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Below is a rendering of Chardon's dining room shared in a Facebook group. Chardon is a French brasserie that's planned for Thompson Hotel / Thompson Houston. It's scheduled to open this summer at 1717 Allen Parkway (address may also be 1711 Allen Pkwy.)

Rasmus is a respected pastor in Houston with a long-standing reputation for completing apartments in the low-income neighborhood with city and state support. So Rasmus said he was surprised to read a recent Houston Chronicle story that described how the law firm Hoover Slovacek had raised concerns over Rasmus asking the city's Planning Commission for permission to build the Crawford closer than 25 feet from the property line. The attorneys representing a real estate developer, which specialize in upscale apartment complexes, said the Crawford's request for a variance goes against Houston's Walkable Places ordinance promoting wide sidewalks, and that the request could interfere with ambitions to remove the Pierce Elevated as part of I-45 expansion and build a park resembling the popular High Line in New York City. The city's Planning Commission is expected to vote on the variance this Thursday. "We didn't know we had a NIMBY case," Rasmus said this week, referring to the acronym meaning "not in my back yard" that's often attached to vocal residents who object to unwelcome or undesirable elements entering their neighborhoods. "This is the first time we have ever gotten any pushback from our neighbors." https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/texas-pastor-battle-developers-19405832.php Note: The pastor is one of many that spoke in favor of the proposed project.

It was only because of the IH 45 Pierce Elevated, which is coming down. Chaad Whitmire might try to stop it, he hates making things nicer in Houston, but he has zero authority over TXDOT taking it down. Dude thinks he is able to get whatever he wants after being a minority wrench in the GQP ruled Texas Legislature for decades.

Several sign permits were purchased today for Lick Honest Ice Creams: Sign site inspection Sign plan review Details from the permits: Use: New Projecting 3 X 2 Lick Honest Ice Creams FCC Group: On premise; new sign; projecting; internal light The scoop shop is located at 3737 Cogdell St, Suite 130. It one of several ground floor retail tenants at Hanover Parkview, which is part of the Autry Park mixed-use development. Sign site inspection Sign plan review

The Planning Commission approved the variance request. Multiple people spoke for it including Council Women Carolyn Evans Shabazz from District D. The one and only person speaking against it was a representative of the proposed project at 1500 Gray who has a vested interest in opposing it.

Plaza and Parkway are probably two of the most incorrectly used terms in Houston. Makes sense that this fake Plaza is on a fake Parkway.

Tannos, Wolfgramm break ground on Friendswood City Center - Houston Business Journal (bizjournals.com) "Local joint venture Madison Development Corp., made up of Tannos Development Group and Wolfgramm Capital, officially broke ground on Friendswood City Center on April 18."

The same can also be said for smoke shops and hot chicken restaurants. 😄

Stomping Grounds recently announced the addition of Oh My Gogi to its roster. The eatery is located within Rooster & Rice at 1223 W 34th St, Suite C-400. https://www.facebook.com/theSGatGO/posts/pfbid0GTXANdKGJoLvZH7UNCcxzhWRjfUmRgBTjUpVsuWaz7uP2w6ndiQWZFy7iWA8e6v6l https://www.instagram.com/p/C54IOFOpjxX/

A mechanical permit was purchased yesterday for 5310 Washington Ave: Details from the permits: Use: 2,135 sf convert to bar / tavern 1-2-5-A2-B '15 IBC FCC Group: Non-residential alteration The permit is for a new bar and lounge named Cana.

A mechanical permit was purchased yesterday for 2214 W 34th St. Details from the permit: Use: 1,178 sf residence to bakery w/ 1,389 sf addition (M/2) 1-2-5-A2-B '15 IBC FCC Group: Non-residential alteration Red Dessert Dive, a local bakery, is opening its second location at 2214 W 34th St. In addition to its forthcoming Oak Forest outpost, the sweet shop also operate in the Heights at 1045 Studewood St.

A plumbing permit was purchased yesterday for Afuri. Details from the permits: Use: 3,600 sf restaurant w/ ext. dining 1-1-2-A2-B-Spk '21 IBC FCC Group: Non-residential alteration Afuri is a Japanese restaurant in the shopping center dubbed Durham Row. It's located at 1215 N Durham Dr, Suite B-100.

Several permits were purchased yesterday for 1915 1/2 Airline Dr: Paving permit Grading and filling permit Impact water fee Development plats Details from the permits: Use: Sitework w/ paving for daycare building '15 IBC FCC Group: Structures other than building National daycare chain The Learning Experience is going up at 1915 Airline Dr. Paving permit Grading and filling permit Impact water fee Development plats

A rendering of Plume included in the CultureMap article linked in the above post. Plume is a cocktail lounge from Golden Ratio Hospitality. It's scheduled to open this summer at 1100 W 23rd St, Suite 150.

Half-hearted? Why do you allege this?

I like Finner. He inherited this mess and should not take the fall for it. The question is can Finner cooperate with all the other law enforcement agencies to create an effective coverage plan. Whitmire is big on sharing resources throughout the area. On the number of police officers he said this during the campaign... Does that mean in your mind that what is not necessary is hiring more officers? No, we’re about 2,000 officers short. And this is kind of a substitute for lack of recruiting, we need to recruit, recruit and recruit capable, qualified, diverse language skilled HPD officers. And I’ll play a role in that. I will not hesitate to go to high schools or our community college, or I’ll reach out to the correction officers across the state. We have 15,000 correction officers across the state. You think I can’t recruit 500 of them that would consider a career as an HPD officer? You just have to make these things priorities, and we’re not doing it currently.

The Planning Commission approved the variance request for off street parking. A neighbor behind this project spoke in favor of it because she is worried about vagrants that have moved in to it several times and was worried about potential fires they often could cause. It's a historical building, a former mechanical shop. After business hours paid parking is available across the street at the law office.

With this demolition and Tilman's purchase of the office building next door, I'd be surprised if Tilman is not purchasing this property as well.

Samsung's Texas investment to transform Taylor into chipmaking hub - Austin Business Journal (bizjournals.com) "The impact of the Samsung factory in Taylor, about 40 miles northeast of Austin, is well-documented: thousands of jobs, billions of dollars of capital investment and transformation of the small city of 17,000 people that once was the economic engine of Williamson County north of Austin. Taylor is primed to regain that title. The rewards got even bigger this week, when the federal government committed to provide $6.4 billion in grants to Samsung, widening the company's investment to $45 billion in Central Texas and making it one of the largest economic development projects in U.S. history. The result will be the establishment of one of the most advanced and complete semiconductor facilities in the world, with multiple fabrication lines, a research-and-development facility, a packaging facility and more."

I think Montrose /Neartown is Superneighborhood 24 i think it predates the label "Superneighborhood" I am getting the notion that Mayor Whitmire has fallen victim to the myth of Montrose-- what that preconceived notion is that Montrose has plenty of stuff of 🥵 doesn't need to improve upon any of its other stuff😡 so why bother approving any CIP projects. I don't mean to be naive nut there are streets that don't have usable side2als @nd places where there ar3 no sidewalks, plus the open ditch draining and th3 crater pot holes yadayada when Harvey came through there was flooding--- surely my family wasn't the only one experiencing 5hat. I have se3n flooding at Fairview and Montrose, Montrose and Westheimer, Westheimer and Stanford...... those are own observations because that is our usual path to walk.....when I post that experience on other sites-- people yell at me "I'm Crazy" in all caps😣 Im really trying to post what I know....... Here's my latest conundrum since May Whitmire took over ( my own first hand observation) when trying to raise awareness of a problem, I think is worthy for COH to take a look at: long time knowledgeable COH department heads seem to have retired and been replaced with younger, enthusiastic but not very knowledgeable campaign supporters. Those nice young people cheerfully look me straight in the eye after pointed out they are the doorkeeper of that problem I've described and explainer--- they cheerfully acknowledge they will have to get back to me after that problem has been researched and questions on there side must be answered and solved.......... then....THEN With great good humor.....invite me to speak in front of city council meetings as that is Mayor's favorite public discourse in these situations. so I'm trasported back in time to when I had to go to city hall hours before (hopefully get parking space) to stand in line to sign up to speak so I might get to be number 21 or 22nd to speak and not number 56 or 57 to speak wait my time (hopefully get a seat so I don't have to stand the whole time) then I get my three ( sometimes only 1 minute) minutes, to explain, then reexplain, who I am and how COH can address this problem--- only (most times anyway) to have a newly elected COH person or newly appointed aide to Mayor over talk me pointing out I need to contact ( inserts name of the original person, I just established contact with) speak to that person instead of discussing at current council meeting.😩 so okay-- Mayor Whitmire likes to side with the little guy? I guess I know what my Tuesday will be folding into.😥

This is the million dollar question. What exactly is his motive? My pure speculation is he feels the TIRZ 27 is going overboard in its project scope. Does Montrose Boulevard really need new drainage? Does it flood? To answer your question on “re-use” it looks like City Council has to approve the TIRZ use of funds, so I’m certain Whitmire has plans for that money (even if it stays within the TIRZ). There is commonality in all of these controversial projects around the city. A minority of residents feel like their voices were not taken into account in the final project plan (Houston Ave., 11th Street, and now Montrose). Whitmire sides with the “little guy” every time. How many times has he said there are neighborhoods in the city without sidewalks (Denver Harbor) while neighborhoods with 3-ft sidewalks want to rip them up to put in 6-ft sidewalks (Heights, Washington, Montrose)? He’s consistent. Remember UH’s superstar President Renu Khator wanted to mandate that all incoming freshman live on campus (to improve graduation rates). Whitmire saw this as blocking accessibility to the underprivileged that UH serves and he killed the proposal. To this day a lot of UH alums hate Whitmire for this. Whitmire is oblivious to it.

The beef people have with each other on this forum is a great side piece entertainment hahaha

T he federal $ for second phase went away- I'm fairly sure the Mayor can't "reuse" the TIRZ $ for something else- why exactly did the Mayor choose to side with saving compromised 60 year trees ( historic?) that are constantly v cut, root bound and never watered?

He is anti-woke.

They might actually finish it this year.

Today I stopped by T2 to look at the construction progress of the forthcoming Jewel of Texas Tower, The Sylvie. As usual, Hines is best in class. Just an amazing building. The exterior glass circle is just breathtaking.

I watched this week's solar eclipse at Chase Tower. I was surprised how many employees came out to view. Hundreds of people.

A photo of of Dixie's mural I took this week. Really amazing artwork she did a this Midtown park.

quote of the article has to be "Whitemire, with a mischievous grin and a personality crustier than a day-old baguette"

Homeless project near Beyoncé-backed complex sparks debate (houstonchronicle.com) Article in the Chronicle. Provides a good overview of the project: "13 floors of housing for the formerly homeless. To do so, the nonprofit is asking Houston for permission to build closer than 25 feet from the property line." Each studio unit would be around 340 square feet. The article then brings up the people opposed: "But lawyers representing the owners of a block of land nearby have protested that the variance would make the area less pedestrian-friendly, which is the purpose of the city rule limiting how close buildings can be to property lines. The permission could also curb the possibilities for any potential park that could take the place of the bordering Pierce Elevated, which is slated to be removed as part of the Interstate 45 expansion, they said." Personally, from the renderings above, I dont really see how it would be negative for the pedestrian experience. This actually would provide more eyes on the street and I think it would actually make that area of Midtown feel safer because there will be a development with windows and lights and not an empty grass patch near an underpass.

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that this is open. Seems to have a very Texas theme, with oil wells in red neon. I haven't tried it yet, but hope to soon. I've got to stop going to Tout Suite. It charges full-service restaruant prices, even though it's just a self-serve cafe.

The barriers are great. It's always fun to watch some idiot not paying attention hitting one of those barriers and destroying a tire and wheel, and hopefully a lower control arm. I saw that just East of Shepherd where a Honda Accord driver tried to speed up and get into the left lane rather than waiting their turn. Bam! they paid the price.

The good part is that with these nice wide one-way streets, curb lanes can be easily turned into pocket parks, outdoor dining, cycleways, or any of the other things that innovative cities are doing with their streets now that we live in an age of hybrid and full time work-from-home. Lots of cities are realizing that those lanes are no longer needed, and are giving that public space back to the public.

This may be true of 11th. Not remotely true of Austin or Lamar. You're unlikely to go more than two blocks without passing another bike, and based on clothing, it looks to be about 50-50 recreational vs. transport. And while I am the only teacher at my school who uses a bike for commuting, there are several who take the bus, and plenty if students who bike, use a scooter, or walk. If the argument is bike infrastructure versus pedestrian infrastructure (it shouldn't be, for obvious reasons), then of course I choose pedestrian. But I think it would be totally irresponsible to prioritize pedestrian infrastructure to the point of neglecting bicycle infrastructure, for the following reasons: While a lot of pedestrian infrasfructure in the city is indefensibly bad, what really kills the walkability is the massive distances that exponential parking allotment creates. I live in "walkable" Midtown, and the two nearest businesses to me (Retrospect and Rado) are both about a 10-minute walk. The rest of Midtown - including the red line - is at least a 15min walk, and Montrose, Downtown, Museum, and EaDo are all far enough to require exercise clothes. That's pretty standard for most of the inner loop, with a handful of pockets making up the exceptions. We are decades of radically different development patterns away from anything resembling a true convenience-level walkability. Bikes are a totally different ballgame, however. Biking within Midtown, even as bike-unfriendly as it can be, is not noticeably less convenient than driving was. Biking to Montrose is comparable, depending on how far into Montrose I'm going. EaDo is a slightly longer trip by bike, but then I don't have to worry about parking. Biking within both Montrose and EaDo feels considerably more convenient and less stressful than driving ever did, and obviously it's much more convenient (and much less sweaty) than walking. All of that is to say, I think the city of Houston could lean into bikeability in a much more effective way (in terms of modeshare shift) than it could walkability. The key is to approach the issue at the level of the intra-neighborhood trip. We're not trying to ger the Med Center or Uptown worker living on 24th Street in the Heights to abandon his car and bike to work every day all year. We're trying to make the bike a better way of getting to school, to the dentist, to the bar, to brunch, and, eventually, as cargo bikes and/or smaller-load grocery trips become more popular, to the grocery store. And then, if there's a fast, frequent bus or rail line that used to be a 25min walk away, now you're thinking about making the 7min bike ride to the stop and taking that line in instead of paying for parking and sittinf in traffic every day. Are protected lanes on 11th St. specifically integral to that system? No, I don't really think so. But that's because 11th was one of only a couple of bad east-west stroads in the Heights, so there have always been alternatives. But they do seem to have curbed bad driving and even made driving a little less appealing of an option. I mean, let's say it's yesterday and you and a few friends are meeting up at Loro for an early dinner. You managed to get off work a little early, so you had a chance to go home - say, on Beverly between 9th and 10th. Three years ago, you would have driven without thinking about it - just pop up to 11th and zoom on down. But now...

I go to Phoenicia about once a week. Happily, it always seems to be packed, even on weekends. I avoid the Midtown Randalls at all costs. I think I've been there three times in the last three years. Each time, it's been out of milk. How does a supermarket run out of milk? If you don't have milk, are you even a supermarket? I was among the first shoppers when that place opened, and I loved it until I moved away from Houston. It has not been maintained well, and I don't think that basement parking garage has been swept out even once in the last 25 years.

I worked at a (different) Whole Foods for two years, and I can promise you that the idea that only rich people shop there is nonsense. Its reputation for being expensive has also always been overblown- it has expensive items but it's (mostly) not overpriced and their house brand stuff is really good. That said, it's gone downhill quite a bit since the Amazon buyout. But if you want a store that really is overpriced, I'd argue for Randall's personally.

My rich friends refuse to go to Whole Foods on principle because they think it's too expensive. Meanwhile, my too-broke-for-an-apartment ass never had an issue. I choose my grocery store based on 1) what they have vs. what I'm looking for, 2) distance 3) safe bike routes and bike parking. Do about 80% of my grocery shopping at Phoenicia now, maybe 10% at La Michoacana and 10% at the Montrose HEB. I'd go to the MacGregor HEB more often (I'm pretty much at the midpoint between there and Phoenicia) if they'd do something about the crossing from the Brays trail. It's just annoying enough to choose Montrose.

@bookey23 To clarify, High Fashion Fabrics is closing. The High Fashion Home store appears to still be open. https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2024/04/02/houstons-iconic-high-fashion-fabrics-is-closing-its-doors-after-42-years/

Architect - https://www.english-architects.com

This is going into the old Craft Beer Cellar spot. Great development! Hopefully people decide to make the trek up to that part of Downtown and this place thrives. La Calle already seems to kill it on that block

I think that there has been a little bit of a recent spark, but there is a looooong way to go. It will never flourish unless the crazy streets are rebuilt into something that fosters community. They are set up for speed and throughput for long-distance commuters. I have no idea if NHHIP will end up hurting or helping Midtown. I think the easiest next step is to close all of Main to cars and try to do something a la Las Ramblas in Barcelona.

"Exposed" brick on the inside. This whole building is so slightly weird.

Still far too many parking lots throughout the district, but there are some nice residential pockets (the area that stretches a few blocks north and west of Elizabeth Baldwin Park is really lovely) and mixed-use pockets (Mid-Main and its more oil-bro cousin, Bagby), but there's just too much wasteland in between. That, combined with the highway-lite designs (and accompanying vehicular speeds) of Crawford, San Jacinto, Fannin, Travis, Milam, Louisiana, Smith, and Brazos, and the unpleasant stroadiness of McGowan, Elgin, and Alabama, makes Midtown's continued listlessness unsurprising to me. Throw in a high concentration of shelters and recovery centers and you've got a recipe for a place that's hard to dynamize. Housing is generally affordable, but I would personally prefer that as a consequence of oversupply, rather than suppressed demand.

Very cool building here. The US Government funded the construction of the Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital Nutritional Research Center located at 1100 Bates Avenue. Designed by 3D International and Bernard Johnson. Here's a picture of the building I took today.

My first thought when I saw this picture was "I can just imagine the collective meltdown r/f***cars would have if they saw this", then I checked your link and realized that's exactly where it had come from. 😂

where exactly is this? and how tall are their other buildings in camparison?