bkjones98 Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 (edited) Here's a photo from my walk yesterday after work. I really cannot wait for these blights to be leveled. I agree with some of the nostalgia, but when the buildings have been vacant for twenty years and/or are a haven for criminals, I have to give way to development. This building will do wonders for the area. Good bye shady buildings and bum tinkle smell! Edited October 9, 2007 by bkjones98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 bum tinklethat has an interesting ring to it...really, though, someone's going to need to pressure-wash the Just-a-Dollar to make the area more "smell-purty" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 The rest of the demolition will be spread over the coming 3 months, with the implosion of the Montague set for early January.We will not be closing a lane on Main Street, as lane closures on Main Street are not allowed.I wonder why permission was granted to implode the Montague, but the William Penn had to be brought down by wrecking ball. that has an interesting ring to it...really, though, someone's going to need to pressure-wash the Just-a-Dollar to make the area more "smell-purty"I hope Kirby Lofts entrance is included in any future pressure washings. The "No Restrooms" sign on the front door is a fine piece of irony, given that the concentration of pee is enough to make ones eyes water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 It really is a depressing section of Main Street. Hell, some of the empty structures along Main Street in Midtown look better than that block. Can't wait to see the impact of the demolitions once they're done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Had a short chat with a demolition worker yesterday and he verified that the Main Street portion of the West Building will be dismantled brick-by-brick. I thought he said that the bricks may be saved, but that may be a mistaken impression. He also was unaware of any plans to save that Moderne/Streamline doorway. Also verified that the Montegu will be imploded sometime in January. I hope at least a few of the details from the West Building (terra-cotta brackets) and the Montegu (those fabulous lion's heads above the entry canapy) are saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I really cannot wait for these blights to be leveled. I agree with some of the nostalgia, but when the buildings have been vacant for twenty years and/or are a haven for criminals, I have to give way to development. This building will do wonders for the area.Good bye shady buildings and bum tinkle smell! We could even say that this was the last remaining piece of any Skid Row that DT Houston ever had, and so represents a superficial turning point in Houston's metamorphosis into a mega-city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 We could even say that this was the last remaining piece of any Skid Row that DT Houston ever had, and so represents a superficial turning point in Houston's metamorphosis into a mega-city.Wait a minute. Virtually every mega-city has a Skid Row. Could Houston have inadvertantly doomed any chance it ever had of becoming a mega-city by the destruction of its last remaining shred of Skid Row? Are we forever destined by this careless act of urban renewal to be just a large Fort Worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Wait a minute. Virtually every mega-city has a Skid Row. Could Houston have inadvertantly doomed any chance it ever had of becoming a mega-city by the destruction of its last remaining shred of Skid Row? Are we forever destined by this careless act of urban renewal to be just a large Fort Worth?C'mon, Red, Skid Row is old school big city, like 20th Century, back when men were men and homeless were bums. Yes, LA still has one but that could just be political feelgoodism refusing to let the market move the moldy mattresses.21st Century Skid Rows are a different breed. Now they're dispersed across the city, on every corner and in front of every store. The romance is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 You mean this has become.....PASSE? I feel life is passing me by. I feel I have become Old Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Passe is such a strong word, but you know the glass blocks have been out of fashion for a while. Someone should tell those sleeping guys.Don't feel bad about being Old Europe. They have Euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 21st Century Skid Rows are a different breed. Now they're dispersed across the city, on every corner and in front of every store. So, Globalism has hit Skid Row as well? We are now outsourcing Skid Row to every 7-11 and Valero Corner Store across the city? Is it time to bring in my friend to fight this trend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewMND Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 What is considered a mega-city? Is there a certain population number attached to it or something like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 C'mon, Red, Skid Row is old school big city, like 20th Century, back when men were men and homeless were bums. Yes, LA still has one but that could just be political feelgoodism refusing to let the market move the moldy mattresses.21st Century Skid Rows are a different breed. Now they're dispersed across the city, on every corner and in front of every store. The romance is gone.I call that little stretch of Montrose by the Interfaith Ministries, Skid Row. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I call that little stretch of Montrose by the Interfaith Ministries, Skid Row. More like Skid Corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 (edited) Haha yeah. At least the Montrose skid corner has some more going on than just the skid stuff. There are a few good restaurants around there, and half priced books usually has a better selection than the other used bookstores I've been to! Edited October 19, 2007 by Jax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 A few photos I took earlier this afternoon of the ongoing demolition of the West Building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 They're moving along. Now, this one wont be imploded right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 They're moving along. Now, this one wont be imploded right?Right, the Montagu will be the only one to be imploded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takeshi Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 if the public transportation system needs to get better, why not try and improve the system we have currently? putting in one new line isn't going to make a difference to most, leaving most with the same impression (METRO is mediocre).You know, I had the same general attitude against Metro until I did contract IT work for them. They have faced tremendous adversity in getting any rail system implemented here in Houston. It's easy to take potshots without knowing anything but Metro is really taking the future of mass transit very seriously. Believe it or not, the Main Street line was the best they could do given the strength of the opposition. It's not much to speak of but it is a start and it has given them a foothold to build on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 You know, I had the same general attitude against Metro until I did contract IT work for them. They have faced tremendous adversity in getting any rail system implemented here in Houston. It's easy to take potshots without knowing anything but Metro is really taking the future of mass transit very seriously. Believe it or not, the Main Street line was the best they could do given the strength of the opposition. It's not much to speak of but it is a start and it has given them a foothold to build on.Building a line that causes more congestion than it relieves does not impress me; the harder they work to overcome adversity and build things that make my life more inconvenient, the more unimpressed I am with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 that make my life more inconvenientMetro Rail makes things in other peoples lives more convenient, just not yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Metro Rail makes things in other peoples lives more convenient, just not yours.and inconvenient to those who drive in its vicinity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 and inconvenient to those who drive in its vicinity.How would you know? You work at NASA. My office overlooks Preston Station, and it does not inconvenience me.Funny how the people furthest from the line seem to complain about it the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 How would you know? You work at NASA. My office overlooks Preston Station, and it does not inconvenience me.Funny how the people furthest from the line seem to complain about it the most.i drive through the area 5x/week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 My office overlooks Preston Station, and it does not inconvenience me.Funny how the people furthest from the line seem to complain about it the most.I live within a half-mile of it, and the three biggest problem areas are:Fannin & South LoopGreenbriar & BraeswoodFannin & BraeswoodOnce up north of Hermann Park, there are parallel roads and a reasonably efficient grid system. Downtown, there are few issues at all; it doesn't surprise me that you've had no problems with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I live within a half-mile of it, and the three biggest problem areas are:Fannin & South LoopGreenbriar & BraeswoodFannin & BraeswoodOnce up north of Hermann Park, there are parallel roads and a reasonably efficient grid system. Downtown, there are few issues at all; it doesn't surprise me that you've had no problems with it.add richmond and main. in the afternoon it is a challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Metro Rail makes things in other peoples lives more convenient, just not yours.I don't doubt that it makes some people's lives more convenient--if not in time savings then in terms of comfort or just the uppity satisfaction of doing the 'green' thing that Al Gore told them to--but by the numbers, it just doesn't compare to the added level of congestion or the added inconvenience to those that now have to use the Red Line as an intermediate mode that used to be able to avoid an extra transfer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 add richmond and main. in the afternoon it is a challenge.Definately. The light there is madness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Definately. The light there is madness.just wait til the u-line goes through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 just wait til the u-line goes through.Yeah, that's kind of a scary thought, considering that Richmond doesn't have a Fannin and San Jacinto running parallel to it and only a block away. When it comes to cruddy LRT implementation, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) So about MainPlace... Edited December 4, 2007 by wxman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 So about MainPlace... The demolition, the construction... all the additional people working downtown (when it's finished and occupied) and the cars they bring with them. The whole thing is a poorly-planned fiasco that will inconvenience far more people than it conveniences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 What part is poorly planned? All that I can think of is parking. How else can you plan for a skyscraper downtow besides just building it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 What part is poorly planned? All that I can think of is parking. How else can you plan for a skyscraper downtow besides just building it?He's just taking a pot shot at my earlier comments. He's way the hell out there with any attempt at analogy, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 A few photos from this afternoon, looks like they've moved on to taking apart the Montagu as well... And a couple of the New West building Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Does anyone have a day and time for emplosion? I would really love to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 I certainly want to see Main Place go up, so don't get me wrong. I was wondering though, how are some of these buildings allowed to be demolished? I would think the Houston Historical Society would be screaming bloody murder. Has this already been addressed? How does something like this get passed if historical buildings are to be demolished? m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 I certainly want to see Main Place go up, so don't get me wrong. I was wondering though, how are some of these buildings allowed to be demolished? I would think the Houston Historical Society would be screaming bloody murder. Has this already been addressed? How does something like this get passed if historical buildings are to be demolished?m. Even if buildings are historic landmarks they can still demolished - only protected landmarks have legal...protection, and the owner of the property has to initiate that. The only progress that has been made in Houston recently is the Protected Historic District designation for Old Sixth Ward, and many folks had a cow over that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Doesn't it look like they are doing an awful lot of hand-destruction work on a building that is slated for implosion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Doesn't it look like they are doing an awful lot of hand-destruction work on a building that is slated for implosion?That is actually common. The building is gutted of recyclable materials and harmful materials prior to demolition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Looks like those damn Capulets can declare a WIN over the Montagues now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Impossible Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Forgive my ignorance, but are all of those buildings coming down for this project? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Forgive my ignorance, but are all of those buildings coming down for this project?Everything on that block but Stowers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Forgive my ignorance, but are all of those buildings coming down for this project? Everything on the square block except the Stowers Furniture building (white brick building on the Fannin/Walker corner). edit - what he said above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls1202 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Looks like those damn Capulets can declare a WIN over the Montagues now. You truly have done your screen name proud with that literate reference, UrbaNerd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Impossible Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Everything on that block but Stowers.How unfortunate. There are so many parking lots. And uglier buildings.Sorry if I'm late in the game on this one. It's just frustrating when good looking stuff comes down instead of the things that need to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 How unfortunate. There are so many parking lots. And uglier buildings.Sorry if I'm late in the game on this one. It's just frustrating when good looking stuff comes down instead of the things that need to go.I am sure folks would argue that the majority of the block wasn't "good looking stuff," but I share your sentiment. Unfortunately, no one was able to come forth with the vision or money to do something good with the properties, so they just sat...and sat...and sat.Demolition by neglect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 (edited) How unfortunate. There are so many parking lots. And uglier buildings.Sorry if I'm late in the game on this one. It's just frustrating when good looking stuff comes down instead of the things that need to go.Like most of us, I would love to see the Montague renovated. As noted above, however, it just sat there as a brothel for decades. The silver lining, as I see it, will be the improved value of the adjacent buildings. I can't wait to see the old Texaco building and its north-Rusk counterpart turned into a swanky hotel or luxury condos. With the addition of Main Place, I think the renovation of these buildings is just a few years away.Welcome to the thread. Edited December 11, 2007 by bkjones98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Impossible Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Demolition by neglect.That seems to happen a lot in this region of the state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Like most of us, I would love to see the Montague renovated. As noted above, however, it just sat there as a brothel for decades. The silver lining, as I see it, will be the improved value of the adjacent buildings. I can't wait to see the old Texaco building and its north-Rusk counterpart turned into a swanky hotel or luxury condos. With the addition of Main Place, I think the renovation of these buildings is just a few years away.Welcome to the thread. i agree. Without something to vitalize that part of town, more well loved buildings could perhaps, fall into disrepair, so this project will probably save more beloved historic spots.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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