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This makes no sense, considering the demographics of where the store is and how many food options there are with in 5 miles. If this were north east of downtown or any of the other food deserts, I would agree with you. Low income housing was literally replaced with a starbucks. A poor person is much more disadvataged by the reducion in cheap central houston housing with access to transport than saving 10 cents on milk.

Wal-mart also ships increased numbers of strawberry pop-tarts to Gulf Coast stores that are within a named storm's "cone of uncertainty" during hurricane season. Their research indicated that there was big demand for non-perishables, and even more specific, this flavor variety. Wal-Mart does some incredible things with their business intelligence data, which is why they are extremely successful. From the products they offer to when a truck is allowed to dock, they have it down to a science. My guess is that they have already calculated their B & C options after the bridge weight changes. Meanwhile back in mom & pop land, Pa kettle is still selling salt-water taffy for $.50 each when his true cost is $.65 each. *Pa scratches head, still can't figure out why they are not breaking even* But somehow the haters see Wal-mart as the knuckle-dragging hicks and mom & pops as the noble geniuses that were forced out of business.

Note that the west end service center (new Koehler extension and heights) provides a lot of these services in one place for free. While there may be some overlap (using the service center day dare while going to work in the new development), I still struggle to see the new development as some great affront to the elitist contempt of the poor. Considering they have been coming to Heights\Yale St for food and services for years the only change is that less of them live there too. http://www.houstontx.gov/health/MSC/westendmsc.htm

I don't think that would be impressive at all. Just cheesy and wasteful. Who in that area would care to look at a huge hd tv screen while driving down the street?

The Chronicle has a profile piece on the developer, and naturally talks about the hotel in the process. http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Quiet-Houston-developer-to-undertake-bold-3924226.php

I'm that possibly rare specimen, a repeat Houston tourist. When I am there I am regularly taken to Astros games, once in a while to a Rockets game, Rice baseball game; Bayou Bend for the azalea trail and the decorative arts, the art museum (especially for traveling Tut/Pompeii, and that tunnel), and the natural history museum (especially for anything terra-cotta warrior/Titanic, and the minerals and the malacology). I go to the zoo every two or three years. I feel sure I've been to the planetarium more recently than any of you. I saw some smashed-up cars in the Menil one time. I used to walk around the Arboretum until all the privet began to oppress me. I have toured the Heritage Society homes downtown. I have actually attended the quilt show. I've seen the Houston Ballet dance "The Nutcracker" at least five times. I've been dragged to the Alley Theatre ("You're not even dressed yet?!") I've watched the rodeo and been to the fat stock show much more often than I really deserved to. I'm pretty sure I've eaten lunch next to a shark tank in a downtown "aquarium." Yes, I have trod the Discovery Green. I also go to the dentist. When I saw those renderings, I felt that coldness Harry Potter experienced when the Dementor attacked him. Pretty much drained of all hope, as if there were no light in all the universe, and the possibility of happiness closed off forever. (When I looked away, it was fine.) Dead-zone surface parking lots are pregnant with possibility by comparison. And, oh yes, The Niche, I have even attended a flower show at the fuddy-duddy garden center you don't like in Hermann Park!

This is really awesome news. More parking and more hotel rooms will not only help the convention center but also make us look even more attractive to sporting events such as all star games, super bowls, and soccer.