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Canon EOS RP with Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM by George Zimzores, on Flickr

https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/qol/20201013/pid.pdf

Per COH, the North Canal Project Budget is: Total Cost: $ 131,249,359 Federal Share: $46,249,359 Local Share: $85,000,000 north-canal.pdf

Soccer at Sundown by Russell Cardwell, on Flickr

Largest size I'm able to uncover:

The biggest issue I have is that some of the most vocal supporters of the CBA won't hold MRA accountable. If you aren't confronting an organization that's supposed to build affordable housing and already owns 100+ acres of unkept property in Third Ward why should I support the CBA you want...

The USACE Buffalo Bayou & Tributaries Resiliency Study Interim Report Has Been Released The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District, has released an Interim Feasibility Report for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study to identify actions that can be taken to reduce flooding. Since Buffalo Bayou is an essential community asset that cuts through the heart of Houston and has a major impact on parks, it is imperative that you get involved in the process so that the best outcome can result. To access the report, please click here. Here Is How You Can Help: 1. Please follow the instructions linked here to register and make plans to attend one of the information sessions to learn more: - Thursday, October 22nd from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Monday, October 26th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2. Please send comments (no later than November 2, 2020) to BBTRS@usace.army.mil or by mail to: USACE, Galveston District, ATTN: BBTRS P.O. Box 1229 Galveston, TX, 77553 3. Please ask the USACE to extend the public comment period to December 31, 2020. 4. Please ask the USACE to release all models and data that USACE used or relied on to analyze the different alternatives and form the conclusions in the Interim Report. Thank you for your willingness to engage on an issue that is important to Houston Parks Board and to our broader community!

This one will be delayed at best. The budget vs. cost to build is not close at all. They have asked GT Leach to provide a cost but I can't see how they would be able to come close, even considering they are known for cheap building practices.

Just because the City is handling the project doesn't mean the federal government is not paying for it. I'm pretty sure the City is using federal funds for the North Canal project.

I'm sure the BRT will follow a similar route to the old university LRT map. It's a vanity project for Coleman and source of questionable spending. $3 million for annual landscaping with no accountability, $300,000 for a mural, $23 million for a "think tank", land purchases from a single family, no bid contracts, etc The reputation is still somewhat deserved... On the positive the amount of gunfire heard at night has been decreasing and it's been a while since calling police for hood shit(people getting jumped, people walking around with guns, etc).

Honestly, I'm more excited that the BRT sharing stations with the green/purple lines might finally get the city to make those lanes dedicated transit instead of turn-only. Anything to improve the slog through all those lights for the train . . .

In their meetings, they very much felt like they were approaching things from a "demand" point of view, and when people talked about how really they wanted to work with Ion not against them, it felt like a second thought. You're right in that the CBA has exactly zero leverage over the Ion, so I'm really not sure why they feel like they have such ground to stand on. Most of the motivation from the CBA group is that they see what happens to other cities when big tech gets in to a neighborhood (incredibly high gentrification), and they genuinely fear for what's going to happen to the 3rd ward if the Ion outgrows Rice's land . . . which it will. From what I heard at the Ion meeting, a land trust is already trying to get off the ground. I'm sure they need more money and buy-in though, and they're rapidly running out of time before land prices get out of their reach. All that's kept the place from exploding with townhomes is the "reputation" 3rd ward has. They're already encroaching in the northern corner . . . The only reason prices are that high is because of proximity to downtown, the med center, and the universities, right? Well . . . imagine how quickly the place is going to explode when there's also a rapid bus to TSU/UH, 10-20 minute rapid transit connection to Wheeler (and the red line), Greenway Plaza, the Galleria (and all the other connections at the Uptown transit center). I honestly think it's going to be one of the best connected neighborhoods in the city, and I think it'll make east downtown look like nothing.

The website boasts "18,000 SF of retail space for a restaurant and café. On-site amenities will include a rooftop pool, fitness center, yoga studio, resident coworking space, and a sky lounge with views of Downtown Houston." I suppose it's possible that the 18,000sqft are split by both street faces. Also, I noted that the former Alamo Tamales building now has "Live at Forth" drawings all over.

If I were a bettin man, I would put money on @Paco Jones and the stuff he posted. So my money is on the final render.

Tower crane is not being jumped this weekend like I was told by a worker. The city was doing sewer work all around this build and might have affected the jumping of the crane.

1 mile radius - significant effect, apparent in the short term. 2 mile radius - mild affect, apparent in the long term. 3 mile radius - little to no effect (unless Ion becomes very big, like a Tech Center rivaling the Medical Center). Effect will be stronger west of the north/south freeway spine (288, 59, 45) since freeway acts as a buffer.

The photo caption on the document's front cover incorrectly identifies the submerged roadway. 🙃

From page 113. Ummm... wat?!? Since when does the city have a quarter billion to do this when the federal government would pay? It's listed in the alternative 6 which is being listed as the "most cost effective structural plan" so it does sound like it's going to happen. I may be reading this wrong, but the Alternative 8 Combo Plan which builds a cypress creek dam & reservoir and does the 49 miles of Buffalo Bayou improvements for $5 to $7 billion is the best bang for the buck?

"Change is in the Air!" Suggests that there will be some height to the change.

Agree with all of this. The design is pretty pedestrian. If people want to see a great balance between more traditional design with contemporary flare, then check out the Eastern Glades. Love that park. Love the stone, like the path layout, and like the contemporary approach to pavilions etc... This park comes off as something one would find out in Bridgeland or one of those masterplanned communities. Oh well. I'll take a park than no park. Looks great for the area which is already seeing a bunch of activity. The future is bright. Agree with the lamp posts. Looks craftsman inspired. Giant brick podium...a bit fat. Like I said before your quote. I applaud the effort. Just lacks creativity. They were clearly focused on utility.

They haven't said. Wheeler was actually going to be cut off from NHHIP but community rallied to have it kept and revised. With Alabama's larger ROW it'll have to be there I'm thinking.

Although I'll never be able to afford it, damn is that a slick looking tower. I wonder if it'll be one of the city's "Historic" landmarks by 2100 . . .

The top rendering is old design concept. This has a rendering from inside the pool area.

Bad news. Broadstone EaDo will not be moving forward. Possibly in the future, but there are no plans as of right now.

I noticed windows on the Navigation side of the property going in. Are we sure GFR won't be available on that side?

The CBA in my opinion has always been DOA. The only people willing to entertain this idea was Rice (only because they have a guilty conscious), but with all the pull this thing is already getting, they don't need anything from this coalition because they don't need them for anything. In fact, just looking at it from a pure negotiation/political stand point. Its the coalition that needs The Ion, not the other way around, yet at the same time its the coalition trying to make all the demands. Not exactly a wise business strategy. The dynamics of the surrounding neighborhoods have been changing for awhile now, and will continue to change. If one focuses on the actual dynamics it just looks like a last ditch bid for the power brokers, and those who hold a political stranglehold on the 3rd Ward, are gradually going to lose their influence and authority because the demographics are going to shift, and they want to find a way to keep that going. I just don't see it happening. If they approached them in a way that was an assist or offer, rather than a demand or a sense of entitlement then they probably would have gotten something a long time ago. Its not a great look to be pushy especially when this development doesn't exactly need the existing political authority to get any influence for itself, or bring in business. In fact The Ion is doing that naturally on its own.

Subdivision Plat: SubdivisionPlatPDF_5354 - Temenos Development at Gray - 20200920.pdf

Can anyone speak to the hold up on the Ion garage? Is it still moving forward as planned and is just delayed, or has something happened that's made Rice re-assess the full use of this block? Greentown Labs has a massive parking lot to utilize, but can this garage be finished by early spring of 2021 when both Greentown and Ion open their doors?

https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/impacts/2020/10/19/target-set-to-open-newest-inner-loop-location/ By Matt Dulin | 12:20 PM Oct 19, 2020 CDT | Updated 12:20 PM Oct 19, 2020 CDT The new Target store in the Shepherd Square Shopping Center, 2075 Westheimer Road, will open Oct. 25, a company spokesperson confirmed. The store replaces a former Randalls grocery store footprint with 63,000 square feet and will be Target's fourth Inner Loop location.

I think the effect is going to be very severe in the 3rd ward once construction on the BRT starts. It'll be 5-10 minutes away on the line, and by far the cheapest area along the entire length. It's going to be targeted heavily for new apartment/condo construction for sure.

Siding work has begun.

So I made a map of 1, 2, 3 mile circles around The Ion(former Sears building). There is a coalition trying to form a CBA with Rice for this development. I'm indifferent if they're able to make this happen based on the distance from Third Ward. At what distance do you think The Ion will have an affect on property values? I'm within the 1 mile circle for Third Ward and new construction in my area is already $350k+...

3 guys with metal detectors were combing the area for pirate treasure

Wow this is HUGE! I wonder if Musk will hear about this and open some Space X offices at the ION.

$1.4m in federal funds to launch aerospace tech accelerator? In partnership with NASA's Johnson Space Center? SIGN ME UP. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/techburger/article/The-Ion-gets-1-4M-in-federal-funds-for-space-15630626.php

6-Story expansion planned at Jackson & W. Gray St. Currently on the planning commission agenda.

If i remember correctly from driving by, the gazebo isn't off to the side per say... the whole park is at an angle facing towards the corner/stop sign!

Holy bananas how did I miss all of the updates to this thread over the last 3 months. I always thought that the small room sizes in this property may be a challenge, but it would be fantastic to add some pricing variation to downtown (and even Midtown). Based on room size, a hotel makes the most sense, but this area needs residents and not temporary guests imho. People that can take advantage of the YMCA next door and if the NHHIP and the city develops the land the Pierce Elevated land into parks or whatever, that there are more residents that are nearby. You have to think that the new BRT lines connect with the downtown transit center, so this might be one of the best transit-connected blocks in the city. Could be direct BRT to the Galleria/HSR/IAH, direct LRT to NRG/Med Center/UHD and LRT->BRT/LRT connection to TSU, UH, the other sports stadiums, etc.

https://www.facebook.com/HoustonHCDD/?hc_ref=ART4Htkq0dNEsmC-5MXANVm7M1bTNfPOd-Pv2JRX1GwC9lJpS6Wmth07jLkBBjsXBi8&fref=nf&__tn__=kC-R

edit: wrong thread! The rendering is up on site. Hope we get some good little cafe.

High architecture it is not, but it'll be nice to have in the neighborhood.

The Montrose Collective Birds-Eye View construction Progress-views from the TRAVIS.

The Almeda ramp will be awesome.

Texas Tower making the first of many appearances at Minute Maid Park.

Update from HR Design Dept’s Facebook Page - The project is currently on hold.

@astrohip says his nephew works for "HR &A" and they are involved in the Buffalo Bayou East Sector trails. https://www.hraadvisors.com/portfolio/buffalo-bayou-east-sector-investment-framework-and-master-plan/ Buffalo Bayou East Sector Investment Framework and Master Plan HR&A developed an investment framework to guide the long-term planning and investment in the East Sector and is managing development of a Conceptual Master Plan. CHALLENGE The Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is the nationally-recognized developer and operator of Houston’s celebrated 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park, which was completed in 2015 and has become one of the country’s great urban green spaces. Building upon this success, BBP seeks to extend the Buffalo Bayou greenway network along four miles of Buffalo Bayou waterfront east of Downtown Houston, catalyzing broader neighborhood revitalization in a predominantly industrial and post-industrial landscape that is disconnected from the surrounding historic communities. SOLUTION HR&A’s Investment Framework Report assessed existing conditions and defined a vision, key priorities, and next steps for BBP’s activities in the waterfront areas of Houston’s Second and Fifth Wards, collectively known as the East Sector, consistent with principles of authenticity, connectivity, and inclusiveness. The report identified open space and neighborhood redevelopment opportunities and strategies and provided a long-term implementation plan for BBP’s activity and investment in the East Sector, including recommending the initiation of a masterplan for the East Sector. IMPACT Following the investment framework report, HR&A managed the solicitation process that led to the selection of a world-class master planning team led by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. HR&A is managing the 10-month master planning process to guide the creation of an integrated, multidisciplinary blueprint that is positioned for successful implementation and grounded in forward-looking market reality. As part of this work, HR&A is leading analysis and strategy related to real estate, financing, engagement, and implementation planning.