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Let your voice be heard, this is not the Obama administration so don't worry about reprisals. So many times I watched one or two misguided fools on the HAHC hold sway over that group. All it would take is one or two normal people on the HAHC willing to explain in simple terms the consequences of some of these idiotic votes, and we can take back our neighborhood. I need some help.

I agree - ideally it would have been like when Sears wanted to relocate to the Chicago suburbs in the late 60's, and Mayor Daley convinced them to instead build the world's tallest building downtown. BUT, had Exxon built a campus in south downtown, it very likely could have turned into something like the GM death star in Detroit, a self-contained fortress that kills urbanity. Exxon is very concerned about security, and likely wouldn't have wanted an inviting array of pedestrian walkways and gathering spots open to the world. Worst, anything they built would have greatly driven up land prices and prevented the residential developments we hope to see fill south downtown. The best thing that area has going for it right now is that there are no tunnels, no class A buildings (east of Louisiana), and so the land isn't priced for skyscrapers only.

I finally was able to call Council Member Cohen back since my last post (I was in mtgs all day). CM Cohen has been shocked/impressed with all of the support that has flooded her office today for nominating me to the HAHC. Therefore, please keep it up and thank you!! Also, please send your emails and phone calls to other City Council members as well. It can be short and sweet: literally a phone call with a message to the admin and a 2 sentence email. This does spades in showing how many people think that I would be good for the neighborhood. Bradford, Christie, Gonzalez and Cohen are all very supportive of me. During my appeal process, Costello and Pennington were supportive too, although I'm not sure if this is a big topic for them today (it might be, I just don't know if they are aware of these recent happenings, but I know the first 4 are very involved). Therefore, please send your emails to everyone copied below. If you have a couple of short minutes, please call too - you will only leave a voicemail or message with the admin, which takes ~30 seconds. If you are prioritizing (b/c I know we're all busy), I'd recommend the following order: Cohen: 832.393.3004 Bradford: 832.393.3012 Christie: 832.393.3017 Gonzalez: 832.393.3003 Pennington: 832.393.3007 Costello: 832.393.3014 If you're still reading, here is the update since talking to CM Cohen. Even though I was vetted and approved through the system (but not voted on by City Council yet b/c they didn't have a public meeting this week), they are likely going to withdraw my nomination. This is because they received a "legal opinion" yesterday from the city attorney that the citizen who's position I was going to fill, is not at his term limit and can serve another term. She was embarrassed and sorry that things have turned out this way, and I truly believe that she was blind-sided by all of these events. She does not conduct business this way, and I believe her. My hunch is that this certain citizen representative was going to step down, and then somebody who doesn't like me heard about my nomination and called and asked him to stay. I'm still a bit confused about this, but somehow this prompted legal department to "advice" on his term limit, which he is not at the max yet (he started in 2008). It is unprecedented that the City Council would nominate somebody against an incumbent, so it is likely that they will withdraw my nomination. However, when I asked how that works, she said that is an excellent question!! They have not withdrawn my nomination yet, so the more vocal you can be in support of me, the higher the chance (albeit small) that my nomination will not be withdrawn. I truly believe that CM Cohen has been put in a very bad spot, and this is not fair to her or me or our neighborhood. I know fwki likely thinks I sound cheesy, but all we have are our voices. All of your support calls/emails made a serious impact to CM Cohen today. If the other council members get similar calls/emails, it can do nothing but help. Thank you again for your support. <Jonathan.Newport@houstontx.gov>, jack.christie@houstontx.gov, <sandra.puente@houstontx.gov>, <Brad.Bradford@houstontx.gov>, annise.parker@houstontx.gov,Brooke.Boyett@houstontx.gov,ellen.cohen@houstontx.gov,mayor@houstontx.gov, districta@houstontx.gov, districtb@houstontx.gov, districtc@houstontx.gov, districtd@houstontx.gov, districte@houstontx.gov, districtf@houstontx.gov, districtg@houstontx.gov, districth@houstontx.gov, districti@houstontx.gov, districtj@houstontx.gov, districtk@houstontx.gov, atlarge1@houstontx.gov, atlarge2@houstontx.gov, atlarge3@houstontx.gov, atlarge4@houstontx.gov, atlarge5@houstontx.gov,john.moss@houstontx.gov

We all pay for the highways because we all use them. Even if you stay inside the hieghts or midtown for your entire life you still get huge benefits from the highway system. ALl those 18 wheelers are carrying the products that you buy to make your life in the city possible. I'm not against mass transit, I ride Metro buses all the time, but just remember our highways are not just about getting people from the suburbs into the city.

It looks like they are starting to dig the holes for some columns. http://s7.photobucket.com/user/brijonmang/media/SH_zps1c6a5078.jpg.html'>

Please tell me where anyone said lets demo 19th street and bring in chain retail. Please quote it b/c nobody, not one soul, especially me has said that. You have mischaracterized everything I have said. What I said, what I will repeat again, for the third or fourth time - is that the niche stores suck, and that they do pathetic business for the demographics of our area...that does not mean replace them with a pottery barn - what it means is replace them with stores that dont suck! Also, nobody said to demo the existing buildings - the buildings themselves are nice looking - I can see how folks are attracted to the look, and I am not advocating demolishing them. I am advocating for restaurants, wine bars, and retail that normal folks shop at....that does not have to mean Chilis/Pottery Barn/Outback So just to be clear, b/c your reading comprehension has shown some area for improvement. 1. I do not want to tear down the existing buildings on 19th to replace them with new buildings. 2. I do not want to create a bar/night club area 3. I do not want to replace the existing stores with national chains and "more retail from the burbs" 4. I do want to get rid of shops that few people in the area shops at. 5. I do want to get more restaurants and family friendly places on 19th - see Menchi's & Collinas as examples of success. These can be chef driven places like Shade. I like Shade, though I do think it is over priced for what you get. 6. I do want to see 19th street become a street that has a night life - places open past 5, places where you can have dinner, walk down somewhere for a drink, coffee and walk home. 7. I do want those places to serve alcohol b/c if they don't they will not succeed. 19th street looks nice, unfortunately its current tenants mostly suck. It IS a matter of time before the niche is replaced with actually successful stores/restaurants.....I'd like to see that happen sooner rather than later....I can assure you with absolute certainty that less than 1% of the population of the Heights moved to the Heights b/c of 19th street and its shops. They may think they are cute/quaint but almost nobody, if anyone at all, would have moved to the Heights b/c of 19th.

I don't subscribe to their NIMBYism. Increased density will necessarily result in city permitting that doesn't require that we pave all our buildings to put up parking lots. More walkable retail, etc.

Why? What is so bloody magical about people having less space and living on top of one another? Do you enjoy waiting in line? Do you reach the counter at the Breakfast Klub, and say "oh, that was not long enough, I'm getting back in line."? If you have big city dreams why not explore NYC, Chicago, Boston, or Philadelphia? Houston will always let you down if this is your true desire.

Now u/c http://swamplot.com/a-look-around-san-felipe-at-the-randall-davis-condos-and-planned-hines-office-building-site/2013-05-20/#more-62256

If you look closely at the concrete roof cap on the three garages you will see what will eventually be a scaled image of Google Earth view of Galveston Bay, Ship Channel, and I think the Galveston Causeway. It's a clear coating with colored silica and quartz embedded that make the color pattern. Absolutely tedious work. The cost is incredible, as you can imagine.