Naked City

Grab your crying towels, downtown traffic-phobes: Starting this weekend, the city will put into place changes in traffic flow along Second Street, as that roadway undergoes its high-profile renovation into a Great Street, supporting an urban retail district, the new City Hall, and the as-yet-undetermined occupant of Block 21. Here's what to expect, according to city planners (follow along closely):

The three blocks of Second Street between Colorado and San Antonio will be narrowed to one lane, one-way, westbound. The two blocks to the east (on either side of Congress) will become two-way.

All five blocks of Third Street between Brazos and San Antonio will likewise become one-way, westbound.

In November, Second Street will reopen as a two-lane, two-way street with parking along the north side, new paving, and extra wide sidewalks.