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TxDave

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Posts posted by TxDave

  1. With all due respect, this thread is titled "New Dallas Development," not "Dallas Developments Under Construction."

    Good point - that title opens it up

    Meanwhile, I think it's nice to see both - one place to see what may be coming (including those pretty renderings mentioned above), and another to see what is in actually process to be completed soon (perhaps already in an existing thread)

  2. I'm quite a bit late to this party, but....

    Why in the holy hell would anyone want to tear apart another stretch of I-45 for a park, or parking, or any other such nonsense?

    With there being over 6.5 million in the greater Houston Metro area, many of them using that corridor, that would be a terrible and very costly mistake. Our traffic is borked bad enough as it is, and y'all are only asking... nigh, BEGGING for it to become much worse with an idea like this.

    Or so it seems, from what I'm reading here. Would anyone care to enlighten this knuckle dragging neanderthal?

    Agreed - pure removal of such a significant route would create major problems and chaos. But a planned redirection of the traffic flows could open up those areas that don't really add any benefit to the path

    If I-45 can be redirected to the east side of downtown, or even on an outer loop, removal of the Pierce elevated would reconnect Midtown with downtown and dramatically strengthen center city development

    Plus, not mentioned much is how nicely the Buffalo Bayou parks would connect to downtown without the elevated I-45 lanes on the west side of downtown. That amenity is still somewhat cut off today.

    While not an easy solution, good planning could provide both good transportation and nice city amenities for all 6.5+ million residents of the region

    • Like 3
  3. I'm quite a bit late to this party, but....

    Why in the holy hell would anyone want to tear apart another stretch of I-45 for a park, or parking, or any other such nonsense?

    With there being over 6.5 million in the greater Houston Metro area, many of them using that corridor, that would be a terrible and very costly mistake. Our traffic is borked bad enough as it is, and y'all are only asking... nigh, BEGGING for it to become much worse with an idea like this.

    Or so it seems, from what I'm reading here. Would anyone care to enlighten this knuckle dragging neanderthal?

  4. This whole thread does seem to broadly feature proposals with pretty renderings about as much as real projects actively underway

    Perhaps the 'Dallas development' topic should be split into 'Ideas', some of which may come true, and 'underway' for those projects actually in process

  5. A supertall would make a striking change to either city's skyline, but there isn't really much need (Houston could probably justify before Dallas)

     

    If one does get built, it  would likely be considerably driven by ego/image - could happen anywhere, which makes the watch for one interesting!

     

    In the meantime, I think I prefer the lower profile infill that is increasing overall density

     

     

    • Like 1
  6. Seems like a big missed opportunity not to reach both downtown areas

     

    On the Houston end, a northwest station may be appealing to more affluent residents departing from the area, but would be less enticing to those coming from the other direction

     

    On the Dallas end, arriving on the least populated southeast side would feel like stopping short - not much there and most destinations would require a fairly significant secondary trip

     

    The density of downtown attractions on both ends would serve many without having to go further, and those that do would have more options

    • Like 2
  7. It would be nice if there was retail in the adjacent apartment building, but that’s not absolutely necessary for this park to anchor a mixed use area.

    For a park this size and stature, it seems that it would also work to have visible retail nearby with easy pedestrian access.

    Having the park in place at all will be a huge amenity for this area, and the people who will benefit the most will likely be willing to use any services that are nearby.

    • Like 1
  8. The new exterior looks like it will be a sleek & refreshing update, however the original look was not really all that bad, similar to surrounding neighbors (also not bad).

    I assume there must have been some functional need (beyond aesthetics) for the complete recladding, especially for a government building (e.g. structural deficiencies, stronger security, environmental efficiencies)

    Has that been explained?

  9. Montrose is the envy of *** men and women in cities where there is no one neighborhood community predominantly identified as *** oriented. There is a strength that comes from not having to run every individual through a social strainer just to find out who is out there with whom we can relate to and interact. The self discovery of an entire community with which we can identify harkens back to the collective coming out of the closet that occurred in our country post-World War II (see the documentary Before Stonewall). Of course self-preservation is important as well. Sometimes it's not just *** people who are aware of a publicly identified *** neighborhood. Unfortunately, it can make one an easier target when gays are not the only individuals who find it easy to find others of the same persuasion. Being targeted is not a new concept and will happen on some levels whether or not there is a ***-identified community. Back in the 50's (again, see the documentary Before Stonewall) small groups would unite to form a type of defense against would be harassers.

    One of the important points you make is that Montrose is important to visitors from less progressive communities.

    What is interesting is that it's not quite as essential for local residents today - they are finding acceptance in many more areas all over the city. The locals don't need to rely on it as much as they did 15-20 years ago.

    Overall that is a good thing, but as you describe, something is lost without the shared experience and acceptance that came from the collective common community.

    Young people coming out today likely experience acceptance much more easily, but they probably miss out on the shared experience that came from gathering together for support

  10. Montrose is similar to gay neighborhoods in many cities. They are becoming more upscale and diverse (straight people) while gay people are finding acceptance across the city in many other areas. Good progress overall, but kinda sorry to see the tight-knit community dispersed.

  11. This is a historic post office building worth preserving:

    old_post_office.jpg

    This isn't:

    downtown-post-office.jpg

    One factor to consider is how our preferences for what is considered an attractive building change with time and styles.

    My experience indicates that we like/tolerate architectural styles for the first 20-25 years; we dislike/despise the styles that are 30-50 years old; but we begin to appreciate those styles again after around 50 years.

    The pattern has played out many times over: destruction of Victorian structures in the 50's & 60's; destruction of art deco buildings in the 60's and 70's; and the current lack of appreciation for this 1960's Houston Post Office (nothing spectacular, but certainly a period piece).

    While I do not necessarily propose the protection of this particular building, I do honestly believe that is has a style that we will begin to appreciate much more in the next 10-15 years.

    • Like 3
  12. No doubt, Hermann Park is really one of Houston's greatest assets. It is a truly great urban park that dramatically compliments its more natural sibling, Memorial Park; another of the city's spectacular jewels!

    I also enjoyed the pics of the International Fest -- that has always been one of my favorite events in Houston. The city does a great job of highlighting its international culture amidst an event that appeals to so many diverse segments of the population.

  13. Cul-de-sacs have less traffic (no through traffic). In many markets, especially in Houston, home buyers, especially those with children love it! New urbabnist's hate it, they feel (and rightfully so) that it reduces vehicular connectivity and new urbanist would prefer a more grid pattern, mostly to give a driver more than one option to get from point A to point B, therefor not reducing overall traffic counts, but not putting all of the cars on one or two main roads.

    But, again, in Houston, cul's rule and that is what buyers want, so that is what buyers get. I live in one, and I always seem to notice when a car that doesn't live there comes into it, usually a lost driver. i notice because traffic is so low, less than 20 cars a day, so nice and quite, especially for those of us with families.

    You expressed another reason why new urbanists dislike cul de sacs: when you "notice when a car that doesn't live there comes into it", you illustrate how the cul de sac helps to isolate you from the rest of the neighborhood/world. For some people that is very appealing, but it does prevent the type of desired community new urbanism promotes for much of the rest of the population.

  14. Sharpstown could very well be one of the malls that is projected to close in the current economic environment.

    I find that disappointing based upon its historical significance - plus, personally it was the first mall I frequented when I moved to Houston years ago.

    The bright side is that the size of the property and the prime location are very well positioned for a redevelopment that will better serve the community and the city.

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