter First Street by making a right turn at Ludlow Street.

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However, the battle rages over how the curb space of this new pedestrian plaza will be utilized. Punjabi Grocery & Deli continues its push to install a permanent taxi relief stand here or on East First Street (there’s a temporary one on Avenue A). The city, for its part, would like to relocate the M21 bus stop here (currently east of Avenue A).

The bus stop bid will be heard by the transportation subcommittee of Community Board 3 tonight.