Yes, the side wall on the Pavilions is just atrocious, I was in Houston about a month ago and One Park Place was looking good but I was very disappointed with the pavilions. Im sure it will liven up the western end of main but still it could have been so much more. I do like how there are overpasses over the street though, it makes it seem more enclosed and more like a dense development.
I remember when I first moved to Houston about 10 years ago and since then downtown has totally transformed from a hobo infested crapper to having a wonderfully lively night club scene in just a few years. Theres still tons of hobos and crappy areas but that will change, especially if the Dynamo stadium comes in too. I wish I was still living there to take pictures and to see the transformation, but alas, I am stuck in redneck Arkansas for now.
