Hardy Yards Developments

[lockmat]

In this St Arnolds article, they do make mention of the Hardy Yards project briefly, with that being one reason St Arnolds chose the location to build. Hmmm. Maybe its not as dead as we think? Just in hibernation?

http://www.globest.com/news/1212_1212/houston/172776-1.html

Interesting.

The building also is near the 50-acre Hardy Yards project, a mixed-use, urban development that's in the planning stages.

[rsb320]

Kind of funny - St. Arnold's new facility is between a park and a junkyard. Good neighbors on one side and bad neighbors on the other.

[PuroAztlan]

Kind of funny - St. Arnold's new facility is between a park and a junkyard. Good neighbors on one side and bad neighbors on the other.

[TheNiche]

Kind of funny - St. Arnold's new facility is between a park and a junkyard. Good neighbors on one side and bad neighbors on the other.

In a 'rustic' neighborhood like that one, the junkyard makes the better neighbor.

[uhlaw09]

Just found a Public Notice that METRO released in February regarding demolitions on the Intermodal Terminal Lot. The Notice states that the purpose of the demolitions is "to make way for development associated with the Light Rail expansion." The demolitions are supposed to be completed by the end of March, per the Release.

Here is a Composite Map of the Demolitions: Composite Map

Properties include:

1101 Naylor Street (map)

1115 Naylor Street (map)

800 Burnett Street (map)

Here is the Notice: http://metrosolutions.org/go/doc/1068/223165/

Page on which the Notice appears (METRO Solutions front page): http://metrosolutions.org/go/site/1068/

Thoughts? Insight?

[Jeebus]

Thanks for the map!

[tanith27]

I read that the budget approved yesterday for rail did not set aside anything for the Intermodal. So I guess it's still a long way off?

[brian0123]

Just found a Public Notice that METRO released in February regarding demolitions on the Intermodal Terminal Lot.

Is the Intermodial Terminal the place that people keep thinking Greyhound could eventually move to?

[uhlaw09]

Is the Intermodial Terminal the place that people keep thinking Greyhound could eventually move to?

Yes--and when looking at it in that context, this needs to happen immediately (though it probably won't happen for several years).

[musicman]

Yes--and when looking at it in that context, this needs to happen immediately (though it probably won't happen for several years).

there's no incentive for them to move. they own their current facility vs going where they most likely won't

[lockmat]

This project is not going to break ground soon, I think we all know that. But it is not going away either. It will always be close to downtown, along the rail.

This is the type of property that Cypress Real Estate is marketing. It probably won't be exactly like their renderings, but will be similar in nature. Maybe the KBR gets developed first, but then hopefully this site will too. Of course, it could be 15-20 years away.

The reason I brought this topic back up is because Cypress has updated their website and they still list this project. All the need is for someone to bite.

http://www.cypress-a...nvestments.html

edit: listed under current projects http://www.davisalliance.com/content/view/72/160/

Edited January 6, 2013 by lockmat

[lockmat]

This is a cool rendering I have never seen before

Edited March 26, 2013 by lockmat

[j_cuevas713]

That seems rather new from some of the buildings in the background, where did you find this? This would solidify this city and really balance downtown with Midtown and the Northside

[lockmat]

Oops forgot the link http://www.designworkshop.com/japanese/DesignWorkshop_jp.pdf

You're right, that's BG group place in the background

Also, per the google search result it was created in 2013

Edited March 26, 2013 by lockmat

[Chi-Char-Hou-Dal]

Game changer - build it while we can!! Oils up - htowns hot - why only cookie cutter apts and sprawled Developement - ill guarantee this a success trust me I stayed at a holiday inn expresses last night!

[cjmalek]

The renderings that the owner of the site put out are only used to show what can be done on the site, not what will be done.

[lockmat]

The renderings that the owner of the site put out are only used to show what can be done on the site, not what will be done.

Do you know if they have anyone interested in developing?

This is actually probably a better site than KBR, since it has light rail access. Do y'all disagree?

[lockmat]

This article mentions this as a "forthcoming project". I have confidence it will be done but not for at least 8 years

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city_life/04-18-13-big-changes-for-warehouse-district-re-routed-bayou-roundabout-freeway-san-jacinto-extension-are-the-buzz/?utm_source=sf_facebook

[lockmat]

A couple of new things. First, a rendering, of course. But also this City of Houston document concerning a meeting with the Hardy Yard development authority. 

 

doc link: http://www.houstontx.gov/ecodev/tirz/agendas/21agenda.pdf

 

 

rendering link: http://www.johnmoonstudio.com/gallery-marketing-illustrations/#!lightbox[group]/12/

Edited May 25, 2013 by lockmat

[Triton]

I'll admit, John Moon Studios has a ton of cool "what if" illustrations, but that appears to be all they are... "what if" we had the money to make these areas look more appealing. Again, looks cool but do we know if they've been hired to actually do anything?

 

Edit: As you say in your other thread, I think you're right and that these are just for marketing purposes.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Triton

[lockmat]

Well I think Cypress Real Estate who owns the land is doing exactly that. But it does seem like they are continuing to push this project forward. It's not simply a rendering some architect came up with on their own. They were hired by Cypress.

[Triton]

I definitely think it's going forward. I live just several blocks north of this project and I think it's very interesting that the city has a giant staircase leading to a station on the light rail bridge by UH-D. I'll take a picture of it and post it here. It makes me think the city clearly knows this project is going to go ahead and the project will be fairly large to require it's own station. (Currently, there's no development where the station is at so why would Metro drop off people no where).

 

But you'll have to forgive me.. I'm a highly skeptical person in general and I'm not 100% sure John Moon Studios is actually doing this. They have a good amount of renderings in their portfolio that I'm just not sure they're working on all of them. They even have a rendering for Tranquility Park in there..

 

Hopefully you're right though! It looks nice and it's something the Northside could definitely use. Anyone else notice they want to extend San Jacinto?

[Triton]

Sorry for the double post but I figured I'd post a picture that I just took of what I'm talking about.

Turns out it's actually two staircases leading to the station and both lead to this Hardy Railyard project. Metro wouldn't invest in this money if they don't know something was planned here:

 

 

 

Edit: Looks like they are even building an elevator. An elevator for just a dirt lot? I don't think so...

Edited May 26, 2013 by Triton

[xsatyr]

Sorry for the double post but I figured I'd post a picture that I just took of what I'm talking about.

Turns out it's actually two staircases leading to the station and both lead to this Hardy Railyard project. Metro wouldn't invest in this money if they don't know something was planned here:

 

Edit: Looks like they are even building an elevator. An elevator for just a dirt lot? I don't think so...

 

Interesting... That's wasted money creating a stop there. Something def has to be planned for the future. Looking at renderings I was wondering if they could incoprate the Metro rail, didn't know there was a stop there.

[lockmat]

I definitely think it's going forward. I live just several blocks north of this project and I think it's very interesting that the city has a giant staircase leading to a station on the light rail bridge by UH-D. I'll take a picture of it and post it here. It makes me think the city clearly knows this project is going to go ahead and the project will be fairly large to require it's own station. (Currently, there's no development where the station is at so why would Metro drop off people no where).

 

But you'll have to forgive me.. I'm a highly skeptical person in general and I'm not 100% sure John Moon Studios is actually doing this. They have a good amount of renderings in their portfolio that I'm just not sure they're working on all of them. They even have a rendering for Tranquility Park in there..

 

Hopefully you're right though! It looks nice and it's something the Northside could definitely use. Anyone else notice they want to extend San Jacinto?

 

I think we're on the same page. I see that in my rendering post it seemed that I was implying this was the final design. I agree, it's only conceptual and for marketing purposes only. The fact that there's a newer rendering leads me to believe it's closer to happening, even if it is a few years off.

 

Do those stairs go down towards the eastern side only or western, too? According to this map, I think the location in your photo is the Burnett transit center

http://www.gometrorail.org/clients/2491/456047.pdf

[jt16]

Metro and wasting money kind of go together. I wouldn't use how metro spends money as your barometer for a projects viability

[Triton]

Ah ok. Then you're right.. on the same page. And yes, it is the Burnett Transit Center. Both the stairs and the elevator are all on the east side towards the Hardy Railyard project. There's nothing on the west side. 

 

As for Metro, even though I could make jokes about the organization all day, they do put a great amount of research into the locations of their stations. They're not just random. They plan to profit from all of these stations. Now unless UH-D plans to extend northward towards this station, there is absolutely nothing next to it. Not even an accessible street! I think Metro knows something big is going in here. The stairs are actually quite large and there are two elevator shafts for this place...

 

I decided to go back down there on my bike since, again, there's no accessible street:

 

Two massive stairs, two elevator shafts

 

No access from west side

 

Full view though it may be a little hard to see everything... wish I had a better camera than my cell phone

 

 

[mfastx]

I think those stairs were built with the master plan for the area in mind - a commuter rail/bus transit center.  I don't think this has anything to do with the Hardy Rail Yard Project, although it's certainly possible. 

[Moore713]

Dont you people watch the metro board meeting on saturday mornings that come on the hcc channel ..lol  I do they where talking about  the need to sell off land they had no  current use for

[jt16]

I would guess mfastx is probably correct. I can't imagine metro planning on a private developer on how they set up stops. It would be foolish as they literally have no control over that. The intermodal terminal makes sense though.

[Triton]

Well then it's the intermodal terminal.... either way, it's a large project that they're planning for

[scarface]

not trying to be a Debbie downer, but they've been talking about doing something like this for the HRY for at least 10 years. I'm not holding my breath, but I hope Triton is on to something here.

Edited May 27, 2013 by scarface

[citykid09]

not trying to be a Debbie downer, but they've been talking about doing something like this for the HRY for at least 10 years. I'm not holding my breath, but I hope Triton is on to something here.

 

Well this seems like the first step! I hope it happens! Had no idea that any of the stations were elevated. Wish the whole thing was or atleast had its own right of way on the ground or underground. And why not build it? Houston is growing so fast and doing so well why not?

[lockmat]

dang, did they really have to use rusty 'ol 90's support beams?

[Ross]

dang, did they really have to use rusty 'ol 90's support beams?

 

That's our good friend weathering steel, designed to eliminate painting by having a layer of rust build on the surface, after which no more corrosion should occur.

[Triton]

I think Google Earth also paints a better picture btw (I realize we're talking more about a station than this project but I think this infrastructure still plays a role for the area):

 

 

Count it... three rail lines to this station. Not the usual one or two.

[lockmat]

That's our good friend weathering steel, designed to eliminate painting by having a layer of rust build on the surface, after which no more corrosion should occur.

I thought we stopped using that in the Houston area. I guess not

[Specwriter]

I thought we stopped using that in the Houston area. I guess not

 

No reason not to use it EXCEPT when it is above something lighter colored, like a concrete column or pier, and the rain washes over the steel and runs onto the concrete it leaves a significant stain.

[cjmalek]

The inclusion of an elevator doesn't mean anything. It's an ADA requirement, also I wouldn't take the giant stairs coming outwards as a indicator that something will be developed there. It's more poor design. I would personally love to see something happen there, but it is not really a priority for the city and really isn't deserving of development at this point in time. We need to focus on making midtown better and actually develop the east side of downtown. I think once all of that is fully in progress then we should focus or attention there. There is such a disconnect between the rail yard site and downtown and until that is addressed I don't think it will be a very successful project. You need much more than a transit stop to make it well connected. That being said I think if they got a proper architect, and had pedestrian, bike, bus, car, and rail connections to downtown this would be amazing. Without those factors it would be severely lacking and be a sort dissconnected island. Which we have to many of already.

[Triton]

...it is not really a priority for the city and really isn't deserving of development at this point in time. We need to focus on making midtown better and actually develop the east side of downtown.

 

I recommend that you drive through Northside. Although the residents are currently low-income Hispanic families living in the area, the city is clearly gearing up to transform this area by upgrading some of the neighborhood roads (including mine here in Glen Park), almost every street from Main to Fulton and beyond has brand new upgraded larger sidewalks, the city is currently renovating/expanding schools such as the Sherman Elementary School, and now there is the Red Line Metrorail Extension. Property taxes in the area are rising quickly... and with that being said, I saw the first new townhouse rows being built at Chestnut and Brooks which is near this very station. And although not currently listed on their website, the developers at CitySide bought a massive property on the rail line between Paschall and James just recently! Imo, the Northside is the next townhome/apartment/condominium/whatever boom area. It is so close to downtown Houston and this land is relatively cheap at the moment compared to the Heights or EaDo or Midtown. 

 

 

 There is such a disconnect between the rail yard site and downtown and until that is addressed I don't think it will be a very successful project.

 

Which is why in that rendering that lockmat posted, San Jacinto is extended all the way to this project. New street, new sidewalks. 

[cjmalek]

I understand all of that. All of the improvements you mentioned are apart of the Transit Corridor plans the city introduced some time ago. The same improvements are occurring along the southeast line and east line as well (They really need to come up with better line names, something simple like 1, 2, 3, etc.). What I'm trying to say is I don't believe that the city is that concerned about the future of that SITE at the moment. The city is clearly concerned about the development of downtown, midtown, and east downtown. Because this is such an amazing site location wise, I firmly believe that we have to address the issues of connection to the site. Just extending San Jacinto is not enough, there needs to be serious work done to make the site more accessible. Without those numerous connections to downtown (pedestrian, bike, car, bus, and rail) it will be never live up to its full potential. It will become just another Houston island. Take for example highland village or greenway plaza. Imagine how much better highland village would be if it were in a more walkable, connected, urban setting. Greenway plaza is even worse, they are building a lot of housing along richmond and in the surrounding areas. This makes for a completely miserable experience. You are forced to use your car to go anywhere, there are no real walkable options. This is why I believe that there needs to better connections to north downtown and to the site. Also the architecture and planning visualized in the rendering is completely mediocre for a site with such potential. 

[tierwestah]

The inclusion of an elevator doesn't mean anything. It's an ADA requirement, also I wouldn't take the giant stairs coming outwards as a indicator that something will be developed there. It's more poor design. I would personally love to see something happen there, but it is not really a priority for the city and really isn't deserving of development at this point in time. We need to focus on making midtown better and actually develop the east side of downtown. I think once all of that is fully in progress then we should focus or attention there. There is such a disconnect between the rail yard site and downtown and until that is addressed I don't think it will be a very successful project. You need much more than a transit stop to make it well connected. That being said I think if they got a proper architect, and had pedestrian, bike, bus, car, and rail connections to downtown this would be amazing. Without those factors it would be severely lacking and be a sort dissconnected island. Which we have to many of already.

 

Look i'm not a professional, nor am I going to try to pretend like I am one. But my one question for you is, in a city where many different projects are happening in various parts of the city; midtown, downtown, uptown, rice village, medical center, memorial city, upper kirby, etc. Why does the city only have to be limited to midtown and eado in terms of focus. They each have their own management distrcits ie midtown management district, and east end management district.

 

I understand all of that. All of the improvements you mentioned are apart of the Transit Corridor plans the city introduced some time ago.  Without those numerous connections to downtown (pedestrian, bike, car, bus, and rail) it will be never live up to its full potential. It will become just another Houston island. Take for example highland village or greenway plaza. Imagine how much better highland village would be if it were in a more walkable, connected, urban setting. Greenway plaza is even worse, they are building a lot of housing along richmond and in the surrounding areas. This makes for a completely miserable experience. You are forced to use your car to go anywhere, there are no real walkable options. This is why I believe that there needs to better connections to north downtown and to the site. Also the architecture and planning visualized in the rendering is completely mediocre for a site with such potential. 

 

The better connection problem you speak of is already happening with the opening of the North rail Line being the first step. I could be wrong, but i think the improvements/expansions UHD made a few years ago was also apart of that first step. I'm thinking they knew that area would possibly become something when the openings of the rail line finally came through. Those pedestrian/bike plans will be an easy addition after that.

[cjmalek]

The city isn't focused on the development of the other areas, those all develop on their own. Unlike how the city is focused on downtown, midtown, and east downtown. Which is evident by the developer tax incentives, park improvements, rethinking parking, improving sidewalks, countless studies, etc. I'm not saying the city should ignore this area and they are not. They are looking into ways to better connect north downtown to the rest of downtown and extending San Jacinto to Burnett. But until they have any thing certain you can't properly build something there, sure you can build something now with no knowledge of how the city aims to improve the infrastructure and connections to the area. It would end up being counter productive. IMO. Essentially the only connection to the site is via rail or main, it's not enough. Creating pedestrian and bike access is not an easy fix. There are significant impediments, such as 1-10, the train tracks, industrial nature of area in-between the site and downtown.  Houston has to develop it's core if it wants to compete with other cities and attract top talent. We need to improve the livability of our city. This would be a good addition, but there are better places for resources to be used. I think this area won't develop until east downtown has good momentum going. I mean the east downtown area didn't receive attention until midtown already had good momentum. Developers learned that people wanted to live in downtown/downtown adjacent. I think developers are aware of the rail yards site, but are waiting to see if east downtown can gain momentum similar to midtown. 

[xsatyr]

I understand all of that. All of the improvements you mentioned are apart of the Transit Corridor plans the city introduced some time ago. The same improvements are occurring along the southeast line and east line as well (They really need to come up with better line names, something simple like 1, 2, 3, etc.). What I'm trying to say is I don't believe that the city is that concerned about the future of that SITE at the moment. The city is clearly concerned about the development of downtown, midtown, and east downtown. Because this is such an amazing site location wise, I firmly believe that we have to address the issues of connection to the site. Just extending San Jacinto is not enough, there needs to be serious work done to make the site more accessible. Without those numerous connections to downtown (pedestrian, bike, car, bus, and rail) it will be never live up to its full potential. It will become just another Houston island. Take for example highland village or greenway plaza. Imagine how much better highland village would be if it were in a more walkable, connected, urban setting. Greenway plaza is even worse, they are building a lot of housing along richmond and in the surrounding areas. This makes for a completely miserable experience. You are forced to use your car to go anywhere, there are no real walkable options. This is why I believe that there needs to better connections to north downtown and to the site. Also the architecture and planning visualized in the rendering is completely mediocre for a site with such potential. 

 

Such a horrible suggestion.

[Triton]

What I'm trying to say is I don't believe that the city is that concerned about the future of that SITE at the moment. The city is clearly concerned about the development of downtown, midtown, and east downtown.

 

Ok, when I say Northside (aka, Northside Village), I'm talking about an entire area, not just a specific location or site. My entire paragraph was about the hundreds of improvements that the city is either currently working on or finished within the past 2 years. The city is concerned with downtown, midtown, and EaDo but again it is also clearly trying to make over the Northside Village area to attract developers. And then my point was that it looks like it is working... CitySide just recently set up a sign for a new project right on the rail line and then another row of townhomes is starting up near this Burnett Station. "If they build it, they will come."

[cjmalek]

Ok, yeah sorry about that then. I was only talking about the the rail yards site. If talking about the whole area surrounding the north line, I'm glad to see the improvements made and hope the city move forward fith full force!

[cjmalek]

I don't see how it's a horrible suggestion seeing as how it is the standard system of naming for most inner city rail transportation. The actual route should be named, not the line of tracks. It allows for only 4 options movement along the lines. It would allow for multiple routes, like an east end to northside route or southeast to northside route. It would allow for the possibility of express routes, n

[cjmalek]

ot sure if there would be the capacity for express routes with out more tracks to pass non express routes.

[xsatyr]

I don't see how it's a horrible suggestion seeing as how it is the standard system of naming for most inner city rail transportation. The actual route should be named, not the line of tracks. It allows for only 4 options movement along the lines. It would allow for multiple routes, like an east end to northside route or southeast to northside route. It would allow for the possibility of express routes, n

 

Our rail is not that extensive where numbers are needed. I am sure they have a system in place for direct routes but then again it's Metro...

[cjmalek]

True. As of now it is not as extensive, but based on Metro's 2050 vision there will probably be a system in place that could support the "numbered routes"