Texasota

No I get it. Metro is easier because they might actually listen. But that doesn't mean they have to do everything, and I'd rather push them to improve service and frequency.

Accessibility is part of that of course, but adding vines to bus shelters is greenwashing something that's already actually pretty green. 

What I'd really like to see Metro do is seriously take inspiration from their better projects (the red line) and avoid the kinds of mistakes they're looking at making with the Gulfton line. Two new lanes of impermeable pavement will do a lot to contribute to a heat island effect and make that route a lot less safe than if they just replaced two existing lanes with transit lanes.

Metro, by its very existence, contributes to fighting climate change. Increasing the number of people using transit is *the* most important thing they can do in that fight.

I just always get annoyed when people criticize the *good* actors for not doing enough when the real problem *cough*TXDOT*cough* is standing right there.

LET'S thousand dollarsING GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Bike lanes and bus improvements are at least coming, but the lack of shade is a real problem.

The Airline rebuild was the last big project of a previous, much worse Public Works office that took a highway approach to street reconstruction. 

I just don't think adding some vines is a real long-term solution - planting trees is. 

You'll notice the example bus stop you gave on Montrose (which isn't one of the new ones) does provide shade behind it, so it's not just becoming an oven. But ultimately you need the layering effect of a tree canopy to make a real difference. 

What Metro *should* be doing is working with the management districts, City, TXDOT, etc, to fund new tree plantings, especially near bus stops. 

But ultimately Metro isn't the problem here. Shade needs to be a city-wide priority, and I'd rather Metro focus on maximizing service *first*. 

Or to put it differently: Why add things to Metro's plate when the real problems are TXDOT, Public Works, etc?

I mean, they are actively contracting out hundreds of new covered bus stops. Adding this kind of greenery adds significantly to maintenance costs - I'd rather they build more shelters and plant trees.

They made a handsome building ugly. It's good that it's being used, but whoever is directly responsible for this redesign should never work again.

There are some nice urban Residence Inns (it's a step up from Towne Place Suites) and, given the size of the lot, I'm actually hopeful for something decent.

82 was always going to become a Boost line. The "Westheimer Signature Service" thing is separate, skips Lower Westheimer, and hasn't really been fully explained, but definitely seems to still be planned.

A little disappointed by the on-street bike lanes. Given the scale of the street its ok, but since it was built brand new from scratch I'd have liked to see *all* the bike lanes elevated/fully protected. 

Why make that one street so wide? It's such a waste of space.

It's a late 1960's middle school pre-converted into apartments. Neat.

Every new house on the west end of the island decreases its ability to mitigate against flooding and increases the risk to everyone else.

Huh. I don't think anything should be allowed to be built on this part of the island but I like this design.

whomp whomp

Good riddance. Maybe something can happen with the lot soon now.

Sigh. This thread is just going to be arguing about whether to give the NFL a billion dollars from now on isn't it. 

Cover the Moneo building in paint. It's a fine building on the inside but it's not a masterpiece, and I also hate that blank wall. 

This is really turning out pretty nice. 

There's just so. much. surface. parking. 

I for one genuinely like it and hope the variance is granted. This is the type and scale of project I'd love to see over the central neighborhoods. 

Except that's not really what's happening. Limited access ramps will continue to dump high speed traffic into the city and run past this location, even if the main body of 45 has been relocated by then.

People can disagree with you dude. We have our own thoughts and opinions. 

I grew up with this bayou and prefer a natural color to a dye job.

Do you actually like the color of dyed water?

I don't. I'd much rather have the bayou be its actual color than an unnatural-looking blue. 

This is a phased development; Laura's mirror is planned but they're leasing the first group of buildings first.