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Market Square Park At 301 Milam St.


TheNiche

Market Square  

68 members have voted

  1. 1. Do you think Market Square is attractive in its current state?

    • Yes
      27
    • No
      37
    • Don't Know
      5
  2. 2. Do you think that it could reasonably be improved upon?

    • Yes
      64
    • No
      3
    • Don't Know
      2
  3. 3. If you responded 'Yes' to question #2, how would you improve it?

    • Add more trees/shrubs
      32
    • Add more benches
      30
    • Add picnic tables
      19
    • Allow a few concession stands
      36
    • Add a small restaurant with window orders (similar to Champ Burger or Someburger)
      31
    • Add a playground
      11
    • Add a dog trot
      13
    • Add a pond
      13
    • Add one or multiple small fountains
      20
    • Add one central large fountain
      29
    • Other, please explain
      11


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Root Memorial was updated into a very useful and attractive setting, and Discovery Green promises to be a major amenity, but Market Square doesn't really jump out at me in the same way despite its prime location. As an open question to everyone, I'd like to ask how you think Market Square might be improved (if you think it needs improvement).

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the park is nice but i think the biggest distraction for me is that in the past, it really was a "square" with businesses surrounding it. now, you have one side that is a parking lot, and another that is 1/2 lot/1/2 parking garage. having smaller business fronts all around would improve the park atmosphere IMO.

the negatives for me are the pet owners sure use it and leave the dog "residue" there and sometimes the homeless become aggressive.

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I like Market sqaure, I would replace or get rid of that awful sculpture though. Maybe add a chess table and concessions. I think the development of the surrounding buildings (that defunct Mexican restaurant)and surface lots is key to the park's vibrancy.

Edited by Houstonian in Iraq
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Funny, I didn't know they cleaned up Root Square Park. That might be worth checking out.

When I look at Market Square, I try to imagine it when the City Hall/Market was there. I came along a little too late to remember it as the Bowen Bus Center, but still, it must have really been a hub of activity during all those decades.

Now, I don't think I would walk through there at night. Lots of panhandlers in the area.

But, yeah, I'd like to see something done with it. Converting it for nighttime use would be difficult. Other than another Jones Plaza, I'm not sure what uses the park would have at night.

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I have to admit I have never been attracted to the actual park at Market Square. I think one thing is the view that is from the "square". It feels to open if that makes sense. Do a flickr seacrh of "market square houston" to see what I mean. Adding more mature trees wouldn't hurt either. Not just on the square but on the sidewalks that are in the vicinity of the sqaure. Too much concrete is visible from that place. Baldwin Park in Midtown has a more enclosed feel than Market Square.

Edited by WesternGulf
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I like Market sqaure, I would replace or get rid of that awful sculpture though. Maybe add a chess table and concessions. I think the development of the surrounding buildings (that defunct Mexican restaurant)and surface lots is key to the park's vibrancy.

If you're talking about the former La Tapatia at the corner of Milam and Congress, that place has already been converted into a new restaurant called Sofia's. I don't know the cuisine but I believe they've been open a few weeks now. I just saw a bunch of luncheoneers there this past week. But otherwise, I agree. If The Niche's hint that there's at least the possibility of a hotel being developed on the parking lot south of there proves to be true, then that would help a lot.

As for the park itself, I agree that the statuary seems subpar. I'd also like to see more fountains. Something that mists, maybe.

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They need to start from scratch and do a total redesign. They current design practically screams "keep out!! You may walk on the path/tunnels around and through, but this grass is just here to look at; don't even think about climbing up on to it." Something like DuPont Circle would be good there. A large fountain in the middle, surrounded by paths, benches, chess tables, trees, some open lawn space. Then patrol it so it's safe and clean (ie. enforce the pooper scooper laws).

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They need to start from scratch and do a total redesign. They current design practically screams "keep out!! You may walk on the path/tunnels around and through, but this grass is just here to look at; don't even think about climbing up on to it."

That's what squares are supposed to scream. Just like Leicester Square in London. It's by design. It's a square, not a park.

And they close off Leicester Square at 10:00.

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yes, i agree. total redesign. the sunken walkways and messy presentation of houston's past do nothing for the square.

i think the square should be an extension of existing restaurants/bars facing it. i don't mind the sculpture. use it as a centerpiece for a large fountain. surround the fountain with chess tables (as earlier mentioned) and cafe tables; leave room for trees and landscaping and make sure it is well lit at night. allow a hot dog vendor or two and make the square "street musician friendly" (whatever that means). it will be a great place to meet before/after eating or hanging out at one of the bordering establishments.

i believe the surface parking lot across the street from market square is being discussed for a potential new development. hopefully it will have retail space on the first floor, facing the square.

edit: park edited to square :)

Edited by bachanon
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I have to admit I have never been attracted to the actual park at Market Square. I think one thing is the view that is from the "square". It feels to open if that makes sense. Do a flickr seacrh of "market square houston" to see what I mean. Adding more mature trees wouldn't hurt either. Not just on the square but on the sidewalks that are in the vicinity of the sqaure. Too much concrete is visible from that place. Baldwin Park in Midtown has a more enclosed feel than Market Square.

I searched on flickr. One person said that they have booths that you can set up every Saturday I think, to sell art for $15. Cool.

Other than that, does someone have a block I can search for on live.com? I've never been to this park and want to check it out.

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I searched on flickr. One person said that they have booths that you can set up every Saturday I think, to sell art for $15. Cool.

Other than that, does someone have a block I can search for on live.com? I've never been to this park and want to check it out.

try preston at travis, 77002

look for the counter-clockwise swastika

oops - here's the local.live link

Edited by sevfiv
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I'd like to ask how you think Market Square might be improved (if you think it needs improvement).

Not a very good photo but I would definetely fill in with tons of dirt to create a slope then place foliage throughout. That way visitors have a good view of their surroundings from all angles to matter where they stand or sit. In other words no obstruction of views by passing busses/cars. I would then add turn of century lighting fixtures and just make the whole thing look antique like, as in the Gilded Age. To heck with modern.

45.jpg

Edited by Vertigo58
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It's a square park ;-)

It's part of the City of Houston PARKS department. They seem to think it is a PARK: "The PARK at Market Square is a sylvan oasis near the busy Harris County Courthouse complex and the Theater District."

Market Square

There have been suggestions to improve Market Square by making it more lively. The idea that it is a park seems to be the reason why it wasn't. At least according to these guys:

http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/decembe...erperforming_us

"Several years ago, PPS developed recommendations to locate an actual public market in Market Square. But we were told that Market Square was a "park," and as such, no commercial activity could take place there. Decision makers chose a silly design that did nothing but continue to keep people away. "

I think I remember reading that a market was tried here in recently but it didn't catch on, though, so who knows, maybe the city allowed commercial activity eventually.

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  • 3 weeks later...
I think I remember reading that a market was tried here in recently but it didn't catch on, though, so who knows, maybe the city allowed commercial activity eventually.

They tried it last year and the year before, but nobody ever showed up...there we booths and some food vendors. Downtown is trying, but people aren't participating.

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I forget which bank initially built it in the early 80s, but it was prominently featured in the 1984 movie "Paris, Texas".

Isn't it a Chase Bank now?

That would make me wonder if wasn't originally a Texas Commerce Bank. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Texas Commerce eventually became Chase. Was TCB morphed from something previous?)

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Before 9/11 you could ride to the very top of Chase tower and get a perfect birds eye view of the city looking south/southwest, but you had to have a strong stomach on winding days as that sucker would sway big time. I recall speaking to a secretary/attendant and the venetian blinds were hitting the glass window behind her. She was ever so calm. :blink:

Ooops were drifting from the topic! Yikes! :o

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  • 1 month later...

A "sylvan oasis." My, my. I wish I could write that way.

But anyway, I'm curious as to what is driving this. Is there a perception that there is a problem with the design of Market Square? I always thought it was OK, all things considered. Probably the best things you could do for it would be to redevelop the surface lot on the south side and get rid of the big parking garage on the west side. The focus shouldn't be on the square as much as the buildings around it. Too bad some of the city's oldest structures around it have been torn down.

Also, what happens at a "Place Making Workshop"?

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