UT Research Park Complex Developments

[TheNiche]

M.D. Anderson, Health Science Center break ground on research facility

Houston Business Journal - 1:46 PM CDT Tuesday, April 10, 2007

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are collaborating on a new imaging research facility.

The organizations broke ground Tuesday at The University of Texas Research Park on what will become the Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging Research, dedicated to developing technologies that will detect heart disease, cancer and other illnesses at their earliest stages.

The facility, scheduled for completion in late 2009, is being built in cooperation with GE Healthcare and the Texas Enterprise Fund.

Link to article.

Wow, not only am I getting a 1.1-million-square-foot teaching hospital within walking distance of my condo and a connection to N. Macgregor via Cambridge, but I'm also getting a 315,000-square-foot facility just down the street! I was hoping for more verticality, but I can live with it.

Edit: MD Anderson South Campus is located within the UT Research Park Complex. 

[WesternGulf]

I know you just posted the article, and I get annoyed myself when people ask this when news just breaks, but is their a possibility that there is a rendering for this one. Only reason I am asking, I feel I have seen it before. There are just too many renderings for TMC projects that are actually breaking ground, it is hard to keep track of 'em.

edit: nevermind, this sounds like a new one. Methodist has a similar building currently being built for the same purposes.

Edited April 11, 2007 by WesternGulf

[Jax]

That sounds pretty awesome, but it's not really right in the medical center though, is it? It will probably be connected by a shuttle bus I guess.

[TheNiche]

I know you just posted the article, and I get annoyed myself when people ask this when news just breaks, but is their a possibility that there is a rendering for this one. Only reason I am asking, I feel I have seen it before. There are just too many renderings for TMC projects that are actually breaking ground, it is hard to keep track of 'em.

edit: nevermind, this sounds like a new one. Methodist has a similar building currently being built for the same purposes.

By the way, I've been told that ULI Houston is going to have a luncheon from 11:15AM to 1:30PM on May 1st at the Westin Galleria Hotel in which the President/CEO/COO of the Texas Medical Center, Inc. is going to talk about all the new projects. Walter Mischer, Jr. is also going to discuss how he pulled off Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza.

That sounds pretty awesome, but it's not really right in the medical center though, is it? It will probably be connected by a shuttle bus I guess.

The northwest parts of this area south of OST, which TMC, Inc. is calling the "South Campus" have already been developed. They're still doing street construction and laying huge box culverts in the median of Cambridge for the time being, and the only shuttle service available is for the UT students that live right there. I'll bet that once this thing is off the ground, we'll see more extensive shuttle service...either that or lots of on-site parking.

[Jax]

Sorry if this is off topic, but why is this forum suddenly only showing one post at a time, and I have to click on the individual posts on the bottom to see them. I didn't read the two replies before I posted because of that.

[WesternGulf]

Go to options at the top right hand corner of the first post and hit "standard".

[Jax]

Thanks. I don't know how that option changed!

[tony]

The building under construction is at the corner of Bertner and the new, unnamed street which parallels OST and connects the new part of Bertner and Cambridge. It looks similar to the twin Red McCombs Early Cancer Detection buildings (uncertain of the exact name) located where Knight Rd and Fannin merge just south of OST--the only exception is that the new building has six floors and the twin buildings have 4. The Menninger Clinic will probably be located in this part of the Med Center or on El Paseo at Cambridge further south, although that site has been mentioned as a future Harris County Mental Health facility.

The #73 Metro goes up Cambridge and El Paseo and circulates throughout the Med Center. The Smithlands Station is about a 15 minute walk from upper Cambridge. Cambridge itself is completely impassible from Holcombe to OST and the city has spared the 15 year-old live oaks in the Cambridge esplanade just south of OST. The Parkwood apartments are history but the trees are still there for now...

[Original Timmy Chan's]

The northwest parts of this area south of OST, which TMC, Inc. is calling the "South Campus" have already been developed. They're still doing street construction and laying huge box culverts in the median of Cambridge for the time being, and the only shuttle service available is for the UT students that live right there. I'll bet that once this thing is off the ground, we'll see more extensive shuttle service...either that or lots of on-site parking.

So how long before my neighborhood is the "Southeast TMC Campus"?!?

We were joking about that with a neighbor the other day...just as the 3rd Ward west of 288 has become the "Museum District", it's just a matter of time until South Union is the "Med Center."

TMC is definitely moving south, though...it's easier (and cheaper) for it to expand south than it is to expand north.

[hornfan]

http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/media/new...ndbreaking.html

From UT - Houston's website

I don't think the Menninger Clinic is likely to be on this block. Aside from the Kroger at OST and Cambridge and the Marine facility, the rest of the block is owned by UT and MD Anderson. Menninger Clinic is a Baylor thing.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Variance request notifications were just posted this weekend in South Union at the ends of Nathaniel Brown, Mount Pleasant, and Seabrook streets. These are all dead end streets that terminate at the 11.6-acre Binswanger Glass site on the east side of 288 at Holly Hall. See aerial photo here: Plaza del Oro/Binswanger Glass - Holly Hall at SH 288

The variance notification sign references "Plaza del Oro" as the proposed subdivision name. If I'm not mistaken, Plaza del Oro is also the name of a townhome complex on the west side of 288 at Holly Hall. There will be a variance hearing in a little less than two weeks (June 21, 2:30 pm).

Does anyone have any insight into this development? I live on one of the streets that has a notification sign. Please feel free to PM me if you'd rather not make this information public.

I'm assuming this will be some kind of residential development, but we're curious. The existing Binswanger Glass warehouse takes up about 75% of the 11.6-acre tract, leaving about 3 acres of undeveloped land. So...is the entire warehouse site going to be redeveloped? The only two streets that dead end into the undeveloped portion of the 11.6-acre tract are Corder and Nathaniel Brown Streets. If this will only be a new development of the 3-acre portion of the tract, then why the variance signs on Mount Pleasant and Seabrook?

We're not necessarily opposed to development of the site, but we'd like to know what it will be and how it will impact our neighborhood. Hopefully the variance request is to remove the requirement to tie into our public streets. As it is, our streets are tight...probably 20' wide asphalt streets with open ditches, and cars parked along both sides of the street (thanks to single-wide driveways). We can't take any traffic into a major development through our narrow streets.

I'm also curious about drainage. Will the development drain to 288? Certainly it won't drain through our 1'-2' deep roadside ditches...at least we hope not.

I'm sure someone here knows SOMETHING about the site. With some of the recent developments along 288 in the area (Alexan apartments, Urban Lofts, Parkside Point Apartments), I'm assuming this site that fronts on 288 will be more of the same. We're not thrilled to have apartments next door, but the big question is what quality of apartments will these be? Will they resemble the tax-credit Parkside Point apartments (which haven't yet shown themselves to be a problem), or will they bring in the high-rent residents of Alexan or Urban Lofts? I have my assumptions, based on geography and demographics, but I'd like to know the facts.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Original Timmy Chan's

[DrFood]

Original Timmy--

Plaza del Oro was originally purchased by Shell Oil back in the 1970's. Their thought process was to have a commercial/residential/cultural center at the NW corner of 610 and 288. Basically bounded by Fannin on the west, OST on the north, 288 on the east, and 610 on the south. I can remember a huge billboard between Fannin and Almeda back when they first purchased the area. At Greenbriar and OST is a huge white building which used to be Shell's credit card and IT building. Not sure what it functions as now. If you are traveling south on Fannin at OST and you look behind the shell station there is a sign that says Plaza del Oro bank.

I've looked for history on the area, but can't find anything more than my recollection. So I don't know why Shell bailed on the property. Back in the early 1990's I lived in Scotland Yard apts on Holly Hall.

Good luck on finding out what the plans are for the area by your house.

Variance request notifications were just posted this weekend in South Union at the ends of Nathaniel Brown, Mount Pleasant, and Seabrook streets. These are all dead end streets that terminate at the 11.6-acre Binswanger Glass site on the east side of 288 at Holly Hall. See aerial photo here: Plaza del Oro/Binswanger Glass - Holly Hall at SH 288

The variance notification sign references "Plaza del Oro" as the proposed subdivision name. If I'm not mistaken, Plaza del Oro is also the name of a townhome complex on the west side of 288 at Holly Hall. There will be a variance hearing in a little less than two weeks (June 21, 2:30 pm).

Does anyone have any insight into this development? I live on one of the streets that has a notification sign. Please feel free to PM me if you'd rather not make this information public.

I'm assuming this will be some kind of residential development, but we're curious. The existing Binswanger Glass warehouse takes up about 75% of the 11.6-acre tract, leaving about 3 acres of undeveloped land. So...is the entire warehouse site going to be redeveloped? The only two streets that dead end into the undeveloped portion of the 11.6-acre tract are Corder and Nathaniel Brown Streets. If this will only be a new development of the 3-acre portion of the tract, then why the variance signs on Mount Pleasant and Seabrook?

We're not necessarily opposed to development of the site, but we'd like to know what it will be and how it will impact our neighborhood. Hopefully the variance request is to remove the requirement to tie into our public streets. As it is, our streets are tight...probably 20' wide asphalt streets with open ditches, and cars parked along both sides of the street (thanks to single-wide driveways). We can't take any traffic into a major development through our narrow streets.

I'm also curious about drainage. Will the development drain to 288? Certainly it won't drain through our 1'-2' deep roadside ditches...at least we hope not.

I'm sure someone here knows SOMETHING about the site. With some of the recent developments along 288 in the area (Alexan apartments, Urban Lofts, Parkside Point Apartments), I'm assuming this site that fronts on 288 will be more of the same. We're not thrilled to have apartments next door, but the big question is what quality of apartments will these be? Will they resemble the tax-credit Parkside Point apartments (which haven't yet shown themselves to be a problem), or will they bring in the high-rent residents of Alexan or Urban Lofts? I have my assumptions, based on geography and demographics, but I'd like to know the facts.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Original Timmy--

Plaza del Oro was originally purchased by Shell Oil back in the 1970's. Their thought process was to have a commercial/residential/cultural center at the NW corner of 610 and 288. Basically bounded by Fannin on the west, OST on the north, 288 on the east, and 610 on the south. I can remember a huge billboard between Fannin and Almeda back when they first purchased the area. At Greenbriar and OST is a huge white building which used to be Shell's credit card and IT building. Not sure what it functions as now. If you are traveling south on Fannin at OST and you look behind the shell station there is a sign that says Plaza del Oro bank.

I've looked for history on the area, but can't find anything more than my recollection. So I don't know why Shell bailed on the property. Back in the early 1990's I lived in Scotland Yard apts on Holly Hall.

Good luck on finding out what the plans are for the area by your house.

Yes, I'm aware of the "Plaza del Oro" name around the area. I'd forgotten that it's also attached to some of the buildings around Fannin/OST.

There's also a Plaza del Oro Townhomes on Holly Hall. That's why I found it curious that the same name would be attached to a new development on the east side of 288. Maybe they're trying to tie the east side of 288 to the west side now, instead of keeping it separated/segregated? Maybe not.

Just double-checked the HCAD website again...interesting, I didn't catch this the first time: Binswanger is protesting their property valuation. Their taxable value went from $4.0 million in 2006 to $5.6 million in 2007. Ouch. Sucks for them...then again it sucks for us too. Our market value (per HCAD) has increased 232% in the last 5 years. Nice to know our area is heating up a little...sucks about the taxes.

[txland]

Good to see something atleast. Whatever it is. I have some land for sale on Peerless north of this area. More Urban townhomes from the north and this project from the south leaves little old me in the middle! Just where I love to be!

[TheNiche]

I'd like to know the facts.

Contact Suzy Hartgrove with the City of Houston's Planning Department. It may take her a few days, but she can get you an answer.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Contact Suzy Hartgrove with the City of Houston's Planning Department. It may take her a few days, but she can get you an answer.

From the sign, I also have the name and number of the engineer/planner for the subdivision. I'm going to start there, but thanks for the contact name at the City. I may check there just to get the story from both sides.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

OK, I got the story this morning from the planner for the site. Unfortunately (or fortunately, maybe) it's nothing as exciting (or as frightening) as I had envisioned.

The glass company wants to build some overhangs for their garage, but in order to get their permits the City is requiring the site to be platted. The City's platting ordinance requires the public streets that dead end into the glass company's property to either be extended into the glass company site or terminated in a cul-de-sac.

The glass company is requesting a variance so that they don't have to do either one, but just leave our streets status quo. I'm fine with that...I don't see that cul-de-sacs onto the glass company's site are going to do anything positive for our neighborhood. I'm happy with the barricade we've got now.

Funny side story about our dead end street that's only marginally related to the topic...my wife's family has owned our house since it was built in the 40's. She has older step-brothers (triplets) who grew up in the house about 15-20 years before she was born. One of the older neighbors who grew up with her brothers was relating a story to me, since I've never met her step-brothers.

He says the brothers were smart, very smart, but crazy as hell. When they were about 10 years old they made their own go-cart from scratch with a lawn-mower engine. The neighbor says it went fast as hell...but they forgot to put on brakes. So on the test drive, they got the thing going, hauled a$$ down the street towards the dead end. Only thing is, back then there was no wooden barricade...only a barbed wire fence separating the neighborhood from the pasture next door. The crazy brothers hauled a$$ straight into the barbed wire fence!!!

They didn't use the go-cart too much after that.

[txland]

Saw the Planning Meeting where area residences wanted to know what was going on too. They were mad about the noise but didn't get answers on record about what was going on. Too bad for them; they should read HAIF.

Interesting thing was that at the same meeting there was a 'hearing date set' (whatever that means) set for the Fountains at Peerless. Any one have info on this Peerless development? My guess is there are not going to be just doors!

Edited June 25, 2007 by txland

[frid]

Here is some good info on UTHSC buildings going up in the new UT research park.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...iz/5094246.html

[lockmat]

This is only one of three of the buildings to be built there. Cool.

[Jax]

Yeah I guess the medical center is really expanding to the other side of the Bayou now!

[strickn]

Strange how they have a whole windowless storey underneath the mechanical penthouse.

By the way, I'm ecstatic about the research park. Houston has far more in the way of medical progress going on than just about anywhere else, but in terms of labs I haven't been seeing it generating much new work. Maybe this is because Rice and UH academics aren't spinning out that sort of thing like technical schools and the legacy universities in Northern cities are; but this and the Collaborative Research Center (unfortunately on opposite sides of the Med Center, so they'll hardly interact!) are a start.

Edited August 31, 2007 by strickn

[TheNiche]

Strange how they have a whole windowless storey underneath the mechanical penthouse.

Might just be a mechanical floor.

[wxman]

I'd like to apologize right from the get go. The following info. may have errors. I had on local 2 this evening listening to the news and they had a story about the Texas Medical Center. I heard Bill say that within the next 7 years, the med center will undergo a building boom turning into one of the top 10 largest business districts in the U.S. Has anybody else heard this?

I apologize again if any of this info. is wrong or misinterpreted. Again, I heard the information this evening (Nov. 21) on KPRC Local 2 News.

[ToryGattis]

Here's the Fox News version of the story.

7 years

30,000 new jobs on top of the 73,000 already there

Doubling the land area

$7 billion investment

Unfortunately, if you check out this ranking of CBDs on p.11, with 103,000, it looks like it would ranked around #13 - similar to Minneapolis or Cleveland. And that's without considering non-central business districts, like Uptown/Galleria, which is still larger.

Still very impressive. Hope the LRT picks up a lot of that, because I'm pretty sure the street grid can't handle it.

Here's a post I did a while back, showing the combined job growth forecast for our core triangle - downtown + uptown + Greenway + TMC - would put us just behind NYC and Chicago if it were considered a single CBD.

Edited November 22, 2007 by ToryGattis

[musicman]

Doubling the land area

Doubling the land area is sure mindboggling. We'll have to see what areas/buildings are acquired to make this happen. The land owners will surely make a hefty profit. but i'll bet it doesn't bode well for the old Presidential Bldg on Holcombe

Edited November 22, 2007 by musicman

[wxman]

Doubling the land area is sure mindboggling. We'll have to see what areas/buildings are acquired to make this happen. The land owners will surely make a hefty profit. but i'll bet it doesn't bode well for the old Presidential Bldg on Holcombe

Do I smell any highrises in there?

[lockmat]

Here is the AP story on it:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5321166.html

There is more construction going on at the medical center than the rest of Houston combined, with about 60 percent of the construction cranes in the city at the world-renown facility.

It ranks 17th on a list of major downtown business districts nationally, just below Los Angeles, and would shoot up to seventh with all the planned construction, said Richard Wainerdi, the president and chief executive of the medical center.

[Jax]

I kind of wish the Med Center had a bit more residential. I kind of doubt that will happen though, but I would like to live there if it did. And I'm not talking about the Astrodome area that people call "Medical Center" when they are trying to sell condos and apartments.

[UrbaNerd]

Do I smell any highrises in there?

Personally, I'd like to see them try to outdo the St Luke's Tower. A giant catheter, maybe?

I kind of wish the Med Center had a bit more residential. I kind of doubt that will happen though, but I would like to live there if it did. And I'm not talking about the Astrodome area that people call "Medical Center" when they are trying to sell condos and apartments.

Yes, I agree; I love the "unique" energy and vibe the Med Center has. perhaps a mixed use development of some sort would be proper (I've seen some proposals a while back, but they never really took a foothold; one of particular interest was at the intersection of Fannin and Braeswood, if that's close enough to the TMC).

Furthermore, I hope they integrate more retail space into the new buildings, as the options seem to be far and few at the moment; AFAIK, the only real "retail hub" seems to be where the Starbucks, Subway, Chipotle, etc are.

[Jax]

I notice that the retail at Dryden Station is absolutely packed at lunch time, and I've never seen it empty, even at off times. You have to wait 30-45 minutes sometimes to get a Chipotle at noon. I think more retail (especially restaurants) would do really well. I know for a fact that the Rice CRC will have ground level restaurants, not sure about the rest though.

Edited November 22, 2007 by Jax

[musicman]

I kind of wish the Med Center had a bit more residential. I kind of doubt that will happen though, but I would like to live there if it did. And I'm not talking about the Astrodome area that people call "Medical Center" when they are trying to sell condos and apartments.

IMO if TMC is going to double its size, sounds like hospital space is going to be the norm. for someone to built residential some BIG bucks would be necessary. maybe doctors with no lives would be interested but most others would find the location to be too crowded to handle. just imagine trying to have a party.

Edited November 23, 2007 by musicman

[musicman]

You have to wait 30-45 minutes sometimes to get a Chipotle at noon.

you must like chipotle. most taco stands make a better burrito.

[Jax]

Maybe, but you're missing the point. My point is that there are few restaurant options in that part of the med center for the number of hungry people, which means huge lines. Maybe somebody should open a taco stand.

Edited November 22, 2007 by Jax

[musicman]

Maybe, but you're missing the point. My point is that there are few restaurant options in that part of the med center for the number of hungry people, which means huge lines.

life is such a struggle sometimes, i really feel for the people that don't have enough restaurant options.

[NewMND]

I'm sure we'll see much more residential built around the medical center, like Mosaic or whatever, but I doubt we'll see any residential actually built in the TMC. Unless maybe they do a hotel/residential combo thing. Does anyone know if the TMC would even allow residential to be built within the campus borders?

[ricco67]

life is such a struggle sometimes, i really feel for the people that don't have enough restaurant options.

You know, more eating establishments ARE nice. Some of my clients that are located in Methodist would love to get something to eat so they can walk a bit on their own and get "normal" food when they're stuck there for 3-4-5 months at a time.

While to you, not having more eating options isn't much of an issue, tell that to the poor schmuck stuck in the hospital who would like to simply feel like a normal person and go get some some normal comfort food.

[Jax]

Musicman thinks everybody can just drive somewhere every time they're hungry.

I think the med center has some decent restaurants, just not enough for the volume of people. Long lines aren't necessarily because the food is good (musicman made a comment about being surprised people are lining up, because he doesn't like Chipotle) but because the options are limited. When thousands of people are hungry and driving isn't an option, and there are only a few places you can walk to, its going to get packed. The next person to open a decent restaurant at Dryden station is going to make a fortune. Let's just hope it's something better than McDonalds.

[sidegate]

chipotle is the only place I would think of walking to, and I work in the Med Center; TMC needs more restaurants period.

[musicman]

Musicman thinks everybody can just drive somewhere every time they're hungry.

some don't have the option of leaving their desk. others are just lazy and not bring their lunch. if i know i can't leave me desk, i bring my lunch. most working people don't have time to stand in line for 40 mins like you do jax. Edited November 24, 2007 by musicman

[ToryGattis]

Here is the AP story on it:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5321166.html

There is more construction going on at the medical center than the rest of Houston combined, with about 60 percent of the construction cranes in the city at the world-renown facility.

It ranks 17th on a list of major downtown business districts nationally, just below Los Angeles, and would shoot up to seventh with all the planned construction, said Richard Wainerdi, the president and chief executive of the medical center.

Ahh, I get it now. I think they're ranking based on square footage - not jobs. And, of course, with all the space for patients, medical facilities will tend to have a higher ratio of sq.ft per job than a typical cluster of office buildings.

[Jax]

most working people don't have time to stand in line for 40 mins like you do jax.

Then why are there so many people standing in line? Maybe it's not most of the workers in the Med center who walk to lunch, but it's enough people to make it crowded and warrant more restaurants in that area. Keep in mind its not only working people waiting in line but patients too (although looking at the amount of scrubs in line, there's a significant number of doctors/nurses/med students). It's not like everybody eats at their desk every day. Even if 1% of the med center employees didn't have time to pack a lunch on any given day, that would still be enough people to make it crowded and warrant more restaurants.

As I said before, whoever opens the next restaurant in that area is going to make a fortune. Despite what musicman says, there are still lots of hungry people in the medical center at lunch time, and there will only be more with the new maternity center, pediatric center, the new Methodist outpatient center, and the Rice collaborative research center within a block of Dryden station. Plus everything else that is going on in the med center. I highly doubt that all of the employees and all of the patients and students at all of these new facilities will eat at their desks/beds every day.

Musicman: Why do you always have to be so argumentative? Do you work in the medical center or do you just like to argue? It's not as much about "life being such a struggle" (although I wouldn't mind more eating options), as much as it's about the market having an opportunity for somebody to capitalize on.

Edited November 24, 2007 by Jax

[ricco67]

Then why are there so many people standing in line? Maybe it's not most of the workers in the Med center who walk to lunch, but it's enough people to make it crowded and warrant more restaurants in that area. Keep in mind its not only working people waiting in line but patients too (although looking at the amount of scrubs in line, there's a significant number of doctors/nurses/med students). It's not like everybody eats at their desk every day. Even if 1% of the med center employees didn't have time to pack a lunch on any given day, that would still be enough people to make it crowded and warrant more restaurants.

As I said before, whoever opens the next restaurant in that area is going to make a fortune. Despite what musicman says, there are still lots of hungry people in the medical center at lunch time, and there will only be more with the new maternity center, pediatric center, the new Methodist outpatient center, and the Rice collaborative research center within a block of Dryden station. Plus everything else that is going on in the med center. I highly doubt that all of the employees and all of the patients and students at all of these new facilities will eat at their desks/beds every day.

Musicman: Why do you always have to be so argumentative? Do you work in the medical center or do you just like to argue? It's not as much about "life being such a struggle" (although I wouldn't mind more eating options), as much as it's about the market having an opportunity for somebody to capitalize on.

As I have said a couple of posts ago, the patients are always clamoring that they need more food options. The med center may not seem like it, but there are people there 24hrs a day. Not only are they working, but there are patients and their visitors.

While it would seem that the space is at a premium for medical facilities within the confines of the Medical Center (duh), there is an increasing need for other services for the patients and doctors that don't have as much time on their hands. M.D. Anderson alone is almost an island of activity with no eating establishments, aside from the McDonald's over in the St. Lukes Hospital basement, that is nearby or within a proper walking distance.

Musicman, as its been discussed many times on this system over a variety of topics, we all don't have 9-5 jobs. In your case in particular, you literally have to go a good distance to get a decent meal which involves going through security several times.

Cut the rest of us little people some slack?

[ToryGattis]

I think the new collaborative research center building with Rice - at the corner of University and Main - is supposed to have a large first-floor food court.

This press release says "10,000 square feet of retail space for a restaurant and shops".

OK, here's more.

You know, I think I remember reading something once about a mega-food-court in the works for the TMC, with a more upscale sit-down restaurant on top. Can't remember where I saw it though.

Edited November 24, 2007 by ToryGattis

[musicman]

Then why are there so many people standing in line? Maybe it's not most of the workers in the Med center who walk to lunch, but it's enough people to make it crowded and warrant more restaurants in that area. Keep in mind its not only working people waiting in line but patients too (although looking at the amount of scrubs in line, there's a significant number of doctors/nurses/med students). It's not like everybody eats at their desk every day. Even if 1% of the med center employees didn't have time to pack a lunch on any given day, that would still be enough people to make it crowded and warrant more restaurants.

it is lunch time jax, many places are busy. when the market warrants more restaurants, they restaurants will emerge. many restaurants don't have the capital to build in TMC because of land prices and rents are high. places like this are usually popular during lunch time but in the evenings, they close because of lack of patrons. when they can't make money all day, they can't pay the higher rents. hence, fewer choices.

Despite what musicman says, there are still lots of hungry people in the medical center at lunch time

Jax i didn't say there weren't hungry people in the med center.

Musicman: Why do you always have to be so argumentative? Do you work in the medical center or do you just like to argue? It's not as much about "life being such a struggle" (although I wouldn't mind more eating options), as much as it's about the market having an opportunity for somebody to capitalize on.

Jax i think you have it! it IS about opportunity, for the restaurant developer! when the appropriate time comes, so will the restaurants!

Life is struggle for most everyone, including myself. luckily lack of restaurant choices in TMC and difficulty in determining which LRT door will open when, isn't on my list.

[Jax]

many restaurants don't have the capital to build in TMC because of land prices and rents are high.

Of course restaurant owners can't afford to build a free standing restaurant building in the TMC, but many of the new developments will have the option of adding ground level retail space. I read in a 'master plan' document that Fannin and Main were to be the mixed use corridor of the TMC.

places like this are usually popular during lunch time but in the evenings, they close because of lack of patrons. when they can't make money all day, they can't pay the higher rents. hence, fewer choices.

Not true, you'd be surprised but these places aren't empty after 5 pm like places downtown. Hospitals are always open, and doctors work weird hours, unlike other businesses. I ate at the sushi place once at something like 8:30 or 9 pm, and it wasn't empty.

Jax i think you have it! it IS about opportunity, for the restaurant developer! when the appropriate time comes, so will the restaurants!

It seems like we agree to some extent then. I'm just saying that now is an appropriate time, with all of the new developments having the opportunity to add retail/restaurant space, which I believe it's needed.

it is lunch time jax, many places are busy.

You keep making comments which seem to be attacking my ideas, yet your comments don't really detract from what I am trying to say. Of course some people will eat at their desks, but that doesn't really change the fact that the restaurants are busy. Of course life is hard, but that doesn't change anything. Of course restaurants are always busy at lunch, but when they are so busy that some people have to wait 30 minutes and can't even get a seat, that's a sign that market will support more restaurants.

Edited November 24, 2007 by Jax

[Jax]

I think the new collaborative research center building with Rice - at the corner of University and Main - is supposed to have a large first-floor food court.

This press release says "10,000 square feet of retail space for a restaurant and shops".

You're right. And it's going to be very successful. This is what I have been trying to say. The demand for more restaurants over there is more than what Musicman would have us believe. I hope the CRC has some real restaurants, unlike the places on the Rice campus though.

[Trae]

Isn't there some mixed-use development possibilities around the Smith Lands station?

[Jax]

I heard something mixed use is possibly going to happen at TMC Transit Center and Kirby@OST too... Don't know all of the details though.

[musicman]

Of course restaurant owners can't afford to build a free standing restaurant building in the TMC, but many of the new developments will have the option of adding ground level retail space. I read in a 'master plan' document that Fannin and Main were to be the mixed use corridor of the TMC.

the hospitals will dictate what goes in. i know tx childrens has a food area, st lukes has a cafeteria, smith tower,etc...but they all can't be accessed from the street. is this what troubles you?