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Back on topic... I also think the Kemah Boardwalk is great. It's a wonderful place to go for families to enjoy pure fun together and watch the sailboats go by. I don't think anyone in Houston believes the Kemah Boardwalk is better than Atlantic City or Santa Monica, but for Texas and the Gulf Coast it's a great thing. I haven't spoken to any Houstonians or out of town guests who didn't enjoy themselves at Kemah. It may be contrived and have too many Landry's restaurants, but it's a very pretty setting and would be sorely missed if it was not there. Now, the new $6 parking does tick me off.

I used to go to Kemah to watch the sailboats (on Sunday afternoons) back in the 60's-70's with my great gran, gran, etc. We would eat at Jimmie Walker's, it's Landry's now. I thought it was such a fancy place. I think there are some pics of the bldg. in the Landry's entranceway. At least the bldg. is still there. I liked it back then, not now, too comercialized. Same as that Aquarium place, downtown.

These lists are typically based on a collection of random statistics, not experience. I would bet that spiderroller probably has more experience with Kemah than some writer sitting in Forbes 5th Avenue office in New York. Even the photo they use is copyrighted by Landry's Restaurants. It may very well be a case of product placement. Regardless of all that, I believe we're both just trying to express our surprise at it's inclusion in the list for the reasons posted above. Maybe you could explain why you feel it deserves to be on the list, instead of putting down those who disagree with you.

I think a better slogan for it would be to put in the irony of one home surviving while others didn't.

I rode the length of the trail today, from my house as far as it would go. Still nothing on the RR bridge over White Oak Bayou. I crossed the bayou on Studemont, then rode down the side of the bayou to the other end of the RR bridge. From there I crossed the bridge over Studemont. It was a nice ride under I-10 and past the Target and Sawyer Heights area. That area is looking more and more busy. The part I hadn't been down was after that down Spring St. I like that stretch. A bit seedy, but that's my style when it comes to urban exploration on a bike. The part all the way down Spring is finished, across Houston Ave. Past there it goes underneath the I-10/I-45 monster-change, which I have to say was kind of surreal. I know I'm right next to downtown, but there's really no sign of it. Only elevated freeways, the bayou, and lots of green (mostly weeds). I got to a bridge that crossed white oak bayou, and right after that the trail stopped. I wish I brought the camera along, but oh well. Looking on google maps I think the area past this is going to be pretty cool, along the bayou with great view of downtown, next to some warehouse type businesses. I assume it will cross the bayou into downtown right before Main, I see another old RR bridge there. I can't wait until they finish it off, it's a million times better for going from my house to downtown on a bike than taking regular streets. Much more direct, and even though you cross a lot of streets it's a lot less traffic than if you rode the streets.

Man this thing should have gone downtown...

Near town had another presentation from the ULI -- this time the idea of closing streets near the intersection of westheimer and montrose and reclaiming that space for parks--specifically Lincoln street and westheimer-- there are other streets that don't seem "necessary " for traffic flow that might also be considered-- -- lovett (both sides-- to yoakum west -- roseland east) at montrose? or Grant street from california to westheimer ? Is that a viable way to get more "green" space however small-- and is that a good idea?

I think you are jumping to some wild conclusions. Forbes sends reporters to Houston all the time. Why would you think differently? I don't care how much money matters to Tillman. The boardwalk is an asset to Houston. And if it wasn't for Tillman, there would be NO roller coasters or anything close to an amusement park in Houston. Why should Kemah not make a list of best boardwalks in the country just because the owner wants to make a profit. There are other forces at work here besides just a simple Forbes list. Some people have spent a LOT of energy berating the Boardwalk. What could possibly be the point of this?

Yah, this is BS. Kemah does not compare to the boardwalks in Rehobeth, Wildwood, Ocean City, Bethany. Hell there is not even a beach at Kemah. Plus, the whole place and everything in it is owned by one company. I go out of my way to never give them a dime.

Forget this neighborhood, clearly they don't want this to happen. Let's just put it on an entire block between Shepherd and Durham north of 11th. Displace some nastiness, new customers for the remodeled Kroger, everyone wins.

I can't speak for all my neighbors but speaking of myself and my five neighbors (townhouse six pack) we all knew about the train. But I was raised in a community near train tracks. This is nothing new to me and honestly except for the rare nights during the winter when it's not raining and cool enough to open the windows, I don't even notice the train horns. Now there are some HHN townhouses literally physically on the southside of the tracks. If someone there does complain about the train that would be pretty silly/hypocritical. But like I said, my neighbors and I knew about the train and don't complain about it. I am actually annoyed somewhat by the Quiet Zone because it would close two access streets (Bonner and Thompson) that I use to head south out of my neighborhood.

I think people should have known better when they bought their property. My wife and I live in 77007 about 750 feet from the tracks and we knew full well when we bought that a busy train line was there and horns blew (we looked at many houses and were often there when trains went by not to mention we looked at a map of the area before we even started looking...) I've never once been woken up by the trains nor has my wife, it's just background noise now like so much else in city life. I've actually sent in the comment card saying I think it's a waste of city money to pacify a bunch of people who should have known better and I also do not like some of the proposed changes like closing of certain crossings etc... Hopefully it won't go through and all the complainers can move back to the suburbs since it seems that's what they really want in the end anyway.

Sounds to me that they don't want to fix things, and don't want to be bothered with the list of demands following an inspection. So they're saying, if you want to leave the house standing, it's your problem, not ours.

Never heard of it. FM 359? OK, looked this up. Shouldn't this be in the Sugar Land forum?

Or learned to check their mirrors for a huge, honking, 60 ton vehicle.

An article in the Daily Cougar: http://www.thedailycougar.com/107-8m-lofts-open-to-residents-1.1819269

Article about Calhoun Lofts in today's Chron -- http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6582504.html

Well I only know what they told me on the tour, and I have done my best to relay that information here. Having said that, I'm glad you appreciate the edit (which occurred long before you posted your reply) -- and in all seriousness, as soon as you figure out how to use a phone, you can even call them up and ask them for the pricing yourself ;-) You might be right -- but the fact is that they did run out of undergrad furnished efficiencies when demand still existed (a calculated move?). But the truth is that sometimes knowing more than a bunch of random people on a website just isn't enough.

Huh??? A positive.

Yeah Spider, listen to Gary. Give it a rest and shut up already. If you can't offer anything constructive to the conversation or to the promotion of Houston you should just tune in and drop out. We don't need your stinking negativity! You aren't part of the solution. You're part of the problem.

I take it back. Go find yourself some maryjane quick! It sounds like you need it, bro.

Not sure... but there is no reason to slow down... unless the workers eat too much during lunch.

I think you ought to give the maryjane a rest. Despite the obstacles, at least the hotel and movie studio ideas could really be beneficial to Houston at some point. And if not, at least we could say we gave it a shot. The Astrodome deserves better than to have its destruction come about because some pot head wants to take the easy way out (typical behavior).

Eh, The fat PS3 looks better.

I haven't heard anything new on Aliana. I drive through there quite a bit, and it looks like they're making good progress on the community center. I was also pleasantly surprised recently to find that West Bellfort goes straight through to Harlem Road (you no longer have to navigate the 90-degree turns on Madden Road). In this economy, I'm pretty sure Aliana is not the only development experiencing a slowdown.

unhumorous.

Not if they don't know what the hell they are talking about. And if they decide to post something they better be prepared to deal with the consequences of having their misguided opinions challenged.

I hear that they will bury him in the trunk of a 1967 Olds Delta 888 and dump him off of the Chappaquiddick bridge.

I gotta agree. Ike's aftermath was really depressing (and distressing) for a lot of Houston and Galveston area residents.

Hyundai and the other Korean brands have always had some expensive cars in their home market, but I don't believe Hyundai overall would really be considered "upmarket" in any other market or even remotely comparable to Lexus.

Because of location. You have proximity to Westchase, Energy Corridor, Galleria, and various office parks along BW8 NW. Personally I think the Memorial is beautiful with its heavily forested pine trees and ranch style homes, though some of the large McMansions take away some of that charm but still leave the trees. As to Aliana, it seems like another nice MPC but it sure is far from everything. I'm sure if this thing gets built out, retail and basic amenities will follow but it's location is terrible in regards to current amenities and employment. However, it seems (by what I've seen from the builder's presentation) to be well landscaped and planned (for a MPC), much like Telfair.

Thanks for the updates Jax. That facade/glass looks sleek.

Caplen, Texas to be exact.

Yes, it was from Ike. Bolivar Peninsula, I believe. But I don't really think it's funny, either.

I don't really find that humorous, knowing the number of people who died to make that photo possible.

It IS according to Forbes. What are your credentials for judging boardwalks or any thing else for that matter? And why should anyone choose to listen to you over a respected publication like Forbes. Lighten up a bit and get a life, loser.

LookingToMove, I live in Katy above the Westpark Tollway. The Swinging Door is less than 10 minutes drive from my home using Hwy 723. I stated the place was in Richmond in my post, so what's your point? I live in Katy and asked Katy residents if they knew of the place.

Thanks for the new photos Jax, I haven't tried to shoot from that side in several months, so I've missed out on getting an extended look on the Main Street facade.

The Webcam is working now...

Photos from yesterday

Make it the HQ of the Gallery Furniture Fire Brigade.

I wonder if anyone has audio of the old Landshark commercials. They were so flamboyant and bombastic. THE NATION'S LARGEST CHEVY DEALER!!!! (inspirational music)

TOUCHE! We just bought a house in New Territory. The prison bothers me not one iota. It is far from the worst thing that could be on "the other side of the tracks."

A lot of carjackings? I don't think so. There was recently a story about thieves targeting Asian households in New Territory believing they had lots of jewelry and cash. I think they were caught though.

Has anyone taken the Nitric Oxide capsules that were recently advertised on HAIF, or does anyone know about it? I got a free two-week supply, but haven't starting taking them yet. When I do start, I'll expect to be buff and brawny when my supply runs out.

One of the things that popped into my mind was one of The Galleria's many restaurants and eateries. The Daily Grill is probably too dark, La Madeliene is too chain-y, and a close seat to the concourse allows many opprotunities for people-watching. The only problem is The Galleria is technically not in the inner loop, but not that much.

So, LookingToMove, does this mean that you finally made your choice? Is it Aliana? C'mon, inquiring minds want to know!

Here's a look at the rear. For some reason I can't edit my previous post.