ProHouston

Bummer, this is one of the easier locations to get to and find parking.

I noticed they don't have anything listed for the Woodlands. I thought they were getting one up there.

I've never heard that The Woodlands was to get a store.

Updates pic from this morning. It looks like they're filling dirt around the concrete pillars they've added. Maybe the pillars were to support the structure and it will actually rise from ground level.

Some tenants planned for phase II include:

Urban Outfitter, D&G, Vercase, Metropark, Barnes and Noble, Gucci.

Also, there will be a phase III for The Shops at La Cantera. Planned for phase III are retail, office and residential.

It's nice to finally see some names listed. Do you know if this development will be more similar to a Town Square, or more like a Heubner Oaks?

I don't see the attraction of a Hotel at the Astro complex. It is too far from everything except the arena and stadium. I don't think those two venues can support a hotel of the size that is being discussed. I say tear the damn thing down and move on.

The hotel proposal is build as a destination convention hotel. A hotel people go to just to be on the hotel site for restaurants, entertainment, meetings, spa services, pools, etc. It's not going to be a Holiday Inn Express. Additionally, the convention center it would benefit is mere feet away.

Another thought most are missing, would the Texans and Rodeo be MORE likely to sell tickets to Rodeo events, soccer matches, circuses, Final Fours, Texas Bowls, etc. with an attached hotel. Maybe the Texans lose some cash on game days, but it seems like a hotel would help them sell tickets to many other events that aren't pre-sold to season ticket holders.

You would be correct in that I am one of the 35,000 members of the show and one of the 19,000 committepersons that come from every zip code in the county. I have been on a committee for 7 years and grew up going to the shows, I am also very passionate about them, make no mistake, which is why I get so bent out of shape when people go off spouting things that aren't true about the show. I also am a rational thinking human, which leads me to understand the truth about the Rodeo's stance on the issues, and the fact that you haven't been able to provide any information to the contrary. And while I am very sorry your experience with the Show isn't one that will keep you returning, rest assured they are doing the best they can for their patrons, while keeping their ultimate goal in mind, which is raising as much money as they can for the youth programs, teacher and school programs, and the scholarships they provide alongside the largest and most influential Livestock show in the agribusiness industry. But they will certainly respond if there is a significant number of people who like you feel that a hotel is more important than keeping the Dome useful to more than 1300 rooms of beds, and although I don't know for sure, I suspect the vast majority of people would rather attend events and such in the Dome than care if some people in town for a conference have a place to stay. I don't foresee a significant number of people not going to the show just because they want to have a hotel ONSITE instead of nearby, or instead of a useful facility to the greater citizens of the county. And I'm sure the millions of past patrons, scholarship recipients, teachers, FFA and 4H involved families, along with the tens of thousands of current and past committeepeople/bigwigs or whatever you would like to say, they're all VOLUNTEERS, would support that the greater good of providing those services through the charitable mission of the Show rather than lease county land away to an entity that would provide the county nothing. If the Rodeo proposes as I think they would and have indicated in their statements to the media, it would provide the county and it's residents, as well as the site's tenants, the only plan that keeps the Astrodome's integrity that supporters of keeping it want, as well as it's original and best purpose, to hold events.

Most Houstonians I've discussed this current event with as upset at the Texans and the Rodeo. They want the dome saved and like the idea of the hotel. They (myself included) feel the Texans and Rodeo are forgetting what the citizens of Houston have given them over the last 50 years. This deal will make money for our citizens, a barn won't. It's easy to see that the Texans and Rodeo aren't acting in the citizens best interest.

This 2200 Post Oak development deserves its own thread. There is no relation to BLVD Place. Mods, can you break this out for us?

Worse stuff than this happens several times a day, every day elsewhere in this city and in the suburbs. During the same day there was a carjacking in Sugar Land. Sure, it's rare to see this happen out here and I've no tolerance of it, but eventually these clowns are going to get busted or worse. The reason, this person's email has made it into evey inbox in NW Harris County is because it is so rare here.

Don't go trying to pull us down again mrfootball. Sugar Land 5th Safest City In America

So it's back open? I knew it was closed for maintenance at one point. Glad to hear it's back open again.

They're supposed to be putting one in First Colony as well. There is a sign up at the new retirement center/small business condo development at Colonial Lakes & Hwy 6.

I was the planner of Sugar Land Town Square with a Team of professionals. We did travel and look at many prototypes, the oldest was in Kansas City, The Park(?), the oldest retail center in the US. Our goal given the limitations of the site, the market and the regulatory environment, zoning, was to develop a "center" for a community that up to then, had failed to produce one. Because we were developing about 1,000,000SF "at one time", we were concerned about the potential for visual monotony. The plaza, was intended to express the history of the region and the ethos of the community in a new urban expression. Yes, we used many urban design elements to achieve the environment produced and no dougbt some could have been done differently and perhaps better.

We were definitely trying to "be" anything other than the best we could be, so to speak. We were designing SLTS before the Woodlands Town Center was on the ground although we knew of its coming. Yes it is in a suburban, actually semi-urban context and not an urban context but the environment built is successfully functioning as an urban center and had there been more land available, a more extensive center would have been created.

These projects take enormous energy, talent and commitment, the later ingredient was provided by the then Sugarland Properties without which this site would have been developed as another suburban shopping center.

Best regards to all the HAIF Board

That's very interesting, thanks for the insight. Welcome to HAIF!

After viewing the site earlier today and remembering what you said, I was curious to know if the Foundation is rated for a high rise. We have seen how even recent construction (20-30 years ago) tend to differ from the original plans.

While I do think it's interesting that they didn't dig up the original foundation, I do know that this first building going up is only supposed to be 3-4 floors. It's not one of the highrises.

Signed it.

^^^ The pillars are from the old building being demolished, right? Not new stuff for towers?

m.

Those are new pillars. The interesting thing is that the foundation they are being placed on is the old foundation from the Pavilion's basement level garage. They simply busted out squares of the old foundation and are building the pillars in those spots.

Here are some updated pics of the destruction from this morning.

Here's confirmation of Minute Maid's move to Sugar Land Town Square:

Minute Maid is moving its Galleria-area headquarters to Sugar Land.

The juice maker, a unit of Coca-Cola North America, will occupy 115,000 square feet of a 200,000-square-foot building under construction at 2150 Town Square Place across from Sugar Land City Hall.

The company was able to squeeze some economic incentives from the city, including a direct cash incentive of $240,000 per year for 10 years from the Sugar Land Development Corp.

View the remainder of the story here.

they could add on to Klein Oak or Klein Collins.

There is no more room on KHS campus and it could meen less parking spaces for Klein Memorial Stadium.

Then build a new stadium off campus. Geez, that's got to be the most antiquated stadium in the metro.

The #5 High School will be located on Spring Cypress east of huffsmith, and west of old louetta on the land currently occupied by a private land owner.

The brilliant minds at KISD want to build this high school, and immediatly name it Klein High School. It will be called KHS while the original KHS is demolished and rebuilt on the same spot for the price of $100,000,000. This will last for roughly a two year period all the while the resident s who live across the street from the new high school (Gleannloch, Memorial Creek, etc) will still be forced to attend Klein Oak.

The KISD Bond Program is getting a little out of control, I for one will not be voting for it if they keep with this plan. KISD need to grow and build new facilities, but demolishing a school to put a new one in its place tio the tune of One Hundred Million Dollars is not fiscally responsible. There are better ways to update and improve that campus.

That's sad. I went to KHS, I'd hate to see the old bird demolished. There's a lot of history in those buildings. The school has been around for over 65 years.

I have a family member visiting Houston next month.  They will be staying near the Galleria. 

I am looking for hotel recommendations.  Uptown has a bunch, and I mean alot of hotels.  Which one to choose from? I was looking at the Houston Marriott West Loop By The Galleria At 1750 West Loop South. Would this be an okay choice? 

Thanks for the input!

It's weird how Gringo's is so popular but they can't make another concept work in a location right next door. I must admit thought that I really like Gringo's yet never went to Gringeaux's Seafood or Gringo's Grille.

Is this the same corner where there used to be several casual dining restaurants such as Steak & Ale and The Mason Jar?

Yes.

Does San Antonio have a suburb city equivalent to Houston's The Woodlands?

There really isn't an area in SA comparable to either The Woodlands, First Colony, or Kingwood. Stone Oak is currently the closest but not nearly as planned, upscale, or large as the 3 mentioned in Houston. I hear there may be others on the way in far west SA though, Alamo Ranch etc. that might work out.

The street is Boca Ct. Take Glenn Lakes to Masters, left on Masters, left on Kiamesha. Boca Ct is off Kiamesha on the right. You can't miss it!! Merry Christmas!!

Awesome! Thanks, we'll go by tonight.

I heard that there is a street in Quail Valley that really decorates for Christmas and the week prior to Christmas they have a Santa Claus for all the neighborhood kids to come take pictures with. I met a family that brings their kids here every year instead of the mall for Santa pics. However, I never found out where this street is. Can anyone direct me to this street if you're familiar with what I'm describing?

Thanks!

I don't know how they do it, but I heard on the radio the other day that there is an outdoor frozen rink up in the Woodlands and my boyfriend said he heard there was one in Galveston... so I guess it can be done. I guess we will see.

They do this in many places. In fact, there was an ice skating rink in front of the downtown Foley's for several years in a row in the late 90's/early 2000's. I've even seen a rink on the beach in San Diego.

I got an email from Texans president Jamey Rootes pleading with Texans fans to understand their point of view. I quoted it below. Luckily he also requested feedback, I've provided mine. If you'd like to provide yours, here is the email: fanfeedback@houstontexans.com

You may be aware of the recent public debate regarding the redevelopment of the Reliant Astrodome. This note is to clarify the Houston Texans' concerns about the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation's (ARC) proposal to redevelop the Dome and articulate our general position regarding redevelopment of the Dome.

We want to make it very clear that we do not object to the redevelopment of the Dome, rather we whole heartedly support it. However, we believe that any redevelopment of the Dome:

* Must not conflict with or negatively impact the operations of the prime tenants at Reliant Park (the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo), especially as it relates to key fan experience elements, such as traffic and parking; and

* Must comply with the legal rights of the prime tenants.

While the public debate regarding this issue is new, our involvement in this process is not. We have worked diligently with ARC and Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) representatives since ARC's Astrodome redevelopment proposal was first presented to HCSCC in 2003. During this four-year period, we have consistently and clearly expressed our concerns and expectations regarding this project to ARC and HCSCC representatives. Although ARC representatives have indicated a general willingness to protect our rights, the current plan submitted by ARC is not responsive to our concerns and expectations and would negatively impact the world-class game day experience we create at Reliant Park for our fans.

We hope you can appreciate our desire to have the Dome redevelopment process conducted in a thoughtful manner that adds value for the community. We also hope you will understand our objections to a proposal that would negatively impact the experience you have come to expect when attending Houston Texans games and Rodeo events at Reliant Park. We would appreciate your support as we work with County officials to identify the most appropriate way to redevelop the Dome.

Our primary interest is to protect the experience of our fans during and after the Dome redevelopment effort, so please let us know your thoughts. We want to ensure that the right steps are taken at Reliant Park to enhance the value and utilization of this world-class community asset for this and the next generation of Texans.

I hope that this brief note has helped you to understand our position regarding this important issue. From all of us at the Houston Texans, we hope that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season.

Jamey Rootes

President

Let us hear from you at fanfeedback@houstontexans.com or call us at 866.GOTEXANS (866.468.3926).