GoAtomic

I have very vague memories of being on some kiddie show here in Houston when I was 6 or 7, in the early 70's. All I recall of the show is that we did some finger painting or something equally tame. This was when I was in an elementary school off Red Oak in NW Houston. It was a big deal to me, because I remember my teacher, Mrs. King, driving me to the taping in her '71 Chevelle coupe (Orange Glow paint with a white vinyl interior). And I usually don't have a very good memory ... I've asked my dad but he has no recollection of this happening, what show this was or who with. Apparently we didn't get a tape or anything. I wonder if this was the program I was on ... Were there others like this in Hou at that time?

Looking at the lefthand ariel image, have y'all ever ever noticed the symmetry of the whole 'Astrodomain' complex, both North and South of the Loop? (at least it was symmetric before they built that monstrosity next door to the Dome ...) The two complexes line up down the middle! This was intentional from what I've read, a master-planned entertainment complex, if you will, complete with parking accomodations for both. I recall some reference to the Champs d'Elysse in Paris as inspiration for it, but I've never seen that so am not sure. As far as Astroworld goes, I got the distinct impression from the Ch. 11 story last night that the property would be sold to residential real estate developers ... surprise! I also would guess it's highly unlikely that another theme park would ever be built there ...

This is absolutely correct - I am in one of these neighborhoods, and they really are nice (west of Gessner, anyway). At one time this whole area was where everyone wanted to live; it's really sad that the city widened Gessner and compromised the character. But there are some well-preserved examples of Googie architecture along this stretch of Gessner (lava rock garden apartments, gas stations, flat roof strip centers with mosaic tile facia, etc.). I've been trying to garner interest for judicious preservation of some of these buildings, but it's a hard sell. A lot of people just can't see the diamonds in the rough, and don't like anything that isn't 'new'. I would love to see this area turn into a space-age 50's-themed retail shopping mecca, with boutique stores and services. Look at what they've done along 43rd in Oak Forest ... the retail has been updated but haven't killed the period feel. It's a nice mix.

You bet they are. They're investing big bucks for the long term, and intend to make obscene amounts of money from that investment down the road. But the area IS thriving, and for that I have to give them credit. And, fortunately, they are giving the area some architectural variety from the commercial monotony that has been seen in Houston for the past several years.

Actually, the way I understand a 'Management District' (which is a step to becoming a TIRZ), an 'assessment' is levied on all COMMERCIAL property owners within that district once it comes into existence. An assessment is just a fancy word for another tax. Example of my concern: my favorite donut shop is Anna's Donuts, a mom&pop run by a really sweet family near my house. They're up there at 4 in the morning every day including Sunday, but I don't think they make buckets of money. Their shop is in a strip center on Gessner. So, once the owner of the strip center gets his assessment notice, it's more money out of his pocket and less income, so he'll have to raise the rents, the added dollars for which the owners of Annas Donuts will have to pony up from their existing income. Sure, maybe they'll raise prices some to cover it, but at some point it may be too much, and they'll have to move on or close. That's my understanding of how these things work - if someone knows differently, please share. That said, my key point is that I don't believe that the basis for legal formation of a Mgm District or a TIRZ - the property owners in the area that hold 50% or more of the commercial land value in the area - should necessarily be the ones directing how the future assessment dollars are spent, which is usually the case when these same property owners sit on the Board of the MgmDistrict or TIRZ. It just smacks of a chicken-in-the-henhouse scenario to me, since everyone ultimately is inclined to do what's best for their bottom line. I mean, these people aren't elected by the public or anything, they've been given this authority to spend collected monies simply because their company owns a lot of property in the district. That doesn't seem like a fair chance for the small guys to me ....

They already have one, the Memorial TIRZ. Number 17, I think. Also, the Spring Branch area is now in a TIRZ wannabe, the Spring Branch Management District, which spans all the way from West of BW8, north to Tanner or thereabouts, East to Hempstead Hwy, and to just South of Westview. Management districts have some definite plusses, but I still think their net effect is to tax small businesses out of existence. Something about a bunch of moneybags developers and business owners (MetroNational and certain private homebuilders in this case) controlling the moneypot from these 'assessments' just doesn't seem right, even if it does benefit the community as a whole. Just my 2 cents ...

Is that the one that they've 'remodeled' with a stucco facade or something similar? If so, it's too bad - what a cool original design.

As I remember it, the extension was definitely on the plans and is as-built. I didn't catch the plan date, though. Something else I noticed on the plans - there originally was a large, grid-like planting pocket that ran toward the street from in front of the porte-coche (which I believe was noted as 'carport' on the plans). It looked like about the same size as the carport (20x20) but is now covered over with grass. Cool idea.

The open house was great, and (surprisingly) most people there were hip to the architectural significance of the house. And what a neat house .... pretty original, except for the kitchen appliances. But with the plans (which have every little detail down to the brand of the original floor tiles) one could restore it quite easily. The original (on the plans) 'Fleetwood' built-in TV is there, but the story according to the hosting realtor is that it quit working 6 months after the house was completed. Also, I believe I heard that the house was built from new on foundation piers, which explains not a single crack in the original brick flooring. The atrium baths are sooooo cool with the stepdown tubs. Probably the coolest thing, though, was the built in china cabinets, which have no back and are against the windows to the dining atrium - they're see-through !! Just loved the house, and really it seems a good deal considering the history and what non-notable houses are going for in nearby Meyerland. It's just one of those well-cared for, well preserved specimans that don't come along very often.

#1) Felix Restaurant on Montrose (they say they're not closing after all, and this should be the de facto choice for any native Houstonian) #2) Jarro Cafe, N. of Memorial City/I-10 on Gessner - supposedly the owners are from Mexico City. Very interesting dishes and cheeeep. #3) Berryhills- Post Oak or Revere locations are reliable (#1 for fish tacos)

According to a friend of mine who works in the medical complex at Memorial City, the old Oshman's site has been reserved by the hospital for either a building addition or a parking garage. This was heard within the last couple of months. Other 'rumours': the Prince's restaurant located just East of Memorial City is planning to relocate to the North side of I-10 in the vicinity of Gessner. Also, 59 Diner on I-10 (closer to the Loop as you head East) is looking for space in the same area. This info comes directly from employees at these two restaurants. And, there has been talk of the Lumpkin Rd. Home Depot moving to the site that Wal-Mart was courting in Spring Valley (?) last year, in which case HCC would possibly take over the HD space to expand their campus. But I personally do hope Central Market finds something in this area .... it would be a great addition.