Museo Institute For The Medical Arts In The Museum District

[invisibletrees]

1 hour ago, Chi-Char-Hou-Dal said:

Renderings?

 

First post?

[KinkaidAlum]

It wasn't meant to be a slam. Portland and Austin are two of my favorite cities but they are much smaller, less cosmopolitan, and don't have multiple skylines. That's simply a fact and not a matter of opinion.

 

[Twinsanity02]

Where is this development relative to Hines Southmore?

[houstontexasjack]

2 hours ago, Twinsanity02 said:

Where is this development relative to Hines Southmore?

 

Across the street to the north (I think "catty corner" is the term). The main tower is an additional block east and north.

[Twinsanity02]

Thanks, I think I see it in the rendering. It is the  pale high rise to the southeast. 

[enriquewx91]

I'm not going to get excited for this because in our current market we could be in for a letdown. I say 30% chance this actually happens.

[Montrose1100]

17 hours ago, KinkaidAlum said:

It wasn't meant to be a slam. Portland and Austin are two of my favorite cities but they are much smaller, less cosmopolitan, and don't have multiple skylines. That's simply a fact and not a matter of opinion.

 

Oh I don't care if you were slamming them, just poking fun at you for listing cities like Pitbull does on every song.

[houstontexasjack]

It appears some minor corrections to the plat were required by the planning commission and action was deferred until the meeting at the end of the month.  I have extracted the pages to avoid attaching the entire agenda:

 

 

Museo Plaza Plat Deferral.pdf

[Urbannizer]

Presentation for Museo Plaza going on right now at the Houston Museum of African culture:

 

http://www.museumparkna.org/resources/Documents/2016.06.01%20MPNA%20Agenda.pdf

 

 

[Urbannizer]

From Aprils meeting, Trammell Crow is the developer. Also, the approval to abandon Palm St. for a pedestrian plaza/green space has been revoked by the COH due to neighborhood concerns.

 

 More here: http://www.museumparkna.org/resources/ Documents/MPNA.MPSN%20Meeting%204.27.16.pdf

 

 

Quote

The project is presented as a unique, one-of-a-kind mixed use neighborhood development on three city blocks bounded by Main St., Fannin, Southmore and Wichita. The project will include a hotel at the current site of Mann Eye clinic with 150-180 keys, a residential tower with 300 units north of the hotel, and a medical office building east of the hotel. All will be linked by a pedestrian plaza/”green space” replacing Palm Street. A restaurant is planned on Palm St. along with a Performance Pavilion on Palm St. facing Main. Green space is considered the primary driver for success because a successful green space gives more opportunity for restaurants and retail to succeed. Parking will be above ground and Southmore will be required to be widened by the developer for the length of the project. Private ownership should deter the transient population.

 

[BigFootsSocks]

Really don't understand the motive behind opposing the abandonment of Palm Street; it ends at Main Street so it's not like they're asking to abandon a thoroughfare

[lockmat]

1 hour ago, Urbannizer said:

From Aprils meeting, Trammell Crow is the developer. Also, the approval to abandon Palm St. for a pedestrian plaza/green space has been revoked by the COH due to neighborhood concerns.

 

 More here: http://www.museumparkna.org/resources/ Documents/MPNA.MPSN%20Meeting%204.27.16.pdf

 

 

 

 

I'm glad this is a legit project moving in the right direction. I also agree with the neighborhood concerns 100%. I see no reason they can't make a great project without closing off a street. Houston needs MORE connectivity, not less.

[houstontexasjack]

Intriguing.  The point regarding proceeds for the land from the abandonment is well taken.  We have some dismal sidewalks here that could use upgrades, along with improved drainage.

[htownproud]

The chevron station to the north of the Mann Eye Institute has become a homeless hangout at all hours of the day (can't imagine why the station allows this, but they do).  Good call by the "neighbors" protesting this new development.  Perhaps instead, the greyhound station will relocate to this property.  Would serve the "neighbors" right.  

[MarathonMan]

7 hours ago, BigFootsSocks said:

Really don't understand the motive behind opposing the abandonment of Palm Street; it ends at Main Street so it's not like they're asking to abandon a thoroughfare

I completely agree.  Palm ends at Main  and it is blocked off from through traffic one block east, at Fannin, because of the light rail.  It's essentially a one-block-long dead street that wouldn't be missed if it were gone.  Boneheaded move on the part of the neighborhood and city.  I hope this doesn't jeopardize the project. That would be a big loss to that area, which would see a huge improvement if this development is realized.

[cranky]

 

I am baffled as to why there is opposition to to closing Palm especially after seeing the developer's presentation last night. I could not even dream of something better. A few highlights from the meeting in no particular order:

 

• Early stages of design - design will take another year

   

• Development would be like City Center

   

• 3 buildings to be constructed in this order: medical tower, residential tower, luxury boutique hotel (the most luxurious in Houston or at least top 5)

   

• Each building would have their own parking; underground is being considered but may not happen because of cost

   

• All buildings would have first floor retail/restaurants with outdoor seating - this is why they want to close Palm street

   

• The vision includes a performance stage

   

• Palm street greenery would be open to the public but privately owned. One option they will explore is having the city turn Palm street into a public park

   

• Palm street greenery would be enjoyable/designed to be used year round

   

• Targeting all types of restaurants: family friendly, casual, fine, coffee shop, bars

   

• Multiple entrances to buildings - all entrances will be attractive

   

• Existing oak trees would be kept and additional trees and greenery would be added

   

• Closing Palm street to make it all green space would be a beautiful entrance to Museum Park and would serve as a link between Museum District and Museum Park

   

• Developers will continue to involve the neighborhood as plans progress

   

Neighborhood concerns and/or stupid comments:

 

• Traffic - some peeps continue to believe Palm street is heavily used and that closing Palm would increase traffic on nearby streets

   

• How will the developers deal with homelessness - uh.....if anything this would disband the homeless on that block

   

• Development would push homeless people towards midtown - what will be done about eye sore near wheeler/Sears

   

• Will the city add more rail lines

   

• Lack of parking

   

• Southmore is currently designed to a service entrance this would make Southmore unattractive and increase traffic

   

 

 

I made it clear that I am a member of the neighborhood associated and that support this project and the closing of Palm 100%. I'm extremely pissed that the neighborhood association has taken the position to oppose the closing of Palm street. They do not fairly represent the neighborhood. In Feb. there were 161 active members in the association yet the neighborhood consists of 3,000 residents (see MPNA Feb. meeting minutes). The other annoying thing is that some people do not understand that this is early in the planning phase and the developer stated design would take another year. Some people interpret this as the developer being purposely ambiguous and schemers.

 

The developer and the city need to hear from people that support this project and the closing of Palm street. I believe the development fulfills a huge gap in the MD/MP and perfectly complements the $400mil renovation of MFA. Perhaps I should start a petition to show support of this…..what do you all think?

 

Attachments:

 

1.     Palm street closed

 

2.     Palm street open

 

3.     Ariel view of development

 

Edited June 2, 2016 by cranky

[wxman]

Is the highrise portion of this development still in the mid 50s-story range?

[dbigtex56]

13 hours ago, BigFootsSocks said:

Really don't understand the motive behind opposing the abandonment of Palm Street; it ends at Main Street so it's not like they're asking to abandon a thoroughfare

An argument can be made that abandoning streets is at the expense of creating a less automotive, more pedestrian and bicycle friendly city.
This is evident in Midtown, where 'superblocks' of apartments have intruded on the street grid, and force pedestrians to walk a considerably further distance.
I have no problem with closing Palm St. to automotive traffic, but we need to open up the city for pedestrians instead of creating barriers.
 

[houstontexasjack]

The rendering indicates an open plan for pedestrians to walk through. A bikeshare station would also be nice.

[bobruss]

I can see the members of HAIF frothing at the mouth for this development. Not only does it have all of the bells and whistles of an exciting mixed use multi leveled residential / office / hotel, mix with Ground Floor retail and a nice green space. 

Not only that it looks really exciting design wise, and it also fills in a big gap between downtown and TMC almost fulfilling everyones dreams of a continuous skyline from I-10 on the North side down through the med center to 610 south. Add in a few midrises in midtown and the TMC3 and bingo its there.

It sounds like the neighborhood association has also been worked up into a frenzy by someone who took lessons from Afton Oaks during the Richmond Rail debate.

They also seem to have created a lot of fear and anger using Mr Trumps method of scaring people with not always the most accurate information. Hence the dumb questions.

Like the homeless argument, the green space privacy, the loss of a major thoroughfare, more rail lines. These are all manufactured arguments that would normally bring more questions as to the validity of this vote against the development. It would be interesting to see who the main players on the against side are an find out their true motivation.

This isn't in the most heavily trafficked areas of the museum district and I don't find their argument standing up, although they did get the city to say no for the moment. 

Hopefully things will change. This isn't Trammel Crows first rodeo. I for one hope it eventually gets final approval. Besides the rail will never create development!

[thatguysly]

At least there is a plan to develop even if the street isn't abandoned. Or that's how it seems. Just leave Palm St, keep the neighbors satisfied with their win and build the thing.

[Reporter]

Even with road cutting though it, there is still some green space and this development remains flawless. I'm salivating for this development either way. If having that tiny narrow street to nowhere keeps the neighbors happy and shuts them up so the project can move forward, I'm all for it.

[cranky]

I will still be happy if the development goes through without the abandonment of Palm. But... to me, it's more sensible/usable if the street is closed to automobiles and bikes because it would be safer for customers, pedestrians and especially for families with young kids.

 

I do strongly support bike lanes but wouldn't want a bike lane where Palm would be abandoned. The distance between Wichita and Southmore is 0.1 mile, seem inconsequential especially on bike.

[cranky]

3 hours ago, wxman said:

Is the highrise portion of this development still in the mid 50s-story range?

 

They don't know yet but they are planning for a high-rise.

[monarch]

 

^^^ at the very end of the day, one must sometimes counterpunch the naysayers.  although in our society it takes a democracy to offer balance

and creative dialogue involving such high profile matters, one must keep in sight that the future always beholds.  MUSEO PLAZA, in all of its

grand details and promise, is a direct stake in our fair city's future.  this new and prospective development shall completely accent as well as compliment

our $450mm MFA HOUSTON expansion/addition that is currently under construction.  PALM STREET, is just that... a street, that shall be and will be

reconfigured.  make no mistake, money talks in the city of houston.  MUSEO PLAZA shall come to fruition.  it shall be done, and it will be fabulous.

props to @cranky for your wonderful and generous contributions....    

Edited June 2, 2016 by monarch

[H-Town Man]

^^^monarch all-time top 10

[BigFootsSocks]

We have reached a peak HAIF-circlejerk with that response. I almost finished before I even read the entire comment.

[Urbannizer]

http://www.museumparkna.org/resources/Documents/6.1.16%20MPNA%20General%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf

 

Question 2: How would the traffic from the hotel and residence tower be handled?

 

Developer Response: That is still being worked on. All would have garages with access to Wichita, Main, Southmore and Fannin. The hotel would have 2 points of access to mitigate congestion. A traffic study has not been done. There would be no entrances on San Jacinto or Fannin.

 

Question 3: Where would service entrances be located?

 

Developer Response: Service entrances would be on Wichita and Southmore streets.

 

Question 4: How many rooms will the hotel have?

 

Developer Response: That has not yet been decided but approximately 150. It is possible that the garages could be both above and below ground but below ground adds expense to the project.

 

Question 5: What will happen to Southmore Street which we consider a “boulevard entrance” to the neighborhood?

 

Developer Response: The project façade on Southmore will look good. A lane will be added to Southmore for the length of the development, a requirement of the City. The land for the lane will be taken from the development property.

 

Question 6: What are the plans for retail and how will parking be addressed?

 

Developer Response: We plan for the area to be a 24-7 active environment with a mixture of casual and high end restaurants, coffee bars etc. We are designing garages to handle retail parking which is regulated by City of Houston ordinance – for restaurants 8 parking spaces per 1,000 sq.ft. of gross floor area. We are working to avoid running out of parking!

 

Question 8: What is the timeline for the development?

 

Developer Response: A lot will depend on required City approvals and permits such as building permits, traffic studies, platting to make sure nothing is outside the property lines. The first construction would be the medical office building which would take about 8 months. The residential tower construction would begin within one year after completion of the medical office building and the projected date for beginning construction on the hotel is 2018

 

Question 10: Will the residential tower be condominium or rental and how many parking spaces will it have?

 

Developer Response: it is currently planned to be rental. The number of parking spaces depends on how many one, two, or three bedroom units there are.

[houstontexasjack]

The medical office building would be the first portion constructed. Groundbreaking next year on that with completion in 2018 planned.  Developer will not need abandonment of Palm until that is done.

[Luminare]

Yeah...I would definitely take abandonment of Palm if that's the master plan. Looks good.