TonyM

put me in my coffin.  sounds so boring.

Perhaps so but if you saw the condition of sidewalks (where they exist) on that corner you'd realize that this is a welcome improvement.

This Thursday will have the last hearing on the pedestrian improvements.  I called the contractor and just confirmed, improvements will include enhancements along Majorca as well.

Awesome news, that will make the whole stretch much nicer.

Obviously they are still way behind schedule but it is still progressing.

Seems to be so but we'll have to see how quick they get on to that light steel erection in the renderings.  That work goes pretty quick most of the time.  Still think there's no way it gets done by end of April but we'll see . . .

It is clear from the latest drawings that the pedestrian enhancements will start on the west side of Front Porch, and will expand across Majorca and Cafe Layal (as well as to the side of Cafe Layal).

 

The planned West Gray Plaza to the west of Cafe Layal will have the same building line as Post Midtown, etc, with parking in the back.

Then we have the Modern Midtown going in behind West Gray Plaza.

 

Then farther down past Junction, we should see Dolce Living (7 story apartment complex if you include the facade that will cover mechanical equipment) being added to West Gray soon.

 

Turning into a legitimate walking area.

By the date on that drawing (Jan 2012) it looks like they've been thinking about this for awhile.

Thank god, hope it goes through.  The sidewalk from the edge of Front Porch's property to Helena St is practically non-existent.  And Helena itself is a complete pit, that road needs a serious rebuild.

It's a pretty simple formula folks, retail follows residential, not the other way around.  I think people have a utopian vision of "ground floor retail" that it will somehow transform the inner loop into Manhattan v2.0.  Not going to happen, and frankly I don't want it to, if I wanted that I'd move to NYC/Chicago/etc.  Fact is, Houston's inner loop real estate boom is already pricing many smaller retailers out of the market and the only folks who can afford it are the big chains (which everyone decries).  You can't have it both ways.  As Midtown's residential density increases, the retail WILL fill in.  Why?  Simple economics, if you have a TON of residents within a short distance of your business the higher cost of entry becomes more palatable.  Right now, the cost of entry is still high, yet the residential density is not yet at the tipping point that demands retail in fill.

Executive Director Janet Donath said in a statement. “While we couldn’t be more grateful to the city for their support, we have always known that we needed to return to the heart of the community.”

I fail to see how the corner of W Gray and Taft is the heart of their demographic.  Long term the 4th ward is being redeveloped with the rest of midtown.  This location makes little sense beyond a 10 year window, it would be much more appropriate nearer Gray and 59 with the rest of the social services buildings.  

Any update here? Thank you.

Construction seems to have slowed a little bit.  Work crews were going gangbusters before the New Year, there every morning 6:30/7:00, but not much visible progress the last month or so. 

Appears much of the work has been going into stabilization of the remaining church structure/bricks.  To me it doesn't seem like it'll be ready in March but that's just based on the recent slow pace I've noticed.

This area is already getting busy (trying to grab lunch is fun).  Should be even busier after Noble moves into the twin 10s in May . . . 

Love how the article states that their services were needed in the neighborhood because their was always a line out the door.

Like most gov't building, "need" of a given location is always a function of how many locations exist. This being the only SSA office around it forces anyone within a certain proximity to go there.

I think this area, pre-Midtown, probably did benefit from the wealth of social services that were (and still linger) in the area. However, given the redevelopment of Midtown it seems prudent to relocate some of those services to the neighborhoods of the people they are most likely to service. And let's be honest, an area of largely affluent 25-40 year olds isn't the target service demographic of the SSA.

Now if only that Greyhound station would follow suit . . .

Should be nice when they move out and that block can be improved from it's current state. Good news, indeed.

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-17-13-15-15-social-security-administration-plans-to-close-office-after-losing-lease-on-1940s-midtown-building/

blackfinn is, strictly speaking, in a mixed-use building.

Haha, ya got me. Parking lot and restaurant mixed use.

I think they're about the only other one in the area though.

Per the article^

Not too bad and only took ~13 years to complete all 3 phases. Not to mention similar projects nearby completing 2nd or 3rd phases.

Thing is that aren't any "similar projects nearby". Nobody else is really giving mixed-use a shot.

I'd say they've built out at an acceptable pace given the economic conditions of 2007-2010.

It doesnt really look like the renderings yet... I also dont understand why they bothered preserving the two brick walls (I'm skeptical it saved much manpower/cost in relation to total project). The difference brick colors are kind of... ugly. Hopefully, they paint them to match or something...

Without knowing any of the details behind this project there can be a great many reasons why you keep part of a structure in tact. Goes well beyond construction CAPEX.

Glad to see it's moving forward, the new street is looking great as well, a much needed improvement to midtown all around.

I saw a sign for Tiff's Treats next to where Coffee Groundz use to be.

Hopefully they can make that location work. Seems to be cursed.

Another Starbucks?! Good god there's one at Randall's and one at Gray and Smith, how many do we need within a 1/2 mile radius?

They tearing down the old facades?

Haven't seen a sketch yet but I'd imagine they'll try to keep as much as is reasonable to fit with the rest of the building. Glad to see they're finishing it, finally.

Hopefully soon, I am growing tired of driving to edwards on 59 and paying for parking on top of an already overpriced movie ticket.

Then go to Sundance downtown. It's closer to Midtown, they'll comp your $7 parking, and for the same price as that lousy Edwards ticket you get high backed reserved seats in a theater that's actually clean and doesn't have a bunch of whiney teenagers who's parents dumped them off for three hours to ruin your movie.

Sundance is great. And you can buy a beer to go with your flick.

Love this project, I walk my dogs by here a few nights a week and it's been awesome seeing the transformation over the last few months. They're really getting close now. Wish we had some insight on potential tenants for the anchor retail spot at the Gray/Webster fork.

I'm a libertarian that loves capitalism and hates Walmart. Loving an economic system doesn't mean you love all the companies operating in it.

Couldn't agree more. I'm not a Walmart fan, but I'm not going to begrudge them for improving a derelict lot. Good for them, more improved land on the tax register. Win-win.

Anybody know what the status is with Phase II of Scout Square? I haven't seen anybody working on the inside for a while. I like the outside a lot.

Not entirely sure, the only thing I've been able to surmise is that Lucky put everything on hold due to the Bagby reconstruction. Also may have wanted to wait and see how BlackFinn was going to do, and given how well it's been doing it's probably a smart choice. He's also putting some more money into BFinn to renovate the "grill" area (to the right when you enter) and open it up to the rest of the establishment a bit. It was too closed off and never really seemed full or utilized unless it was rented for a function or the rest of the place was rented and the grill was the only open area.

Anyone know what's going on at the corner of Baldwin & Pierce, right across from Komodo? There's an existing building with a "for lease" sign in front, I believe it's offices. 1916 Baldwin St, currently owned by SMBHC LLC: http://hcad.org/reco...���^&bld=1&tab=

I'm wondering what's going on with the empty tracts around that structure. For awhile the valets at Cyclone's were using them for parking but now the lots are all torn up, some trenching from the north corner of the lot south east to Baldwin (sidewalk is gone, actually, almost fell in the trench one night walking my dogs before they had fencing up).

1910 Baldwin (SMBHC LLC): http://hcad.org/reco...���^&bld=1&tab=

1914 Baldwin (SMBHC LLC): http://hcad.org/reco...���^&bld=1&tab=

211 Pierce (SMBHC LLC): http://hcad.org/reco...��^&bld=1&tab=2

The empty tracts all have hearings coming up next month. Just wondering if anyone knows what the plans are for these lots.

SMBology (looks like an IT firm) is the only tenant I can find for 1916 Baldwin. Justin Singer is the founder and president, he's also listed as the director for SMBHC LLC so he owns all the land.

http://www.smbology.com/About%20Us/Leadership%20Team

Yeah, glad it wasn't leveled like your suggestion.

Considering it burned 7 years ago and was propped up with over $500k (and a tipped crane) 3 years ago, I stand by my view it should've been leveled.

This is a great rendering and if it looks as good as it appears and is able to be kept free of abuse and trash then I think it's a great addition to the neighborhood. Don't know if it's worth the $2.5MM+ bill, but I like it. It just took a heck of a long time to get to this point, as I'm sure you would agree. I'm man enough to admit when something turns out different than I anticipated, but don't pretend like the steel beams blocking Andrews St for three years were some sort of "welcome addition". There's been a LOT of money thrown at this structure and we're just now seeing what the end result will be.

Wow, I am pleasantly surprised by those renderings. That will truly be a great addition to the neighborhood.

Here's hoping the vagrants don't destroy it was spray paint and urine.

There's now fencing up to block off Crosby St between Ruthven and Andrews . . . looks like this is for real.