j_cuevas713

That building needs some TLC

Will this have gas? Seems like a tight squeeze to put pumps and a real disregard for pedestrians, especially with a damn train running right next to it. If it's just a convenient store, then that works. And to the comment about Mains St 2.0, this doesn't look good for the future of that if this is the case, UNLESS it's just a convenient store. What's also interesting is Zimmerman Interests owns the lot. They specialize in rehabbing old buildings. 

Just to be clear, the old building isn't coming down correct, this is just an addition to the building? 

1 hour ago, xbryanisbeastx said:

This might be controversial, but do we need more parks downtown? I personally would rather more buildings/density.

Greenspace is always a plus, especially if they connect it to Buffalo Bayou. This enhances the attractiveness of downtown for more dense development. 

Wow this is great! 

1 hour ago, samagon said:

if the end result is the bus drivers not straddling lanes, I can't wait for this to be completed.

That's what I hope too. Knowing Whitmire, he'll make it two lanes. 

I'm really hoping that they make Westheimer 1 lane each direction. There's no room for 2 lanes up to Woodhead. Maybe even up to Shepherd. 

2 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

And are they really reactivating bus stops?  I noticed one of the deactivated stops last night.  It still had the shelter and a sign, but the sign said the bus stop was closed.

I think the first phase is just testing the removal of the paint. I HOPE they repaint them but I think they will remove them for the sake of maintenance cost. 

I'd like to see specifics but I guess we have to just wait and see what get's done. I'm going to assume sidewalks won't be widened just repaired in spots. 

Any update on this? Have they removed all the lanes?

On 3/2/2024 at 9:34 AM, 004n063 said:

Very last-minute notice, but there's a rally ride today at 10AM, starting at Regions bank. I think daily rallies might be needed. I'll head up there tomorrow as well, and every evening this coming week. Feel free to join.

Were you there? I was taking pictures

6 hours ago, samagon said:

and this too.

Dollar General Bill White though.

I mean, I will say that every time I drove on this stretch, 1/4 of the cars didn't pay attention to the lane directions anyway.

That’s actually pretty damn good. It’s amazing what a little paint can do subconsciously. Nobody ever complained about the bus lanes. So now I’d like to see what his excuse for this is. 

19 hours ago, editor said:

I e-mailed the former District I councilman four times, and received precisely zero responses.

Hopefully the new one is more responsive.

I'd call at that point

4 minutes ago, Justin Welling said:

I have not watched the Board Meeting yet, but I did hear that a lot of public comments were anti transit. I don't understand why so many people are against progress as well. Some bit of hope is that a lot of the projects they have started the planning work have FTA involved in some capacity. So, at the moment, I remain optimistic about University Corridor & Inner Katy. Gulfton BRT extension might be able to squeeze in as well. Personally, I am more concerned with projects that are further down the timeline, like the rail extension to Hobby airport and some of the smaller things like increase in local bus service.

 

Regardless, if you want more transit and you support these projects, try to speak at Board Meetings, send METRO a message (Home  | Submit comments to METRO | Customer service | Houston, Texas (ridemetro.org)), make an effort to ride the bus or train when you can, and/or reach out to your local leaders. It is clear that the small, yet now powerful anti-everything people are showing up and being extremely vocal. It is time for the people who do want these things to also be just as vocal. 

I was about to say the same thing. I think those 3 projects having the Feds involved is a really good thing. The University Corridor is almost finished with what it needs to finally start construction. 

45 minutes ago, Dakota79 said:

What is the best way to email the mayor? I doubt he would even read an email. It is infuriating that they don't want to make us into a city that is more livable! All anyone has to do is go to the Heights Bike trail to see the hundreds of people biking, walking, roller blading etc to see how successful it can be. The Heights is probably one of - if not the best - example of what a neighborhood can be. The surge in prices there prove that people want to get out of their cars at least once they get home from work.

mayor@houstontx.gov and CC every council member

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

17 minutes ago, Some one said:

How soon can we vote to recall someone? Seriously though, I hope he never lives Houston Ave. down.

ETA: Also, I wonder what his thoughts are on removing the Pierce Elevated since he seems to be so concerned about firefighters and police officers getting to Houston Ave. from 45 North. 🤔

For real. I didn't vote for him and I'm sure some people will look at me crazy for that but this was my reason.

Solid urbanism

37 minutes ago, 004n063 said:

He did go on a bit of a tirade about "anti-car activists" from the previous administration today.

If anybody from the ultra-pragmatist Turner administration is an "anti-car activist," I wonder what the guy would think of me.

Anyone trying to cross the street safely is an "anti-car activist." He said it wasn't about the church, which was another lie. He tried to call out Mario because he rode with Chief Finner the day before he was inaugurated. The disrespect he's showing our city council members is insane. At some point Mario Castillo is going to have to demand accountability and not be so polite. Tiffany Thomas and many other city council members already don't like him. The mayor doesn't care about bike lanes, safe infrastructure, Prop B, etc. He keeps talking about the previous administration and failing to live in the present. He even said "they knew what they were doing cutting Houston Ave down to two lanes. Well NO SHIT moron, the whole point was to slow drivers down. I don't see any new on street bike lanes being built. He's not opposed to off street, which is where advocates are likely to pivot. This guy is set in his ways and it's not going to get better. What makes it worse is at some point he's going to have to meet with other mayors from other cities, and he's already talked bad about Chicago, NYC, and LA. He's making Houston look really bad, and I wouldn't be surprised if those other cities are literally laughing at us. 

On 2/26/2024 at 1:25 PM, gene said:

such a relief (ha!) to see the progress finally on this dang development...

now can we get these last 3 things:

1) pf changs back in that location instead of the dumb new office building location 

2) those cool stores or better next to Ra so it doesn't look like a ghost town

3) a bridge that allows you to walk or ride a bike over the railroad tracks or better yet just raise the tracks of the train to got over Westheimer (and Richmond too while we are at it) 

 

thanks in advance 🤪

 

 

Yeah something has to be done about those tracks at some point. Elevating it would be great. 

1 minute ago, hindesky said:

Joking but I wouldn't doubt him at this point.

. dude you made my heart sink to my ass

18 hours ago, hindesky said:

"All bike lanes will be removed" said Whitmire, is rumoured to have said in private conversations.

When did you hear this? 

Sucks losing some charming buildings but the overall improvement will be worth it 

4 hours ago, BeerNut said:

People should start hammering Whitmire if even hints at removing any biking/pedestrian infrastructure. "Houston Ave, never forget"

Start now. CM Castillo spoke tonite at the Heights SN meeting. He said he will continue to hold Whitmire accountable for his actions. He talked about the lack of transparency and asked that each of us email the mayor about Houston Ave. He stressed that that's the only way he can have the leverage necessary to continue speaking on the issue. He also reaffirmed that people are not happy about the way the mayor handled this. The vast majority of Houstonians want these safety improvements. Let me be clear, all roadway projects are threatened at the moment. That includes Phase 2 of Shepherd/Durham, 11th St, North Main, etc. Take 5 minutes and let him know you are not happy. 

CM Castillo has been getting flooded with complaints about this 

2 minutes ago, bookey23 said:

Does this mean soil testing leading to them building something? That'd be a very exciting development. It's too bad that the "Fleur-De-Waugh" right next to this location is one of the biggest wastes of land in Houston. It's extremely prime property for another park, or an addition to Buffalo Bayou Park/Spotts Park.

And with Whitmire running the show the chances of it going away any time soon is slim.