twisterhunt

I've always hoped something development-wise would happen on this corner; if indeed it becomes only a parking lot I'd be a bit disappointed. But then again, I don't have the money to buy the lot myself ;D and hopefully they can make it look decent / landscape / etc. At the end of the day, almost anything would be better than the dilapidated building that's been there for years and I suppose with the school directly across the street development options are somewhat more limited. Agreed with @IntheKnowHouston that it's probably a preventative parking measure - which is a shame they can't all utilize the same lot where the proposed Starbucks will be (it's large!)

Curious if anyone has any insider info on the stall in construction progress over the past couple months? I'm hoping we don't have another 827 Yale St brewing here....

I'll save my full comments for TxDOT - but I agree this is a waste. The only legitimate reason TxDOT seems to provide is that this stretch of I-10 doesn't meet Federal / TxDOT standards regarding the 100-year floodplain. That being said, I wonder how many other portions of highways don't meet this qualification either - and if it's worth spending half a billion dollars on it. TxDOT also claims the highway has flooded 10x in the past 32 years - but would be interesting to see the 'duration' of how long the highway was truly impassable in all of these events as I'm guessing a few were short durations. I had to laugh when the presentation mentioned that I-10 being closed (pending facts above) raises prices of goods in our area 😏 - as if there are no alternate routes. 

Happy to see that TxDOT has been willing to compromise in certain areas of this project - it's a good start. The visual illustrations are quite helpful and telling that this highway will continue to be more of an eyesore if these modifications are constructed. And while I'm supportive of improved transit opportunities, what really worries me are those massively tall Metro BRT lanes - there has to be a way these can be incorporated without needing to build what looks to be a rollercoaster in the sky!?

37 minutes ago, mollusk said:

How about some light abatement while they're at it?  I'm 1/2 mile from the Katy and even further from 45, but over the years it's gotten to where you can just about read at night in my back yard (which is opposite the house/garage from both).  We've had to put blackout curtains in the bedrooms, which weren't necessary before the giant light masts even when I lived closer.

100% agreed! I eluded to that along with a few others in the public comments as well. Fortunately the mast by me has been "out" for the past year now which has reduced the issue a bit -> TXDOT was replacing the others near I-45 with LEDs a while back and I am sure we'll be able to do the same if the lights down I-10 are replaced. The massive masts may have been more necessary pre-LED but certainly hope TXDOT would consider some alternate / targeted lighting given the technology we have nowadays...

On 11/4/2023 at 7:41 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

As noted above, the former King Biscuit site at 1606 White Oak Dr is being converted into a barber shop. It appears the barber shop is from the owners of Houston's East End Barber.

East End Barber is located at 1318 Telephone Rd, Suite 1 in Eastwood Center.

I hope this pans out and wish them much success. This would be a nice addition to the neighborhood and hopefully bring some new life into a historic structure that could use some exterior TLC. The owners (current?) had done some extensive interior remodeling a few years back after Harvey including what appeared to be a large bar - though they also have mirrored glass on the windows so I could only get a glimpse while driving by if the door was open. 

I'm not sure how long this document has been out there, but some interesting updates / observations from the Public Meeting Documentation (https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot/get-involved/hou/i-10-heights-white-oak-bayou/072822-public-meeting-documentation.pdf). Tons of great info and plenty of public comments (the full doc is 1100 pages). Starting on Page 11 (Section D) there are a number of proposed design updates from the original sharing:

1. Reduced height of proposed I-10 mainlines / HOV structure
2. Existing forest area on the north side of I-10 near Houston Ave will be preserved
3. Potential additional connectivity for shared-use path under I-10
4. Use of 6 ft (vs. 3 ft) height barriers on elevated I-10 mainlanes / HOV

There are also a number of elevated / improved schematics in Section C versus the original TXDOT presentation. One aspect of the proposed Metro BRT project I had not fully appreciated is that the design drawings seem to suggest the BRT lanes will be elevated nearly 40 feet above existing I-10 HOV lanes until halfway between Studemont / Taylor and even ~20 feet above the existing elevated I-10 HOV lanes until around Houston Ave. While not as much a traffic volume / noise concern, quite an eyesore. 

Also, in the responses to public comments section TXDOT leaves the option open for additional noise abatement strategies. 

On 7/9/2023 at 9:05 PM, texan said:

So this project and the expansion of I-10 all the way to I-610 W is included in the draft 2024 UTP. This is awful and unnecessary. The least they could do if they have to spend $1.4 billion on it is cap it and allow the city and county to develop the top into a park.

I wonder if this is just to make sure the funding is still allocated, or if it means this project actually has a chance of going forward? Specific to the proposal for elevating I-10, there was a hearing last July and comment period that ended quite some time ago...I haven't seen any updates on the TXDot page or summarization of public feedback. Maybe I'm naive to think TXDot will consider the feedback / make adjustments to their proposal for raising the freeway 🤔

Looks like this project could finally be moving forward - from this week:

@hindeskyYou were right! 

Got a notice in the mail today that this branch is closing on December 16th. Perhaps changes are in store for this intersection in the near future...

Unfortunately, not a thing appears to have been done. I remember seeing this post last year and being excited about the prospects of something new in the area / rehabbing this building, so I've kept an eye out every time I drive past...

Wasn't able to get a good picture from my car, but crews were demolishing the structure early this evening - only the metal part is remaining as of now. Originally there were signs on the building indicating it would be moved, clearly there weren't any takers....

Second demo permit was issued for a house adjacent to the property on Wrightwood. House dates from 1905, fortunately looks like it will be salvaged / relocated. Guessing this demo is related to the overall project...

Update: Demo permit was recently issued for the existing restaurant structure on 4/18:

Nothing too exciting to share on this, but I noticed not too long ago that there are new "Cherry Demolition" and "For Sale - to be Moved" signs on the existing restaurant structure. Maybe that's a sign of progress, or they need some extra cash to finance this thru?! I didn't see any official demo permits, but there was a recent Plan Review below...

@clutchcity94 sure enough...the signage is even worse than I was predicting 🤭

Good news: work has started / resumed on the trail connector. The city also planted some new trees at Stude Park near the red statue. Unfortunately, I received a reply back to my info request stating that permit delays have pushed estimated completion back until late summer. 

On 2/14/2022 at 4:50 PM, BigRed said:

Is this going to be a home or what?!

Both, according to the Next Door posts. The storefront will be turned into a private art gallery. The other portion of the property will be a single family residence for the owner...

The Next Door thread has a link to the Instagram page for B Ingenious Designs which has a couple rendering previews from early 2021. Sharing below - also work is quickly progressing on the site. 

The city is doing some sidewalk repairs on Houston Avenue by 2727 Flats, so the equipment here might be unrelated to this project. Otherwise, this is the first activity I've seen on this site since last summer. 

2 hours ago, Avossos said:

Could be a lot worse…

The middle section with the windows on the lower floors is surprisingly nice, agreed. I think the rest of the structure leaves a bit to be desired considering the surroundings, will give some credit to @hindesky for the nice photo lighting 👌 Hoping for some good landscaping to block the view at street level, and that they don't plaster BigTex Storage on the front gray panels!

2 hours ago, hindesky said:

@twisterhunt Do you know about their Engage Houston website?

https://www.engagehouston.org/mkttrail

Yep! my question is the most recent post on there :) Hoping we can get an update from them soon. 

On 1/12/2022 at 3:15 PM, pokemonizepic said:

still no noticeable progress on the connector or the bridge for about a month now. 

Two months ago I sent a note asking for info because of the same reason - was told the contractor was working on pre-construction deliverables and construction should begin shortly. Even as of today, I think the only activity was the minor flooding that moved a ton of brush against their bulldozer (who knows, it may have gotten water damage further delaying this).

I attended an info session last year that said it would start 11/1 and be roughly 5 months to complete. Pretty disappointed in the delays and lack of communication. Given how many years it took for this to become a potential reality I'm not surprised...and ill be thrilled if construction on the bridge starts by summer 2022 🤣

Ps: I sent another request for info on the connector earlier this week, no response yet but will share if received.

I don't have a recent photo to share, but the remodeled / fixed exterior of this building looks very sharp. Especially when compared to the storage monstrosity that's being completed just across the block ;) Hope this business brings some new energy/ foot traffic to the area...

This site hasn't had any activity since the beginning of 2021. At one point, I believe two bars / restaurants were slated to move in, but neighbors protested due to one of them having a permit for outdoor music. I haven't been able to track down anything else since. Guessing the residents won, but hoping something agreeable can go here as it's an eyesore.