A catalyst for projects to up the energy of the street might be the total conversion of it to a two-way street.
Agreed. If Rusk Street, a.k.a Commerce Street can be returned to its historic status as commercial corridor and can be the connector between Near South and Panther Island/Stockyards, then the plan has merit. Any concern for me is that the redirection of traffic away from Houston Street may harm the vibrancy of that corridor by doing so. Concern aside, Commerce Street is long overdue a remake and has been neglected far too long.
First on my list is a softening of the streetscape (trees, lightning, flora); the taking down of skybridges.
Soon, the corridor will be the beneficiary of major institutional projects (Convention Center Expansion, Convention Center Hotel, TAMU Lawyer Center, Transit Center) that will create a very vibrant street.
Viewed in its entirety, and just not as a Court House/Heritage Park Compromise, the corridor is the perfect connector between the Near South - Panther Island/Stockyards. The Court House/Heritage Park Compromise should not solely be a traffic project but a remaking of an important corridor through Downtown.
And finally, rename Commerce Street to RUSK which is catalyst enough for me.