David Kaplan, Houston Chronicle

Since the light-rail line opened on Main Street nearly a decade ago, civic leaders have pushed the idea of transit-oriented mixed-use projects - places near rail stops where people can live and play and get to work by foot, rail, bike or car.

That sounds a lot like Mid Main, a development about to get underway west of the Ensemble/Houston Community College rail stop. The project will include apartments, shops, restaurants and a big parking garage.

Going up at the same time next door will be the nonprofit Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston. Construction on both projects starts early next year.

Mid Main did not come easy.