MDI Site: 43-Acres To Be Redeveloped

[NotYetYuppie]

I heard about this large plot being sold about 8 months ago, but haven't heard or seen anything since. I confirmed with the EPA that the deal closed, so I wonder why clean-up hasn't started?

Here is the last Chroincle article I could find:

"Paper: Houston Chronicle

Date: Wed 06/21/2006

Section: B

Page: 8

Edition: 3 STAR

Superfund solution / Private cleanup of a contaminated site in Fifth Ward could provide a national model.

Staff

SINCE being abandoned as a metal casting foundry in 1992, the 36-acre Many Diversified Interests Inc. site off I-10 East has been a visual eyesore and toxic waste threat to surrounding neighborhoods and a nearby school. Over the years, lead, arsenic and other contaminants in the property's topsoil have washed onto adjacent playgrounds and yards, undermining economic revitalization of the area.

That may be changing thanks to a first-ever proposed agreement between the federal Environmental Protection Agency and a purchaser. Under the agreement, the nonliable private party pays to clean up a Superfund site. The prospective buyer, Clinton Gregg Investments, L.P., entered a winning auction bid of $7.8 million, including an estimated $6.6 million tab for the removal of contaminants. The site, near downtown, will likely be used for housing and thus require the highest level of pollution remediation.

While the use of private dollars to clean up a toxic waste dump is welcome, it limits avenues for community input, and residents in the area bounded by the freeway and Bringhurst and Waco streets are rightly eager to influence the site's future. Gentrification is already changing formerly low-income zones around downtown, where rising property values are creating a tax crunch for longtime homeowners.

"The issues are layered," said Reginald Adams, a Sierra Club organizer who resides near the MDI site. "You have gentrification, increased property values, a geriatric community and a housing project that has received an unsolicited bid for redevelopment." His environmental group is partnering with the Fifth Ward Superneighborhood Council No. 55 to educate residents about the MDI sale. The council held a neighborhood meeting to gather recommendations for the redevelopment.

Since the massive project will require some improvements to city infrastructure, Adams hopes residents can wield some political clout and the developers will have an incentive to cooperate in planning adequate green space and a mix of commercial and residential amenities in the project. The unique solution proposed for the MDI site won't work everywhere, because not every toxic Superfund site sits upon land valuable enough to pay for its own cleanup. The prospective Houston buyers will perform a valuable civic service and provide a role model for the nation if they can convert a poisoned property into a tax-generating development, while working with longtime residents to create a mutually compatible community."

[subgeo]

The latest I have heard is that InTown Homes developer has purchased the area to continue building their single family homes in the upper east end.

[luckytx]

The project is being developed by InTown/Lovett Homes. The architect is Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ).

http://www.dpz.com/project.aspx?Project_Nu...;type=undefined

Seventh at 5th, formerly the MDI site, is a 38-acre former superfund cleanup industrial tract located 2 miles to the east of downtown Houston. The extensive environmental remediation was paid entirely by the developer. The site is bound by an operating vinegar factory, a public housing development, a number of deteriorating shotgun houses, several new town home developments, a new school, . Constraining the site are various easements, which influenced the design of two plan options.

The first option extends the existing grid and subsumes the easements into the block structure, allowing the neighborhood to be bisected with an east to west linear green/pedestrian mall. The second option features a more organic block structure using the various easements and thin angles to create distinct sub-neighborhoods each with their own central green. Both plans include a proposed neighborhood commercial center to the south of the site, residences at 22 units per acre with a wide range of housing types and explicitly sustainable urban design. When built, Seventh at 5th promises to bring urbanity and stability to a neighborhood that is already showing signs of regeneration.

I heard about this large plot being sold about 8 months ago, but haven't heard or seen anything since. I confirmed with the EPA that the deal closed, so I wonder why clean-up hasn't started?

Here is the last Chroincle article I could find:

"Paper: Houston Chronicle

Date: Wed 06/21/2006

Section: B

Page: 8

Edition: 3 STAR

Superfund solution / Private cleanup of a contaminated site in Fifth Ward could provide a national model.

Staff

SINCE being abandoned as a metal casting foundry in 1992, the 36-acre Many Diversified Interests Inc. site off I-10 East has been a visual eyesore and toxic waste threat to surrounding neighborhoods and a nearby school. Over the years, lead, arsenic and other contaminants in the property's topsoil have washed onto adjacent playgrounds and yards, undermining economic revitalization of the area.

That may be changing thanks to a first-ever proposed agreement between the federal Environmental Protection Agency and a purchaser. Under the agreement, the nonliable private party pays to clean up a Superfund site. The prospective buyer, Clinton Gregg Investments, L.P., entered a winning auction bid of $7.8 million, including an estimated $6.6 million tab for the removal of contaminants. The site, near downtown, will likely be used for housing and thus require the highest level of pollution remediation.

While the use of private dollars to clean up a toxic waste dump is welcome, it limits avenues for community input, and residents in the area bounded by the freeway and Bringhurst and Waco streets are rightly eager to influence the site's future. Gentrification is already changing formerly low-income zones around downtown, where rising property values are creating a tax crunch for longtime homeowners.

"The issues are layered," said Reginald Adams, a Sierra Club organizer who resides near the MDI site. "You have gentrification, increased property values, a geriatric community and a housing project that has received an unsolicited bid for redevelopment." His environmental group is partnering with the Fifth Ward Superneighborhood Council No. 55 to educate residents about the MDI sale. The council held a neighborhood meeting to gather recommendations for the redevelopment.

Since the massive project will require some improvements to city infrastructure, Adams hopes residents can wield some political clout and the developers will have an incentive to cooperate in planning adequate green space and a mix of commercial and residential amenities in the project. The unique solution proposed for the MDI site won't work everywhere, because not every toxic Superfund site sits upon land valuable enough to pay for its own cleanup. The prospective Houston buyers will perform a valuable civic service and provide a role model for the nation if they can convert a poisoned property into a tax-generating development, while working with longtime residents to create a mutually compatible community."

[NotYetYuppie]

Thanks for the info Lucky - that is pretty exciting news. I glance at the site when I am driving on I-10, but it looks to my uneducated eye like they are just moving dirt around.

I wonder what the time frame on this is - sounds like a ways out.

[Vertigo58]

I personally love the design especially the huge arch in the center.

Just a tad of FYI, this spot of proposed construction is or has never been considered "East End". Its a world away from us. The spot is more commonly and historically known as Near North East Houston. Its north of Navigation so that truly puts it away from us. I encourage others to take a short drive there and comment on what they experience. I will leave it at that.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searc...=tx&zipcode=

[GovernorAggie]

Am I the only one concerned that the private entity is "nonliable" in the cleanup effort?

[TheNiche]

Am I the only one concerned that the private entity is "nonliable" in the cleanup effort?

The idea is that if Lovett cleans it up to the standards set forth in law, and those standards turn out to have been inadequate, it isn't Lovett's fault that the law was inadequate. If a developer like Lovett was forced to take on liability for dangers that haven't even been identified as dangers yet, there's no way in hell that any developer would ever build anything on a superfund site, ever. It wouldn't be worth the risk.

[luckytx]

Update: From the EPA - June 2008

The EPA will hold an Open House to discuss the current and planned activities for OUs 1 and 3. The EPA will provide a brief background of the entire Site. The purchases will discuss the cleanup and planned activities for OU 1, including conceptual development plans for the future. The Open House will be held:

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

7 p.m.

Blanhe Kelso Bruce Elementary School

(New School)

510Jensen Drive

Houston, Texas 77020

[luckytx]

Supposedly, Frank Liu seems to be having a bit of a problem on how he is going to pack townhomes on this plot. According to Frank, the city doesn't plan on helping combat costs for utility hookups. Instead the city wants Clinton Gregg Investments to create a MUD for the property. Frank said he has tried to get Jarvis Johnson's assistance but his hands are "tied".

If this project is supposed to be LEED certified then why wont the city assist instead of hindering the project. I'd like to hear more on the city's take as I really find it hard to believe the city would hinder progress on a LEED project.

[TheNiche]

Supposedly, Frank Liu seems to be having a bit of a problem on how he is going to pack townhomes on this plot. According to Frank, the city doesn't plan on helping combat costs for utility hookups. Instead the city wants Clinton Gregg Investments to create a MUD for the property. Frank said he has tried to get Jarvis Johnson's assistance but his hands are "tied".

If this project is supposed to be LEED certified then why wont the city assist instead of hindering the project. I'd like to hear more on the city's take as I really find it hard to believe the city would hinder progress on a LEED project.

Frank is a tough negotiator and he's probably playing an angle. For the sake of his project, I'd suggest that you not stir the pot by revealing insider info on this particular matter.

[luckytx]

This information was revealed at the public meeting.

[Guest Cre8]

Anyone know what the timing of this development is?

Thanks.

[NotYetYuppie]

Just curious if anyone knew anything going on with this development? I'm sure like many things it is stalled b/c of the economy... But just curious if some of you well-connected types konws anything specific.

Maybe Obama will see it as a shovel-ready project... Nothing like building a bunch of yuppie townhomes to get the economy going...

[Urbannizer]

The MDI site is another large area of vacant land near Downtown that's slated for redevelopment. It's also just north of the KBR site. Infrastructure work should commence soon; the project will include affordable housing units.

 

http://www.skeo.com/images/uploads/mdi_casestudy.pdf

 

FONSI Public Notice Bringhurst Infrastructure 3-26-15.pdf

 

15housing-henson.pdf

[Mr.Clean19]

Don't want to rain on your parade urbannizer but that lot won't be moving forward too quickly. Ike funds run out at the end of this year if I'm not mistaken. If tthe bringhurst infrastructure improvements go through, that is different from the bayou 5th rentals.

[Mr.Clean19]

Going to rain on my own parade Urbannizer and say it still doesnt go forward.

 

http://www.chron.com/business/bizfeed/article/New-subdivision-planned-for-Fifth-Ward-11297555.php

 

[Mr.Clean19]

Also, another nice townhome development right under the 45 reroute.

 

http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/New-subdivision-planned-for-East-Downtown-11267038.php

 

[Mr.Clean19]

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2018/01/17/262230/housing-development-at-houston-superfund-site-moving-forward/

 

Looks like its moving forward.

[Mr.Clean19]

Urban Living is breaking ground on the backside of this property

 

http://imgur.com/a/2jkNHau

[Naviguessor]

Whoa. Scoop!  Frank Liu’s Concept still?  Doesn’t sound like it. 

[Eric.kelly]

Do you think they sell?

[Naviguessor]

For the right price, everything sells. Will it make money...probably so. The area is hot. 

[Naviguessor]

For the right price, everything sells. Will it make money...probably so. The area is hot. 

[Mr.Clean19]

Frank may sell but he is really invested in 5th ward as a whole with A LOT of land purchased around the area for cheap. I think he holds on this and leverages off of what Midway builds. 

[Efkelly25]

Coming soon 

[ljchou]

Any insight into when they'll start the large 120+ home development?

Edited March 15, 2020 by ljchou

[Luminare]

14 hours ago, Efkelly25 said:

Coming soon 

 

care to elaborate?

[Fortune]

Just a town home development. Block bound by the Service Road, Cage St., Baer St., & Bringhurst St.

 

https://intown-homes.com/Bayou 5th

 

 

[Triton]

Seeing how small this looks, moving it to East Houston.

[wilcal]

Very attractive. Wish the pricing was online. 

[JBTX]

2 hours ago, Fortune said:

 

Looks like a slightly more modern update of the townhome community on Chartres and Tuam.

[downtownian]

I guess they didn't get the memo that it's East River. Definitely not a bayou

[Efkelly25]

7 hours ago, Luminare said:

 

care to elaborate?

No I do not. That’s the only information I had.

[Efkelly25]

6 hours ago, Fortune said:

Just a town home development. Block bound by the Service Road, Cage St., Baer St., & Bringhurst St.

 

https://intown-homes.com/Bayou 5th

 

 

Ok it’s a just a townhome development. I didn’t see a topic about it so I started one. No reason to be a smart @$$ about it 

[thedistrict84]

Anybody else find it beyond annoying that the website refers to this as being “East Downtown/EaDo’s newest community”? 
 

The name creep continues.

[Mr.Clean19]

This is going to be a 550 home development

It's the MDI site.

[Mr.Clean19]

May want to merge with Bayou 5th.

[Montrose1100]

2 hours ago, Mr.Clean19 said:

May want to merge with Bayou 5th.

Your wish is my command.

[Mr.Clean19]

So originally the whole MDI lot was supposed to be called Bayou 5th and but it is interesting that they are just doing 1 block of 30 something townhomes with this name. 

[Efkelly25]

I spoke with a sales person and apparently  there  Will be several phases. 

[ljchou]

10 hours ago, Efkelly25 said:

I spoke with a sales person and apparently  there  Will be several phases. 

Was it someone within Intown Homes? Do they have updates on their East End development near Sampson?

[Efkelly25]

I wouldn’t know but you could call and ask. That is all I did.

[ljchou]

53 minutes ago, Efkelly25 said:

I wouldn’t know but you could call and ask. That is all I did.

What number did you call? Did you ask to speak with someone specific? I'll do that! Thank you.

[Efkelly25]

4 hours ago, ljchou said:

What number did you call? Did you ask to speak with someone specific? I'll do that! Thank you.

8328659324. He said they have several properties that’s coming to East End. I don’t remember where. His name is mike 

[Efkelly25]

Looks like in town homes is getting ready to go. 

[Efkelly25]