Brooklyn173

Tokyo single-family homes are about 1,000sf. With maybe one subcompact car, and extensive and reliable public transit. Hardly comparable to Houston. And only about a third of Tokyo residents live in single-family homes. In Houston, I think single-family homes are about 50% of the total housing stock. The Houston larger 2,000+ sf homes (plus a yard) are generally nice for the owner but the lower density and vast, dividing, and expensive highway system diminishes any real urbanism or cultural energy. 

Another old Sears, but this time in Chicago. The original building looks similar to the Houston version. Just for your information.

https://chicagoyimby.com/2023/09/facade-work-nears-finish-at-former-sears-in-90m-irving-park-revamp.html

I don't know if this is still running or was a casualty of COVID, but autonomous transit - on a tiny scale - is right around the corner.

https://www.masstransitmag.com/alt-mobility/autonomous-vehicles/press-release/21085559/first-transit-first-transit-tsu-and-metro-houston-partner-for-av-pilot-program

More of a zoning proper story, but related to parking minimums etc. I've heard some (few) mention a form based zoning for Houstons future, but I doubt I'll be around when/if it comes.

For your reading pleasure.

https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/kingston-new-zoning-code-18274465.php

I'm not sure where this post should go, so I'll put it here. Admin, please feel free to move this as appropriate.

But, according to some people who seemed involved with the testing, the old Megabus site near the Metro Downtown Transit Center will become a layover area for Metro buses. I often see buses idling on Travis and Milam before the afternoon rush, so I am hoping that these are the buses that will use the new layover area.

The picture below was taken today (Aug 15, 2023) as they were testing turning radii and operation plans. I'm not sure when it'll go into full operation.

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this, but I do think that it's interesting.

For those as dumb as me (I had to look it up)

"T3 - Timber, Transit and Technology"

An interesting article from earlier this year. It touches on some of the items mentioned in this thread.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/football/2023/nfl-new-stadiums-whats-next-1234709192/

I stand corrected. Thank you

Not to get too off topic, but what is it with the term "sky bridge". I notice it a lot more in Texas. Unless you're trying to differentiate from an underground bridge, aren't all bridges in the sky?

Looks like they are getting ready to remove the Central Bank sign. Not sure if that indicates interest in the property or a bank that doesn't want to be associated with the nearby homeless. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for peeking inside. I took this for the Gray Street facade (and the long covered windows).

Construction fencing going up this morning (7/1/2023). Does anyone know what's going on?

The link will eventually get you to a document that is 12 years old, but it seems that the default use for Houston (parking lot) will win again.

BUILDINGS TO BE RAZED

• 1301 Franklin Jail – Court approved a request to raze this facility, and has charged PID with coordinating the relocation of the building’s two occupants, the HCSO occupies floors 1 – 2 and the District Clerk’s Office “mothballed” imaging project is located on floors 5 - 8. The estimated cost to raze the facility is $6.5M.

• Coffee Pot Building / Fannin Garage – PID has obtained a cost estimate to raze the Coffee Pot Building / Fannin Parking Garage block (102 San Jacinto) and convert the site into a parking lot. Estimate $2.2M. Construction and/or purchase of a warehouse to relocate the contents of this facility will initially need to occur.

• DA Building – As part of the Harris County Downtown Master Plan, this facility is scheduled to be razed and become a surface parking lot. Preliminary discussions with the County’s historical building consultant indicate that razing this facility might prove difficult. PID will further evaluate this project and make a recommendation to Court. Estimate $1.2M.

• Family Law Center – PID has obtained a cost estimate to raze the Family Law Center and construct a surface parking lot, after a new Family Law Center has been constructed. Estimate $2.2M

• Hogan Allnoch – PID appraised this facility at $2.44M, and subsequently attempted to sell the facility through three public auctions with no success. PID requests Court approval to raze the facility and convert it into a surface parking lot. Estimate $1.0M.

oops

I'm not sure of the date of this link, but some background info on Tranquillity Park and a study underway.

https://wos-la.com/tranquillity-park/

"... Striking fountain stacks have become one of the well-known visual images of Houston, however complex structural, waterproofing and fountain mechanical issues pose challenges below the surface. The City of Houston recently retained White Oak Studio to lead a design team to assess conditions of the park and make master plan..."

The 'developers' were the Federal government and they could build whatever they wanted (within the Federal height regulations for DC) and they are not subject to city zoning regulations.

I didn't like the building when it was built but it did win lots of awards at the time (some guy named J. Edgar was very proud of the building). Taste change. People change. Zoning controls have nothing to do with this (or most) designs.

Zoning has little impact on good versus bad design. An apathetic market that accepts whatever is dished out is what truly impacts the zeal for better design. If cheap and bland sell, then give 'em cheap and bland.

Real question.

Is a paved parking lot empty land? Or is it "developed' land comprised of mostly asphalt?

Tilman Fertitta suggested, soon after buying the Rockets and Toyota Center, that a renovation of the arena was a possibility. Could this be the start of that (long) process of improving the Toyota Center to current marketing standards? 

Now that the Butterfly Conservancy is done, I've heard that HMNS is planning a redo of the bug insect portion of the Cockrell Center. I don't know how much or how different it'll be, but I think they are looking at 2024 for construction.

I thought this is an interesting overall view...

https://apnews.com/article/cities-downtowns-vacant-offices-affordable-housing-pandemic-cc2cd895fd0f186229f69b74a133eddb

A garage like that is a black hole, sucking any possible energy from the area. At least a lot has the potential of being something someday for people.