Downtown Skyscraper Lighting

[mainvoice]

No kidding. I wrote one last year in regards to an undeserved parking ticket...but I only waisted my time. The response was terrible...they actually got someone to investigate the incident, but weren't quick enough at it and the fine on the ticket went up after a certain amount of time. I never heard back from the investigator that ended up waisting my time and money. Thigh...oh well.

I'd better go feet the cat, finger about on the sofa watching TV for a bit, and then get some much-needed breast. Goodnight, folks.

There are 2 lamps on each street pole along that area, but I can't figure why they only light one lamp at a time on each street pole ?

[mister002]

The colored "bars" on the Reliant Energy Plaza haven't been lit for months now. Does anyone know why they're not on anymore?

[C2H]

The colored "bars" on the Reliant Energy Plaza haven't been lit for months now. Does anyone know why they're not on anymore?

i wondered the same thing when i was last in Houston. The same building (Reliant Energy) that changes colors at night right? They still don't have them on?

Dang, all the good stuff ceases to exist. I bet they kept all the buildings that use the same ol' Christmas lights on though!

Hopefully the Houston Pavilions will do something to give the building owners a clue!

Edited September 7, 2006 by C2H

[zebra]

does anyone know why the reliant enrgy plaza isnt lit up anymore? Now i'm curious?

[belmontdrew]

I always thought it would look cool to have the different bridges downtown lit up with christmas lights...I think the Main Street bridge would look amazing with its arches lit up outlined in lights.

[FilioScotia]

Maybe I missed a memo or something, but what has happened to the tradition of lighting up the downtown skyscrapers during the holidays? I miss seeing the tall buildings use their interior lights to create giant holiday visual designs that can be seen for miles outside the downtown area.

Are they really gone? Or, am I just not coming in to town at the right time of the night to see them?

[FilioScotia]

Maybe I missed a memo or something, but what has happened to the tradition of lighting up the downtown skyscrapers during the holidays? I miss seeing the tall buildings use their interior lights to create giant holiday visual designs that can be seen for miles outside the downtown area.

Are they really gone? Or, am I just not coming in to town at the right time of the night to see them?

[Pumapayam]

Back in the day when the Williams tower was still the Transco tower, they had both the versions of christmas lighting, one with huge lights in the shape of a tree, and the other was with office lights in the shape of a tree, I think the office lighting was second, before the whole idea was scrapped just for trim lighting along the top of the building.

I am sure it had to do with some public outcry, similar to the recent rabbi issue with the Seattle airport asking for the display to have a menorah.

[FilioScotia]

Are we talking about the same thing?

I'm talking about downtown Houston -- not the Galleria area. For years the downtown buildings would use their interior office lights to create gigantic designs visible for miles.

Are you saying they just don't do it anymore because of political correctness?

[Montrose1100]

BOA Has the spikes on the set backs lit up, which looks like a Christmas Tree... A big, beautiful, gothic, pink granite christmas tree.

Edited December 21, 2006 by Montrose1100

[MidtownCoog]

Most of the Houston Center buildings are lit up. They even have a green tree.

[houstonfella]

I read in the comical or somewhere that the blue bayou lighting may migrate to downtown's skyscrapers. Hopefully that will happen. The bayou's lighting is awesome. Come on downtown, let's get with the program!!!!

[Subdude]

I read in the comical or somewhere that the blue bayou lighting may migrate to downtown's skyscrapers. Hopefully that will happen. The bayou's lighting is awesome. Come on downtown, let's get with the program!!!!

Couldn't find the story. Do you have a link?

[tierwestah]

I read in the comical or somewhere that the blue bayou lighting may migrate to downtown's skyscrapers. Hopefully that will happen. The bayou's lighting is awesome. Come on downtown, let's get with the program!!!!

Yeah i'm with Sub on this, where'd you read that? Post the source or the link to the source if you can. Downtown Houston's skyscraper lighting definitely needs more blue at night. It's more calming and relaxing than what currently dominates it now.

Edited January 23, 2007 by tierwestah

[scarface]

What's up forumers. I think that it's great that our downtown is becoming more of a livable neighborhood. Inspired by the "Dallas Lights Up Another One" thread, i decided to write a letter to Central Houston.

If this has been done before on this forum, i apologize. I'm writing a letter to improve the lighting on Houston's skyline. I was hoping i could get a few of you to write some more letters backing me up on this one. Maybe it will have a better chance of being done. I don't think Houston should strive to be like Dallas or anything like that but we all know that our skyline at night could use some vast improvement.

Here's a sample of what i've written so far:

Hello Mr. Bob Eury,

My name is (my real name) and I am a resident of Houston, TX. I keep up with all the upcoming projects and efforts to revitalize downtown Houston. I want to commend all the efforts that are being made to revitalize the city center such as: Houston Pavilions, Main Street Square, One Park Place, and Discovery Green.

I understand your time is valuable so I

Edited May 12, 2007 by scarface

[RedScare]

Here's my chance to prove to the Dallasites that when I make fun of that cheezy lighting in their downtown, it is nothing personal.

My response to the request for a letter writing campaign to light up Houston is....

[musicman]

My response to the request for a letter writing campaign to light up Houston is....

LOL

Edited April 24, 2007 by musicman

[tierwestah]

Hey Face I'll help you out! I'd love to write a letter because this has been something i've always felt very strong about. I've always expressed it hard since my first days on this forum.

[editor]

I've never understood the objections people have to illuminated skylines in Houston. Would Las Vegas get half as many pictures of its hotels if they weren't lit up? No. You'd see generic pictures of the inside of gambling halls that look like the casino brochures from Macau, Vienna, London, or anywhere else.

Houston's skyline is stunning -- but only from select angles (Eleanor Tinsley park being the best example). Even today, some of the publicity photos I see of Houston are of the skyline lit up from the old Power of Houston days.

I think there's a way to accomplish both goals -- light up the sky, but still be tasteful. There has to be some middle ground.

[musicman]

I think there's a way to accomplish both goals -- light up the sky, but still be tasteful. There has to be some middle ground.

the pwr of houston's was nice because the building itself was lit and you could see it at night. not just outlined in neon, where you really can't see the building.

[Rio Grande Valley]

I agree with Scarface. The Houston skyline is in my opinion the most unique and stunning skyline with a balance of old 1920's skyscrapers to post-modern glass giants. If you look at the skylines from Chicago or New York, most of those skyscrapers where built prior to the 1950's.

What Houston's downtown skyline needs is lighting that changes with seasons, holidays, etc. For example, the Empire State Building is lit red, white and blue on 4th of July, Green and red on Christmas and so on. Adding more light to Houston will once again have Houston at the cutting-edge from the other US major cities.

Edited April 24, 2007 by Rio Grande Valley

[musicman]

What Houston's downtown skyline needs is lighting that changes with seasons, holidays, etc. For example, the Empire State Building is lit red, white and blue on 4th of July, Green and red on Christmas and so on. Adding more light to Houston will be more have Houston be once again at the cutting-edge from the other US major cities.

There's a clear distinction between cutting-edge and tacky IMO.

[KinkaidAlum]

Eh, with this being earth day "week" and with future development leaning towards LEED certified GREEN building, why doesn't Houston take the lead with NOT lighting up buildings?

We could make headlines for wanting to conserve energy in the energy capital of the world.

And, how nice would it be to eliminate some of the light pollution that has driven starry nights away?

[bachanon]

Eh, with this being earth day "week" and with future development leaning towards LEED certified GREEN building, why doesn't Houston take the lead with NOT lighting up buildings?

We could make headlines for wanting to conserve energy in the energy capital of the world.

And, how nice would it be to eliminate some of the light pollution that has driven starry nights away?

or, have low level, occasional, illumination of buildings using alternative energy sources.

[Vertigo58]

If we could only look like this, I will be the 1st replicant!

and Morris the 1st replicant kitty!

Edited April 24, 2007 by Vertigo58

[bachanon]

no.......hell no.

Edited April 24, 2007 by editor

[KimberlySayWhat]

I wish they'd put a roller coaster downtown a la the one in Las Vegas at New York New York. We already have a ferris wheel.

[GovernorAggie]

I'm trying to understand why when people think lighting downtown, they instantly think of neon. I can think of several buildings in the CBD alone that can be lit nicely with softer light that accents their uniqueness:

Bank of America--the gables should be lit from the base with a light complimentary of the building's color (similar to the lighting of the old Gulf building)

Shell--one white light at the base of the antenna that lights the antenna

Wells Fargo--fine as is as long as they can get the thing fixed

1000 Main--fine as is

Continental--fine as is

Chevron--fine as is

Heritage Plaza--same type of lighting on Bank of America, but accenting the Mayan temple (not that tacky neon stuff it had before)

Pennzoil--same type of lighting as Bank of America and Heritage Plaza (Gulf Bldg.)

Reliant--fine as is

Enterprise Plaza (1100 Louisiana?)--maybe fiber-optic outline of the stair-step side

Fulbright--accent the distinguished southwest-facing roof design.

Lastly, JPMorgan Chase--PLEASE take the bulbs down. Some of them are always blows anyway it seems. This one could also get the fiber-optic treatment--blue for Chase.

The CBD basically has no spires or buildings with crowns, so that limits you.

However, like scarface's letter says, during the day, it is a powerful skyline, but during the night you don't get quite the same impression. When I think of tasteful downtown night skylines, I think of Austin, Atlanta, LA, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Tampa, and maybe even Nashville. However, I also think that as a culture, those places give more thought to things that "don't matter" or "add to the bottom line" or "are unnecessary" than Houston has historically.

For those who say "who cares about other cities, Houston, be yourself", I'd say that TMC is quite a vibrant night skyline as far as lighting goes. It may even be more vibrant than say, Uptown (sans Williams Tower).

[Vertigo58]

I wish they'd put a roller coaster downtown a la the one in Las Vegas at New York New York. We already have a ferris wheel.

That would be bizarre, hell its Houston anything is possible! I freaked out the other day that The Kemah Boardwalk is building one! Appeared to be wooden? Good bye in next high winds. Maybe steel was too expensive. Insure that sucker.

[KimberlySayWhat]

Vertigo58:

That would be bizarre, hell its Houston anything is possible! I freaked out the other day that The Kemah Boardwalk is building one! Appeared to be wooden? Good bye in next high winds. Maybe steel was too expensive. Insure that sucker.

I was just kidding (halfway anyway).

I think maybe Kemah is going for the classic Coney Island type look and feel and that's why they chose to do a wooden coaster. Have you seen pictures? It looks really neat.

These were taken by someone over on the SixFlagsHouston forum:

http://www.coasterphotos.com/maingallery/v...007-34.jpg.html

http://www.coasterphotos.com/maingallery/v...ah/2006/042007/

Edited April 24, 2007 by KimberlySayWhat