The Houston Chronicle Newspaper

[jm1fd]

I thought all the Rita blogs were indispensable while I was out of town. Also, I usually read the other blogs and pick up some useful info and links....except for MeMo....that one should be entitled "Diary of a Crack Smoker"

[kjb434]

The chronicle: is it a newspaper? I couldn't tell with all the adds and fluff. Of course practically all newspapers are going this way.

[HeightsGuy]

I'm a fan of the Chron blogs, and blogs in general. I would actually rather get unfiltered information knowing it may or may not be partisan, may or may not be biased, and may or may not be factually checked by editors. To me, it actually takes the ambiguity out of the equation (on both sides of the political fence) rather than adds to it.

It would seem that the conservatives would be onboard with aspect that as well.

Back to the blogs, I get the most out of blogs that do a heavy amount of linking. The sciguy blog's coverage of Hurricane Rita is a perfect example. He linked to a number of other blogs and stories that gave a good, unfiltered picture of what was going on weather-wise by people more interested in advancing weather knowledge than dog tricks.

[kjb434]

^^^

Yeah,

blogs are out on all ends of the spectrum. If you read and compare a couple you can end up getting the real story instead of having to rely on some editor who my be biased (in either way). Editorless blogs check themsleves because it the post something that is factually untrue, another blog will challenge it.

It make the reader more informed and involved in the story instead of sitting back having is spoonfed.

I think this is why the mainstream media is suffering so much from blogs, independant news websites, and radio. I would much rather read a blog (even if I disagree with it) because it is unfiltered. I find reading coverage on blogs to be quite more informative.

I even catch news on HAIF. Someone will post an article, the valuable part is the discussion after. It gives people chances to challange the article and give other facts that may have been missed. I've seen it on here many of times.

[MidtownCoog]

Should a "legitimate newspaper" really be in the Blog business?

Not that the Chron is a "legitimate newspaper", but Blogs should be for the true independents.

Seeing the Chron in this business makes me think even less of them.

[kjb434]

It's theirs and many newpapers feeble attempt to be in the now and cool.

The big problem is that they censor their blogs which is something that not normally accepted. The blog is supposed to offer the raw news.

[pineda]

Woodlands goes online with Houston Chronicle's help

[KatieDidIt]

Woodlands goes online with Houston Chronicle's help

Wow! Thanks for that. Now we will actually know whats going on up here versus getting glossed over reports from the Association. They never update their "watch" area.

[bachanon]

it's more like the woodlands crime report.

most of these items already were already included in the weekly insert in the community section of the chronicle.

Edited October 20, 2005 by bachanon

[TheNiche]

Jan. 11, 2006, 7:21AM

SOMETHING DANGEROUS IN THE AIR

State finds toxics imperil Ship Channel neighbors

Monitors show air pollution at 11 hot spots in the Houston area can sicken residents

By DINA CAPPIELLO

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

When Victor Sarmiento reports to work aboard the Lynchburg Ferry each day, he worries about what he will breathe.

For 12 years, as he has steered the commuter ferry across the Houston Ship Channel, Sarmiento occasionally has been overtaken by fumes

[TJones]

I knew I shouldn't have had Taco Bell for lunch. I apologize to everyone.

[RedScare]

I wonder if you'd still feel this way if it was you sitting in the chemo room. I'm sure you'd take one for the team, wouldn't you?

[TJones]

Gosh.............I almost got foot in mouth disease a minute ago ! Glad I re-read those posts. I grew up less than a 1/2 mile from Exxon in Baytown, my father was CFO and CEO of Flexitallic Gasket ,in Deer Park, for 15 years or so. He died at 55 from heart disease, not related to any plant emissions and I myself have yet to have any symptoms, but I know I sure wouldn't want any. So, yeah, I suppose we should get in a huff over what is being released in the air for us to try and breathe.

Edited January 11, 2006 by TJones

[RedScare]

TJ, that remark was aimed at the expert above you, not to you, my friend.

Sorry for the confusion.

[TJones]

I was hoping you didn't see that Red. Apologies !

[RedScare]

No problems, mate. I know you only insult me when you mean it.

[Guest danax]

Well, the good thing about the arm growing out of my back is that soon, I'll be able to scratch my own back.

My very limited understanding of the pollution situation over there is that a lot of those plants have hardly any emission restrictions due to grandfather clauses set up as good ol' boy deals.

Grandfather clauses that prevent people from enjoying being a grandparent due to an early death is wrong.

[pineda]

remember these fine, upstanding politicians when it comes time to vote again...

and don't forget newly re-elected Bill White says he wants to step up "self-regulation"...

Edited January 11, 2006 by pineda

[TheNiche]

I wonder if you'd still feel this way if it was you sitting in the chemo room. I'm sure you'd take one for the team, wouldn't you?

What I like about the media is that it informs people about potential opportunities and threats that may affect their life, giving the masses a chance to make the decision to live/work or not live/work in a dangerous area, or in an area that is otherwise smelly. I, myself, am well off enough to afford alternate areas and would prefer not to inhale the scent of flared Armourall. Even though it may not constitute a major threat to my health, I just don't like the smell...so I'm unlikely to have cancer as a result of airborne toxins, but that's a result of the CHOICES that I make throughout life. On the other hand, I am likely to have to undergo a quadruple bypass one day...that doesn't mean that I'm going to sue Burger King for bringing it upon me or demand that Sheila Jackson Lee tax Burger King out of existence. I just happen to like Whoppers, and the reward of the burger outweighs the known risk of future heart attacks.

What I don't like about the media is when it goes 'yellow' and reports dangers that are way out of proportion with reality. I personally think that the Chronicle would be better serving the public by doing a more thorough analysis, comparing the risk of death in the Ship Channel area by exposure to toxins with the risk of death in River Oaks by exposure to stairs. A seperate article, of much greater importance, could review the latest phone-based study of households that report unpleasant aromas. They could even utilize GIS applications to create something similar to a daily weather map of smells. That would be far more important to most people, if they were objectively informed, even though it'd violate the 'if it bleeds, it leads' policy of news media.

[mrfootball]

In northwest Harris County, CityHomes will build 115 three-story Mediterranean-style units on a 10.2-acre site. It is part of the Vintage, a heavily wooded community being developed by a joint venture of Kickerillo Cos. and Mischer Investments on former Hewlett-Packard land near Texas 249 and Louetta Road.

The townhomes will feature elevations with stucco and stone and roofs with high-end materials and metal accents. Inside, granite counters and hardwood floors will be standard. Sizes are planned from 2,000 square feet to 2,900 square feet, with prices in the high $200,000s to low $400,000s.

Emphasis will be placed on landscaping and trails. Driveways will be made of fashionable paving stones. The townhomes will feature outdoor living spaces for cooking and relaxing. CityHomes plans to break ground in the gated community around May after site preparations

Click to read the whole article

[TheNiche]

In northwest Harris County, CityHomes will build 115 three-story Mediterranean-style units on a 10.2-acre site. It is part of the Vintage, a heavily wooded community being developed by a joint venture of Kickerillo Cos. and Mischer Investments on former Hewlett-Packard land near Texas 249 and Louetta Road.

The townhomes will feature elevations with stucco and stone and roofs with high-end materials and metal accents. Inside, granite counters and hardwood floors will be standard. Sizes are planned from 2,000 square feet to 2,900 square feet, with prices in the high $200,000s to low $400,000s.

Emphasis will be placed on landscaping and trails. Driveways will be made of fashionable paving stones. The townhomes will feature outdoor living spaces for cooking and relaxing. CityHomes plans to break ground in the gated community around May after site preparations

Click to read the whole article

They're also going in on Polk Street at Nagle in the East End. For that area, the townhome prices will be pretty high. And you'd better believe that I'm glad to see them come. $$ > $$

Edited December 19, 2006 by TheNiche

[cfresident]

So, do these townhomes compete or compliment the townhomes that will be on Cypresswood as part of the Ravenneaux re-development? That's a lot of townhomes for the area.

I'm begining to question the succcess of The Vintage. I surely hope it does well as I live in the area, but that area is just turning into an unplanned mish-mash of stuff now. Those apartments look terrible and they are building cheaper ones along the railroad tracks. Will the Cypress population frequent The Vintage or is it too far away?

Also, I heard Willowbrook mall has a contract with Maggiano's Little Italy. Funny, I would have expected that type of establishment to move up to Vintage.

[mrfootball]

Oooh that's good news! I love Maggiano's!

With regards to the new Luxury Apartments at Vintage Park built by Sueba, I'm not all that impressed. Perhaps they have some a bit grander planned for the retail that's going up in front of it, but it doesn't look all that great from Louetta. The rates do start at around $1000 for a 1BR unit (800 sq ft) and go up to around $1500 for a 2 BR w/1220 sq ft, so I'm assuming they're pretty nice on the inside.

I'm not a big fan of Multi-family anything, but I do think the townhomes will be nice.

Edited December 19, 2006 by mrfootball

[UrbaNerd]

Cityhomes, eh? Nice to see em building here, finally!

[mrfootball]

Will be similar to these

Edited December 20, 2006 by mrfootball

[cfresident]

The prices of these townhomes seem more appropriate for the area. The townhomes (aka "brownstones") that are proposed for Ravenneaux range from $400K-$700K.

[Talbot]

Thats awesome, it's about time they build those in massive amounts instead of those ugly new cookie cutter houses. 115 eh?

[cryofan]

The following is a letter sent to a houston chronicle reporter regarding a story today dealing with the upcoming implementation of municipal wireless here in houston.

///////////

You hang around this planet long enough, and ya try to learn stuff, learn about nature and about man, and after a while, ya start to figger out some few things.

Like, for example, this municipal wireless thing, and how the mass media portrays it. Interesting how the advantages of muni wireless are portrayed for the readers.

Now, before we go into the gory details, let us consider the ways of nature and of our friends in the animal kingdom, shall we?

Animals evolve over time so as to better survive. THey themselves are beautiful machines, designed by evolution to best pass on their genes to the next generation. Witness the snowy fur and skin of the polar bear-- it serves many purposes. The outer hairs are hollow, the better to insulate from the cold. These hairs are also white, the better to hide in the ice from its prey, the seal. But the skin is black, the better to absorb what little radiation there is from the sun in the arctic. But the bear never knows about its own wonderful skin or fur. It just uses it, blithely unaware of how many millenia of evolution it took to evolve every wonderful detail of that skin and fur.

Same thing for the mass media reporting on things like muni wireless.

Now the mass media-- such as local papers like the Chron -- try to increase readership by running stories that are helpful to their readership; stories that matter to them, stories that help their readers and give them some advantage. RIght? A common thing, right?

So, how did the chron slant the muni wireless thing? It did not deal with the advantages to the MAJORITY of its readers, but instead dealt with the advantages to a distinct minority of readers--"the poor." Ah, yes, the poor. That demonized faction that has been a major target of propaganda from the rightwing for a least 25 years now. In fact, one good way to turn the white majority against any project or idea is to sell it as something meant for the poor. Because that takes advantage of all those years of propaganda that pushed the idea that the poor are eating up all the govt taxes, when all along it has really been the military.

So what is the ultimate effect of your article? To give the idea to your middle class readers that muni wireless is something for the poor. Not for them, but for the poor....

But there is yet another aspect of this that we have to discuss: the fact that the real benefits of this muni wireless would go the majority--the working middle class. They are the ones that are paying exorbitant fees for high speed internet and moble phone calls. THe muni wireless would cut those costs dramatically.

But you did not mention that. And the chron never really dwells on that aspect of it. In fact, your article is not the first chron article about muni wireless to paint muni wireless as something primarily for the poor. A large percentage of all such chron articles do the same thing--talk about the benefits for the poor, but never mention the benefits to the middle class workers.

Why is that?

Well, MAYBE it has something to do with the fact that cell companies, cable companies and phone companies are going to be losing a bunch of revenue when muni wireless becomes operational here.

Hey, ya know what?? Those cell companies, cable companies and phone companies are also MAJOR advertisers in the Chron! Gosh, do ya think THAT has something to do with why the chron slants these muni wireless articles the way they do?

But your articles never mention the hundreds of millions that working middle class Houstonians will save through muni wireless, do you? Nope, you just push that "poor" thing....curious and curiouser....

And did you yourself come up with this strategy? Did you, the reporter, devise this devious scheme? No, I think not. Like the polar bear, you simply follow the path set out for you by years of evolution. Mass media has been evolved by the forces of money over decades. Certain aspects of reality are not made the focus, and others are.

Ah, the wonderful ways of mother nature....

-randy smith

P.S.: Look for this letter on the internet, too, as I do not want it buried.

[musicman]

interesting perspective. this is why the chron isn't highly regarded by most here. instead of just reporting they write many articles to benefit/hurt a certain cause which can be biased.

[cryofan]

the chron is just the same as any other large media entity

[musicman]

In a city known for suburban sprawl, competing developers are testing a different concept: master-planned, high-density projects combining residential, retail, offices and hotels.

While these trendy developments, where people can walk from their homes to shops, restaurants and even their workplaces, have taken root in other parts of the country, they've been slow to show up here.

That's about to change. In the Houston area, at least nine of these projects are planned or under construction. Most of the sites are in the heart of town. Land is just now being cleared for some of them, while others in the suburbs are further along.

The trend is driven by affluent young professionals and empty nesters tired of long commutes. Rising land costs also factor in by requiring developers to build more on smaller spaces.

One project will feature Houston's only flagship Whole Foods Market, while another will span 37 acres and include a movie theater and upscale fitness center.

Another factor fueling this development shift is the explosion of wealth in the U.S., said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a national retail consulting and investment banking firm in New York.

Luxury retail, hotel and residential markets are "on fire," and those sectors are perfect fits for mixed use, he said.

But some observers wonder if all these projects, three of which are just a few miles from each other, will end up as they're envisioned or be turned into something less ambitious. They question whether there are enough high-end tenants to go around and if they can turn a profit on projects that can cost a half-billion dollars.

article

The article has a legend with 9 specific projects but aren't found online.

1)Oaks District (westheimer @ westcreek) 350k retail, 300 luxury apartments, 200k of office, 2 hotels; completion spring 2010

2) city centre (i-10 @ beltway 8) 400k retail, 140k fitness center, 500k offices, 665 residential units, 217 room hotel;early 2009

3)regent square (allen pkwy @ dunlavy), 1740 rental and condo units,hotel,60k office space, 330, retail, early 2010

4)high street (former centralford dealership on westheimer) 100k retail, 200-400 residential units, 2009

5) blvd place (post oak@san felipe), 175k office, 525k retail with whole foods, ~900 hi rise residential, 250 room hotel 2009

6) west avenue(kirby @ westheimer) phase 1 has 180k retail, 380 apartments, late 2008 or 2009

7)sonoma(rice village) 100k retail, 50k office, 230 condos, spring 2009

8) la centerra at cinco ranch (cinco ranch @ grand parkway) phase 1 has 170k retail 90k office phase 2 has 160k retail, 230 residential units march 2007 phase 1 and fall 2008 phase 2

9) pearland town center(288@518) 710 retail with 90 speciality retailers, offices, apartments and courtyard by marriott. fall 2008

[ricco67]

According to this article, there seems to be some growing pains that the city is starting to acknowledge, most of which were touched upon in this article.

They are remarking on how the inner city is starting to affect how the city infrastructure both above and below the surface.

While I think this is a good piece on how Houston is changing, I am looking forward to a more comprehensive and positive report on the changes occurring not only in midtown and montrose, but the various other neighborhoods around town.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metrop...an/4598864.html

[largeTEXAS]

I agree with the "city officials" in the article. There needs to be an increase of density closer to transit corridors. Somehow the city has to promote higher denisty mixed-use developments in those areas and dicourage them from plopping down in the middle of older neighborhoods. The way things are looking right now with all the new mixed use projects that have been announced, this is already strarting to happen. We just need to push for this trend to continue. IMHO, I think streets like Montrose Blvd, Westheimer, Richmond, and Kirby should all be medium to high density corridors with every building being at least 3 stories.

[musicman]

According to this article, there seems to be some growing pains that the city is starting to acknowledge, most of which were touched upon in this article.

They are remarking on how the inner city is starting to affect how the city infrastructure both above and below the surface.

While I think this is a good piece on how Houston is changing, I am looking forward to a more comprehensive and positive report on the changes occurring not only in midtown and montrose, but the various other neighborhoods around town.

so what are the positive changes? the news has only been reporting on the negative ones as does this article.

Edited March 5, 2007 by musicman

[WesternGulf]

I am kind of grateful that these isssues are starting to actually evolve and people are taking notice. I agree with largeTEXAS. It is amazing how neglected transit routes are neglected in this city as if development and PT cannot coexist.

[TheNiche]

so what are the positive changes? the news has only been reporting on the negative ones as does this article.

Positive aspects of stories fail to create a sense of conflict, which is necessary to ensure entertainment and ultimately ratings. The news isn't in the business of informing people, after all; it is in the business of selling ads.

I am kind of grateful that these isssues are starting to actually evolve and people are taking notice. I agree with largeTEXAS. It is amazing how neglected transit routes are neglected in this city as if development and PT cannot coexist.

Households with higher incomes have a disproportionate tendency to drive, as well as to live in new construction. With the exception of a small niche of ideologically-driven individuals, this negative relationship between income and transit use is inescapable.

[musicman]

Households with higher incomes have a disproportionate tendency to drive, as well as to live in new construction. With the exception of a small niche of ideologically-driven individuals, this negative relationship between income and transit use is inescapable.

concur!

[WesternGulf]

With the exception of a small niche of ideologically-driven individuals, this negative relationship between income and transit use is inescapable.

Dude I get it. Seriously I do, but if MacGowen Station to Wheeler Station was developed in a manner where it complimented the Red Line, you would not have to be "ideologically driven" to just give up your car to walk to the Grocery store. I am sure you can come up with reasons why this does not currently happen in a city like Houston vs a city like Portland Oregon or San Diego other than the reason those people are just weird.

Edited March 5, 2007 by WesternGulf

[musicman]

Dude I get it. Seriously I do, but if MacGowen Station to Wheeler Station was developed in a manner where it complimented the Red Line, you would not have to be "ideologically driven" to just give up your car to walk to the Grocery store. I am sure you can come up with reasons why this does not currently happen in a city like Houston vs a city like Portland Oregon or San Diego other than the reason those people are just weird.

Since few people actually live along the red line, there would still have to be parking otherwise the business would be prone to failure. for those with money, the convenience (and time savings) a car provides is too valuable.

In the picture, i like how no traffic lanes were lost. still looks like it is very car oriented to me.

[TheNiche]

Dude I get it. Seriously I do, but if MacGowen Station to Wheeler Station was developed in a manner where it complimented the Red Line, you would not have to be "ideologically driven" to just give up your car to walk to the Grocery store. I am sure you can come up with reasons why this does not currently happen in a city like Houston vs a city like Portland Oregon or San Diego other than the reason those people are just weird.

The Wheeler station site has the potential to be one of the few truely-viable TOD sites in Houston. Even the 'grand central station' concept is a less viable site. I'm not saying that TOD can't happen, just that it won't happen in any meaningful or systematic way without major intervention on the part of local government...but that's extremely unlikely to happen in my estimation. In the mean time, one development (or even a small cluster of TOD) isn't going to change the commuting patterns of the Houston area.

Edited March 5, 2007 by TheNiche

[musicman]

The Wheeler station site has the potential to be one of the few truely-viable TOD sites in Houston. Even the 'grand central station' concept is a less viable site. I'm not saying that TOD can't happen, just that it won't happen in any meaningful or systematic way without major intervention on the part of local government...but that's extremely unlikely to happen in my estimation. In the mean time, one development (or even a small cluster of TOD) isn't going to change the commuting patterns of the Houston area.

True. when the local govt starts dictating to developers, then they will be less likely to develop.

[Pumapayam]

In the picture, i like how no traffic lanes were lost. still looks like it is very car oriented to me.

It looks like a "bus" could function in the same way.

Having a segregated line prevents traffic from affect the LRT's

[WesternGulf]

I'm not saying that TOD can't happen, just that it won't happen in any meaningful or systematic way without major intervention on the part of local government...but that's extremely unlikely to happen in my estimation.

I agree. This is why I said I am grateful to hear these problems that have to do with a lack of regulations and zoning are finally surfacing naturally.

It looks like a "bus" could function in the same way.

We've already been there before. It's not a bus, and that is why people are attracted to it. Even the mayor of transit rich London understands the appeal of public transportation that strays away from the look of a bus. It still has the negative attributes such as catering to the poor, they're dirty and no one takes them except for the "ideologically driven weirdos".

Edited March 5, 2007 by WesternGulf

[musicman]

It looks like a "bus" could function in the same way.

exactly! so has the train improved on transit or does it just look better than a bus?

Having a segregated line prevents traffic from affect the LRT's

concur. ours isn't segregated either.

[TheNiche]

True. when the local govt starts dictating to developers, then they will be less likely to develop.

I just want to make sure that I qualified what I meant by "major intervention." I'm talking about not only land use controls (which I would consider a rather moderate form of intervention in the context of most other cities), but also significant monetary incentives for particular sites...in essence, welfare for the rich. Without both, you would be correct that land use controls would only serve as barriers to entry, discouraging new development.

[Pumapayam]

Some deed-restricted residential areas just inside the Loop, such as Afton Oaks near the Galleria and neighborhoods along Braeswood, have avoided an incursion of townhomes. But Afton Oaks has experienced increased cut-through traffic from adjoining neighborhoods where weaker deed restrictions have permitted townhome construction, said Richard Whiteley, president of the Afton Oaks Civic Club.

They just are a pain in everyone's rear!

[ssullivan]

Moderator's Note: Duplicate topics merged.

[WesternGulf]

I was doing some calculating, and it seems like if most of these developments go through, Oaks District, West Ave, Hardy, Sonoma, Regent Square, and high street (innerloop mixed use), and they are pretty successful with filling up, it can add about 12,000 new residents (give or take a few) alone to the innerloop by 2012 atleast.

Edited April 11, 2007 by WesternGulf

[TheNiche]

I was doing some calculating, and it seems like if most of these developments go through, Oaks District, West Ave, Hardy, Sonoma, Regent Square, and high street (innerloop mixed use), and they are pretty successful with filling up, it can add about 12,000 new residents (give or take a few) alone to the innerloop by 2012 atleast.

Did you take into account the people that would be displaced from existing improvements scheduled for demolition? Seems to me that it is much more of a demographic shift than densification.

[WesternGulf]

Well of course, there are people moving in and out of the loop everyday. Of course these new developments are geared towards the Dual/Double/Disposable Income No Kids people, so in some areas the density change may not be as drastic.

Edited April 12, 2007 by WesternGulf