Ion District In Midtown

[Angostura]

15 hours ago, Nate99 said:

 

Surface street traffic inside the loop has increased substantially in the last 15 years and there's more density on the way. I'm wondering if people might start embracing scooters and motorcycles more as an alternative. I just got back from San Francisco and had forgotten how relatively popular bikes are out there. 

 

Will probably depend on whether or not they can do so safely, which will depend on more protected lanes/bikeways. E-scooters and bikes are a non-option on our sidewalks, and would be scary on a lot of our streets.

 

 

8 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

 

This is interesting. Source?

 

 

Saw it here:

 

 

 

 

[Triton]

2 hours ago, nonenadazilch said:

 

Just because you personally don't live in the same area where you work and play doesn't necessarily invalidate the perspective in the article.  High density areas where people do all three are more supportive of the culture for creative enterprise than areas where each exists separately.  People with artistic, sociopolitical, and intellectual tendencies evident in creative industries tend to congregate in such urban districts.  Portland's an example.  Tech companies dot the metro area, but the city's Pearl District and downtown are where startup & development activity thrive.  Developers seize on the notion that eliminating physical distance between live/work/play attractions retain creative people & their industries.  The tech startup scene, advertising, the arts all cluster centrally where infrastructure & amenities favor less car dependency and where workday collaborations can carryover into nearby restaurants & bars. 

 

I'm sorry, startups don't need any of that. We need Wi-fi and a chair. This is the 21st century and we can literally work from home 3 to 4 days out of a week. It's about the idea, not the area where we are at. No startup is saying "Oh, that mural on the side of a building or this coffee shop across the street is going to inspire us to be successful." Also, most of the people that I meet at these startup meet ups live out in Sugarland, Katy, Spring, and Pearland.... with the internet, you don't have to be confined to an area to find inspiration. Look, the most critical piece is actually the work done and people inside the coworking space. Seeing other like minded people inside a complex like Ion designing, building, and then releasing new material is a real inspiration for you to do the same.

[trymahjong]

Maybe my perception of parking ( or lack of it) being on the lowest rung of importance is flawed. I should have used IMO.

Still-the majority of meetings I attend where parking questions come up- there is usually a big hurry to get on to other priorities.

[hindesky]

Work is being done on the inside.

[BeerNut]

On 5/11/2019 at 7:18 PM, houstontexasjack said:

Edit: and the parking lot south of Fiesta. We might need some purple to hit the gamut of Infinity Stones. 😊

Not sure how I missed this but there is a small parcel near 69 that is listed on HCAD as being owned by Sears.  I would think Rice owns or will acquire this parcel also.

Edited July 9, 2019 by BeerNut

[Luminare]

Now on the HAIF Development Map under the layer "Renovations, Reuse, Revamp". All future proposals/property that is under Rice's control is under the layer "Proposed". For any updates on the status of this project. Please DM me.

Things to keep an eye on include (but not limited to):

-updated renders (will be adding pics to all projects later)
-project name changes

-changes in use or additions of uses

-changes in number of stories

-changes to Developer or additional Developers

-changes to Architect or additional Architects/Designers

-announcements or changes to construction dates / finish dates



If any of the above is missing in the project info already then please assist clarifying any missing info to me.

[Highrise Tower]

Noticed this the other day.

 

[dbigtex56]

On 6/28/2019 at 7:41 PM, hindesky said:

 

A project to transform the former Midtown Sears building into an innovation hub is set to break ground July 19. 

 

A place to hold the groundbreaking ceremony?

[Triton]

On 7/17/2019 at 9:21 PM, dbigtex56 said:

 

A place to hold the groundbreaking ceremony?

Broke ground today:

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/technology/article/Rice-University-led-Ion-innovation-district-14108575.php

 

Quote

The Ion innovation district, located in the former Midtown Sears, celebrated its official groundbreaking Friday morning, with officials and local students placing a heavy emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

“We’re not building a new innovation center, a hub, just for those in this sector,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a tent placed in the building’s parking lot. “We are building it for neighborhoods all across our city.”

The Ion is set to open late next year as a gathering place for startups, large corporations seeking innovation, venture capitalists and others.

 

[Highrise Tower]

https://communityimpact.com/houston/bellaire-meyerland-west-university/business/2019/07/19/formal-groundbreaking-held-for-houstons-ion-innovation-hub/

 

[hindesky]

From reddit u/AxlCobainVedder

[Highrise Tower]

Gilbane.

 

[X.R.]

The building's parking lot is now full of worker's trucks, I'm assuming they are going to town on the inside of the building while the heat has been causing hallucinations in people who dare to go outside at 1 pm.  A lane of wheeler has been closed the last few days early in the morning as they move stuff into the building. Makes you kind of wonder how much work they actually have to do on the outside.

[hindesky]

A fence now is blocking the sidewalk on Main St.

[Highrise Tower]

[corbs315]

Rice students pen skeptical editorial, news at 11.

(not saying I agree/disagree with the content, just sharing. Sorry about the paywall)

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Student-led-coalition-to-Rice-Be-a-better-14374686.php

[Brandon55]

24 minutes ago, corbs315 said:

Rice students pen skeptical editorial, news at 11.

(not saying I agree/disagree with the content, just sharing. Sorry about the paywall)

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Student-led-coalition-to-Rice-Be-a-better-14374686.php

 Give the gest of the article.

[H-Town Man]

8 minutes ago, Brandon55 said:

 Give the gest of the article.

 

Basically they are worried that the Ion will displace the huge homeless population in that area and instead they want the Ion to house the homeless, provide them public restrooms, and give jobs to the people of the area.

 

A Community Benefits Agreement with the impacted residents and stakeholders could more adequately address these issues, if it includes on-site affordable and assistive housing, first-source hiring for permanent employment, harm reduction-based addiction centers, health care and mental health resources, work training services, funds for small business development, and public bathrooms. Rather than displacing the homeless into precarious housing situations around the city, this project is a valuable opportunity to provide these vulnerable Houstonians with needed supportive housing and resources in the neighborhood that this project will significantly impact.

 

[lithiumaneurysm]

4 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

Basically they are worried that the Ion will displace the huge homeless population in that area and instead they want the Ion to house the homeless, provide them public restrooms, and give jobs to the people of the area.

 

They also want the Ion coalition to take preemptive action against Third Ward gentrification:

 

Quote

The Ion will almost inevitably accelerate predatory homebuying and development in nearby Third Ward, a historically African American neighborhood. The development’s leaders have invoked the importance of supporting and involving communities such as Third Ward but they have not proposed measures to protect Third Ward residents from rising property values and displacement.

[...]

If the Innovation Corridor partners are sincerely interested in benefiting Third Ward and communities like it, they would agree to provide protections against gentrification, support local businesses and art, provide living-wage jobs and secure generational wealth through housing.

 

[H-Town Man]

I wonder if the students would be willing to provide the homeless with housing on the Rice campus. Perhaps they could make their dorms more "inclusive" and bring the homeless in to live with them?

 

[Triton]

19 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Basically they are worried that the Ion will displace the huge homeless population in that area and instead they want the Ion to house the homeless, provide them public restrooms, and give jobs to the people of the area.

 

 

I still remember the day I posted on Nextdoor (that was my first mistake) that I found a homeless guy in his underwear, who clearly had a heavy night of drinking, sleeping on my front porch swing when I was getting ready to leave for work in the morning. Told him to pick up his pants and get out of here. Was really worried that this was going to freak out my wife if she saw that because the guy really was messed up.

 

The Nextdoor community went insane... how come I didn't accept him into my house with my wife at home... how come I didn't feed him and cloth him.. the list went on and on and on. I was so fed up with the comments that I was so close to asking for their addresses so I could send him their way, but that would violate Nextdoor guidelines.

 

I feel like this is the same exact thing. People want everyone else to take care of this serious problem that every major city grapples with but when it comes time to asking those same people who are protesting, oh can you feed and house them? Their response is "uhh...well...uhhh...well." No response.

 

Edit: Since when did making areas safer and cleaner become such a big problem. Here's what's going to happen. Rice will come out with some statement saying we'll look into it and then everyone will move on not remembering this. Really hope Ion moves forward because this is a non-starter conversation.

[BeerNut]

29 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Basically they are worried that the Ion will displace the huge homeless population in that area and instead they want the Ion to house the homeless, provide them public restrooms, and give jobs to the people of the area.

 

 

So are they protesting the I45 realignment?  I'm sure that will displace more homeless than The Ion.  

Edited August 26, 2019 by BeerNut

[Texasota]

You know, I recognize that's snark, but it's actually a genuinely great idea. College campus already have all sorts of services for students that would be beneficial to the homeless.

[Houston19514]

42 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

I wonder if the students would be willing to provide the homeless with housing on the Rice campus. Perhaps they could make their dorms more "inclusive" and bring the homeless in to live with them?

 

 

Great idea!  Let's see them put their words into action.  There are a bunch of nice covered walkways and other sheltered areas on Rice's campus.  Invite the homeless over there. Problem solved.

[Luminare]

1 hour ago, H-Town Man said:

I wonder if the students would be willing to provide the homeless with housing on the Rice campus. Perhaps they could make their dorms more "inclusive" and bring the homeless in to live with them?

 

 

Maybe they can also let the homeless into the coffee shops they go to that are near the 59 in downtown. There are restrooms in there as well.

 

I don't know about you, but when I want to learn about homelessness or what to do with them, you know who I listen too, the top 1% who go to places like Rice, and who are from the ages of 18-22. You won't believe how wise and smart they are!

1 hour ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Basically they are worried that the Ion will displace the huge homeless population in that area and instead they want the Ion to house the homeless, provide them public restrooms, and give jobs to the people of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

I also think its hilarious that this has been an issue for years, but NOW they care. NOW they want to do something about it.

[houstontexasjack]

Rice is a university, so you'd have to expect some type of student opposition to its actions from a segment of its students.  This segment, even with Rice's relatively small enrollment, appears to be quite small: Facebook indicates it has only 39 followers and 38 "likes."   

 

The one point the group makes with which I am somewhat sympathetic is Fiesta's presence in what would otherwise be a food desert.  I am curious if Rice would explore a Buffalo Heights-type development with a grocery store in the Innovation District in the longer term.  I suspect there would be a benefit to attract additional density around the store.

[H-Town Man]

16 minutes ago, houstontexasjack said:

Rice is a university, so you'd have to expect some type of student opposition to its actions from a segment of its students.  This segment, even with Rice's relatively small enrollment, appears to be quite small: Facebook indicates it has only 39 followers and 38 "likes."   

 

 

It does seem like just a few students trying to build their resume for grad school, and would probably go away if the Chronicle would stop giving them coverage. Nancy Sarnoff devoted a whole episode of her Looped In podcast to this group.

[Luminare]

59 minutes ago, houstontexasjack said:

Rice is a university, so you'd have to expect some type of student opposition to its actions from a segment of its students.  This segment, even with Rice's relatively small enrollment, appears to be quite small: Facebook indicates it has only 39 followers and 38 "likes."   

 

The one point the group makes with which I am somewhat sympathetic is Fiesta's presence in what would otherwise be a food desert.  I am curious if Rice would explore a Buffalo Heights-type development with a grocery store in the Innovation District in the longer term.  I suspect there would be a benefit to attract additional density around the store.

 

Part of my issue too is exactly this....nobody knows the full scope of Rice's plans yet. Why can't we just wait to see what happens?

[houstontexasjack]

23 minutes ago, Luminare said:

 

Part of my issue too is exactly this....nobody knows the full scope of Rice's plans yet. Why can't we just wait to see what happens?

Since when has anybody on HAIF wanted to wait to see plans unfurled. 😉  

[Triton]

1 hour ago, H-Town Man said:

 

It does seem like just a few students trying to build their resume for grad school, and would probably go away if the Chronicle would stop giving them coverage. Nancy Sarnoff devoted a whole episode of her Looped In podcast to this group.

It's all about the clicks nowadays. 

[Houston19514]

1 hour ago, houstontexasjack said:

Rice is a university, so you'd have to expect some type of student opposition to its actions from a segment of its students.  This segment, even with Rice's relatively small enrollment, appears to be quite small: Facebook indicates it has only 39 followers and 38 "likes."   

 

The one point the group makes with which I am somewhat sympathetic is Fiesta's presence in what would otherwise be a food desert.  I am curious if Rice would explore a Buffalo Heights-type development with a grocery store in the Innovation District in the longer term.  I suspect there would be a benefit to attract additional density around the store.

 

Having heard that Rice "begged" Fiesta to stay, I would imagine that Rice is indeed exploring including a grocery in their long-term plans.

[MarathonMan]

3 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

Basically they are worried that the Ion will displace the huge homeless population in that area and instead they want the Ion to house the homeless, provide them public restrooms, and give jobs to the people of the area.

I don’t even know where to begin with this!  They’re worried that the Ion will displace the homeless???  I don’t mean to be callous, but these people are, by definition, homeless.  So, they can’t really be displaced.  There are a myriad of places (vacant lots, sidewalks) nearby for these people to congregate if the Ion “displaces” them.  And, as for it being Rice’s responsibility to house and employ the homeless simply because they currently loiter on their property, that thinking is ridiculous.  Homelessness is a serious problem.  No doubt.  It is definitely something that needs to be addressed.  But it is a PUBLIC concern and should be confronted by our community government.

[H-Town Man]

1 hour ago, Houston19514 said:

 

Having heard that Rice "begged" Fiesta to stay, I would imagine that Rice is indeed exploring including a grocery in their long-term plans.

 

Do you know why Rice begged them to stay? How much longer are they there for?

 

[H-Town Man]

.

 

 

Edited August 26, 2019 by H-Town Man

[Houston19514]

1 hour ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Do you know why Rice begged them to stay? How much longer are they there for?

 

 

I don't know for sure.  The implication was that they want to supportive of the neighborhood .

[dbigtex56]

9 hours ago, Luminare said:

11 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

 

 

I also think its hilarious that this has been an issue for years, but NOW they care. NOW they want to do something about it.

Agree. I didn't hear much squawking when the tent city under 59 was cleared out and fenced off a year or so ago, which probably displaced more people than are currently frequenting the area.

[Brandon55]

ah I'm on the fence.  on one hand  , there are people  who need help. On the other  many of them at that area are not homeless. I know  I dealt with them for years when I was assigned to Hermann park and other parks in the area. What happens is Drug dealers mix into the groups because they know that  they are social outcasts. So many people  try to avoid prolonged eye contact including the cops.  it a far more complex issue that most would admit. 

 

You don't want to persecute a person for being homeless. However you cant be naive  either and pretend that all of them are down on their luck. unfortunately  clustering like that only invites, drugs , violence and a ton of other crimes.  sadly many of them also cluster to protect themselves  from those very things... like I said complex.

Edited August 27, 2019 by Brandon55

[ZRFkris]

8 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

.

 

 

~

[MarathonMan]

8 hours ago, Brandon55 said:

ah I'm on the fence.  on one hand  , there are people  who need help. On the other  many of them at that area are not homeless. . . Drug dealers mix into the groups. . .

Yes, for all it’s progress,  Midtown still has a healthy population of drug dealers that prey on the homeless.  However, if our community finds a way to successfully treat the homeless and get them off the street, the drug pushers would likely disappear, too.

[H-Town Man]

9 hours ago, Brandon55 said:

ah I'm on the fence.  on one hand  , there are people  who need help. On the other  many of them at that area are not homeless. I know  I dealt with them for years when I was assigned to Hermann park and other parks in the area. What happens is Drug dealers mix into the groups because they know that  they are social outcasts. So many people  try to avoid prolonged eye contact including the cops.  it a far more complex issue that most would admit. 

 

You don't want to persecute a person for being homeless. However you cant be naive  either and pretend that all of them are down on their luck. unfortunately  clustering like that only invites, drugs , violence and a ton of other crimes.  sadly many of them also cluster to protect themselves  from those very things... like I said complex.

 

What are you on the fence about? Do you think that the Ion development should have to house them, provide them jobs, etc.?

 

[bobruss]

WE are not alone in this epidemic of street people and there are a lot of cities that are having to cope with this very same problem.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there that should probably be receiving mental health treatment but you can't force them and most don't want the help. 

There are also a good many that are addicted to drugs, and alcohol. Our health services especially the emergency fire and ambulance personnel are heavily burdened and often 

returning to pick up the same person who has just been released from a hospital only to be in need again. A lot of this has to do with the changing of the mental health laws that put many of these people back on the streets. Unfortunately no-one has seemed to come up with a solution that's equitable for all. 

[Brandon55]

31 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

 

What are you on the fence about? Do you think that the Ion development should have to house them, provide them jobs, etc.?

 

No , I dont think that the responsibility of private sector. That on is on us( society) 

32 minutes ago, bobruss said:

WE are not alone in this epidemic of street people and there are a lot of cities that are having to cope with this very same problem.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there that should probably be receiving mental health treatment but you can't force them and most don't want the help. 

There are also a good many that are addicted to drugs, and alcohol. Our health services especially the emergency fire and ambulance personnel are heavily burdened and often 

returning to pick up the same person who has just been released from a hospital only to be in need again. A lot of this has to do with the changing of the mental health laws that put many of these people back on the streets. Unfortunately no-one has seemed to come up with a solution that's equitable for all. 

Hit the nail on the head.

[MarathonMan]

2 hours ago, bobruss said:

WE are not alone in this epidemic of street people and there are a lot of cities that are having to cope with this very same problem.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there that should probably be receiving mental health treatment but you can't force them and most don't want the help. 

There are also a good many that are addicted to drugs, and alcohol. Our health services especially the emergency fire and ambulance personnel are heavily burdened and often 

returning to pick up the same person who has just been released from a hospital only to be in need again. A lot of this has to do with the changing of the mental health laws that put many of these people back on the streets. Unfortunately no-one has seemed to come up with a solution that's equitable for all. 

I apologize because we’re getting off topic here.  But I will add in just this one comment on what is an important side topic.  I have traveled to Japan — most recently in late ‘18 — and see a very different picture.  I have been all over that city and beyond.  All kinds of neighborhoods.  Rich, poor, touristy and local.  I don’t remember seeing ANY homeless people.  The sidewalks are clean.  Their streets are safe (so safe, in fact, that people park their bikes on the sidewalk and don’t lock them).  I’m guessing that Japan has its share of poor, mentally ill people.  What are they doing differently to help these people so that they don’t live in filth on the streets, turn to drugs and resort to petty theft for money?  Maybe the answer to the homeless problem at home has already been answered. Maybe we just need to study and adopt best-practices from others.  Just a thought.  

[rechlin]

1 hour ago, MarathonMan said:

I have traveled to Japan — most recently in late ‘18 — and see a very different picture.  I have been all over that city and beyond.  All kinds of neighborhoods.  Rich, poor, touristy and local.  I don’t remember seeing ANY homeless people.  The sidewalks are clean.  Their streets are safe (so safe, in fact, that people park their bikes on the sidewalk and don’t lock them).  I’m guessing that Japan has its share of poor, mentally ill people.  What are they doing differently to help these people so that they don’t live in filth on the streets, turn to drugs and resort to petty theft for money?  Maybe the answer to the homeless problem at home has already been answered. Maybe we just need to study and adopt best-practices from others.  Just a thought.  

 

You won't see homeless people in China, either.  In both countries, they are taken care of by their families.  Our culture is different, with much weaker family ties, so in the US they don't have the support network from their family that they would have in some other countries.

[gmac]

32 minutes ago, rechlin said:

 

You won't see homeless people in China, either.  In both countries, they are taken care of by their families. 

 

Beg pardon?

According to many sources, there are hundreds of thousands of homeless people in China.

[X.R.]

I don't know if anyone rolls through this area often, but the homeless in the area have been completely changed since a year ago, starting with the breaking up of the camp. That left many of those individuals loitering in the area up until maybe a month and half ago, when I really noticed that some of the homeless that I had gotten to know (yes I'm that guy, I'm sorry) no longer aggressively asked for money from cars when I was at the lights. Some of them seemed to have moved on because I don't see them in the mornings or nights anymore.

 

I think something has already changed either in the way the police have been handling them (they are out there kind of frequently) or because of pressure from Rice/the neighborhood associations. My neighborhood associated did mention that they have been working with area shelters/police officers to help the population shift from that spot under 59 by Fiesta. I second that notion about the drug dealers though, I always feel bad when I see the older G's out there with the backpacks counting money with the zombie'd out people sitting next to him. 

 

Or im completely wrong and its just too hot so they aint wanting to come outside. 

 

[skwatra]

I noticed the same in Tokyo and some of the smaller cities we went to. I haven't been to China but based on a few quick searches they have a lot of homeless.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_homeless_population

 

[Triton]

1 hour ago, rechlin said:

 

You won't see homeless people in China, either.  In both countries, they are taken care of by their families.  Our culture is different, with much weaker family ties, so in the US they don't have the support network from their family that they would have in some other countries.

That's a common misconception. I've traveled to Asia many many times (my wife is Vietnamese) and there are homeless everywhere, just as much as there are here. As I said, it's an issue that every major city has to grapple with, even around the world. You will have quite a large amount of people begging for money in China and Vietnam. We even saw it in Taiwan and Taiwan is very modern.

[samagon]

On 8/26/2019 at 11:11 AM, Texasota said:

You know, I recognize that's snark, but it's actually a genuinely great idea. College campus already have all sorts of services for students that would be beneficial to the homeless.

easy access to drugs?

 

[BeerNut]

3 hours ago, MarathonMan said:

I apologize because we’re getting off topic here.  But I will add in just this one comment on what is an important side topic.  I have traveled to Japan — most recently in late ‘18 — and see a very different picture.  I have been all over that city and beyond.  All kinds of neighborhoods.  Rich, poor, touristy and local.  I don’t remember seeing ANY homeless people.  The sidewalks are clean.  Their streets are safe (so safe, in fact, that people park their bikes on the sidewalk and don’t lock them).  I’m guessing that Japan has its share of poor, mentally ill people.  What are they doing differently to help these people so that they don’t live in filth on the streets, turn to drugs and resort to petty theft for money?  Maybe the answer to the homeless problem at home has already been answered. Maybe we just need to study and adopt best-practices from others.  Just a thought.  

 

I spent 2 weeks in Japan back in '17.  The homeless people were super low key and off beaten paths.  The ones I saw had all their stuff with them and didn't setup till after last train.