Land On Yale St.

[poyea]

HAIFers...does anyone have any knowledge of what is happening on the land on Yale, just south of I-10 (either side of Yale actually). There has recently been quite a bit of earth movers chopping up the concrete on the west side of Yale. The For Sale signs are still in place however. We were hoping for a new HEB location, but with Montrose getting one, we're not as hopeful anymore. HAIFers just HAVE to know something by now.

Thanks!!!

[plumber2]

Don't count on HEB.

[flatline]

Don't count on HEB.

Why not?

(BTW, I ask not in the 'pithy-and-smart@ssy' way, but in the 'please-share-some-info-with-us' way).

[longhornguy]

Why not?

(BTW, I ask not in the 'pithy-and-smart@ssy' way, but in the 'please-share-some-info-with-us' way).

My fear is that if HEB doesn't build on this site, Home Depot will. Imagine how the migrant worker population will multiply if that's the case. I don't know how those guys can just hang out at Ace hardware in the middle of summer like that.

With the I-10 feeder road already beginning and the prevalence of remodels in the Heights/Washington area, this would probably fit HD's profile to a T.

[TheNiche]

With the I-10 feeder road already beginning and the prevalence of remodels in the Heights/Washington area, this would probably fit HD's profile to a T.

Home Depot has a store along the North Loop to serve remodels in the greater Heights area, Garden Oaks, and Oak Forest. Washington Avenue isn't such a hot remodel market.

[RedScare]

My fear is that if HEB doesn't build on this site, Home Depot will. Imagine how the migrant worker population will multiply if that's the case. I don't know how those guys can just hang out at Ace hardware in the middle of summer like that.

With the I-10 feeder road already beginning and the prevalence of remodels in the Heights/Washington area, this would probably fit HD's profile to a T.

Good point. And that fits in nicely with Home Depot's policy of building new stores only two and a half miles from their existing ones.

(Actually, my real fear is that you typed your post in all seriousness.)

[AtticaFlinch]

Good point. And that fits in nicely with Home Depot's policy of building new stores only two and a half miles from their existing ones.

Well, if not a Home Depot, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's something that will help to multiply the migrant worker population just hanging out in the middle of summer.

Please Lord, let it be a Tecate brewery.

[little frau]

What are you folks talking about?? Do some of the Home Depots have a "summer only" concession?

I want that at our store too!! (stomps foot)

[heights_yankee]

Well, if not a Home Depot, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's something that will help to multiply the migrant worker population just hanging out in the middle of summer.

Please Lord, let it be a Tecate brewery.

Maybe they'll build a big Greyhound bus station and redirect traffic from the downtown station to the Heights area. That way we can have recently released criminals rather than those rascally people who want to work.

[sonic0boom]

The For Sale signs are still in place however.

I think there are a couple of lots for sale on that west side of the street. When I drove by yesterday, i don't think i saw a for sale sign on the section where they are clearing things up. ... But I may have missed it.

[Northwood]

Crews were painting the Yale railroad underpass yesterday. The bright colors look great and it reminds me how nice infrastructure can be when just a little more than the bare minimum is done. Thanks whoever paid for this project.

[Jesse]

Crews were painting the Yale railroad underpass yesterday. The bright colors look great and it reminds me how nice infrastructure can be when just a little more than the bare minimum is done. Thanks whoever paid for this project.

The paint really does look nice. I wish they did that in more areas.

[77007]

Hope they use the land off Yale & Koehler wisely (it is in a unique loaction, especially with it now getting access to I-10). Would be great if a City Center development was completed (including a LifeTime Fitness, parking garage, restuarants, etc. )

Am hoping they do not build 2-3 bedroom townhouses in that location as then there would be too many of them in the area. That being said if a Caceras type of development (http://www.caceresliving.com/index.php) came up there it will be neat. The Spanish architecture really stands out. A lot happening in the area, especially with the Whole Foods construction of Waugh and Dallas having started. Hope the area develops as a whole; only time will tell!!!

[HeyHatch]

Hope they use the land off Yale & Koehler wisely (it is in a unique loaction, especially with it now getting access to I-10). Would be great if a City Center development was completed (including a LifeTime Fitness, parking garage, restuarants, etc. )

Am hoping they do not build 2-3 bedroom townhouses in that location as then there would be too many of them in the area. That being said if a Caceras type of development (http://www.caceresliving.com/index.php) came up there it will be neat. The Spanish architecture really stands out. A lot happening in the area, especially with the Whole Foods construction of Waugh and Dallas having started. Hope the area develops as a whole; only time will tell!!!

Not only are the NOT putting in an HEB (and I heard from an EXTREMELY reliable source it was a done deal) Wal-Mart has pulled another fast one and is invading the Heights! That's right, you heard it here first, Wal-Mart, who I have heard has THE HIGHEST PARKING LOT CRIME RATE will be building on that property. Seems that HEB made an offer to the land owner, who then went to Wal-Mart asking them to beat the price. The land-owner sold us out folks! Anyone interested in launching a full-blown boycott/property owner protest?

And you guys were worried about the Nicholson Street Hike and Bike trail bringing crime to the area....

[20thStDad]

Not only are the NOT putting in an HEB (and I heard from an EXTREMELY reliable source it was a done deal) Wal-Mart has pulled another fast one and is invading the Heights! That's right, you heard it here first, Wal-Mart, who I have heard has THE HIGHEST PARKING LOT CRIME RATE will be building on that property. Seems that HEB made an offer to the land owner, who then went to Wal-Mart asking them to beat the price. The land-owner sold us out folks! Anyone interested in launching a full-blown boycott/property owner protest?

And you guys were worried about the Nicholson Street Hike and Bike trail bringing crime to the area....

Don't you think the Wal-Mart high parking lot crime rate is more due to where they stick most Wal-Marts rather than the store itself?

[HeyHatch]

Don't you think the Wal-Mart high parking lot crime rate is more due to where they stick most Wal-Marts rather than the store itself?

Not necessarily. It's probably because of the size of the parking lots and WalMart's apparent lack of interest in protecting their clientele. They seem to have an attitude of doing whatever it takes to keep their profits high, which means cookie cutter buildings on cookie cutter parking lots with no security measures fine-tuned to the local community. I will say this. When H-E-B built their location out on Bunker Hill, which has a gi-normous lot, they had problems early on with car break ins. I remember seeing it on the news. As soon as it started happening, they hired local law enforcement to patrol on their off-time, as well as bringing in their own security teams to patrol on golf carts and seg-ways (I have no idea how that brand name is spelled, my apologies.) All those security measures are still in place a year later, which is why I have no problem going there at all hours. WalMart? Oh-hell-to-the-no!

[TheNiche]

Not necessarily. It's probably because of the size of the parking lots and WalMart's apparent lack of interest in protecting their clientele. They seem to have an attitude of doing whatever it takes to keep their profits high, which means cookie cutter buildings on cookie cutter parking lots with no security measures fine-tuned to the local community. I will say this. When H-E-B built their location out on Bunker Hill, which has a gi-normous lot, they had problems early on with car break ins. I remember seeing it on the news. As soon as it started happening, they hired local law enforcement to patrol on their off-time, as well as bringing in their own security teams to patrol on golf carts and seg-ways (I have no idea how that brand name is spelled, my apologies.) All those security measures are still in place a year later, which is why I have no problem going there at all hours. WalMart? Oh-hell-to-the-no!

I go to Wal-Mart location on S. Post Oak most frequently and usually between about 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM. There are lots of black people around (maybe that's what you're referring to) but I've never felt threatened.

[RedScare]

I used to work nights and did most of my shopping after I got off work. A lot of that shopping was done at 24 hour Walmarts. Not once did I ever go to a Walmart that did not have security patrolling the parking lot. And, that's even without the bad press that caused HEB to put security in their lot.

[HeyHatch]

There are lots of black people around (maybe that's what you're referring to) but I've never felt threatened.

You have GOT to be kidding me. Of course you are the same guy who in another post on this same topic mentioned something along the lines of what a blessing it would be to the low-income Mexican families who load generations of their family in to a car for a Wal-Mart day trip. It's not a race issue. Leave it at that.

[HeyHatch]

I used to work nights and did most of my shopping after I got off work. A lot of that shopping was done at 24 hour Walmarts. Not once did I ever go to a Walmart that did not have security patrolling the parking lot. And, that's even without the bad press that caused HEB to put security in their lot.

I don't know, Red. I'm a tough little broad, but I still feel on edge when I have gone to some of the local WalMarts. I just get a bad vibe off of them.

[20thStDad]

My wife is pumped about the possibility of not driving up 290 to Hollister. I love the cheapness, but I hate lines and crowds so I let her do that whenever possible.

[RedScare]

I don't know, Red. I'm a tough little broad, but I still feel on edge when I have gone to some of the local WalMarts. I just get a bad vibe off of them.

You are certainly entitled to be fearful whenever and wherever you see fit, but that doesn't obligate the tens of millions of us who've shopped at Walmart to believe it rational. For proof, not the previous poster who sends his wife to the Walmart at 290 and Hollister unescorted.

[TheNiche]

You have GOT to be kidding me. Of course you are the same guy who in another post on this same topic mentioned something along the lines of what a blessing it would be to the low-income Mexican families who load generations of their family in to a car for a Wal-Mart day trip. It's not a race issue. Leave it at that.

Well hey, let's be honest with ourselves. Bad people are going to do bad things whether they congregate at a Wal-Mart, the Sawyer Sports Bar, a Mexican beer bar, the Reagan High School, or wherever else. If it isn't a race thing (which is suggested by statements like "I just get a bad vibe off of them"), then it's a class thing. Whatever the case, you need to accept that the perceived safety of any given Wal-Mart in the Houston region is going to be more influenced by the neighborhoods it serves than it is itself capable of influencing those neighborhoods. And if it makes you uncomfortable, perhaps its just because you're reminded of the people that are (for the time being) your neighbors.

[Gooch]

I thought WalMart had a problem with COH's tax policies?

[ricco67]

I don't know, Red. I'm a tough little broad, but I still feel on edge when I have gone to some of the local WalMarts. I just get a bad vibe off of them.

If you feel that strongly about it, then by all means don't go to one. Look at my sig, I just don't go to them whenever possible.

My only beef right now is that I'm some of the more rural parts of MN and WI, is that I see local stores not being able to supply stuff that I need on the road and have to either do without or go feel guilty when I walk into one.

[HeyHatch]

If it isn't a race thing (which is suggested by statements like "I just get a bad vibe off of them"), then it's a class thing.

Nope, it's just that I don't think they (Walmart, as is the "them" above) give a good crap about anything other than their bottom line, which means they compromise on security, product quality, employee quality of life, and lots of other things that give the stores a bad vibe.

Put it like this, McDonalds's and other fast food is quick and easy and gives immediate gratification. Is it healthy for you? In most cases no. WalMart is quick and easy and gives immediate gratification. Is it healthy for the surrounding community? In most cases ...

[TheNiche]

Nope, it's just that I don't think they (Walmart, as is the "them" above) give a good crap about anything other than their bottom line, which means they compromise on security, product quality, employee quality of life, and lots of other things that give the stores a bad vibe.

Put it like this, McDonalds's and other fast food is quick and easy and gives immediate gratification. Is it healthy for you? In most cases no. WalMart is quick and easy and gives immediate gratification. Is it healthy for the surrounding community? In most cases ...

You just articulated why I like Wal-Mart. No frills, low price, and commensurate expectations. I know what I'm getting and shop elsewhere when it makes sense for me to.

Same thing with fast food, which I eat a lot of if I'm not at home on account of the value menus. My expectation is not that two regular McDonald's hamburgers and a small side of fries (Serving size: 271 grams; 730 calories; 20 grams of fat) are healthy; but they'll cost about three bucks and are convenient and consistent. Compare that to, say, a Turkey BLT from Boston Market (Serving size: 378 grams; 1030 calories; 57 grams of fat)..."oh, but the advertising is so clean-looking, and I paid twice as much for quality!" Yeah, Boston Market will taste better and I'll feel more full, but I haven't the time, the disposable income, or any particular desire to buy into their hype. And what's the sense in over-eating, anyway? I wouldn't patronize either a McDonald's or Boston Market for fine dining, but McDonald's definitely wins out if I need a bite to eat away from home.

And as analogous to Wal-Mart as it is, it's no surprise that there's a McDonald's in most Wal-Marts. It's the perfect pairing.

[heights_yankee]

Seriously?

Well, people, it's The Niche's world and we're all just lucky to live in it. Please lower your expectations to match his and we stop this sillier-by-the-moment discussion and move on with our bourgeoise little lives...

[20thStDad]

Let's just wait and see what kind of Walmart lands here. You have to think they do a bit of research into the neighborhood. I've been to their neighborhood markets before, it's not quite the same as the big ugly like on S Post Oak. And if the parking lot is full of crime, that's your neighbors - and they're already here. It's not like Walmart includes petty thieves in their development plan.

[CleaningLadyinCleveland]

Seriously?

Well, people, it's The Niche's world and we're all just lucky to live in it. Please lower your expectations to match his and we stop this sillier-by-the-moment discussion and move on with our bourgeoise little lives...

Yeah and in The Niche's world he actually eats McDonalds on a regular basis - ick! Cheap yes - but it makes me sick every time I eat it so I stopped eating there long long time ago. Since I've seen the movies "Super Size Me" and "Food Inc.", it also makes my stomach turn a bit when I hear the name. There's lots of good food for you that is cheaper than McDonalds. How about peanut butter sandwiches and an apple? (easy to pack carry and doesn't need refrigeration either) Beans and Rice....Spaghetti with homemade sauce, fried rice with frozen peas and a bit of meat in it....I could go on and on and on. Don't be lazy people and think it is okay to hear someone from a tin box say "may I take your order?" Please Tthe Niche - try eating a bit more healthy (hey even WalMart has organic foods now) and perhaps you mind and body will improve for it and your postings may be a bit more pleasant ;-D

Shouldn't this thread be merged with the Walmart one - same topic and a the same post by HeyHatch...?