HOUSTON — Houston is transforming downtown's Main Street with a massive cooling project designed to reduce temperatures by 10 degrees ahead of the World Cup, which is less than a year away. The Main Street Promenade will span seven blocks from Commerce to Rusk Street, creating a pedestrian-friendly corridor with expanded shade and cooling elements.

Construction crews have been working on the project for two months, with workers currently digging tree wells to accommodate 80 new trees that will be planted starting next month. The ambitious undertaking aims to make downtown more comfortable for both visitors and locals in Houston's notorious heat.

"A big concept here is the creation of more shade," Kris Larson, president and CEO of Downtown Houston Plus said. "So, through this project, our

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