What would you park there for? To visit the other parking a couple blocks down?

Here is a modern view, it's taken from quite a bit further back, a bit further right, and angled a bit further left compared to the photo in the OP, but you can identify the Highway 69 on the left and the duo of dark towers (Fullbright Tower and 2 Houston Center)

Source: https://airbornimaging.com/houston-from-above-how-aerial-photography-is-changing-the-way-businesses-see-the-bayou-city/

Remember, we're parked in the Itchy lot!

Isn't this the city that's proud it technically doesn't have zoning laws?

Explains the high amounts of lead in Texans in cities

You may not like it, but this is what Peak Freedom looks like.

Wheres the down town? Those 3-4 tallish buildings?

Was there even a difference in density between downtown and the suburbs? 😅

So is it better or worse now? Seems like there’s been a ton of growth, so there was an opportunity to make it better, or far worse

Up to about 2015, downtown Dallas was like that too. Then a lot of the spaces sold to become mixed use high rises.

It's much better now- it's all parking garages with buildings on top. Shocking lack of street life.