TGM

To make the comparison even more accurate, I'd want to know how many of those Walmart jobs will be full time, and whether these new associates will make a living wage so they can avoid relying on government entitlement programs for basic needs.

Ah, the old living wage argument. It's not about the wage, it's about how a person chooses to live.

Damn a nice mixed use development would be nice here, we need a way to close this place, any ideas?

Get a job as the nightshift manager, they always have keys.

Looks like Wal-Mart needs about two-fifty.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Walmart-opens-hiring-center-for-Heights-store-3810479.php

We Buy Gold

Hydrocodone Cupcake Stand?

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.

BEER IS FOR CLOSERS

I like the period outdoor furniture, however what is up with unfinished CMU blocks on the far left?

I believe it is for an outdoor fireplace.

Amazing

Just pull a George Zimmerman...

I would recommend some forthought before someone rushes out and takes the law into their own hands.

How would it look in court if someone was shot with a modern weapon in the Historic Heights?

Seriously, the partial plate # should be enough for HPD to determine who this is. All a confrontation will do is drive the guy into hiding for the next few months, which won't really help anyone.

As long as it's not this one.

Better go easy on the "butter"

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/18670

It could be a nice win-win as you're not destroying someones artwork (the building or design itself), and you know the city will never bother to pressure wash it.

Amazing stuff.

http://inhabitat.com/reverse-graffiti-south-african-artists-tag-walls-by-scrubbing-them-clean/

I fear that this development might attract homeless people to midtown. Well...homeless until they've signed their lease.

Why can't they just squat? I think the developer should devote every other apartment to needy folks. This should encourage people to move in. Diversity or something.

I really like their new signage!

To misquote the great Yoda, "There is another" option. Somebody phone Ms. Parker and have her create a new tax, I mean fee or something so we can do more than air-condition the AstroTurf.*

*No Nitch, I'm not sersiously suggesting that:

-They should do this

-The AstroTurf is currently being air-conditioned

-Ms. Parker divert taxpayer, um er "Feepayer" monies to this

-This Mid-Century Modern wonder should be used to house them when the current build is okay.

Gas stations are repurposed routinely. Not only is it not a deal killer, it is not even a deal inhibitor. Given the limited number of parcels eligible for liquor permits (this site has had two), it won't be hard to turn that lot.

How about a Heights version of Petrol, but with a real kitchen.

That they could hire a driver to run a 24-hour on-call shuttle service to the TMC in perpetuity...forever...for that amount of money (and its time value) and still have a whole bunch left over with which to pile on the client services. Of course, that assumes that they regularly give a crap about any of the things you mention...which I'll bet they don't particularly in the first place.

I also doubt they care for any of the things I listed though I think they should. Non-paid internships, residencies, and pro-bono experienced staff can offer significant cost savings and potentially increase the ability of an institution to receive grants and additional funding.

It's impossible to speculate what the true cost of operating in the TMC would be (even though I tossed a listing out for grins) as there are so many ways an institution could exist there. Purchasing property as mentioned earlier is not the only option, though I agree with what others have said; The Men's Center is not interested in having someone else partner with or oversee their treatment approach. But now that I've had a bit more time to think about it the Upper Kirby area near the future Richmond light rail would make even more sense. There is a shocking lack of diversity there.

Then again my only true point of continuing this topic was to drive this thread up to the top for searches on "the men's center Houston". Still have a ways to go.

That property less than a mile from midtown? Watch out, the homeless zombie horde might come for you and yours!

I found a guy who knows all the ins and outs of getting property cheap. Check out one of his deals.

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/28/nation/na-reid28

It is now showing Option Pending. (Which explains a local inspection companies truck there when I drove by yesterday morning)

That was quick.

Yes, seize on one word that you take offense to or whatever and ignore my point that you've suggested they buy a property closer to Midtown than the Med Center, and then described it as a Med Center property, which is apparently important so they can...be near hospitals for addictions? Whatever.

There are plenty of properties available in that area. I spent the least amount of time I could finding it for you. I'm sure you have some time on your hands, how about finding a few more to really prove me wrong? Yawn.

For what reasons would that be in the public interest or in the interests of The Men's Center organization?

You'll note that I'm specifically excluding your personal interests from the above question. Please do not take offense, this is because they are irrelevant to our discussion; this is in accordance with the notion of Pareto efficiency in a cost-benefit analysis; and Pareto was an ardent socialist, so you can't just label me a conservative and dismiss me. Just answer the question.

Several reasons. There are research, treatment, funding, and academic benefits for a location based in the medical center. For starters you have a "captive" workforce actively seeking internship and volunteer opportunities in such an institution. You have a continual need for participants in substance abuse treatment research medical center institutions (Baylor University comes to mind first) You also have a level of expertise in the various communities of practice that is in close proximity which would benefit the Men's Center greatly in their relationships with treatment professionals. Right now their immediate neighbors are convienence stores, bars, high-end apartment complexes, and assorted characters that hang out nearby. Not much synergy there.

So out of curiosity, why do you think I would dismiss you as a conservative? That's rather odd.

Nope but a nice tall tower should just nicely here.

It would be environmentally conscious to recycle the Ashby Highrise Tower of Terror signs if a tower were to emerge.

Not even on the right side of Hermann Park, Park Plaza Hospital notwithstanding. In fact, roadwise that location is closer to your precious Midtown than the Med Center (.9m vs 1.4m).

Precious Midtown? Oh, I do believe I have been mortally wounded. I bequeath to kylejack my pro-rated membership balance in the Ayn Rand book club, Wal-Mart VIP Pass, Ford Excursion, and Ann Coulter pillowcase. Yawn...

So, you're suggestion is that the Men's Center should sell their $40 psf property and buy $110 psf property? That makes financial sence to you? Are you going to donate the extra $6.9 million they'll need? And, since you want them out of Midtown because they are undesirable, what argument do you have that justifies them moving into the Hermann Park neighborhood?

So not only have you assessed how much it will cost them to buy, you have also established how much they will get for their current property. All of this is a purely hypothetical argument, and sticking with the hypothetical I will state that great deals can be found and made. I personally feel that it is a better choice to locate such a facility within the Medical Center area for a variety of reasons. I'm sure there are some that would be perfectly fine living next to a SRO transitional living/alcohol detox center, in fact 17 years ago I would probably be shouting the loudest for a facility to remain and expand in Midtown. The difference is I've lived in Midtown and I've seen the things that others do not notice on their 5 minute commute through Midtown and I hold a different viewpoint now because of it. I recognize their rights as property owners, but I would rather see them own it elsewhere.