TheCompSet

Not "tacky blinking ads." Referencing the side of a building used for an artistic mural, like most other large cities. Done in a creative way that enhances the downtown area and encourages participation, adds to the energy etc. Like NYC, L.A. and Atlanta, among many others. The murals are all approved by the downtown authorities and add to the artistic nature, look and feel, not to mention generate revenue. Think the arts, Nike, Houston sports teams, not Gallery Furniture. This is no uncommon idea. Get with it. Nobody's talking about lighting up the skyline like a casino. . . quite the opposite.

This is what Houston is up against - and these are only the new ones in Texas. New Austin JW Marriott, set for completion in 2015 right next to the convention center: http://www.jwmarriottaustin.com/gallery New Omni Ft. Worth Convention Center Hotel: http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/fortworth.aspx And, of course, the sparkling new Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel: http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/DallasHotel.aspx Houston is ready. To attract more large-scale conventions, we need more downtown hotel rooms, rather than busing folks from the Galleria, Med Ctr, Greenspoint etc. They don't have do that in other cities at 8 a.m. Why would they want to do it here? Also, I agree. The skyline must be visible at night. As it is, it vanishes and goes unnoticed. A casino look - no. But classy architectural, ornamental lighting is essential, like every other world-class city, from London to Paris to NYC, Atlanta, L.A. and even Austin and Dallas. Houston's skyline is award-winning; it should be seen. And if we want to attract folks to downtown at night for dining, nightlife and Discovery Green, then we need to keep the lights on - not turn them off at night. That's absurd. It probably has to do with the sign ordinance. . . "no signage past 200 feet," or something like that.That's why it looks so boring. Unlike every other city as mentioned above, Houston has no new murals, modern advertising on buildings, or anything. The other cities celebrate advertising - and approved billboards create excitement and add to the energy of the space. Houston: "Nah, we like it boring looking." Ever noticed how the new Embassy Suites looks nothing like its rendering and turned out like a giant cardboard refrigerator box instead? Ever noticed the white square at the top? That square was supposed to be turquoise with a cursive "E" in white, the Embassy's recognizable signature look. Not in Houston. Downtown: "no logos at the tops of buildings like every other city in America," so up went a blank white square, as plain as possible. Come on, creatives, Let's stop making our city look as bland and dilluted as ever and let's start making our city stand out, giving visitors something to remember.