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X.R.

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  1. X.R.
    Sounds almost like the type of developments you see in New England. The old school three story, stores on the first floor, housing on the second and third floor. That would take a lot of "new psychology" for many a Houston resident. Although if you've ever lived in Midtown, some of those apartments share walls with bars and that is an interesting experience in itself. I'm sure they wouldn't let that happen here.
  2. X.R.
    Shhhh, its like the best kept secret of that area. I go up there 8pm-ish and theres barely that many people, while theres still a bunch of people milling around and looking at the statutes below. But that will be a fantastic place to see it. It looked like they had a decent part of the portion facing montrose up already, might try to snap a pic today or tomorrow.
  3. X.R.
    Didn't see this posted, it has a bit more information that the HChron article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cynthialescalleet/2019/06/27/from-mail-to-mixed-use-in-downtown-houston/#7f92b5605da7 I didn't realize that because they utilized the tax credits or what not, they can't do the residential stuff: A residential component is not part of the mix, he said, because it is a landmark historic building and the project incorporates state and federal tax credits: “We were restricted from making large façade modifications which would have made it impossible to place residential units in the existing building.” At Preservation Houston, an advocacy organization, Executive Director David Bush said this property and project have been on the organization’s radar. “It would have been very easy to lose the post office," he said in an email. "These buildings are an age when they’re typically threatened. There are a lot of them, they don’t look modern anymore and they aren’t what most people think of as historic. “So we’ve got two challenges: Helping people understand that buildings from this era are architecturally and historically significant. And getting owners and investors to look at historic preservation as a viable alternative to Houston’s typical scrape and rebuild history of development.”
  4. X.R.
    The last three complaints don't seem like real issues, I'm glad its not earth shattering stuff that could really derail the project. But what does "not in the transit corridor" mean? Meaning, not near the rail? Its actually less than a 5 min walk from the museum district station going northbound so... My only thing is that the energy and internet infrastructure are both weirdly shitty for such a nice area (going toward the "gaining more info from CenterPoint" item). If the weather is pretty bad, you have a decent chance that you'll lose electricity for a while. And internet speeds in the area from all providers are fairly atrocious. I've had both centerpoint and at&t people remark about it. Maybe all this increased density means improved infrastructure, that would be nice.
  5. X.R.
    Uhhh thats alot of parking garages. Or am I reading that wrong? If they want to curry favor with the neighborhood they should make those green spaces into parks/play places for the neighborhood, knowing the types of people who live in that area.
  6. X.R.
    Oh hell yes, a juice place. Those kind of places are underrated, you always get a combo coffee shop, or some kind of lower effort food place (sandwiches) when transitioning to healthy stuff but juice places are kinda hard to come by. Its becoming a neighborhood! Also, you never realize how green Houston actually is until you fly in.
  7. X.R.
    I just sent a "hey I support the development, haven't been to the last few meetings, whats up" email and got a come to the next one because concerns have been raised type response. Nothing terrible, but not the arms wide open that I thought it would be. I don't understand what the concerns could be other than maybe traffic? But its basically right off of Binz soooo... Maybe noise from the building? Granted, I wasn't there for the bigger builds in the neighborhood, but the museums (the Holocaust one) with their constructions haven't disturbed me. I dunno.
  8. X.R.
    " to commit $100 million to the central 3-mile portion of the freeway rebuild, from Interstate 10 to Loop 610. " I don't think so? I think its just putting the downpayment on the total package. I don't think we'll get a feel for what the average Houstonian wants until the TV ads and stuff starts to make appearances en-masse. Most of my friends are like "what are you talking about" when I asked them about this, and some of those guys are cops (for the city). So theres that.
  9. X.R.
    I spoke too soon. I emailed the homies from the neighborhood association and...maybe they aren't as supportive as I assumed they would be. I don't really understand why, because the Southmore is pretty massive and I don't see anything bad stemming from it. In fact, they might be the only reason Java Lava Brew has such consistent business since people just stumble out of their place and fall into that coffee shop/bar/food place. Weird. But @thatguysly called it.
  10. X.R.
    @ekdrm2d1 I don’t think that will all be concrete, I think they are planting the same kind of brush down that way that they already have in the bayou if you go back towards TMC. At least that was my understanding based on the project plans. Yes, there will be a concrete path but the rest should be new green. and yes that area sucks when on your bike.
  11. X.R.
    Went by on the train last night. I think it looks...like they need something to kind of POP out at you. It kind of looks like they dusted off an old building, which in itself should have some charm to it (like some buildings in San Antonio), but when you're trying to revitalize attract people to an area that was used to be a bit slow, maybe thats not the best route to take. I dunno, it might look better once they take off all the protective stuff and reveal all of the outer space. If your're on or near the train lines, I would think you would want your place to stand out. Access to the rail is key for guests, so I understand why you would make it a hotel, but maybe theres value in making it...inviting/interesting to non-hotel guests. Hopefully this does that when the lights turn on.
  12. X.R.
    You bring up great points. The rent/land value will probably go up, given a few years of the rail being established. I think that the ability for the businesses in that area, most of which are mom and pop and non-franchise stuff, to reap the benefits of potential clients is at least something to consider as a potential positive in comparison to the higher rents. And you are right, there are bus stops there now, but, imagine not having to sit under a bad bus stop's awning but instead being able to walk to a train station with the kids to take them to downtown to a park, or further down towards hobby to see the grandparents. I admit its a selfish desire, and maybe others don't share that opinion. To me, it's a balancing act, the business increase/potential QOL increase vs potential land/rent increase, and one that hopefully comes out in the neighborhood's favor. If we go bus route, which is absolutely a possibility, it has to be well lit, clean, and not run-down. Make people feel safe at 8pm on a Saturday to use it. So give them Uptown BRT type spots, with maybe BRT running the same route, and I think you're on to something. That consistent connection, that same route, is key I would think. Actually, a great idea. Taxis work great, and they take cash; you're right too, you see a ton of them in that area. Ubers/Lyfts are kind of expensive, plus they come with requirements: a phone that can run the app, credit cards for payment, and easy access to email accounts to run your account. I dunno so much about that. Given that other suburbs get so much more attention, how crazy is it that potentially the first suburb to get rail is this one (assuming its voted on, and built). It'll be interesting for sure. And hey, if my millennial brethren can't find houses in "urban" areas, we got some 80k+ houses out here for sale. Theres a giant HEB, and they have market pop-up stuff on Saturdays, a home depot, best buy, whataburger, chinese buffet. Everything everyone wants when they live in other areas.
  13. X.R.
    I was just thinking what does jack think of this. I can't think of why there would be much in terms of pushback other than...is there no ground floor retail? That would help the neighborhood welcome them with arms wide open. It is a jaw droppingly beautiful rendering though. I wish the announcements would talk about style or say what was the inspiration for the design. That would be cool.
  14. X.R.
    I've thought about gentrification in that area, but I also want to keep this short, so DM if you wanna talk about the area. The spirit of the people who live there should be celebrated: you got newly immigrated people and their kids, mom and dad working multiple jobs to provide a better life than they had all the while instilling a love for family and their heritage. Gulfgate/Hobby/South Houston is my favorite part of Houston, I love it, I grew up there, and to me its what Houston is all about. But the area is transient. The group of people who live there now aren't the same group of people from five years ago even. As soon as the parents make more money, or in my case the kids started to help out, you move out. We aren't the wards that have 50+ years of the same families living there. So whats there to gentrify? And if you're a homeowner in that area, you finally will have access to something you never thought you would/part of the American dream: property that appreciates, and maybe can be sold so you can move to a better neighborhood. The schools objectively are terribad, sometimes you'll wake up to your car on cinderblocks or the car is just gone, and you shouldn't be in the parks after 7pm-ish. Most people who live there know it and will move to Pasadena, Pearland, Clear Lake, etc at first chance. I've realized I can love the area and still understand it has deep issues. I think public transit would help so much with saving money, and finally, finally open that area up to the rest of Houston who I feel largely sees it as just the area they have to drive through to get to Hobby. And what will immigrants do with more white neighbors? What we always do, which is work, survive, and do the best for the families.
  15. X.R.
    Based on everything they've said so far, and the comment on In the Loop about a single story grocery store with a large parking lot not being an efficient use of land I think we can guess that cars are in fact the last thing on their mind. The type of people they are hoping to attract to this spot, potentially from out of the state, most likely don't own cars, so I'm sure the Endowment wants to keep that mindset prevalent during development. Maybe by groundbreaking they mean they will finally start making the changes to the building to transition it from being the Sears building to the Ion. It felt like most of the work has been gutting the building, knocking bricks out, etc; so mostly prep work.
  16. X.R.
    I'm not...kidding? If they ran it down telephone road to get to hobby, that would be great. Theres a ton of business popping up over there (mostly asian/mexican food and coffee), and the street is pretty wide so it could make room for el tren. And the Uptown BRT did take six years, which makes me sad. Hopefully, the expansion could go faster since they don't have to deal with the multiple lawsuits, applications for injunctions, and demand letters that Uptown had to beat along the way. I think (?) there is still an open lawsuit for the money a few of those businesses supposedly lost.
  17. X.R.
    I agree, thats fine. But come post-ballot, when it succeeds (because it hopefully will), they better have a plan ready to go. I don't want to see any of these "maybe this route, maybe that route, let's do 30 open to the community meetings." Coming Q4 2025: Hobby Airport Rail! Sorry, that article and the wishy-washyness of the officials left a bad taste in my mouth. I've driven by Uptown's development almost everyday for years. I understand a different authority did this, but if Uptown BRT can go up as quickly as it has, and shutdown as massively important a street the way that it has, then MTA has no excuse for being wary about shutting down random parts of broadway or telephone road or monroe or whichever street. As someone who has lived near gulfgate/hobby for significant portions of their life, I can say with 1000% certainty that Rail would transform that area, and people would absolutely use that train. Many of those immigrants can't afford cars, or their cars are shitty, and this would be perfect to take them to and from Gulfgate depending on the route chosen, maybe drop them close to the airport so they can do shopping in South Houston. People will find a way to make public transit work.
  18. X.R.
    I don't even understand how it can be legal to ask for millions of dollars/funding without giving at least two or three projects that will get done with the half the money asked for. It just sounds like the MTA Officials have to fight off people coming at them from every angle, and are taking the path of least resistance out.
  19. X.R.
    I'm going to guess they will present at the museum district neighborhood meeting too, since basically all the development in the area puts on a presentation for them at least for meet and greet purposes. Its crazy that the area by Bodega's isn't filled (theres a pizza place coming), yet they are building retail here (and it will probably thrive). Whats wrong with the office building owners over by Bodega's? I'm hoping this retail is something like actual retail/health oriented business (yoga or something). It would do well there, its so close to the park and the neighborhood and the apartments next to it are filled with people from the med center. Heck, Boone's bicycle did well for 50 years.
  20. X.R.
    I am pleasantly surprised. The vibe for both the restaurant and the lobby bar is...60's chic? That a good description? The patterns, the lighting...it will definitely become a destination place for people visiting downtown. A thought: when I got to other denser cities, I am very used to going into hotel/office building's bars to enjoy myself. Only recently have I started to do the same in Houston (the Post Oak's bar is great, and has great specials). To be honest, this is awesome, and I hope Houstonians take advantage.
  21. X.R.
    Oh snap! That’s a massive sale at Boone’s. Need to head over there to see if I can snag a cheap bike. And...ahem...check it out for HAIF purposes.
  22. X.R.
    A few things as someone who sorta - recently moved into the area: 1) The two realtors I worked with, when I finally chose museum district, was like "hey, this is a largely established neighborhood, very stable, quiet and the residents LIKE it like that, so...just be aware." For context, I was looking at midtown/east downtown/downtown too. And they were not wrong. I think in part the lack of "energy" is that this area is very, very residential, without many coffee shops or bars, but we do have TURKEY LEG HUT! There are a loooot of townhouses here. Some older homes on bigger plots, but they are either going, or gone, it feels like (I mean, just look at this, the Boone's have been there since the 50s). And those made way for the condos and apartments. The next step of development has to be away from the museums and more toward Midtown along San Jacinto, and propping up Almeda. Basically, Blodgett and north of it. 2) Bobruss is right, that entire list of stuff he put up has gone up in the last 5 years, and they are in the middle of adding more "affordable" condos down the street from the 10 story condos he mentioned. To that end, I've spoken to friends in residential/commercial real estate and they lament how long they've been trying to buy tracks of land in the area. It seems to be hard to come by, as the people who own them tend to lease in this area for some reason/want to keep the land within their family. Hell, it was hard to buy a house because so many people preferred to lease versus sell the damn thing to me. 3) The museum district super neighborhood group are very nice people, but they like the quiet. They are hyped about the capping of 59. They are hyped about the bike lane on Austin. They are not super hyped about Turkery Leg Hut (but still support it), but they are very hyped about Barnaby's/Fadis/Dak and Bop. I think a little of the lack of "vibrancy" is purposeful. Finally, if you're on the streets of the MD at 7:30 - 8, there are dog walkers, joggers, bikers, people heading to Hermann park, Lucilles and MF Sushi, people walking to the Asian Society Center and the Glassel, and students going back to Rice. I think tho, I agree in part with Luminare. Theres so much activity, its just needs...a bit more. Something else. My older neighbors seem to think what it lacks is retail/restraurants with outdoor seating and patios. They've been wanting it for 10 years. So maybe thats it.
  23. X.R.
    I was gonna say something similar after Urbannizer posted that image. That part of MD is very Montrose: townhouses, a giant apartment/condo place, the school, traditional houses, and old places that serve as apartments, and those old school retail places. When the former Chelsea market gets its shit together, its gonna be, as the kids say, 100.
  24. X.R.
    Apologies, the place just seems huge, especially for someone who’s elementary school in South Houston was basically a string of outdoor T-building. That’s pretty cool that it’s for Pk3-5th grade. Those kids will have a special, and very pretty place to learn. Pretty huge addition to the area, as the million dollar condos near the southmore are done, and the condos down the street are progressing very quickly, and those people’s kids will need somewhere to go.
  25. X.R.
    This place is huuuuge. Went by there on Saturday, and basically takes up half that block. Whats crazy is that their website says this big building is only for Pk3, Pk4, and Kindergarten. It might also be for k-5 too, but doesn't seem clear because of how they named it. With that size, I feel like they are going after all the kids of the people who are in Museum District/East Downtown/Third Ward. Which makes me a little sad, because we should be supporting our public elementary schools. The elementary school is Macgreggor Elementary. Basically this ^. Its a pretty building. Wish they would add a little color to it because it IS a children's school. I like the vibe they are creating with those string of buildings.
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