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Wow, thank you so much for that compliment! I really appreciate that and am happy that people enjoy them! I really enjoy making the city look as nice as I can.

I'm going to be back in town next week and am thinking of taking photos around the area as I've done in the past. Does anyone know if this vantage point is still a good one or is there work underway in the foreground now? It's from the Bed Bath & Beyond at W. Alabama and Kirby Drive. The shot is from December.

This is the site plan for the completed campus (https://www.aro.net/rothko-chapel/). The plaza with reflecting pool and obelisk is meant to be a serene, meditative space just like the chapel itself. The idea is that visitors will enter from the east/west sidewalks into a sort of outdoor room that serves as a transition into the chapel space. I can't find it, but an earlier site plan showed the vegetative screen continuing on the other side of the west sidewalk up to the west side of the chapel. I believe that earlier site plan also included a labyrinth between the chapel and the meditative garden.

Brijonmang can even make the least loved buildings in Houston look beautiful. Brijonmang, you are a terrific photographer and I really enjoy looking at your work. Thank you for sharing it.

https://davis-commercial.com/property/lease/2222-Austin-St.html

Very interesting... I will need to take a look to see how this all fits. I am not sure I am getting the real feel from the pictures... Bamboo gone. GOOD. That is really not right for Houston. I wonder why the decided to block off the West side of the fountain / obelisk (sp?) again. I thought it would be much more profound if it was left open to the park...

I wonder if that's an *incredibly subtle* nod to the neighborhood, much like the Menil itself's cypress siding.

The project is underway. They are currently working on underground utilities.

Catching up to the Calpine Center now

saw this today on my afternoon ride: quick google and I found this: https://www.constructionbidsource.com/archives/leeland-bike-lane-construction-project-houston-tx wish they were carrying it farther down leeland, at least all the way to lawndale, but I guess in time...

another article behind the Chron's paywall though: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/I-45-project-will-let-drivers-step-on-the-gas-15317077.php

Well of course, All these were taken from around the perimeter haha. Definitely go there yourself and check it out. If I remember correctly the original renders and site plan called for that side of the obelisk to get new foliage to line that entire edge. I like that they went back in with new foliage. One of the best vantage points for the obelisk is sitting on that bench in the corner, and having a feeling of uninterrupted seclusion. Opening that up would make the obelisk feel a bit naked, in my opinion. We have to remember that this part of grounds isn't meant to be some classical statue in front of a building and be subservient to it. The whole point of the Broke Obelisk is that it's the "anti" statue. Its a critique on the fact that its a statue. That makes it more its own art work which deserves its own space and unique setting. Taking away that wall of foliage would ruin that feeling in my opinion. Now if this were a more classical or traditional sculpture then I would completely agree with you because that kind of sculpture wants to stand proudly in the center and out in the open.

Yeah you are right...although it is a haven for senior citizens and even when i have gone i get very nostalgic as my grandmother loved Luby's. (i miss her ) BUT Cleburne Cafeteria is far superior in my opinion and i love the owner George Mickelis...He is an amazing human being. So the question remains...is this plaza on it's way out? that whole side will now be completely vacant if this Luby's closes.

I remember when they did their rebranding many years ago. Was actually pretty successful. They managed to turn themselves into a decent brunch place on the weekends. But today there are so many better brunch places that it has effectively pushed them out, and if you want that cafeteria feel then you can just go to the many food halls that have opened up. Lubys has been slide for awhile. Not really surprised even with the pandemic.

I was lucky enough to take a tour of the project back in the spring. It's come along a lot further than when I was there and looks great. Fun fact that I didn't realize until told. The window system used the visitor center is actually wood not metal. I don't know the reasoning behind using that system vs a conventional metal one, but you basically have to know it wasn't metal and thump on it and notice it.

dang! exciting stuff! thanks for the great photos @BeerNut!!!

The glass panels are coming up on the east side and fast. They were going up at a rate of about one every 30 minutes yesterday before they went home for the downtown rally.

Highly doubtful interest rates for a hotel development (whose business is predicated on conventions, no less) at this point are lower than what they were at the beginning of the year due to widening of credit spreads. It's a common misconception that just because the Fed Funds rate is low doesn't mean it translates 1-for-1 to borrowers, or that borrowers can get credit in the first place.

Returning to the office on Monday. The company has a face covering policy. My N95 mask is dirty and too restrictive so I went to shop local today. Went to Chloe Dao Boutique in the Village. https://www.chloedao.com/ Bought two types of face coverings. 100% cotton, and a premium Neoprene version. Overpaid, of course, but at least I'm supporting local. The face coverings are hand-made in The Heights. Think we will be wearing face coverings for a while? Probably 6 months to a year? Might as well get something comfortable.

A little crane jumping this morning

Oh my that reflection is something great in the making. It's almost like they did it on purpose.

Todays Chron.com has these images of the Medical school on the site.

Seems like a good time to go for the redevelopment we've all been waiting for.

South side of the new parking garage and The Quad.

This abomination called Farish Hall is being torn down.

UH College of Medicine.

Breaking ground end of March

I am on an unrelated Board for U of H, but we were briefed a number of times on the Medical school and choosing the location was a tough, but very well consider decision. They seriously considered being in the Medical Center and even identified an available piece of land, but in the end the choice was to be near campus to reinforce the ties to the university. As for the exact location and preserving the trees, I'm afraid that whole area will probably be developed over time. If you're not familiar with the U of H area, the campus is pretty hemmed in on the north by I-45, the east by the railroad tracks (with the exception of the Innovation Center (ex. Schlumberger facility) which is really a separate location) and the south by viable residential in University Oaks/Riverside Terrace. So I think that area of land to the southeast is destined to become part of the campus. There is political pressure from Third Ward leaders for U of H to not expand to the west as they feel that it would diminish the historically African American nature of the neighborhood. Plus TSU and Yates High School are right there on the border already. There is some room to expand to the north right up against I-45, but that land is currently serving as sports fields and personally I think that's a good idea as intramural sports add to the University experience and the mind boggling to me 6000+ students who live on-campus need recreation areas.

They're expanding the parking lot at the strip center. All of those businesses stay packed. https://www.facebook.com/RaysBBQShack/posts/1990386190983393

This is one of those topics that noone will agree on. Border mexican and central mexican are two completely different types for different tastes. I go to certain mexican restaurants for certain items. The grilled items at the orignal Ninfa's are good. however most other stuff is horrible. Pappasito's...I would not wait in a line here cause the quality or taste of the food is not that good. For cheese enchiladas try Spanish Village on Almeda. Yes it's a dump, but the enchiladas are the best. For chicken mole enchiladas try, Maria Selma on Richmond. Their frozen margaritas (top shelf) with orange juice are great. For good tex-mex, try El Jardin on Harrisburg. Good generic mexican for reasonable prices. Hugo's is fairly good, however the prices seem unwarranted for some of the dishes they serve. $42 for an appetizer is ridiculous. I don't get the appeal of Doneraki's. Last time i went i was disappointed. Another good generic restaurant is Bravo's on Fuqua. The tortillas are homemade including their corn ones. and the are not greasy like Ninfa's. Prices are ridiculously cheap. I used to like Spanish Flower but since the expansion service went down to me. I just realized i eat out too much.

IIRC, Kenny & Ziggy's was planning to move to the Luby's space in Post Oak Plaza. Not sure if this is still the case.

Hopefully forever. Fingers crossed.