Post HTX: 401 Franklin Post Office Site Redevelopment

[bobruss 3997]

At least Hines team got it right. Is anyone sure who won this project. Hopefully with some prodding something closer to Hines plan could be developed. It does all the right things to make this project feel part of downtown. We need to have an email campaign to whoever is awarded this site and help them see the potential with images like Hines plan. I already sent one to Munoz Albins.
It's times like these that our voices should be heard. Not after they start digging. The sqeaky wheel gets the grease.
I know the city does not own the property but it wouldn't hurt letting them know how important this site is and it's potential to buffalo bayou.
Along those lines it wouldn't hurt getting the powers that be at the Bayou Conservancy, Guy Hagstette, an email also.

Edited November 6, 2014 by bobruss

[H-Town Man 3195]

This master plan is pretty standard. Like very very very mediocre. It's not very inspiring at all and if this did become what would go at the post office site this would be quite the disappointment. I mean it does nothing with the surrounding area, it doesn't interact with the bayou, and it doesn't leave anything open for future growth especially in terms of mass transit which with the movement of TCR now full steam ahead into their environmental process I think that any plans for this site are on hold.

 

 

It seems like it would be smart thinking for Midway or whoever controls the site to wait about 5 years to develop until all the other residential projects downtown are built and stabilized, and something of a walking and shopping culture starts to develop. That would allow the development here to be a lot more ambitious, and lenders would be less worried about something with no precedent downtown. Of course no one likes to wait, but a piece of land like this comes along once in a generation and you want it done to its fullest potential.

[Luminare 3775]

It seems like it would be smart thinking for Midway or whoever controls the site to wait about 5 years to develop until all the other residential projects downtown are built and stabilized, and something of a walking and shopping culture starts to develop. That would allow the development here to be a lot more ambitious, and lenders would be less worried about something with no precedent downtown. Of course no one likes to wait, but a piece of land like this comes along once in a generation and you want it done to its fullest potential.

 

Of course. I just don't understand why EVERYONE is all the sudden jumping on this one master plan that was found by a very curious Urbannizer. Urbannizer was simply curious because he hadn't seen it before, but I mean this is Urbannizer. He usually idicates if its a present plan or one that is going to get moving. He simply stated that he had not seen it before and now everyone is freaking out about it -.- I honestly don't see any development on this site or anything near or around the Pierce Elevated and that area of Washington Ave until more is known about TCR and their plans and future plans of the city. That means that all of this is simply speculation because this site won't be developed for YEARS! I guarantee that. This also accounts for exactly what you stated. The market is crammed full of projects right now. This area isn't even officially part of Downtown I believe, meaning it wouldn't be eligible for TIRZ funding or residential incentive programs. All in all I think everyone needs to just calm down about what Urbannizer posted.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Luminare

[Luminare 3775]

Cloud I think the one you posted of Hines should be the standard. That or better. No excuses. No accepting anything below that. I don't think the city would accept anything below that.

[houstontexasjack 1696]

I quite liked the idea of having something along the lines of the 7200 Main renderings at this site. The Hines proposal could be modified for a taller tower for such a plan. 

[cloud713 3648]

It seems like it would be smart thinking for Midway or whoever controls the site to wait about 5 years to develop until all the other residential projects downtown are built and stabilized, and something of a walking and shopping culture starts to develop. That would allow the development here to be a lot more ambitious, and lenders would be less worried about something with no precedent downtown. Of course no one likes to wait, but a piece of land like this comes along once in a generation and you want it done to its fullest potential.

Does it? From the master plan so far it seems Midway is just trying to build a slightly more urban version of a citycentre esque development, in "downtown". Citycentre is meant to be driven to (or lived at). I guess they have the same vision for the post office site. Unfortunate, but I'm sure it will be successful either way..

Edited November 6, 2014 by cloud713

[Sparrow 303]

yeah.. bummer. i had hoped they would get creative and/or copy the plans below to reroute Washington through the site and eliminate Franklin along the bayou. with Franklin running across the south side of the development it kills any connectivity with the bayou. 

 

The issue with rerouting Washington would be how to deal with the I-10 HOV entrance/exit. Obviously with a little funding you could realign it, but where to?

[Luminare 3775]

The issue with rerouting Washington would be how to deal with the I-10 HOV entrance/exit. Obviously with a little funding you could realign it, but where to?

 

You would reroute the I-10 HOV to Bagby. Ideally if the Pierce Elevated were to be demolished someday then Bagby St. would be the ideal entrance into and from I-10

[Sky-guy 171]

Official???

Yes.

Source:

http://www.munozalbin.com/62-houston-post-office.html

[LarryDierker 3217]

It seems  the shadows indicate that 2 of the buildings on Franklin are much taller than the rest of the buildings.

 

Dunno if this actually means anything, but I haven't seen this before.

*Edit* I see that Midway has been selected to redevelop the site, so it's 100% likely they would choose Munoz Albin as the architect lol. I guess this is our first look at the plans.

http://www.munozalbin.com/62-houston-post-office.html

 

 

[Luminare 3775]

Yes.

Source:

http://www.munozalbin.com/62-houston-post-office.html

 

Official in that this site plan is an official Master Plan done by this firm for this site, but that's it. The person wanted to know if it was official that this was the plan that was going to be used, which isn't official! Just saying yes and posting a link to something that we already have doesn't mean that this project is officially happening!

[fernz 340]

Agree. Architects often post plans of studies for projects that are not built.

[mkultra25 758]

Downtown post office to close after the first of the year, per the USPS. No buyer for the site yet, but it will be put back on the market next year:

 

http://abc13.com/news/what-will-closure-of-downtown-post-office-mean/441038/

 

If I'm reading the USPS data on consolidations correctly, all services will end at the current site on 5/31/2015. There's a detailed spreadsheet covering all planned USPS consolidations at http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/welcome.htm (click on "Planned 2015 consolidations" to download the spreadsheet). 

 

Also of note: the USPS is revising service standards in the new year to tack on another day to the average time for First Class Mail delivery. 

 

I expect that I'm possibly the only person here who will miss having a retail post office and distribution center at the current site. So it goes. 

[Avossos 1306]

Downtown post office to close after the first of the year, per the USPS. No buyer for the site yet, but it will be put back on the market next year:

http://abc13.com/news/what-will-closure-of-downtown-post-office-mean/441038/

If I'm reading the USPS data on consolidations correctly, all services will end at the current site on 5/31/2015. There's a detailed spreadsheet covering all planned USPS consolidations at http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/welcome.htm (click on "Planned 2015 consolidations" to download the spreadsheet).

Also of note: the USPS is revising service standards in the new year to tack on another day to the average time for First Class Mail delivery.

I expect that I'm possibly the only person here who will miss having a retail post office and distribution center at the current site. So it goes.

What makes you think they are taking it off the market? Last I heard midway was in the running and wanted to buy this

[Chi-Char-Hou-Dal 347]

Funny thought. If Crude crashes... the USPS would have been much better off selling in 2014 then waiting until the gloom ahead. I can't help but see the USPS losing as they always do no matter what happens to Htown. I believe in this city and I don't support any doomsday theories; however, when the US Gov't is involved history tells me they never win. Literally N E V E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

 

post my picture again1

[UtterlyUrban 1623]

I expect that I'm possibly the only person here who will miss having a retail post office and distribution center at the current site. So it goes.

Actually, you are not. Current site or not, having a big central retail post office location is something I will miss too.

[BigFootsSocks 2938]

Funny thought. If Crude crashes... the USPS would have been much better off selling in 2014 then waiting until the gloom ahead. I can't help but see the USPS losing as they always do no matter what happens to Htown. I believe in this city and I don't support any doomsday theories; however, when the US Gov't is involved history tells me they never win. Literally N E V E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

post my picture again1

"Literally"

I do not think it means what you think it means.

[H-Town Man 3195]

however, when the US Gov't is involved history tells me they never win. Literally N E V E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

 

 

I beg to differ.

[arche_757 744]

USPS might lose out on a better price for the land, but big developments like this site have potential to offer us - take time.  Could be this thing works through all the kinks and problems over the time we're in a "down" economy (at least due to oil).  Will remain to see if the overall health of the US economy due to lower oil prices will drive other industries in Houston - it could very well do that.

[mkultra25 758]

What makes you think they are taking it off the market? Last I heard midway was in the running and wanted to buy this

 

I was paraphrasing the linked article. I don't think it was taken off the market, the article was just poorly worded:

 

 

 

The current downtown Houston facility was put up for sale earlier this year. However, we have learned from the USPS that the sale was not completed. This facility is suppose to hit the real estate market again next year.

[mkultra25 758]

Actually, you are not. Current site or not, having a big central retail post office location is something I will miss too.

 

It's not mentioned anywhere in the ABC13 article, but I can't believe that the USPS isn't going to have some sort of retail postal presence downtown after the current post office closes. But they're clearly not going to have a main distribution center there. 

 

That spreadsheet indicates that all incoming letter and flat mail at the current site is already being processed through the North Houston distribution center as part of the transition. 

Edited December 19, 2014 by mkultra25

[Urbannizer 37803]

http://swamplot.com/usps-moving-p-o-boxes-to-midtown-ahead-of-sale-and-demolition-of-downtown-post-office/2015-03-05/

 

A READER WHO maintains a post office box at the Barbara Jordan Post Officeat 401 Franklin St. Downtown has forwarded Swamplot a notice that showed up with the mail earlier this week, inviting box renters to a “town hall” meeting about the upcoming move of post office services at the facility. “Our projected move date is fast approaching,” the flyer reads — though it doesn’t identify whenit will be.

 

A note in an online for-sale listing, however, indicates that the facility will be “vacated by the USPS in the second quarter of 2015.” No buyer has been announced publicly for the 16-acre property, which was previously the site of the Southern Pacific Railway’s Grand Central Station.

The complex’s signature feature is its 1962 5-story concrete-finned main building and plaza (pictured at top) by Astrodome architects Wilson, Morris, Crain & Anderson. The USPS has noted that it “anticipates demolition” of the building as a result of the sale.

[DrLan34 1808]

As of yesterday, one of the employees told me they will all be moving to the 1500 Hadley location in Midtown in two weeks.

[Triton 9929]

As of yesterday, one of the employees told me they will all be moving to the 1500 Hadley location in Midtown in two weeks.

Yea, it's coming up soon. Had a notice in my mail box a while back about the move.

 

Edit: According to my notice, it was supposed to be May 2nd but it clearly got pushed back again.

Edited May 5, 2015 by Triton

[cspwal 2687]

Any word on who they sold it to?

[largeTEXAS 276]

Any word on who they sold it to?

Apparently, Lionstone dropped it because of some very expensive infrastructural work that needs to be done to the site (freeway wall or something like that). I hear the new groups are trying to find ways to deal with it in a cost effective manner.

[mkultra25 758]

Yea, it's coming up soon. Had a notice in my mail box a while back about the move.

 

Edit: According to my notice, it was supposed to be May 2nd but it clearly got pushed back again.

 

I was wondering about that. The lobby was closed over the weekend with a sign indicating it would be open again at 7AM on Monday morning, but there was no mention of completing the move of all services to the Hadley St. facility that had been scheduled for May 2. 

[DrLan34 1808]

http://swamplot.com/downtown-barbara-jordan-post-office-on-franklin-st-will-close-forever-on-may-15th/2015-05-06/

 

- THE U.S. POSTAL Service plans to end all retail operations at its flagship Downtown Houston post office next Friday, May 15th.

 

- P.O. box service has already been relocated to the Sam Houston Station in Midtown, at 1500 Hadley St.

 

- The USPS has placed the entire 16-acre property surrounding the building up for sale, but has not yet announced a buyer. The postal service has also indicated that it “anticipates demolition” of the structure.

Edited May 7, 2015 by DrLan34

[jmitch94 1354]

I just realized what land this is on and wow that would be great if it could all get developed. 

[houstontexasjack 1696]

88 story skyscraper over a new high speed rail terminal. Let's do this Houston.

[Naviguessor 1682]

The new alignment of I-10/I-45 will open this open this plot of land up, a lot.

[cloud713 3648]

Not really. The "downtown connectors" will remain, restricting the site. Now all the areas north of UHD and the warehouses will be opened up a TON and be prime for redevelopment.

[DNAguy 380]

Not really. The "downtown connectors" will remain, restricting the site. Now all the areas north of UHD and the warehouses will be opened up a TON and be prime for redevelopment.

I left a comment that advised TxDOT to have those connectors 'hug' the freeway more in that area so that way the site north of the tracks could be sold and developed or turned into a park.

Not to get too much off track but......

As TxDOT said, this illistration isn't final. I just hope they keep the footprint of this area and the 59/10 (and now 45) intersection to as much as a 'minimum' as possible so as to either develop or turn areas by the bayou into parks.

http://www.ih45northandmore.com/docs4/15_20150417_Seg3_PM4_Exhibit_01_Overall.pdf

Edited May 8, 2015 by DNAguy

[jmitch94 1354]

Im assuming the dark is new and the less dark is the existing freeway? Pretty disorienting in that position lol

[lockmat 2058]

I left a comment that advised TxDOT to have those connectors 'hug' the freeway more in that area so that way the site north of the tracks could be sold and developed or turned into a park.

Not to get too much off track but......

As TxDOT said, this illistration isn't final. I just hope they keep the footprint of this area and the 59/10 (and now 45) intersection to as much as a 'minimum' as possible so as to either develop or turn areas by the bayou into parks.

http://www.ih45northandmore.com/docs4/15_20150417_Seg3_PM4_Exhibit_01_Overall.pdf

 

The reason they're so wide is because it allows for a faster speed limit and they have to make it at least 45 mph. Anything tighter wouldn't meet standards.

[H-Town Man 3195]

The new alignment of I-10/I-45 will open this open this plot of land up, a lot.

Might mean that whoever buys it will wait until then to redevelop.

[ANTHONYHTOWN 156]

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/05/negotiations-reportedly-underway-for-downtown-post.html

 

Negotiations reportedly underway for downtown post office site

[nate4l1f3 692]

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/05/negotiations-reportedly-underway-for-downtown-post.html

Negotiations reportedly underway for downtown post office site

The city wanted this property for their new justice center? Ugh. Good thing that fell through, but come on Houston, let's have some vision!

[cloud713 3648]

I heard some disheartening news about this.. One of the big name companies looking to develop this site took soil samples and found either contamination, or it just wasn't stable. Couldn't find out for sure other than site remediation will need to happen.

[Avossos 1306]

I heard some disheartening news about this.. One of the big name companies looking to develop this site took soil samples and found either contamination, or it just wasn't stable. Couldn't find out for sure other than site remediation will need to happen.

That's costly... Will likely come off the sale price. Justice complex would be better there than where it is currently, but I trust they can find an even better spot for JC... Cough downtown cough east end cough near northside.

Anyway, I hope we have a good developer follow through...

Midway bought the large property off Washington avenue... I don't see them buying this too.

[cloud713 3648]

Yeah, definitely costly. They had to restructure/resubmit their bid to account for the added expenses.

[DrLan34 1808]

-

Edited May 12, 2015 by DrLan34

[cloud713 3648]

edit.

Edited May 12, 2015 by cloud713

[H-Town Man 3195]

I heard some disheartening news about this.. One of the big name companies looking to develop this site took soil samples and found either contamination, or it just wasn't stable. Couldn't find out for sure other than site remediation will need to happen.

 

Contamination would be understandable considering that it was a railway station, followed by a post office with daily fleets of diesel trucks and an adjacent railway platform. Might be unstable because of the bayou and shifting clays, but I would be surprised then that the post office held up so well over time.

 

If it is unstable, make it a park!

 

[cloud713 3648]

yeah doubt its unstable, the source (used to work for one of the major firms who bid on the site) only said there was a problem with the soil, but that they couldnt remember exactly the issue. i assumed contamination, but didnt want to mislead yall in case that were wrong. hopefully its not too costly and the city is willing to accept much lower bids due to soil remediation.

[cspwal 2687]

Would they have to do remediation if it was turned into a train station again?

[H-Town Man 3195]

Would they have to do remediation if it was turned into a train station again?

 

Yes. If they were building a 7-Eleven they would need to do soil remediation.

[Urbannizer 37803]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/07/lovett-commercial-set-to-buy-downtown-post-office/

 

The downtown post office has a buyer who may turn the site into a mixed-use development with shops, office, housing and perhaps a boutique hotel.

Houston-based commercial real estate developer Lovett Commercial is under contract to buy the property at 401 Franklin from the United States Postal Service. Closing is scheduled for late summer or early fall.

[Fortune 500]

Lovett Commercial is the buyer.

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/07/lovett-commercial-set-to-buy-downtown-post-office/

"The downtown post office has a buyer who may turn the site into a mixed-use development with shops, office, housing and perhaps a boutique hotel.

Houston-based commercial real estate developer Lovett Commercial is under contract to buy the property at 401 Franklin from the United States Postal Service. Closing is scheduled for late summer or early fall.

“It’s extremely rare to find a 16+ acre parcel in any major U.S. downtown,” Burdette Huffman vice president of Lovett Commercial said in an email to the Chronicle.

The property, he added, offers an “incredible location with direct connectivity to Buffalo Bayou and the Theater District,” as well as “fantastic access to I-10, I-45, downtown and the Washington corridor.”

Huffman said the company is still working on conceptual plans for the site and is exploring ways to reuse portions of the existing buildings."

Edited July 6, 2015 by Fortune

[tigereye 1704]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/07/lovett-commercial-set-to-buy-downtown-post-office/

Lovett?!?

I'm Lovin It lol