kylejack

The properties were never put up for lease prior to botanic gardens expressing interest in 2013. The botanic gardens wanted Gus Wortham and asked for it. There was a deliberative process with plenty of input from all vested interests and it was decided that Glenbrook Valley would be better, and that HGA would renovate Wortham. I'm pleased with the outcome, and it seems like you are too. So I don't really know what we're arguing over.

If you have some evidence that the City offered this course up for lease prior to 2013, I'd love to see it. I'm glad that a good deal was worked out for all parties. We'll have a botanic garden replace a little-used course and HGA will renovate a historic course that a lot of people love.

Over a year, eh? Exactly my point. The botanic gardens people were targeting Gus Wortham at least as early as 2013. This discussion began and they ran in to this opposition because they were targeting a historic golf course rather than buying their own land. As I said a few posts ago, I'm glad they have found a successful plan at Glenbrook Valley. As to profit, I don't expect public services or facilities to turn a profit, I expect them to provide a public service. Parks like Hermann Park or public services like METRO aren't turning a profit either, nor would I expect them to.

That's exactly what they did. It was driven by the botanic garden people pushing for the Gus Wortham golf course to be switched to them, not by COH looking for another use. They were speaking at public comment session at City Council, and making their case elsewhere.

The conflict arose because the botanic gardens people didn't want to secure their own land but wanted to take over existing land that was already in use for a golf course. Nobody had a problem with a botanic garden existing... the problem was that they wanted to take over something else rather than buying and building on their own. They got massive pushback at Gus Wortham because it has a deep connection to the community there, because it has a long history, and because it's a pretty good municipal course (important, because municipal courses allow those with less money to get into the game rather than having to be a rich country club kid). They got only minor pushback on Glenbrook Valley because it's not quite as nice, doesn't have the deep history, and isn't used as much. The objection at Glenbrook Valley was mostly people a few people that use the course for jogging. I think they ended up at the right place, in the end.

Gus Wortham is the Texas' oldest golf course, there's history there and not everyone wants to tear down all history.

That was a City of Houston Public Works building until recently. Always lots of activity.

Say you're in the fast lane. You need to get over 12 lanes to exit. You're getting in a lot of people's way to get off. At some point widening the freeway may not help but actually hurt.

I think it has to do with the fact that there's a point of diminishing returns. Increasing from one to two lanes can help, but increasing from 26 lanes to 36 lanes might not help at all.

If we expand Katy Freeway to 40 lanes, we're going to wipe out a bunch of cool businesses that contribute to the economic vitality of the city. At some point we are going to have to change the way things are done, or the freeways will eat the entire city and everything in it.

Nice, the walkway is completed past the legendary Donnellan Crypt!

The walk from the rail station is just fine. Intact sidewalks, a convenience store, some decent houses, nothing scary really except it could be lighted better.

Menil owns practically every property in the area for blocks and blocks. It's why all the houses around Menil Collection are painted gray, to create a sense of place and atmosphere. There are very few holdout properties left. Rents are reasonable because Menil likes to have a stable and high occupancy rate, which helps to finance the free museum. I lived at 1525 W Main years ago, and my fiancee used to live in a 2 story on Branard. Menil is a great landlord who is very responsive. As a side benefit, they have a security officer who patrols all their properties. And when Menil wants to expand their campus, they just tear down one of their houses, or part of the Richmont Square Apartments. That's how we got the new restaurant, and the coming Drawing center. Expect the campus to get bigger and bigger in the coming years.

Does a gravel lot count as permeable for the rain tax?

They poured new sidewalks along the streets. Looking good.

I lived Downtown for 7 years until a couple years ago, and it was a great comfort. It was good to grab a quick canned good or posterboard or whatever. The store continues to exist because there is an economic demand for it. Sorry, but Downtown just isn't ready for a Books-A-Million yet. Certain types of businesses can work and certain can't.

99 cent store sells Tajin seasoning, which is the best to put on chicken. You can find it at Fiesta, but they don't carry it at HEB or Kroger.

I did. There's a big parking lot that was well-used, though.

I went last night as well. The front side was the music hall and had a good band performing. The back side has a sizable bar that is fairly segregated from the front to where you can get away from the loud music if you want, along with a big patio and yard with tables and games, and another smaller stage. The backside overlooks the bayou. The tower is sort of in between the two major areas. Cool place.

With work this major, don't they still have to get a sign-off from a city inspector before opening, or no?

Yes, Public Services is still operating. Seems to be getting more popular.

Is it the same guys that previously operated Live?

Wow, terrible beer on account of dirty lines, but they've been there since 1987.

ahhh thanks

Yeah, something from the Salt N Pepper group that owns Moonshiners and Beer Market, etc.