Jax Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Well then, LOL! To get more specific how about the first light rail? That picture is of a street car in Toronto....well that is pretty much what Houston's light rail is (a street car) so I guess you all win. With that said, I know I remember reading that before. The street cars in Toronto are smaller though. A bit smaller than a typical Metro bus I think. The metro trains are huge in comparison, especially the double length trains they run at rush hour. So it'll be different than the Toronto streetcar junction in that sense. That's just from memory though so maybe I'm wrong. Last time I rode on one of those was probably 2003 or 2004. Here's a picture but I'd be interested to see a comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 The street cars in Toronto are smaller though. A bit smaller than a typical Metro bus I think. The metro trains are huge in comparison, especially the double length trains they run at rush hour. So it'll be different than the Toronto streetcar junction in that sense. That's just from memory though so maybe I'm wrong. Last time I rode on one of those was probably 2003 or 2004. Here's a picture but I'd be interested to see a comparison. Toronto's streetcars are 49 feet in length, almost exactly one half the length of Houston's 96 foot cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks for looking that up. I tried to Google it, didn't come up with anything, and then I had to run. I just remembered from when I used to live in Canada that the street cars always felt kind of small compared to the light rail here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Anyone know when they are going to announce the winner of this competition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 From Metro:CENTRAL STATION - MAIN DESIGN COMPETITIONThank you for your interest in the Central Station Main Design Competition. The public comment period has ended. Please refer back to this site in early March when METRO will release the information on the winning design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 WeFrom Metro:CENTRAL STATION - MAIN DESIGN COMPETITIONThank you for your interest in the Central Station Main Design Competition. The public comment period has ended. Please refer back to this site in early March when METRO will release the information on the winning design.Have they announced a winner yet? Wasn't it supposed to be announced in early March? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Let me think. Beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecar(a.f.f.) Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 bump...has anyone seen notifications from Metro announcing the winning entry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 no, I even emailed the downtown management district who was involved to find out the other day and have not heard back from them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Maybe they want it to be a surprise, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecar(a.f.f.) Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 @mfastxon the edge of my seatPlaced a call into Metro media relations. Will post if I find out anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecar(a.f.f.) Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Ugh! Update is there is no update....Media relations coordinator at Metro confrimed with David Couch, Senior VP of Capital Programs, that no entry has been selected. They are apparently swamped with the many projects running concurrently - election results, university line, etc. - on top of the difficulty of funding and planning any one of the central-station proposals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 That's surprising, considering they're already tearing up the median to build the station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecar(a.f.f.) Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 A coworker had called a couple weeks ago and talked to someone who said they were going to put the standard station in 'for now.' That sounds ridiculous, as well. Not sure if Metro is organized enough to get something like this accomplished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Ugh! Update is there is no update....Media relations coordinator at Metro confrimed with David Couch, Senior VP of Capital Programs, that no entry has been selected. They are apparently swamped with the many projects running concurrently - election results, university line, etc. - on top of the difficulty of funding and planning any one of the central-station proposals.The University Line is one of the "many projects running concurrently?" Seems fishy to me, considering the results of the referendum. I thought the station was under construction already.. they haven't even made a selection yet?We need to replace those fools at METRO with people who actually have experience running a transit agency, smh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 So is this the big winner? http://www.gometrorail.org/go/doc/2491/1470959/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortune Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 So is this the big winner? http://www.gometrorail.org/go/doc/2491/1470959/ LoL of course it's Metro in Houston. What did you all expect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Actually, Gus from swamplot told me that's probably the one on Rusk, not Main. I think he's right gauging by the orientation of BG Place. Also the one on Main is supposed to be in the middle of the road.Sorry for the false alarm.The lines under construction are supposed to be done in 2014, so I would presume that they would have to start construction on the one on Main soon, so we should know any time now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 (edited) Yeah, that's not Main St. pictured, it's Rusk. Originally, some of the renderings for the new Main Station showed a double-sided station, one side for each direction. That won't work, Main is not wide enough there. They've got the medians torn up for two blocks. We'll probably end up with two stations a block apart. It looks like they are laying some track to join into the Red Line. I saw it by the Flying Saucer. Edited December 18, 2012 by rsb320 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 any news on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urban909 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 any news on this? Out of curiosity, I went-a-lookin' around on gometrorail.org and didn't find anything. On a side note, has anyone else noticed this rendering that has the LRV's mixing with traffic? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 That looks the same as it is in the Med Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Yeah, the Med Center has something funky with the trains going on. Driving into the light rail ROW to make a left hand turn? No thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Works great! Seems to be timed well to keep everything moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Out of curiosity, I went-a-lookin' around on gometrorail.org and didn't find anything. On a side note, has anyone else noticed this rendering that has the LRV's mixing with traffic? I see no barriers so its possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 (edited) #5 is the winner, METRO also held a meeting Oct. 16th regarding this new station. The introduction of public rail transportation in Houston is exciting and provocative. The dependence on cars to cover the sprawling city and seek refuge from the intense climate makes some citydwellers suspect of a public rail line. Yet, many see the envisioned rail connections between key business and cultural destinations as a welcome change to traffic congestion and endless searches parking spots. The design for the new Houston Metro Station is an opportunity to add a visual narrative through the city which emphasizes the importance Houston places on design as well as on alternative means of transportation. When it rains it pours, especially in Houston. Getting caught in a sudden downpour is a common experience in this city, as is having one’s inverted umbrella get carried off by forceful gusts. The cantilevered canopy expresses both the urgency of the Houston climate by appearing to lift off the ground as well as the funneling motion that rain water takes as it is collected into the storm drain system. Where does the water go? Through stalactites and funnel columns into the platform level grate. This is not only efficient but also wonderful to watch. These details provide interest to those waiting on the platform as well: you can watch water fall, and light is allowed to pass through. From above office workers and residents look down on what is not so much a roof as an inverted topography, the funnel shapes catching water during rains. At night skim lights will illuminate the structure, casting complex shadows and color patterns across its surface. http://snohetta.com/project/101-houston-transit-station Edited October 28, 2013 by Urbannizer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 ^ Cool. Glad to hear they are going forward with this. With Metro having gone silent on the project for so long, I was afraid the project had been scrapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Good to hear. I was hopeful that Snohetta would get the nod to design the MFAH expansion (but I'm ok with Holl). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 It's not a done deal. The designers were given a budget and now it's unclear whether the winning design can be constructed within that budget. Some extra money may have to be found somewhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Darnit.. I was hoping/thought the colorful Cynthia woods pavilion looking one was the winner. This one is probably my second favorite though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I think it did win metro just did what it wanted like many of us suspected it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clark030 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 No signature Main station after all. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Signature-downtown-station-plans-shelved-for-5000234.php?cmpid=btfpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) No signature Main station after all. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Signature-downtown-station-plans-shelved-for-5000234.php?cmpid=btfpmOh my god, I am so surprised. Seriously, I hate Metro so much, for so many years already, and im sick and tired of such an inept, crooked, incompetent bunch of idiotic buffoons running the transit agency of the 4th largest city in the United States. Im raging right now. Edited November 22, 2013 by Howard Huge 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 What a shocker. NOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) These guys cant boil water without finding a way to screw it up !!!! Let us count The trains that were suppose to be buliit and delviered by now are still not ready The tunnel for the east libne has not even been dug yet Now the singature RAIL STATION IS going to be some boring plain rail station !!! How do these people still have jobs !!!! Seriously !!!!! i WANT TO KNOW!!! wHO APPOINTS THESE PEOPLE!! aRE THEY VOTED IN !!! WHAT !! Edited November 22, 2013 by Moore713 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Unbelievable. Who are these people? And how do we replace them?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Angry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Had the idea for a grand station never existed, nobody would be complaining. Hey, at least it is saving taxpayer money. The most important thing about the rail is its functionality anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm not too bummed honestly. A signature station at street level would just look weird and out of place. It would be overpowering. It would be a lot better if it were all underground, with a mega transfer station with different levels. They could have done something amazing with that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Had the idea for a grand station never existed, nobody would be complaining. Hey, at least it is saving taxpayer money. The most important thing about the rail is its functionality anyway. But they are still spending 1.6 million. And they lost out on the 600,000 grant from a Downtown organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Had the idea for a grand station never existed, nobody would be complaining. Hey, at least it is saving taxpayer money. The most important thing about the rail is its functionality anyway. But they are still spending 1.6 million. And they lost out on the 600,000 grant from a Downtown organization. Are both those dollar mounts referencing only this station? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 wow, you have got to be shitting me... can Metro not do anything right? if its just another one of those lame boring 90* over hang stations im going to be pissed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Are both those dollar mounts referencing only this station?Yes.Go read the swamplot article about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 "Metro" has become synonymous with "blunder" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm not too bummed honestly. A signature station at street level would just look weird and out of place. It would be overpowering. It would be a lot better if it were all underground, with a mega transfer station with different levels. They could have done something amazing with that.i agree it could have looked a little out of place, but its the exchange hub for 2 light rail lines. lots of people are going to utilize this station, much more so than any other station i would imagine. it would be a shame for it to be just another light rail station.i LOVE your second idea. they could of had escalators where the streets are, going down to the tunnel level, with tunnel transfers to the east end lines and more escalators by those stations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 there is some hope.. at first it sounds like another basic station, but goes on to give hope for something unique."Unwilling to accept that added expense, board members approved a proposal by Jim Robinson to spend enough only for a basic canopy."I don't think the standard designs look bad, frankly," Robinson said.Downtown Management District officials will not contribute to a basic station, so Metro still estimates it will pay $450,000 more than staff budgeted. Spieler said he hopes Metro can work out a deal to spend $1.05 million while agreeing to a design that would attract a contribution from the downtown district, for a total cost of $1.65 million." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downtownian Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Terrible. I was looking forward to walking by the station every day. The block deserves much better: BG Group Place, the new JW Marriott, the new 609 Main office and the 1929 Gulf Building all surround the station. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Does anyone still think that it is a good idea to give these jokers a few billion dollars worth of heavy commuter rail to plan and build? If current trajectories continue, I think we're going to get to a point in the next couple of decades where we will genuinely need it to continue growing. Instead, we get metrocare.gov over and over again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Whoosah.. Whoosah. At least we have some awesome towers going up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 The design would not have looked good at all in front of the Gulf Building, IMHO. Not too sad it's been scrapped, considering that's the most graceful historic building in the whole city. And the Metro guy is right, the existing stations don't look bad. In certain situations, less is more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.