Purpledevil

Gotcha. Didn't know who developed it, but yeah, Yale Park Village does sound right. The property that you speak of for $500k on Yale, south adjacent to YPV has been on the market for some time now. I've had my eye on it for a long time, as whoever buys it has a big surprise for them sitting in the garage. There is an old 50s model Chrysler sitting underneath all the junk packed on top of it. We moved into Suburban Terrace, two blocks north of this property, back in 1989. The house there next to the Mirador development had an old couple living in it back then, and the old man would leave the garage door open while he mowed the property. The car was stored in there even then, never moved. Just saw someone mowing down the property a couple of months ago and for the first time in probably many years, lo and behold the door was open and there sat the tail end of the old car peering out from under the pile. I'd love to make an offer on that car, if anyone ever buys the house.

I'll take that as a "no" on the offer, lol. The price will only go up as the new development inches closer.

There is an new community of homes that have been built on Yale between Tidwell and Parker, on the west side of the road. This community is gated, built on top of an old horse pasture, and was completed 3 or 4 years ago. I can't remember the name of it, but Rosamond dead ends into the side of it across Yale. That's been all the new major development that area has seen since the original neighborhoods around it were built in the mid 50s. I agree with you Fortune. The new development down by Barkwood is quite nice, but it's part of the "pocket development" that I fear will occur below Crosstimbers. Inside of the front gate is swell, outside of it is produces a nightly collection of wandering drunks, drugs deals, and those collecting money from whomever they can to get a piece of the drug dealing action going on nearby. It's no wonder San Julio and the Kingdom Hall have large gates surrounding them. If the new construction does not meander across Crosstimbers, then there's going to be issues. The area north of Crosstimbers and south of Tidwell is a high crime area, likely moreso than the part of IH south of Crosstimbers. North of that is Parkway, which we've discussed, and it's really no picnic either. Between Tidwell and Parker, Stuebner Airline and 45, is the pocket of 50s built one story 3 bedroom homes that still maintain a fair number of older longtime homeowners that have maintained the area as a mostly quiet spot where vigilance is king and crime is relatively low. My wife and I lived there for almost 20 years and thankfully only had one issue where a stolen car was dumped in our driveway.

It is, Parker is in the Parkway area, which includes Suburban Terrace, Wildrose Gardens, and another name that's escaping me right now. IH, as I've always known it, ends at Tidwell.

Interesting article concerning how dire the circumstances are for the longtime Fort Worth based electronics retailer. I've bought many an electronic gadget from the Shack in my years, and still patronize them to this day. As one of those radio geek types, I was disappointed to see them take most of the more advanced electronic equipment and replace it with cell phone and novelty gadgets in their brick and mortars, but accessibility to even hard to find capacitors and such is typically there on their website available for purchase. I'd hate to see them go, but if so, hopefully someone will retain the catalog along the lines of what happened with Montgomery Ward's after their demise. http://www.arrl.org/news/no-easy-answers-for-radioshack-s-slow-downward-slide

It was indeed, seems like it had to do with the water utilities. The old buildings were torn down this century, but it sat vacated for a few years prior to its demise, iirc. Drove down there this morning in route to breakfast, and sure enough, a huge swath of old houses have fresh plywood up and numbers painted on them around Booker T. This is nice and all, I'm saddened a little that it will be another longtime institution lost, and will be a positive change for the neighborhood, but the unnecessary hyperbole initiated in this thread is what sent me off into a tangent. I honestly hope this redevelopment stretches clear up Yale to Parker. When 45 eventually widens up near Parker, where my rental is sitting will likely end up as commercial frontage for the freeway. The sooner the better, lol. Stuu67, if you're looking for a property to snatch up along Yale, I've got a 3/1 I'd gladly dump on...er..negotiate a deal with you. That is, if you are truly "buying now". Bring cash.

Yep, 19514, I read it and am astounding that neither Wheatley nor Booker T. are to be with us much longer. Shame really, so much history. Such is progress in the big city. Hopefully some aspects of Washington can be incorporated into the new development as is reportedly now happening with Wheatley. Does Academy sell snow boots down here? Never thought I'd have to ask, lol. Stuu67: Drive down any street in Independence Heights and you'll see boarded up windows and caving in roofs. Who can tell the difference? Some of those old homes and businesses have been abandoned for years. A few more have now been boarded up, and I just didn't notice. Fortune: When you take into account that this property I referenced is surrounded by a closed elementary school, a closed furnIture store, a closed car lot converted into a barber shop/hair salon, a car wash complete with a crowd of 40oz sippin' patrons standing by, it's not hard to imagine why it has sat dormant all this time, and has not seen some type of development. That parcel stretches from almost Yale to N. Main. You'd think something more than just the newer convenience store they built over 10 years ago facing Yale, would've been established by now. It remains a vacant piece of land because of the undesirable surroundings. You are absolutely right, there are several large parcels of land available in Houston that are in superb areas, and this ain't one of them. Wipe nearly the whole neighborhood clean like what happened to Cottage Grove, and start all over? Well, now you may have something. If they start building little pocket communities with in the confines of the current Independence Heights, it won't be long before those beautiful new homes start resembling the old boarded up ones that used to stand in the same place. I couldn't agree more with your comment on The Heights. It has certainly changed a lot since the old days of overnight rapid gunfire, but the original comment of Independence Heights, Studewood, or whatever you want to call it, being less rundown and blighted than the "Proper Heights", voiced by Stuu67, is an absolute farce. The Heights was a rougher part of town back then, but it didn't have buildings just sitting there caving in on themselves like Studewood did, and still does. ...with the exception of Danburg's Department Store on Yale & 20th. That decrepit beast stood there rotting away for way too many years, lol.

Thanks for the tip, JCR. I'm always on the lookout for a new CFS to try out, and after previous conversations, I know there are a couple of HAIFers thrilled with the information in your post. Can you give me a cross street on 11th? Is it on East or West 11th? I don't know where Buchanan's is.

Hopefully they'd also dole a little of that fundage towards the Anson Jones station on Cavalcade. Very small station that serves Monte Beach, The Heights, Norhill, etc. It, too, needs some upgraded facilities.

If you wait a little longer, those big beautiful homes will have spray paint covering them, and the special treat of crack rock scents waffling out the windows. Need an example of current renovations being done exactly as I've described? Drive by the Concord Church on Main. There's a historical building that is an original part of Studewood, rich in heritage. Work began on the restoration, and wouldn't you know it, they replaced all of the broken glasses, and cleaned up the exterior extensively...and then again...and then again...and then, you get the point. If land is so valuable in IH, please explain to me the parcel of land surrounded by Crosstimbers, Main, Yale, and East 45th. That's been a huge vacant lot for the better part of 20 years now. I'd also say that Booker T. will be demoed when snowflakes start dropping you know where, but Phyllis Wheatley's demise further proves nothing is sacred in this town. Good luck to the builders, and most importantly to the future homeowners looking to scoop up one of these big, beautiful homes that are to be built. Independence Heights is not for the faint of heart.

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off of the ground over this statement. As someone that was reared in the Sunset Heights, directly across 610 from Studewood. ..err Independence Heights, this historical reflection (and whoever originated it) is inaccurate. The Heights has had some pretty rough patches throughout its history, but it can not hold a candle to the decay, desperation, and blight that is north of 610 and south of Crosstimbers. I am certainly glad to hear that the growth and redevelopment is moving north of the Loop. As a property owner in the area north of there, I can only hope that the growth and new development will continue northward so I can drop our rental in Parkway for more than the $80k it's currently appraised for. I hope any potential buyers know what they are facing. Take a look at San Julio Manor on Yale, right down the street from Barkwood. A collection of homes, in a gated community, that listed prices starting at only $225k on their sign. It was supposed to be the first in a line of redevelopment along Yale. Well, the only thing that has been developed along Yale is the windowless Kingdom Hall right down the street, and that's it. Barkwood is still a complete mess of an apartment complex, the businesses around San Julio are still loitering friendly, oh and let's not forget the various prostitutes and pimps that use San Julio's brick wall as a showcase backdrop. I don't mean to be all doom and gloom, but anyone "pioneering" in this area is going to have some surprises in store for them, if they're not familiar with the area. My best advice if you do buy? Lock your doors and stay in the gate after dark.

Expansion.

I need to introduce you to Shepherd Drive. You see, Shepherd is a serious north-south artery in Houston. It starts at the North Freeway at Veterans Memorial and goes clear down to Rice Boulevard. Now, if you count the split at the Southwest Freeway that results in Greenbriar, that will allow you to ride continuously to Holmes Rd. Shepherd is a little east of 610. If you go a bit west of 610, you have another major north-souther that changes names umpteen times, but still serves as a continuous route without making a turn. Depending on what part you are on, I present to you Bammel-North Houston, North Houston-Rosslyn, Bingle, Voss-S.Voss, and Hillcroft. It runs from north of the North Belt, clear down to old U.S. 90, and honestly I don't know, it may run all the way to the South Belt by now. I haven't been down there in years. There are certainly ways around the West Loop, my friend. I haven't touched that part of 610 in years. I avoid that thing like the plague, lol.

That's not accurate, IronTiger. The ones that change names frequently are usually those that can't (or won't) meet the standards of the flag that their hotel represents. Of course, as with most everything, there are exceptions to the rule, but if a specific hotel is changing flags every few years, there is something drastically wrong within.

Applies to places of business too, lol. This is the exact way I ended up with the three cats we have now. Their mother had either been dumped in our parking lot, or meandered her way there in search for food. Me being the sucker I am for a hungry animal, went to the kitchen, warmed some chicken and milk, and set it outside on the curb across from the front doors. Well, as you can imagine, she made the hotel her new home and she'd be waiting on me. I'd come to work, there'd be the cat. I'd walk in the door, she'd walk in behind me. I'd put her back out, a guest would walk in and she'd follow. Didn't see me once she made it in? She'd go to meowing. After the second day of this, I realized what I had to do, so in the truck she went, and adopted we were, lol. I just don't comprehend what goes through a person's mind when they make the decision of abandonment. There's just better options out there than that.

Good for them. Cox Radio has a formidable 1-2 punch with 93Q and The Eagle. Certainly one of the better clusters here in Houston.

Yessir, IronTiger. Take away that disproportionate amount of commercial developments and you have the Webster, Texas I used to know. The explosion of growth along 45 in this whole area has been absolutely stunning. I just lost some land to Harris County ROW down in Friendswood due to road expansion to accommodate all of the growth. Webster is not as bad as it used to be, I'll admit it. South Houston, I didn't even click to that. Nicely done, Howard.

Curious as to just what kind of animal lovers we have here at the HAIF. I am a cat person, and am a complete sucker for a stray in need of help and someone to love. As a result, we have 3 kittys: General Tso (we call him The General), Moo Goo Gai Pan (Moogy), and Bean Sprout (Beaner). Moogy is my favorite, as she's a girl. I like cats better because a cat doesn't tend to sell out for love as easily. If you scold one of my cats for clawing up the toilet paper roll, they'll look at you, lick a paw, wash their face, or simply give out a long yawn. They have little fear, unless one of them really screws up and doesn't wait to be let out, resulting in a little gift left on the tile, typically by the door to the garage. A simple yell of "KITTY!" in my deep, carrying voice, draws all of their attention and a scattering of cats under the bed, couch, buffet, or whatever they are closest to getting underneath, is the result. My wife is the on the other end of the spectrum, as she loves dogs. We have two of them, both labs. One is solid white, one is a chocolate. The chocolate lab is the better hunter, and is the older of the two. Her name is Reese. Cotton is about to turn 4, has energy to spare, and can jump over a 4 foot cyclone fence, from a flat pawed stand still. Reese is the more loving of the two, she is a big baby. Cotton is skeptical of everyone but my wife, including me, lol. She's also a digger. I love them both, but God knows, they are expensive to care for. Vet bills, food, housing, and such, plus since we have a rather small backyard, we've got to walk them daily to keep them active and so that Reese's arthritis in her back hips doesn't worsen. It surely deepens my love for my cats when it's time to walk the dogs and either it's 100 degrees outside, or a stiff north wind is blowing and the mercury is barely hovering above freezing. In the wInter, the cats have a way of being in the window laying down and peering out as to say "look at those fools out there in the cold, think I'll just stretch out here and take a nap!" So what about you? Are you a cat lover, a dog lover, or maybe something else tugs at the strings of your heart? Tell the rest of us HAIFers about your special friend(s).

Depends on your perspective. I mentioned La Porte namely because of the industrial element and the resulting odor. Aldine is a rough part of town, no doubt, but the overall ugliness of La Porte as you traverse 225 supersedes the rundown aspect of Aldine, that can be readily seen from 45. Good call on Galena Park. I'll see your Galena Park and raise you a Webster.

Exactly why I don't evacuate, mkultra. I live north of the Belt anyway. I've got it in my mind that if I could survive Hurricane Alicia in tact, I can survive anything that a hurricane can throw at me. The only way I will ever leave is if we are staring down the barrel of a Cat 5. Then, there's really no choice; it would then be a matter of survival. In that case, I'm only going as far as Bellville, where we have a house on 19 acres. Anything that comes across Austin County should have had enough of the wallop taken out of it by Galveston and Houston being in between. One can only hope.

My aunt lived off of Manchester. Avenue Q and 103rd, I think it was. I know the Ave Q part is right. Now, this was in the mid to late 70s, and it was a hell hole of an area even back then. If we're doing Houston neighborhood/street armpits now, well I'd just be remiss if I didn't mention Jensen Drive. That's one continuous armpit from end to end, and has been for umpteen years now.

Yeah, it did. That's because Gary Kubiak had no business as a head coach, but I digress. We could go on all day about how inept the prior regime really was, but why? They are gone, this thread is about the Triple Threat, and knowing radio, it's only a matter of time before one (or more) of the group leaves for a better deal, and the station scrambles to fill another hosting vacancy. Such is life within the radio medium, so if someone out there really does "hate it", don't let the three of them get under your skin too badly. This time next year, KILT will have again changed its lineup, lol.

Yeah, Rita sucked. We stayed put and watched the people walking up 45 and abandoning their out of gas cars. Biggest nightmare I've ever seen in all my years here. Worst part is that many of those trying to beat it out of Houston actually ran right into it by going to Lufkin, Nacodoches, Tyler, and so on. I think the worst we got up here was a couple of 50 mile an hour wind gusts. You'd have never even known a storm had hit up at our place in Bellville, except for the lack of available gas.

I'll take option D. Indifference. I guess it's better without Innes, but I don't care much for Ted Johnson. This is HOUSton, Ted, not BOSton! Oh well, I guess it's par for the course, we're becoming more and more New England South at every turn. That's okay though. If O'Brien can take us to the promised land, and bring us a championship, he can mold us into Seattle Southeast as far as I care. Just restore us to our rightful place as a contender. That's all I ask. That's all any of us can really ask.

La Porte.