Montrose TIRZ

[trymahjong]

I got this in an email from the Museum District business Alliance---

The newly formed Montrose Management District needs your input on how it should be marketing our area. To provide your input, we request that you go to www.montroselogo.com and complete the survey on this website.

FYI---

The East Montrose Management district ( HCID#6 roughly covering Dallas to Bagby to I59 to Montrose blvd) was combined with West Montrose Management (boundary goes Shepherd, Dallas, Montrose blvd to I59 with a small portion of Museum district Montrose Blvd, Bissonnet, Graustark) montrosedistrict.org/

[samagon]

First things first, they need to change the name of Montrose stat.

MoNeDo for Montrose near downtown will be perfect.

[TheNiche]

Montrose doesn't need marketing. Everybody knows where it is and what it is. Montrose needs less violent crime, particularly rape.

[Fringe]

Montrose doesn't need marketing. Everybody knows where it is and what it is. Montrose needs less violent crime, particularly rape.

In other words, get rid of the slum lords and the shabby rental properties.

[TheNiche]

In other words, get rid of the slum lords and the shabby rental properties.

No, that won't fix the relatively large homeless and indigent population. It's also not an achievable goal.

Edited April 19, 2011 by TheNiche

[samagon]

on the subject, I could see a management district help market towards bringing in business that isn't already in Houston, so isn't aware of what Montrose is, less than doing marketing for people who would enjoy the area.

No, that won't fix the relatively large homeless and indigent population. It's also not an achievable goal.

not to stray too far from the topic at hand, but what's the difference?

[Fringe]

The indigents live in the slum apartments/houses and pay rent, the homeless live in the abandoned homes and don't pay rent.

And yes I do believe it should be a goal. Achievable? That would depend on how active the organization is.

[rsb320]

I got this in an email from the Museum District business Alliance---

The newly formed Montrose Management District needs your input on how it should be marketing our area. To provide your input, we request that you go to www.montroselogo.com and complete the survey on this website.

That is one weird survey.

[dbigtex56]

Montrose doesn't need marketing. Everybody knows where it is and what it is. Montrose needs less violent crime, particularly rape.

In other words, get rid of the slum lords and the shabby rental properties.

No, that won't fix the relatively large homeless and indigent population. It's also not an achievable goal.

The indigents live in the slum apartments/houses and pay rent, the homeless live in the abandoned homes and don't pay rent.

And yes I do believe it should be a goal. Achievable? That would depend on how active the organization is.

Wow.

I've lived in the Montrose for thirty years. I'm appalled at the ignorance and arrogance of the above statements.

[TheNiche]

Wow.

I've lived in the Montrose for thirty years. I'm appalled at the ignorance and arrogance of the above statements.

Run some crime stats and get back to me.

[dbigtex56]

Run some crime stats and get back to me.

Uh-huh. And, send me your astrological chart.

It has the same bearing.

[TheNiche]

Uh-huh. And, send me your astrological chart.

It has the same bearing.

Ah, but what's its heading?

[Fringe]

Wow.

I've lived in the Montrose for thirty years. I'm appalled at the ignorance and arrogance of the above statements.

I'm appalled you can't see what's going on in your own neighborhood. I admit I'm generalizing and all of Montrose does not have these problems but enough of it does that it needs to be addressed.

[barracuda]

I'm appalled you can't see what's going on in your own neighborhood. I admit I'm generalizing and all of Montrose does not have these problems but enough of it does that it needs to be addressed.

You're referring to the rampant gentrification?

[trymahjong]

I like the idea of a logo for the Montrose management district-- I think Upper Kirby district did well with their UK idea and the funny phone booths--- I'm not sure what the logo is for Galleria but it's easy to distinguish the modern chrome traffic signals and bus stops etc

The logo possibilities for Montrose seem endless, but with the survey being so . . . . . atypical . . . . I wonder what type of suggestions they will receive.

[sidegate]

I'm appalled you can't see what's going on in your own neighborhood. I admit I'm generalizing and all of Montrose does not have these problems but enough of it does that it needs to be addressed.

An officer of the Management District spoke at the Winlow Place meeting last night. Two off duty HPD officers are now patrolling the area (separately) east of Montrose and a third will be added west of Montrose in the near future. A list of arrests and citations resulting from the increased security was read out. Shockingly, none were for violent crime or rape.

Let's not let one deliberately inflammatory post take this thread off topic.

Edited April 29, 2011 by sidegate

[trymahjong]

An officer of the Management District spoke at the Winlow Place meeting last night. Two off duty HPD officers are now patrolling the area (separately) east of Montrose and a third will be added west of Montrose in the near future. A list of arrests and citations resulting from the increased security was read out. Shockingly, none were for violent crime or rape.

Let's not let one deliberately inflammatory post take this thread off topic.

If anyone is interested HPD gives monthly crime stats at the PIP (local divisions-- central one and two covers most of Montrose and Heights meets 4th Wednesdays 7pm 1600 State Street) the stats are discussed and further information is made available such as where the actual crime occured as opposed to where the culprits were arrested and how that affects what division the crime is posted in etc

Back to the branding question----I think a contest of sorts has been offered/started at STU---so perhaps a young persons view of how to brand Montrose will be available

[sidegate]

I like the idea of a logo for the Montrose management district-- I think Upper Kirby district did well with their UK idea and the funny phone booths--- I'm not sure what the logo is for Galleria but it's easy to distinguish the modern chrome traffic signals and bus stops etc

The logo possibilities for Montrose seem endless, but with the survey being so . . . . . atypical . . . . I wonder what type of suggestions they will receive.

I'd like to think they could do better than tired British kitsch.

[Furious Jam]

FYI, the District is one of the sponsors of the Montrose Crawl. The Crawl generated about $63K in additional revenue for Montrose businesses, plus a nearly $5K donation for the Houston Area Women's Center. And a whole bunch of people got sh!tfaced and it was way awesome. Can your management district manage that?

[sidegate]

FYI, the District is one of the sponsors of the Montrose Crawl. The Crawl generated about $63K in additional revenue for Montrose businesses, plus a nearly $5K donation for the Houston Area Women's Center. And a whole bunch of people got sh!tfaced and it was way awesome. Can your management district manage that?

Monthly pub crawls. Sign me up!

[trymahjong]

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Montrose-district-under-fire-over-taxes-2219517.php

Montrose business owners asked members of a management district on Friday to cease operating while attorneys review a petition seeking to dissolve the taxing entity.

A group of business owners, which calls itself Stop the District!, wants to dissolve the Montrose Management District, saying the entity did not notify them about the tax it would impose on their commercial property.

The petition was delivered to the management district on Sept. 29. By law, owners of 75 percent of the district's assessed property value must sign for dissolution to occur.

Edited October 19, 2011 by editor
Copyright

[trymahjong]

Heard Bill Calderon speak at Neartown meeting tonite. The MMD has arranged for Christmas decorations to be placed in the median across from Niko-Nikos.

Also MMD has taken steps to get the 7 bridges over I59/SW freeway relighted! ---at least getting the lightening on the bridges renewed, anyway. New technology will allow state of the art colors, patterns, etcetcetc ---------probably will take 2 years.

[fatesdisastr]

Sounds like a pretty awesome deal

[trymahjong]

The MMD also talked about their intention to place "signage" at a dozen or so of the 36 entrances (street thoroughfares) that lead into the district. When signage was mentioned the "M" statue at Elgin and Bagby was discussed----------not much love for that statue in that room :{

[fatesdisastr]

When signage was mentioned the "M" statue at Elgin and Bagby was discussed----------not much love for that statue in that room :{

I've never cared for the color of it. Being the "intersection" of the three districts, one would think the color scheme would be more elaborate and colorful than some pinkish, maroonish, white. I thought midtown, montrose and museum district are supposed to be eclectic, original, and vibrant with youth. The sign conveys none of this. It conveys boredom and random in my opinion.

Edited November 29, 2012 by fatesdisastr

[Subdude]

Well it's an old sign that has been there for a long time. I think when it was first built it was considered a bit more exciting. But I would still rather have that than an empty traffic island.

[trymahjong]

I thought midtown, montrose and museum district are supposed to be eclectic, original, and vibrant with youth. The sign conveys none of this. It conveys boredom and random in my opinion.

The discussion at the meeting shared these views, till it was brought up that the architect was still living and perhaps a small bit of respect should be considered. Okay-- I can understand that. What's harder to understand is the incorrect information on the plaque. Midtown and Montrose might "meet" there but it's a bit of a stretch to include the Museum district.

Maybe the elephant in the room during that discussion of the "fabulous signage" (a sign will be erected there) to make the public aware (branding) of Who the Montrose Management District is . . . .

The M sign seems to send a message of its own.

[trymahjong]

 notes from Neartown meeting on the new proposed Montrose Parking District.

 

. Montrose Management District, Parking Management Proposal Update—
The Montrose Management District (MMD) has submitted an application for the Montrose District
Special Parking Area under a new city ordinance that permits areas to be designated as special parking
districts. The application has gone through two rounds of reviews and revisions with the City Planning
Department and is expected that the final application will be sent to the City by mid next week (last
week of July).
The goal of having the parking district designation is to help maintain the character of the Montrose
while also promoting economic growth. The designation will allow the Management District to make the
on-site parking requirements for businesses more flexible using standards established by MMD. There
may also be an opportunity to capture a tax increment that would permit MMD to invest in centralized
parking to serve the district (e.g., adding extra spaces to a garage planned by a private developer). The
details of these provisions are still being worked out.
The MMD parking district proposal will probably go to City Planning Commission in the next month and
then to City Council for approval in October. Attached is map of the Montrose District Special Parking
Area.

Montrose Area Special Parking Area Map single.pdf

[Luminare]

Very smart idea. I hope more areas of town will start to centralize their parking like this so not every new construction has to have parking garages attached or even frontage parking.

[LarryDierker]

in the nearly 20 years I've been driving, I've had my car towed only three times. All three in Montrose.

[trymahjong]

I'm hoping this plan will put an end to razing of perfectly livable bungalows in order to provide more parking lots.

[trymahjong]

I found out that this plan could be expanded 1000 feet beyond the proposed boundaries-- Mandell street seems to be where it stops --so I wonder how much of the actual parking on Westheimer street itself might be involved. then of course what will those businesses think when/if that happens.

[trymahjong]

Big noisy meeting at Cherryhurst community Center last night concerning this

2things stick out to me as important

=> businesses have 1000 feet from their front door to have parking available instead of 200

=> emphasis will be placed on shared business parking- ultimately trying for multi-storied parking

[Luminare]

1000 feet would be better but of course that would increase the parking amount. I wonder if they will be put through Houston's very strict parking standards or if there are alternates for if you institute shared parking? I have no clue and I'm quite curious to know.

[trymahjong]

......got this from a friend who attends the MMD meetings as an observer for Civic club.

 

At the Montrose Mgmt District (MMD) meeting today I was surprised to learn of the coming demise of the MMD. Two speakers made public comments:

The first was G**** A**** who complained to the board that they were dragging their feet in completing the verification of petitions given to them in May. According to an article of association of the MMD (article 50, I think he said), the District is dissolved when 75% of the businesses petition it to dissolve. A**** says he/they submitted petitions from almost 80% of business in the district. The Board hired the legal firm of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson (ABHR) to certify the petitions, and has not yet completed this!!! According to A**** this delay seems to be deliberate.

David Hawes with Hawes Hill Calderon LLP  said something about it takes time to be complete.

The second speaker was D***** S******* who also asked why certification was so delayed. She added that she receives many, many calls from other business owners who are angry at the Board and claim to receive no benefits from the MMD.

Afterward, David Hawes added that his firm is reviewing and categorizing every outstanding contract given by the MMD to determine how dissolution of the MMD impacts the termination of the contracts. Some contracts are short term or single service, while others are for ongoing services.

I think the idea is that some services and planning carried out by the MMD will be transferred to the TIRZ, including, I suppose, money in MMD accounts.

The City of Houston has requested Hawes to get the Montrose TIRZ up and running. The Boards & Commission is looking at a replacement TIRZ Chairman, one that selection is made a board meeting will be scheduled.

[trymahjong]

 

Dear Community Stakeholder –

The Montrose Management District needs and requests your feedback. 

We want to make sure we are providing the best services we can for business owners, residents, and all those who work and play in the District. Please take our brief survey to let us know about your experience with District services and the Montrose neighborhood. If you leave us your email address, you will also be entered to win one of (4) $25 gift cards to a Montrose-area business to thank you for your time.

As always, we would appreciate it very much if you would share the link with your friends, colleagues and neighbors.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/montrosedistrictsurvey

 

To learn more about the District – www.MontroseDistrict.o

[bobruss]

I bet they wish they'd done a bit more outreach before they spent all of that money before getting the right people to sign on.

They probably wouldn't be spending time in court.

[trymahjong]

I wrote at how "Underwhelmed" the residents along Lovett blvd were concerning the improvements of the medians there-- Besides cutting down trees with out a permit and all that hardscape ( how does beautify?) that people stumble on-- the total look is so suburban. And Yet

again the plans for the medians from Buffalo Bayou to Mecom fountain are the same shtick :/

[trymahjong]

But maybe I should have asked about their proposed piece of public art to replace the M statue that was taken down 2 years ago... that Westheimer traffic study showed that small median at Bagby, Westheimer and Elgin as a Metro stop. Will those 2 things be possible on that small space?

[trymahjong]

I can hear the soapbox squeaking as I step up on it again but the whiff of sour grapes propels me to mention that the 11th hour is NOT the right time to whine about how unsuitable the results were from the lower Westheimer traffic study and the only way to fix it is the immediate intervention of the MMD ( and their valuable insight) :/---- really? Public input from ACTUAL residents isn't enough to give this study support?

[trymahjong]

http://www.houstonpress.com/newsblog/2017/06/13/montrose-management-district-faces-not-one-but-two-lawsuits-from-business-owners

 

wow

maybe there was plenty of feedback

[trymahjong]

Big article in today’s Chronicle.

[trymahjong]

This group made a presentation at Montrose TIRZ Zoom  last night. The Vice chair is Steve Madden but I didn’t catch the Chairman's name.

 

I’ve posted plenty on MMD in the past and considered my self a non business owner supporter. As an aside.....I never thought the MMD should be completely made up of business owners- there is a lot to be said for opinions and prospective of  non business owners- not the least of which is helping prevent tunnel vision.

 

Now I’m more than a little skeptical at the new lineup ( all appointed without any public input as far as I know) with their new goals.

 

A lack of transparency is always a red flag for me.......and I fear those red flags are everywhere.

 

 

 

[HouTXRanger]

Are there rules for how a TIRZ must be set up, and if so, who sets those rules? City, county, state?
Is the board appointed, or are they elected? And if so, by whom?
Is there a difference between the Montrose TIRZ and the Montrose Management District?

Are they the ones who commissioned a study on the walkability of Montrose + an action plan to fix the parts in disrepair?

[Avossos]

Steve Madden is a great guy, smart, with a wonderful vision. I default to trusting him.

[X.R.]

Well, it seems like the article has been written about this and it contains some interesting soundbites: 

 

https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/development/2020/08/18/after-legal-resolution-montrose-management-district-takes-steps-toward-comeback/

 

Oh? It sounds like they may be able to help with those questions in the other thread about the Montrose pedestrian study and implementation of the study and the suggested bike/walking improvements. "Madden’s letter stated that upon reinstatement, the district will better leverage the economic growth in the neighborhood from upcoming developments that are outpacing city-led improvements to the area’s infrastructure hampered by Houston’s budgetary constraints."

 

Edited August 18, 2020 by X.R.

[trymahjong]

6 hours ago, HouTXRanger said:

Are there rules for how a TIRZ must be set up, and if so, who sets those rules? City, county, state?
Is the board appointed, or are they elected? And if so, by whom?
Is there a difference between the Montrose TIRZ and the Montrose Management District?

Are they the ones who commissioned a study on the walkability of Montrose + an action plan to fix the parts in disrepair?

I am no means an expert.....just one of the residents that contributed to getting the East Montrose management district established. But I did show up at every meeting for a year or two.

Montrose Management District doesn’t have as much over sight as Montrose TIRZ. The State enacted laws to set up TiRZs and COH has oversight. 
 

MMD gets an “Assessment” of $100 per appraisal value of $100,000.00of businesses within the management district.  TIRZ receives the portion of tax “over” the cap.

 

At the beginning, Montrose TIRHz and MMD worked together on projects,,  That walkability study for instance.

,,,,but after the “Big No-No that got them into trouble MMD was dissolved. NowI guess MMD wants back in.

 

I suppose that is a good idea, but I would rethink using the same ole road map as last time- a new road map is needed, Everything and Everybody should be new IMO.

Edited August 18, 2020 by trymahjong

[trymahjong]

Even with all the hubbub of Hurricane Laura.... there is quite a bit of back and forth conversation about the resurrection of the MMD. Not surprisingly NONE of it is positive.

 

Lots of questions on why the appointments to the board seemingly were done in secret. [ wasn’t  non transparency what got them in trouble before?]. Speaking of trouble.......the same team that “administered” MMD into trouble will be the administrators again. Also as an aside.......just how many of the MMD board members actually live within Montrose.....business ownership  aside...I mean how many deal with day to day life within Montrose? Big resentments when “outsiders” tell you they know what is best for the area you reside in and they don’t 

Lastly, Councilwoman Kamin  was asked to name the chairman of MMD and deflected the question twice. Maybe  MMD wasn’t on Councilwoman Kamins  radar when all All the &#$% was flying around and sticking on them—— She should really put a laser focus on MMD now.

 

Sigh......so having a good guy as Vice Chairman is a nice start but remaking MMD into A clone of what is was with the Doo-doo  smell still lingering.....not so nice.

[trymahjong]

The new Montrose Management District will speak at Neartown zoom June 28.

 

full disclosure I attend these monthly zooms but still can’t find out the name of the current president of MMD

 

I am worried about lack of transparency to the point, it will probably take a leap of faith for me to support this group going forward—Plus I figure “I” am their target audience— long time resident, always looking for best for Montrose etc. But the new residents who know nothing of the past and can’t understand why transparency is so important—not what?

Edited June 17, 2021 by trymahjong

[trymahjong]

All the “hoopla” concerning Mayor Turning and the awards for affordable housing money has been a blow to the Montrose TIRZ.

Since it’s establishment the Montrose TIRZ seems to legitimately prioritize finding affordable housing options within its boundaries. Perhaps it is known that some well known other TIRZ establish their required affordable housing outside their boundaries.

The first TIRZ proposal for affordable was to purchase and rehab the older ( perhaps even historic) smaller ( 8plex) buildings you see around Montrose. So Homeownership would be  affordable ( Actually perhaps viewed as entry level ownership whose target person ranged from waiters working within Montrose to police, school teachers etc.) and rehab work could begin quickly.

That proposal was shot down by COH- only new construction was permissible.

Remembering that Montrose is a physically small area and NIMBY occurs everywhere; the TIRZ looked to new construction; getting the most ‘bang for their buck’ with new grant  monies found,  300+- units at $40k +- each was worked out.

uh-oh Mayor Turner shot that down personally.

The monies went elsewhere….less units…more expensive elsewhere

 

Montrose has a huge PR myth of being a wealthy place….but if you live here you understand it’s not a place of BIG money.
After 17 years here, my observation  is: Montrose has crap roads, Crap sidewalks, dicey water  pressure and sewer dependability.  The rents ( by non resident  propertyowners)  have skyrocketed .  Community support people , cashiers, servers, line cooks  even police and school teachers can’t afford the price. Plus it’s not that the rental price will guarantee an updated rental….sometimes the places available to rent are in same condition they were 10 years ago with no timely upkeep. Why is it so hard to believe Montrose deserves its share of money grants to help out the residents and workers? I attend a myriad of community meetings where the goal is just that plain and simple. Getting the ax from Mayor Turner with his  $&+@ reasoning is just so hard to accept. I am unacquainted with GLO investigation abilities but am hoping beyond hope that the truth of this situation is uncovered.