Brooklyn173

Regarding tug boats...

https://apnews.com/article/maryland-bridge-collapse-shipping-tugboats-baltimore-cargo-33e1b42c7e0cd9a558d3732ffdaa6220

Could tugboats have helped avert the bridge collapse tragedy in Baltimore?

The fronts are boarded up recently for a less-than-lovely look. The more positive note is that there were a bunch of 'suits' walking all over the property for an hour+ yesterday (March 20). Fingers crossed.

I went to Dollar Tree on Monday around noon. Based on some comments, I was expecting the worse, but I was pleasantly surprised. There were about 25 customers inside. A relaxed, slightly rumpled presentation of merchandise.  A demographic diverse crowd but no homeless uprising.  I spent more that I expected (I needed business envelopes). I'll go back again.

If a new arena was built, and somewhere 'downtown' ,(however that is defined), where might it go? I like the proximity of the Convention Center and arena, but that is not a requirement for a new building. You could significantly re-build the Toyota Center, much like MSG was substantially rebuilt about a decade ago. My longshot site is combining the blocks around the two closed bus stations on Main. Light Rail adjacent. Downtown (or very near) and available. Any ideas on potential sites from those with more experience with Houston?

https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/who-rides-u.s.-passenger-trains-these-days.htm

"People who choose the train for long-distance travel are a varied bunch. Jeffrey Orenstein, a travel journalist and retired political science professor, takes the train about three times a year. He finds the ridership to be "an interesting cross-section of life in the regions involved," he writes ..."

And I don't think that anyone at any time has made the argument that an entrance to the Amtrak station through POST was an economic boost (for either party). Only an improvement on the aesthetic environment in total for the entire city.

It's mostly one train a day, for six days a week (Three eastbound and three westbound. I think Thursday is the empty day). Eastbound leaves around noon, and westbound leaves around 7 PM. Amtrak gives exact times but that is more aspirational than real.

But I am a planner and I tend to think 20+ years down the (rail) road. I wouldn't want to get hung up on the limited present circumstances (highways are built not for current traffic but mostly for expected growth). Somewhere in HAIF, there is a long discussion about the operational movements and the difficulties involved with passenger train vs. freight, so any improvement is mostly imaginary at this time. But still...

Anyway, a cheaper and more expedient compromise is to connect the current platform to POST Houston right now. The eastern edge of the platform is just across a small parking lot. Maybe 50 meters at most. I'm not sure what is at the POST Houston point there, but it would be nicer (for the passengers) if the ticket office was moved inside POST Houston and a connection over the delivery entrance road was constructed. It also would make the station a little more visible and less forgotten than its current grandpa-in-the-attic configuration. However, it adds a longer walk (with luggage) down the platform to an open train door.

I've thought that an expansion south nearer the current University Commerce Street building would serve UH-D and the City better, and would provide alternative uses to some of the less-than-filled downtown office buildings. Reuse and recycle and all that.

I don't Sydney had a Metro system when they had the Olympics (though they are building a system now). But even if they did, building a heavy rail system that would only be at full capacity for a few weeks, seems foolish.

Well, they remembered to turn the heat off this week, but forgot to turn the water off.

I didn't see any signs. Is it still called Central Cadillac?

I just noticed today that Central Cadillac at Main & McGowan is empty of any cars. I doubt it's weather related. I guess they finally made their move.

Now, another (very) large empty lot in northern midtown.

Vaguely relevant...

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2813438

When I was growing up my mother would have special dishes, bath towels, and furniture that were strictly for "special guests" and off-limits otherwise.

I think the fountains fall into the same general category. Only for guests and special events. Not for the people who live here every day.

Similar situation

https://www.hcn.org/issues/55.12/communities-north-denvers-green-space-paradoxx

I was hoping for more windows facing on Travis, but at least these two openings are being closed off.

I'd vote for a HINDESKY statue.

I sent in an objection. I thought that it would unnecessarily break up the traffic pattern with no real benefit to the neighborhood.

I guess that I wasn't persuasive enough.

9 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

This is remarkable. It's almost like they're building a Houston we've all dreamed about .

But still a completely auto dependent development.

I've always been of the mind that a mural is the sign of a failed design. Lipstick on a pig.

I'm a little confused. Is High Fashion leaving and being replaced by the massive food hall, or will the food hall be an expansion of the existing building and High Fashion stays?

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Houston-Hobby-airport-downtown-tallest-building-16360235.php