Next to the 69-year-old Spanish Village Restaurant, which has long greeted people driving down Almeda Road, a sign in bold lettering asks “What should go here?” Beside it, a giant QR code directs interested passersby to a page on a website called Localist, where dozens of people have weighed in.

“Cool y’all are asking,” said one. “Whatever y’all do, make sure it features businesses from diverse faces.”

“A 24-hour food option would be the most amazing thing ever!” said another.

The signs have popped up throughout the city in recent months, the work of two Houstonians who wanted to give communities a way to weigh in on what properties should be used for. They hope Localist, a project they’ve funded themselves, will give people a say in how investment reshapes their neighborhoods — something especially important in a city where the planning process does not require public input and during a time when investment is surging in commercial real estate.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Why a Third Ward property owner is saying no to townhomes. Click to read more at www.houstonchronicle.com.