TonyM

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.

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.

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

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.

Yeah I do quite like it when they're honest. I had one approach me at the Montrose/Westheimer Valero. "Man you know I'll be honest, I could really use a beer right now." Hard to argue with that.

Progress is actually further along than this photo indicates. All the framing for the apartments around the parking garage is pretty much done. They've also finished the entire west side of building 6 brick work and started drywalling the apartments as well. What's really impressive is how fast Post III is going, just flying.

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/transportation/private-firm-planning-bullet-trains-texas-2020/ I like private funding, moves so much faster than government.

Yep, that's what I figured.

Could be. Though I do agree, that'd be a huge leasing office. But, looking at properties like Camden City Center and Amli City Vista - the huge leasing office/reception/common space is becoming pretty standard. Usually a nice large kitchen that tenants can reserve, some shared gaming areas, etc. I don't know that retail would be sneaking into this space, makes sense to have leasing on the ground floor and also nice to see the concrete barrier between the reception and the apartments.

Pretty much. Not a Walmart fan at all, it's been years since I've been in one simply because I never had one convenient to me and the one I did go to was a dump. But this development is a good thing and I hope it does well. I do love Target though. Something about that "Target smell" when you walk in the door - Cintas rubber mats and popcorn. You know you've arrived . . .

Well that's the root of the problem is that most of them are drunks and/or addicts. I've offered a couple of the nicer ones food but they refuse it, would rather $3 to go buy some cheap liquor. Can't do much with that. I'll never give them money as there are outlets to help them with whatever "problems" they have (though I find that to be an excuse).

Haha, likely on to the next historic neighborhood to preserve!

Good to hear. If they can get as much done foundation/structure wise, also on the backside of the restaurant, they'll be ready to go full tilt when the road crew moves on. I just don't expect to see much facade work done until the trackhoes move down. Not sense getting too much money into the place only to risk damage from the other crew.

I hear ya, watched a Singapore A380 come into LAX, it looks unreal just floating there - same with the 747 too. It's incredible that these beasts fly like they do.

Been that way for awhile now. Don't expect to see much change until Bagby construction is past them (or at least the east lane).

I'll continue to do both, as I already do.

They don't have to, I'm simply saying that they should take their begging and panhandling somewhere that is intended for such a purpose. Enjoy Midtown's wonderful sidewalks, parks, and facilities . . . but knock off the panhandling.

Now you're just being silly. They can walk and enjoy where ever they like. But if they're going to walk around with their hands out, at least walk where there facilities set up to cater to such things. That's the point and you know it.

Agreed. And I think it is interesting that the set of folks who abhor this development likely don't live within a proximity where they will be directly impacted for better or worse. In speaking with my brother over the weekend, who could throw a rock from his apartment and hit the Walmart, he's pretty excited about it. He doesn't own a vehicle and the prospect of more dining options and a grocery he can walk to is great. I'm no Walmart fan but it's redevelopment of some unused old land, big deal. Not like we needed more townhouses crammed in there anyway.

There's a difference between belittling and preferring they take advantage of the existing assistance infrastructure that's in place. I don't belittle their status, what good is that? But I certainly don't reinforce their poor choices in life by giving them money. Give a fish or teach to fish? There are many shelters in place at Gray near 59. My preference is that they hang out there instead of bothering me while I sit on the patio of a restaurant trying to eat or bother me while I run into CVS for a bottle of aspirin. I don't think it's too much to ask and as a Christian, I don't think it's at all "belittling".

Beats me, I certainly don't good looking for interactions with bums. Just happen to live in fourth ward, frequent many midtown establishments, and walk my dogs regularly. I suppose the increases my exposure but I'd just as soon not have to deal with the bums. Living in the area I can tell you that I do notice the "regular" bums. There's one nice guy (the bald guy with a cane who usually sells flowers at all the bars on Thurs/Fri/Sat) however I've stopped helping him out after seeing him relieving himself right in the middle of the sidewalk on a Saturday afternoon a few weeks back. I don't have any tolerance for that garbage. There's a few nasty ones that hang around and tend to not be so friendly, but I see them all the time. Don't know any way around it other than to not walk around but I'm not afraid of them so I'll continue to do so. Just don't like the image it brings to midtown when people come here and get hassled by bums, especially when much money has been spent on shelters and assistance less than half a mile away on Gray St.

I'm more than likely to give money to nobody, no matter their color. Race doesn't matter to me, I'm not reinforcing someone's poor choices in life simply because he or she happens to be the same color as me.