j_cuevas713

So are we talking about a late 2025/early 2026 start date now for construction, not 2027? 

OMG is this real!!!??? 😮

I'm going to assume they plan to paint these lanes and add new curbs/sidewalks?

What a great use for that lot! (sarcasm)

49 minutes ago, BeerNut said:

How many centuries for it crumble?

. idk but I don't expect it to go that long without some work being done

27 minutes ago, BeerNut said:

If spending around a quarter billion dollars...how about use 30 million to demolish and build a purpose built building with the remaining 220 million.  Shoehorning something into out dated sports stadium that will get minimally used is a waste. 

It can't be demolished, it's a State Antiquities Landmark.

1 hour ago, bookey23 said:

Everything I've ever heard about Tilman says that he's a shady businessman and is constantly over-leveraged. He loves his vanity projects and seems to have a short attention span. Ideally, he'll sell the Rockets to someone who will actually invest the time, money, and energy that the team deserves, but I don't know why he'd sell at this point. If his empire survived the pandemic, I think he's pretty set for a long time

Yep, I had two different friends who worked at his hotel in Uptown. They said when he would come by to visit he would get really harsh with the staff about his expectations for the business. I have yet to really hear anything good about him. 

ttps://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/home-design/article/eldorado-third-ward-reopening-17863351.php

19 hours ago, hindesky said:

Tillman just bought the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Stateline, NV at Lake Tahoe. He probably doesn't have the money now and is rumored to want to buy the Washington Commanders although there are now 2 more bidders.

I thought Tillman was going to be a great owner but at this point he's done very little for the Rockets organization and he's done nothing to help add more to Toyota Center. Now I'm hearing he wants to buy the Washington Commanders which tells me he has the money, he's just not spending it here. 

10 hours ago, tigereye said:

I think that’s the city’s plan already for the caps over trenched 59/45, post NHHIP. They’ve discussed it before. See below. 

Calling my shot here: The next addition to our skyline will be this highrise from the Astros. A 3 year build schedule for a 4-Star hotel on a small site leads me to this conclusion. I’ll guess 40 stores (hotel + residences) 

What about the two towers Skanska still wants to build? 

On 3/17/2023 at 11:16 AM, mattyt36 said:

@Some one I never said you did (note I did not say "you," I said "transit promoter"), I used your comment to illustrate a point about one of the many elementary arguments people make about why people don't use transit today but would tomorrow if one just built rail, i.e., "people just need a choice."

I've heard this bandied about so often and must say I don't get it.  BUT, I confess I am ignorant on the topic.  What could METRO have done differently to make it convertible to LRT?  What exactly is preventing it from being converted to LRT in the future?  Has anything been constructed today in connection with the Silver Line that would make it more cost-prohibitive than before to build LRT in the future?

I'm scratching my head wondering how it couldn't be converted. You would already have the dedicated space to lay down tracks. 

50 minutes ago, jhjones74 said:

This is a great point I think most people don’t realize. I’ve sat next to a number of people from Europe and Australia visiting Houston for business or just to explore. One guy from London just came to Texas to explore around, started in Houston. After chatting a bit we went to a few more bars downtown, but I ultimately ended up taking him to the heights. He was shocked by how far we drove, and basically the suburbia we got to in order to find the most popular bar spot. Bottom line is that any visitor is organically going to stay downtown not only because that’s where the hotels are, but that’s where the action should be. I hope Houston 5 years from now is more like what most visitors imagine it to be

I agree! Downtown is where most people are going to stay for the most part. The neighborhood still has a way to go but it's def becoming more and more lively 7 days a week. 

1 hour ago, nate4l1f3 said:

Love this and was excited the first time they did it but I got an ask— does anyone actually use the outdoor dinning space? It always looks like no one actually uses the pace when in drive by. 

I've seen a few people using it, especially late at night when more bars start to fill up. 

2 hours ago, TacoDog said:

On Saturday I saw a Metro police car go on the tracks to get past the blocked off block on Main St. and a woman who was behind him followed onto the tracks. Officer was not happy he was being followed, but it does seem weird to have a protected lane on a street when the green/purple line shares the street with vehicular traffic. 

 

I don't mind Metro doing that but that lady should have known better

9 hours ago, houstontexasjack said:

Heavens, no. Certainly not at this point in time. There are so many vacant lots or soon-to-be-vacant (looking at you, Greyhound Station) that are nearby.  Frankly, a similar version of this would be a massive improvement on a litany of other vacant or underdeveloped sites in Midtown. BW3 and Gyu-Kaku have been decent anchors. You’ve got to have some enjoyable existing uses to attract organic density. After Caydon’s experience, I doubt we’ll get any “knights in shining armor” seeking wholesale transformation of Midtown.

Why not start over and build a nice mixed use building with the same tenants on the ground floor? Having a small mid-rise with 5 floors of residential to anchor those businesses would be way better. Plus there aren't any parking minimums, so you can build only what you really need. Plus good design will attract developers to the other lots. Poor design leads to this. 

It's a little weird they're choosing to build this right in the middle of a single family neighborhood. Doesn't this area have deed restrictions? 

The people of Houston already voted to have light rail running along Richmond and Post Oak over a decade ago. The ONLY thing that stopped it from happening was Sen. Culberson. I don't now why Metro couldn't have just adjusted the route and moved forward with construction but he stopped it dead in it's tracks (no pun intended). At the end of the day this isn't a debate about Houston supporting one mode over another, it all comes down to the cost of light rail. Metro was smart to go the cheaper route to get some concrete infrastructure approved that can be upgraded in the future. I'm not sure about the Inner Katy Line being upgradable, but I think upgrading the University Line is much more feasible. Either way BRT is a great mode of transit and once these two lines are built I believe it's going to have just as huge an impact as light rail would in terms of development.

Just now, ErickEdgar said:

I knew I'd seen something just couldn't remember. Thank you

Are there any renderings?

5 hours ago, ATH said:

Did the fence go farther south down Caroline in front of the three story building which was originally constructed for the Ridgway's Blueprint Company?  At one time, the same people owned both buildings.  It would be a shame if the Ridgway's Building was also being demolished.  It's a stout cast in place concrete building originally designed by Robert Cummins.

I think it's only this building

I know this isn't "transit news' but it is important to note that the BBB has revoked Centerpoint Energy for a year. I hope they address the terrible job they do keeping the pedestrian realm clean after they do a job. 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/bbb-revokes-centerpoint-accreditation-17845648.php

Oh wow I like it! Love that green color!

They need to tear this down and start over. This is what happens when you build cheap, nearsighted, and only for profit. You end up with a prime lot with a crazy amount of potential, rotating tenants with no end in sight. 

On 3/17/2023 at 5:39 PM, Ross said:

Their property, their choice. If it bothers you that much, make an offer for the property and develop it as you wish. You will fail, because the Catholic Church doesn't care at all what you think.

Well I think that's the point Ross. I agree with the whole idea that it's your property you can do whatever you want with it, but to not consider the neighborhood one bit is extremely nearsighted. 

I just recently noticed this building the other day and it never occurred to me how much of an eyesore it is. Even if it does turn in to a temporary parking lot, I think it's better than this thing still standing.