phillip_white

My guess???

So that they can "start" the project and thereby lock in the incentive. Since the project has "started" and the incentive has been approved (at least for the original proposal), this may ensure that they are able to lock in their credits.

That's an interesting point.  I haven't looking at the downtown housing incentive program in detail, but I wonder if they are paid after the project is completed or at the end of the fiscal year in which the project begins (which would inject additional capital).  It definitely seems as though they would lock in the credits even if the program were to be terminated after a short time due to a large number of builders participating.

I totally agree that Greyhound has all the rights to stay but since there is a noise issue that they create almost every night, I think they need to warn their drivers not to honk in the middle of the night even early morning - 2 am, 3 am, 4 am... you name it. There are times, Greyhound drivers honk 30 seconds without giving break around 4am. I live in 2016 Main and I am witnessing this every single day. Believe me, it is not a good feeling. The reason that they do honk is very simple. The vehicles that they drop off passengers, block bus entrance and exit of the station. Why? Because, since there is a light rail there, vehicles do not have any pick up/drop off spots in this station. Can you imagine a Greyhound bus station with NO pick up/drop off area??? Unfortunately, in Houston they DON'T. So there is two simple solution for the Greyhound issue. 1) You create a noise ordinance in this area right away 2) You close the main street to vehicle traffic (which I think this idea is on the table for a while). Once these two will be in place, Greyhound will be gladly leave the premises in no time. 

Samkan, I didn't realize that was where the honking was coming from.  I live all the way at Austin and McGowen and I hear that honking almost every single day, inside my house with the windows closed.  I would support enforcement of the noise ordinance, and if you're truly upset by the noise (it was more perplexing to me) I would advise you to contact the city about it.  They're not going to fix a problem that they aren't aware of.

Anway, to stay on topic, I think this would be a boon to that area.  Sure, there are homeless people and drug addicts and ne'er-do-wells, but they were here first and we have to remember that.  Maybe as time passes the charity groups will sell their high-value property and all of them will move out to the burbs.

Nice pic! I can see my house. Where did you take this from?

I don't see what's so bad about this.  They've masked the view of the garage pretty well along Main and it has the height aspect that everyone seems to complain about.  I'll dig it even more if they intend to provide parking to nearby retail since this area will definitely need it with all of the new developments in the works.

That being said, your arguments about making a nice looking parking garage reminds me of my time at Baylor. Behold, the Garage Mahal:

I wonder why they changed this.  The initial design was so sleek and sexy.  The curves complimented the surrounding buildings and streetscape.

moo. 

From what I can tell, this project is very similar to the Bagby redesign (new sidewalks/landscaping, rain gardens, and bike lanes).  I think the goal is spur development on the southern side of Main, since it's definitely lacking at this point.

It looks like I've answered my own question:

Construction on the Caroline Street project is scheduled to start in December 2014.

edit: JPEGS looks like crap, see original PDF here

Midtown Lake is coming along nicely. A couple more storms like we had last night and I can bring out the jet skis! 

Saw them ripping up the parking lot at Caroline & Hadley a couple days ago.  Went by today and found out that Advantage BMW is building a new detailing shop to replace the one that will be torn down across gray from the dealership (same block as their newly acquired/remodeled used car center).  Better than an empty lot or townhomes, I guess.

The side of the field closest to the Alexan will have a small park-ish area, with the actual Superblock Park on the end farthest away in the picture above. Camden will be be built in between.

See this forum for more info:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26186-midtown-superblock-park/
 

Are you talking about the Camden sign on Travis? It has been there for many months.

Yes, I was referring to sign on Travis.  I don't often travel from that direction, so it was the first time I had noticed it.  

I drove by earlier and they have a Camden sign up now, although I'm not sure that would even count as progress. I'm not sure what the parking agreement was with the valet service, but perhaps they have to let it expire before breaking ground?

Update on 2401 Main.  I was able to get this shot of the work (or lack thereof) being done inside. .

Snapped this on the way home.

Has anyone heard anything about this lately?  The Midtown TRIZ budget shows construction starting soon and there have been utility workers marking sidewalks with paint.  Wasn't sure if it was coincidence or if the ball will finally start rolling.