talltexan83

1 hour ago, mattyt36 said:

There are only 3 trains per week each way IIRC (maybe 4), whereas Denver has the airport rail, light rail, and a transit center, not to mention the Denver station is arguably more centrally located.  So even if they moved it, I don't really see it accomplishing anything close along the lines of Denver.  Kind of putting the cart way before the horse, no?

I didn't realize there were that few trains each week.  Yeah....not quite the foot traffic I was envisioning 

I know this has been brought up before, but would it be that difficult to move the Amtrak station into the Post complex?  It's only a few hundred meters away.  With the potential hotel proposed, they could go for something similar to what Denver has accomplished with their downtown train station.  

So Prego, Brown Bag, Beautique all closed or about to close?  Le Peep has been gone for a while.  There has to be sometthing big planned for this block, right? RIGHT?!

Fun! A dining patio surrounded by cars on 3 sides!

Can Georgia James and Pastore set up a gofundme to help with those patios?  The lack of plants/shade makes them look so sad every time I drive by.

I've heard that Bayou Bend/Hogg Sanctuary would like to be a part of the project.  It makes sense as they could see a nice influx of visitors arriving on bike.

So if the path can reach those sites arriving from the east, then the last portion of the path before Memorial Park would have to involve ROCC.  Obviously, there would be some challenges there, but maybe a fixed skyover (just using the banks on the ROCC as anchors could work).  That's my dream at least.  Given the potential here I hope the planners are thinking big.  Being able to avoid Memorial Dr all together would make this one of the coolest rides in the city.

This does not bode well for the state of revitalization in Midtown......very disappointing, but clearly the market is not ready for a more substantial investment.  

Blue October?!! I recall you mentioning them in other posts.  With John Nova Lomax passing away this week, I recall the tiff he used to have with them.......hopefully since resolved.

Time for Layne's to come for the Cane's crown in Montrose.

https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2023/05/old-sid-to-be-demolished-2-new-residential-colleges-expected-by-fall-2026

If they tear down the old Sid high rise, I could see how Rice might fit in 2 more residential colleges around the "John and Ann Grove".  With off-campus rental prices becoming increasingly affordable, it makes sense that on campus housing will be a priority in the coming decades.

A bit off-topic, but I've heard rumors (from multiple sources) that a boutique hotel group is looking to add a property in the Rice Village (on the block where Beautique is closing).  I think a small property would do well there as well.  Keep the party going Bunkhouse!

Would this be the starting location for a pedestrian bridge?

I can't recall ever boycotting a new restaurant because the construction was so offensive, but this place certainly qualifies.  That whole lot is going to become a giant heat island come summer.  

Just a general Houston observation:  those adjacent townhomes really capture the essence of development in Houston.  Next to a bike path, railroad tracks, and soon to be destination-worthy nightclub.  All less than a 5 minute drive from a major downtown.   Who knows what this area will look like in 10 years, but it will continue to change.  I'm an optimist, so I'm excited to see what's possible. 

Glad to see that Beautique has already found another location close by, but especially excited to see what Rice Management Co can do with this block for redevelopment.  It has the potential to finally offer a central plaza, meeting space for the Rice Village.  Lots of great potential.

Lease ends Feb 2024, so not that far away.

It's too bad they couldn't have extended the pedestrian/patio zone from Hopdoddy into the new Rice Box.  Those 10 parking spots are going to be a clusterf*ck and be a detraction from an otherwise really nice block.

O'Connor has a great legacy at Rice.  Great to see his name on such a prominent building on campus.

In it's own way, I do want to thank the Embassy Suites for not developing the entire block.  By leaving the curved parcel we eventually got this nice development from Skanska.  The Hess Tower across the park is fine, but it is an example of what would of been here if a developer had purchased the entire block.  

General question, but related to this project:  why not replace some of these broken driveways with grass/sidewalks?  Is it primarily a cost consideration?  Or is the concern that if you replace the driveway for this project, you've essentially eliminated the possibility of using this as a drive-through in the future?

I see so many curbcuts/driveways around establishments around town that have not been used for years/decades.  Would seem like a good opportunity to add some green to a lot and/or help with flood mitigation.

I am just glad there are no vehicle entrances/driveways along Montrose.  I see that as a win.

This line of reasoning is a headscratcher for me........you are concerned about more crime from a development adding vibrancy/activity to an otherwise abandoned block of buildings?  I live in the area and only see this hotel as a net positive for crime in the area.

Lets get back on topic.

This will be a great addition to the Menil master plan and a welcome new hotel option for those visiting the Museum District/Montrose/Rice area.  I believe Menil also owns the entire block bounded by Mandell/Richmond/Colquitt/Loretto (??).......hopefully this new hotel coincides with some additional investment in that block and parking lot/maintenance barn.  There is a lot of potential on the block, but everything west of the Dan Flavin installation is looking particularly neglected these days. 

At one point, I recall some discussion around closing down this stretch of Fannin through the park?  Or at least in one direction adjacent to lightrail line?  That green space next to Palmer church is very underutilized, but has some great trees.  It would be great to see them add some parking there in exhange for reduced traffic along Fannin.

I know it is a politically sensitive subject (and I won't pretend to know the right answer), but with the public housing parcel adjacent to this site quickly becoming some of the most valuable land in the city, is there a path forward that would benefit all involved?  So the city sells all or part of the land for a fortune, then uses the proceeds to build more units/housing that existed before?  

I've heard the lease is only for 2 or 3 years.......so I'm guessing Levcor is just buying time until they can put together a better development plan and/or find a long-term tenant.

Plus, the Story dude is giving me Joel Osteen vibes.  Lots of drama at St Lukes from that guy.  I hope he ends up far away from Montrose..