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This topic has been discussed from time to time on this board. There are numerous groups trying to help the homeless population in Houston. And, then there is the group that simply doesn't want to see them, and believes that we should violate their rights by simply outlawing them. I wonder which group you belong to. Despite the occasional complaint by those who usually never even venture downtown, the homeless are not the problem. There is a certain group that will always complain that downtown has too many homeless, that it is dirty, that it should look more like master planned communities, that there are too many minorities, that it isn't safe. The fact is, that group can never be pleased, and downtown planners should not even try. Houston Pavilions' problem is the lack of a residential population. The downtown working population leaves at 5 pm. It is not the homeless. Be a little more creative in your complaints. The homeless angle is tired and played out...and untrue.

I think the farthest I have walked in the Galleria at one time is from my car to the Starbucks, and then to The Container Store, and back to the car. That area is not what I like to call pedestrian friendly. I've been trying to convince the Critical Mass bicycle group to move from downtown to the galleria, if they really want to open some eyes to cycling. Otherwise they're just a group of people riding in a fairly deserted area pissing off the one or two motorists who do happen to be unfortunate enough to be on the same road as they are. That's a different thread though ;-) This really confuses me, I see way more police presence in midtown and downtown, than I see in the galleria area. It's not atypical on a weekend night to see police on horseback and bicycle roving through downtown, and then patrol cars roving through downtown and midtown too. I think familiarity with an area really does bring a level of comfort with your surroundings. If the comparison is being made between the galleria area and downtown for walkability, I can promise you, from my perspective, having worked in the galleria area (worked for a small web design company over on st james place in the late 90s) for 4 years, and then living right outside downtown for 3, downtown is FAR more walkable. if you want to talk about a bicycle in the galleria area? Never.In.Life. I'd much rather tell a few homeless people, "sorry man, don't carry cash", or "the star of hope is right down there, they can help you" than the persistent threat of a 2 ton death machine being piloted by a texting teen bowling me down. The worst I have to deal with in downtown is someone who isn't familiar with the area driving the wrong way down a one way street. I say, if you're looking to make the move, do it, don't make excuses for why you don't, or come on over to the east side, the waters warm.

http://houston.cultu...idtown-houston/ We’ve been waiting for a long time for a great urban project to take shape along the Main Street rail line, but with the Independent Arts Collaborative’s (IAC) announcement that it is going to build its long-awaited space at 3400 Main (near the Ensemble/HCC rail stop), the wait is finally over. Or at least it will be by 2015, when the complex is scheduled to open. As Tyler Rudick reported, the 85,000-square-foot complex will include four or five small performance spaces, a 400-seat theater, exhibition space, classrooms, and office space. Significant neighborhood development The IAC complex is sure to inspire, or at least accompany, significant neighborhood development. Developer Bob Schultz, co-owner of the Continental Club and of the colorful boutiques that are the Continental’s neighbors, says he’s planning extensive further developments in the blocks just south of IAC. He’s planning to build housing, a parking garage, and more unique retail. A hotel is also on the drawing board. Schultz told me, “The hope is that we’ll have a 24/7 city (in the area).” And just blocks away, HCC Central Campus has already begun a very exciting redevelopment of its historic campus, one that will mend and strengthen the area’s badly torn urban fabric.

Some pictures from this morning. Seems that it's topped out, and the cladding will probably be going on soon.

Pictures from this morning. This one seems to be going up pretty quickly.

Some updates from this morning. They seem to be about a floor and a half higher than the last pics.

I still have a lot of hope for it. If nothing else the location is excellent and I know there is going to be a new casual Italian restaurant in there which I am looking forward to. As for Progress i emailed Wulfe & Co yesterday and this is the response I received from Elise Weatherall today. "Thank you for your continued interest in BLVD PLACE. We are planning to begin construction later this spring."

Placing girls and prettiness above constitutional rights is impressive. You and your girlfriend should stay in uptown, where attitudes such as yours are rewarded. Downtown will do just fine without you.

The homeless aren't the problem. All large cities have homeless. The lack of downtown residents is the problem.