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talltexan83

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Everything posted by talltexan83

  1. talltexan83
    I just don't recall that much opposition to the building on Robinhood. It it surrounded by commercial businesses (including a 10+ story IBC bank) and offers far easier access to the freeway and Rice Village. This proposal would offer neither. Given the concentrated wealth in the area, I would except some kind of compromise to be reached with the developer. A mixed use development would be great, but 23 stories is just exploiting the available land, without regard for the surroundings. Somewhere along Montrose Blvd (less than a mile away) would be much more in tune with the surrounding landscape.
  2. talltexan83
    I drive by Maryland Manor on a daily basis and a new 23 story high rise on that property would look very out of place. While the developer may not have any restrictions on the property, it is bounded by deed restricted neighborhoods on each side. This project would be far more appropriate in the Museum District or the Village with better transport options. If they are commited to building on the site, I suggest they follow the lead of the Rohe project on Sunset Blvd. (Cheyenne Walk?) And Maryland Manor went through a dramatic facelift a few years ago and is one of the more appealing complexes in the area. Many of the tenants are Rice students that walk or ride their bike to campus. However, I think the biggest hurdle will be the existing traffic congestion that exists along Bissonnet. It is a traffic jam every afternoon by 4:30 and the inclusion of a high rise (with entrance/exit on to Bissonnet) seems unfeasible. I expect a good fight from the surrounding neighborhoods. This reminds me a lot of the proposed project a few years back behind the Half Price Books in the Village that never made it off the drawing board. Time will tell.
  3. talltexan83
    When does the demolition begin? Are there any more obstacles to consider?
  4. talltexan83
    It's a little off topic, but why haven't there been more banks being built within an existing, larger development? They could reduce building costs and establish relationships with their neighboring businesses. The Chase bank accross from the Whole Foods on West Alabama is the best example I can think of. The Chase bank going up in Midtown is not.
  5. talltexan83
    Having 121 of the 124 units reserved before construction even begins seems very impressive. Does this only represent the small non-refundable payments (~$4000)? What it the norm for pre-construction "reserves" in a project of this magnitude? I am still excited about the Sonoma project, but worry that the Village may be pricing itself out of it's core audience. For every West U mom shopping on the weekends, the Village continues to attract a wide variety of students from Rice and the Med Center. You just don't see that in Highland Village or Uptown Park.
  6. talltexan83
    I don't know if it has been mentioned previously, but I think the Spec's in Midtown is slowly taking away some of Randall's market share (I think this is a good thing - it will force Randall's to reevaluate its business model). Spec's has a reasonablly priced produce section, a great deli, a nice selection of cheeses, and of course.......a lot of booze. I generally get my non-pershible products at Fiesta once a month (toothpaste, shampoo, mayo, etc.) and visit Spec's a few times a week in between. Its a nice balance and am starting to notice more people doing the same.
  7. talltexan83
    I do not have as strong feelings against the style of the building, but I agree that the design elements will only serve to detach themselves from the rest of campus..........right across the street. I hate to think of it is a Med Center vs. Rice issue (both are instrumental to the continued success of the city), but the Med Center design influences difinitley won out here. Future Rice undergrads/grad students will likely consider classes in this building as "going to the Med Center" rather than "on campus." From the renderings, it looks like some green space may open up next to the track stadium. That would be a welcome change from the current chain fence on that corner.
  8. talltexan83
    I live close to the Rice Village and am eagerly awaiting more news on this project. HAIF is my primary source for any updates, and it is frustrating to check this message board once a week......only to find endless banter and pontification about anything but the Rice Village. Please keep it on topic.
  9. talltexan83
    What about the Hoa Binh shopping center right across the street from the "Superblock"? I used to get the best Vietnamese Po-Boys in a small shop there and now the entire building has closed down. Does anyone know what the plans are for that space? The exisiting infrastructure is interesting, with interior corridors and spaces for 10+ tenants. It may not need to be torn down. Either way, this lot, in conjunction with the Superblock, have the potential to dramatically alter that area.
  10. talltexan83
    I ate at La Tapatia for lunch yesterday, and took a walk around the "Fairmont" project. There was a lot of activity....10-15 trucks, land clearing, massive pipes, etc.....and I was surprised there had not been more activity on this message board. This is a large peice of land in a prime location with the potential to make a large impact in the area's redevelopment. Tapatia alone should make it one of the more sought after properties in town......
  11. talltexan83
    I just took a walk around the site during lunch, and while the parking lots are still full, all of the pay kiosks have notices indicating that they will be "closing in February 2007" and offer parking alternatives in the area. Central Parking would have nothing to gain by displaying these notices unless construction is around the corner.
  12. talltexan83
    I guess none of us would be posting on this message board if we weren't hoping for the best. Nothing is lost by staying optimistic.
  13. talltexan83
    February 5.........any news? I'll be happy when I see someone digging a hole.
  14. talltexan83
    It was very disturbing to stumble upon this today. It sounds like Costco is here to stay, but is there any flexibilty in their design plans. The inner loop has made too many strives in recent years to take a step back on this one. Given the relative wealth in the area (River Oaks, West U, etc.) and the influx of high end condos, I am positive the most homeowners in the near vicinity would fight for a change in design. Can we forward this link to any relevant neighborhood associations?
  15. talltexan83
    I was eating at Benjy's this weekend and noticed a new billboard accross the street advertising "pre-sales" for the development. Is that an indication of impending construction or just a marketing tool? Have they even finalized the issue on Bolsover?
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