photohunts

Anyone know what's going on in 3621 Crawford? It's the property across the street from Luigi's. There's an excavator sitting on the empty lot next to the building. Demo?

There is currently an empty lot on the west side of Baldwin Park. A few more blocks out in several directions, more empty lots and underused property. For those reasons alone, I hardly qualify the area as built out. The fact that this area needs more improvement than the west side equates to a higher upside. The premium has not been completely priced in, so to speak. Of course like you said, current conditions are not the most desirable, but this area was just a barren wasteland a couple of decades ago. You would have made a killing if you bought back then, but who wants to buy a wasteland, eh? I do know that the rental market in the area is as strong as any. If the math works out, buying as a future rental may be reason enough. That's my plan, and I wish I could rent out my place right now.

I live near the park. Some sketchy characters are abound at night time and crime does happen. Put the address in EveryBlock and you can get a daily feed of HPD and HFD responses to events. That should give you a good feel for the area, but compare it to your other choices as well. Personally, I have not felt threatened by anyone. The "poorfolk" say hello to me every time. As far as "investment" goes, I would advise against buying for potential future appreciation. Buy for other reasons, just be happy with the place, and treat any profit from selling as a bonus. I can tell by your questions that your time horizon is not that far. Maybe 5 years tops? I can almost (but not completely) guarantee you that this area will be gentrified with much higher expected returns than the already bustling west side of Midtown as they stand today. I just cannot tell you when that will happen.

You're probably talking about NRG. I don't know if they trade out of that office.

I don't think Luigi's would like that very much.

How about northeast downtown http://www.chron.com...ter-3564123.php

The surface parking lot to the east is pretty much completed. I'm glad they actually lined it with trees and greenery. Also, there were some hardhats in the plaza-to-be site this morning. Construction trailers have been there as well for the past few weeks, but it's the first time I've actually seen workers around.

I remember seeing the image below as proposed "livable centers" in midtown. The art district most likely centers around the proposed IAC. Cleburne cafeteria seems to be outside the colored zones.

I fear that this development might attract homeless people to midtown. Well...homeless until they've signed their lease.

no

In somewhat related news, I noticed that the lot for the Men's Center at Alabama between Fannin and San Jacinto has been cleared. There is now a construction trailer sitting in the lot.

There's a big difference between not minding and wanting. I don't mind them (as long as they don't mind me), but I prefer them to be elsewhere.

There are also townhomes almost completed on Chenevert between Holman and Alabama just right by the on/off ramp to 288. I've also seen plenty of Urban Living signs posted around East Midtown.

hobo alley behind the bimmer dealership in the adjacent block from this development has been empty for the past few weeks now. glad that area is getting cleaned up.

Probably OT, but saw two patrol cars parked on the intersection of La Branch and Pierce, lights on and officers standing outside. Hobo alley behind the BMW dealership sure was empty. No sign of vagrants, but the more permanent "residents" left their belongings on the sidewalks. That intersection is treacherous for motorists if you feel bad about accidentally running over jaywalkers.

Saw an Urban Living sign behind the art center at Holman and La Branch that read "Coming Soon". Townhomes?

They are renovating this lot 50% at a time. Estimated completion is summer.