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feufoma

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Everything posted by feufoma

  1. We walked over to the park yesterday with our son and found it to be great! Frankly, in my 13 years in Houston I saw more people downtown than at any other time. The park should prove to be a catalyst for helping downtown improve to a level commensurate with a city of Houston's size and importance. This is something that we should be very proud of. Just keep the homeless out; and parents please keep an eye on your kids. I nearly fainted when I saw parents allowing their kids to climb on the Debuffet sculpture. Come on people...really.
  2. Yes, the "older" section of DT L.A. is Skid Row and is definitely the largest concentration of the homeless that I have seen. But, really, the homeless in DT L.A. proper pretty much keep to themselves and have never hit me up for money, etc. The homeless in Houston are always asking for money. Many are clearly deranged/ high and are probably dangerous. I agree that it's wrong to feel ill will toward the homeless; and I would never intentionally hurt one unless I was defending my family, myself or my property. What I don't understand about the homeless in MT and DT Houston is the fact that the police don't do anything to enforce the existing ordinances (e.g., sleeping on sidewalks). Shouldn't there be a full time law enforcement presence to protect the public from being pestered or worse? On a lighter note: why not just provide the homeless in Houston an exclusive (and, notably, one way) trip to exciting Dallas or Austin!?
  3. What amazes me is that I can go to, say, Chicago or Los Angeles and never be hit up for money in their "downtown" or other close-in areas. Yet, in Houston it's literally one (generally aggressive) bum after another when I go out to eat in DT or MT! And, yes, CVS on W. Gray is unreal. You'd think that the store would hire a security person to keep some order in the parking lot. And, where is HPD? I suppose eating donuts and pulling the middle class over for going 5 miles above the speed limit. This town... We've got so many problems....
  4. Isn't this a spec project? If so, I can see why Trammel Crow would be cautious. Moreover, just because this project isn't slated to be that large doesn't mean that other possible projects (Brookfield in particular) won't be more 'ambitious.' Hey, it's a good thing to be somewhat conservative when adding Class A office space to Houston's DT. My opinion is we need more 15-30 floor buildings with a mixture of residential, office, and retail (including parking) amidst green space rather than two or three 40-60 floor buildings that just serve the office market. One thing I would like to see however, is something akin to the Oriental Pearl TV/ observation tower to be built DT or near DT that would create a higher focal point. Then in fill the rest of the deserted blocks and parking lots.
  5. Well, actually, that picture is of the Stemmons Corridor looking north. It's not DT Dallas.
  6. Very interesting stats from KinkaidAlum. Where did you find those? I've always marveled at the overbuilding in DFW. It was the same situation when I lived in Dallas years ago. As to the topic: I would love for Houston to at least find more of a middle ground on the lighting of DT's major buildings. It does make a city look better and arguably creates an 'attraction factor'. DT Houston needs that. Could making the skyline look better at night increase the possibility of a residential surge? Who knows. I live near DT and think about the topic of lighting nearly every night when I'm taking a walk. It really is pretty bad compared to other major cities (and even a few relatively minor ones like Austin).
  7. Totally agree! Austin is SO overrated! I think it's just PC to 'follow the crowd' and sing the town's praises. This development is ok but can't begin to compare with true shopping/ dining destinations. Austin: it's enough to make you sick...
  8. Then they'll also go DT where the stadium logically belongs.
  9. Exactly my point. Aside from a few Po Mo examples in the 70s and 80s there has been a dearth of buildings with real architectural significance built in Houston in the last couple of decades (one recent example might be the University of Texas Nursing School completed in 2004). Compared to cities like Chicago, New York and L.A. we haven't seen substantive examples of 'real' architecture in quite some time. I'm talking cutting edge buildings that will stand the test of time and actually make a statement. And you know what? Developers in Houston will probably not develop anything in our current mini boom that bucks the trend. That probability is frustratingly difficult to embrace. I hope that the MFA will decide to build something with real merit when they expand in the next few years. The Moneo-designed Beck building was somewhat of a disappointment considering his other designs. How about some Calatrava or Herzog & de Meuron? By the way, is Asia House (Taniguchi) going to happen? It's been pretty quite on that front for some time.
  10. This is Phase I. Phase II after the brouhaha has subsided is to 'modify' the section that River Oaks Theatre occupies. Houston development at its finest!! The patron has no say. It's all about the profit motive of the developer. Why can't Disney just buy us out already? We're so predictable anyway.
  11. Yes, I even noticed some concrete that had been poured!!! Egads, this thing is sloooooow. You know, this project exemplifies 'urban' development in Houston as of late. Shaky at best. It's happening. Oh wait, it's not. I wouldn't be as concerned as I am but for the fact that (finally) we have a somewhat decent design shaping up the (rather dour) skyline in this town. Is anyone in the 'know' for this project??? I still think it's strange that it's taking this long for discernible development to be occurring. New funding??
  12. I completely agree. This will turn into another ugly, banal enclave for those who wish to spend big bucks on poor quality. Again, don't 'cha just love Houston developers. "Please, give us your first born for mediocrity. For mediocrity's sake...."
  13. This is one weird deal! It reeks of another 'developer' not knowing what they're doing. Fraudulent credit transaction leading to lender pulling funding? Something's up. I predict the crane will be coming down within the month and this thing will be done. Or, perhaps I'm just being pessimistic. Can someone enlighten us???
  14. Great shot! Transco would still dominate. But, my God, why couldn't Turnberry have more glass and color??? The design is still very, very safe. So much for adding to Houston's architectural heritage.... Banal but expensive. I guess in ignorant circles a certain address is all that matters.
  15. I'd surmise that funding is somehow being delayed or withdrawn. Something has to be up because there is no ongoing construction. Dead deal???
  16. Really? I think the Aquarius Tower planned in Atlanta is miles ahead of the banal design of Turnberry Galleria! The Atlanta tower would fit in perfectly with Transco, etc. I'm envious.
  17. I pass by the site a couple of times a week. I regret to report that no discernible construction is taking place (at least around 5:30 in full daylight). What could possibly be the cause of the delay? It's almost like they just made a pile of dirt, took all construction equipment off the site except for a crane that they move once per day to make it look like something's going on. Anyone have any info???
  18. Maybe people are actually working instead of milling about? I've always found that interesting when you see so many people out on the road and or streets during business hours. Get a job...
  19. I think it'll be a good development for the area to the extent it encourages a live/ work environment and has a positive impact on (further) sprawl westward. Unfortunately, I won't be able to 'take advantage' of the development since it's so far from DT/ Midtown. But if you like living out that way then this will be a nice alternative.
  20. I too am very excited about the possibilities of this project. It's interesting though to note that in many places this wouldn't be that big of a deal. It's almost criminal that DT is so far behind real cities.
  21. Banal, uninspired, yet in keeping with the recent additions to our skyline! Seriously, why couldn't we get some steel and glass for God's sake??? Tunnel form crap is all this is....
  22. I'm all for East End revitalization. I've had limited exposure to the area but I can't see placing the stadium there for some of the reasons mentioned (lack of synergy with DT; bad infrastructure; no real PT access; noise; crime?). Put the stadium DT and a soccer complex on (some) of the site and revamp the course. I'd like to attend some games but I'm not sure that I'd like to attend games at that location (and I live DT).
  23. Good news abounds. I'm just curious why it isn't on HP's website...
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