pablog

I wish the title read, “TxDOT Proposes Razing I-10 near I-45

I’m excited about the coffee shop and restaurant! 

1 hour ago, trymahjong said:

Oh my, to whom should I praise the new Metro stop?

talk about a fabulous upgrade……….wow

This is art

I bet the view of downtown from the inside is amazing. The railroad curves right in front, so nothing will ever block the view

On 8/15/2021 at 3:59 PM, 77011transplant said:

I'm pretty sure 713 Music Hall is the official name.

The Terminal was a much cooler name. 

6 hours ago, Big E said:

TXDOT has always specialized in road development. Taking care of the major interstates and roads has been their main concern since forever. Freight rail in Texas is privately owned, and commuter rail networks in Texas are generally built and maintained by local transit authorities agencies. TEXRail, for instance, is maintained by Trinity Metro, a local transit agency in Tarrant County. The Trinity Railway Express is a joint venture between Trinity Metro and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The Silver Line, which is currently under construction, is being built by DART. The A-train is operated by the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA). Austin's Capital MetroRail is maintained by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. TXDOT has literally never built or managed a commuter rail network. If you want such a network to exist in the Houston Area, take it up with METRO. Constructing or running such things would literally be within their purview. They have decided to not make that a priority.

You’ve explained this twice. We understand the governing entities of each type of development and how they work; however, it doesn’t mean it is right. TXDOT should be able to fund other developments that help transportation across the state if that’s what the local communities want, but that’s assuming we live in a democracy.

6 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

The problem is it isn’t Metro’s job. You just said TxDOT doesn’t specialize in commuter rail. So what they hell do they specialize in other than concrete? They are a TRANSIT AGENCY. The bigger issue is they are forced to use their money on concrete. I believe it’s the TX Constitution that specifies how they can use their funds. SEPTA in Pennsylvania works to develop multiple modes of transit that connect to inner city transit. The same applies to transit in California, specifically BART in northern Cali. So no, the whole “they don’t specialize” argument is even worse. All those engineers who don’t specialize in anything but highways. TxDOT had a chance to build commuter rail with the Katy Freeway expansion. They failed to do that. What makes you believe this expansion is any different?

I’ll back this up by saying that their name says Transportation in it. 
 

seems like they only consider freeways transit. They’re clueless

7 hours ago, Pumapayam said:

Are there any plans to widen Westheimer from Bagby/Brazos to Montrose?

I feel like there are doing so much building and cleaning up...but the 4 lanes are so narrow.

I, in turn, still think it is too wide. Make it a one lane road and make the sidewalks wider, add a bike lane, and plant more trees

5 hours ago, monarch said:

^^^ the plants/trees are starting to settle in upon the rooftop at POSTHTX...

 

Hey, can I share this picture on my social media page, @livelihood and @livelihoodprojects

2 hours ago, samagon said:

from the PDF linked by @Naviguessor (thanks!) it appears there are 2 building segments of the first phase that have GFR that are on the 'water edge' I would find it hard to believe if the GFR doesn't offer patio space to any restaurant/bar that faces the Bayou. sure, it isn't riverwalk close to the Bayou, but do you really want to be that close to the bayou when eating? flood mitigation as well is a good reason to not be right next to it.

additionally, building F is designated as having a rooftop section. page 11 shows that rooftop section pictured, which has the bayou in the foreground, indicating that the building rooftop access will be facing south, and west, giving premium views of the downtown skyline, and a bayou look (without showing off the industrial part to the east).

if you've been to the new potato, you'll agree that the skyline view from here is pretty awesome.

anyway, it looks like they aren't ignoring their prime asset, which is the bayou, and the skyline, even if they are not building right up on the edge of the bayou, which is ok.

edit: and here's building E as well, one of the mockup images shows patio space facing the bayou and downtown as well as the summary of the building...

not really sure what more is wanted here...

I want floating buildings on the water with water level retail and underwater basements

1 minute ago, tangledwoods said:

I don't think these residents quite understand how lucky they are.  A storage facility is about the LEAST impactful development possible.  Hardly any traffic, no late night noise, and it will contribute more to local taxes than the existing church.

Now the 7 story thing is a bit tall, but storage centers have a really low Floor to floor height. My guess is it will be around the same height as 1111 Studewood which is 6 floors but typical 14' ceilings.

Yeah there are a few houses that will back up to this and it will be a bit of an eye sore but I would rather back up to a storage center than a bar or restaurant.  Hell imagine the impact that a 7 story condo / apartment tower would have here, that would be WAY worse than a storage center...

I would prefer a 7 story condo tower that fits the design and character of the neighborhood than a giant storage building with 0 character 

If done with the right materials, I think it’ll look good.

It’s daunting, imposing, and it feels strong. Definitely something that feels reserved for only the few. Which is the target that they’re going for.

If given the cheap RD treatment, it will look horrible 

1 hour ago, ArtNsf said:

 

Yes, and thank you pablog !  Perspective has a lot to do with the feeling Houstonians and the popular media has about this area.  Most of it has been very unfair and false over the decades.  But, perhaps, we are finally breaking through all the negative propaganda (I won't mention which cities and areas in the country are the most guilty of that.  We can all guess pretty accurately anyway.)  There really is so much natural beauty - both "flat and contoured" that surrounds this mega multi-county area of the U.S. and Houston.  The Bayous (which a few are actually really rivers - I vote to rename the big one "Buffalo River", but I know that will never happen), the wildlife, birds mammals reptiles and the flora, trees, native flowers grasses, insects, butterflies.  All of this and more are what make the natural beauty of this area very much worth protecting and even enhancing and celebrating as a source of major civic pride.  We already know how incredible our tall skyscrapers are and most are works of architectural wonder and art, with many more on the horizon.  But, lets never forget mother nature in this area CAN and does work well with us humans as long as we respect her and just take a little more time with each building project, to figure out the best way to replace any greenery and wildlife and waterway damaged, with native natural beauty, the way that most developers are "required" to offset the ground absorption displacement by having holding ponds/reservoirs installed on each project, to minimize any added flooding caused by the finished product.  Also, so what if we are a marshy swampland (which btw is only in certain far eastern and southeastern parts of the county?)  These parts of our area are a paradise of life at it's most diverse and finest in America.  It is worth noting that several other great American cities, albeit much smaller, have the same climate and swamp lands surrounding their fair cities, yet you rarely hear them complain to the rest of America. These would be cities like Miami, New Orleans, Corpus Christi, Savannah, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and indeed, many more famous smaller yet significant cities in the Gulf Coast and Southern Atlantic regions of the lower 48.   So, I feel it is high time for Houston to offer up it's natural beauty and diversity of plant/tree and animal life, and diversity of species as yet one more great reason to visit and enjoy this part of our shared American treasure, which is known as Houston.  Oh yeah, did I mention how bad the mosquitoes are in these other cities ?  Like WAY WORSE at times than Houston's ever thought about being.

 

Exactly! It is all a matter of perspective. Houston is so beautiful, diverse, and stunning in its way.

The reason why we’ve never done well to protect/preserve our environment is because of this negative perception that we aren’t naturally beautiful. 

If we want to be more sustainable, greener, and preserve our natural beauty (Prairies, Swamps, Bayous, Forests, Savannahs, etc) , we need to change our way of thinking and appreciate the unique natural beauty that we are blessed with.

Our appreciation will lead developers to appreciate nature as well as there is monetary benefits towards doing so.

1 hour ago, kennyc05 said:

Are they still planning on changing the name?

Hopefully!! I’d like to see Allen University or Buffalo Bayou University... but idk

Ive never heard about them wanting to change their name though 

CLICK HERE TO SAVE BUFFALO BAYOU
 

https://mailchi.mp/buffalobayou/bbp-wants-to-hear-from-you-288362

Ugh... why do we always get the short end of the stick?! In NYC, these towers would be 200 stories tall! We are getting the Houston treatment again. So bland and monotonous, we never push the envelope. Why can't we ever have nice things? 

Now, for real, this is AMAZING! So elegant, classy, luxurious, without being crazy and over the top with unnecessary design features. I think if built like the renders, this development will be timeless.

4 minutes ago, MarathonMan said:

I understand that this is a Holl building and that glowing boxes are sort of his thing.  It’s a fine building, and I’m sure the interior will be nice and functional.  Safe with a little twist, in my opinion.  I’m just waiting for Houston to commission a “take your breath away” piece of architecture that makes people worldwide go, “Whoa!”  I think we missed an opportunity really advertise Houston’s impressive cultural establishment to the world.   Places like Bilbao, Denver, Mexico City, Antwerp, Valencia, Hanoi, Paris, Alberta, Minneapolis seized their opportunity more effectively.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I definitely like this building more than the majority of those in your post. Some take my breath away in a bad sense. But everyone has their own opinion, which is the beauty of art/architecture! 

Steven Holl designed the chapel at my university, Seattle University, and the interior is one of the most thought provoking, peaceful, and transcendent spaces I’ve been in.

i am excited about the interior of this space. He’s an expert at how light works inside of the building 

Beautiful design, especially incorporating the old building with the new. Very classy and well done