hbg.50

Gene Peterson, legendary voice of the Houston Rockets, dies at 83 A voice of my childhood. Absolutely one of the best. RIP https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/gene-peterson-houston-radio-dies-83-19594157.php How Sweet It Is!

Interesting turn of events… Finner has turned on John Whitmire.. Exclusive: Former Police Chief Troy Finner alleges he was pushed out to bury HPD scandal https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/finner-police-chief-hpd-scandal-19551353.php Why would Whitmire want to bury HPD scandal? In fact, isn’t this perfect timing for him to throw more shade on Sylvester Turner, especially if Turner runs for the SJL seat? It doesn’t make sense to me…

I love your idea! Seems this was suggested last year too… here’s an article I found. Perhaps you should reach out to Barry Ward? https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/series/hot-stops/2023/09/21/462996/metro-could-plant-a-tree-at-every-bus-stop-in-houston-but-it-may-be-a-bit-complicated/ The first step is to make a map identifying all the bus stops with enough nearby space to support a tree. "That would be pretty easy to do," said Mac Martin, an urban forester with Texas A&M Forest Service. "We’re foresters not rocket scientists," he said. Martin and a team of five people did an inventory of potential tree-planting spaces in Gulfton this March. It took them about half a day. He said his team would train anybody – city workers, community groups, volunteers – who want to do this work. Ultimately it comes down to using a tape measure and writing down how big the public right of way is. A tree needs around 3 to 5 feet of planting space. There also can't be utility lines overhead. Once a map is made of where trees can be planted, the next step is to get funding for the trees. After reading our investigation, Barry Ward with the non-profit Trees for Houston said it's an initiative he would be willing to fund. "I will pay for every one. I will put a tree at no cost to the city or METRO at every bus stop in the city of Houston," he said. "Doesn’t mean it would be easy. Doesn’t mean I could do it overnight." However, the next step, which Ward argues is the most difficult one, is getting public officials all on the same page working towards a shared goal. "It’s gonna take a certain amount of will," he said. "There just has to be the bureaucratic willpower to say, ‘how do we make this work'? Instead of saying, ‘no, that’s too hard.' It really is that simple." This type of initiative would require buy-in and coordination between METRO and the city of Houston.

Likely had more to do with Xfinity than the Heights. Verizon wireless was just fine.

Houston City Council to consider land purchase for George R. Brown Convention Center expansion https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/07/23/houston-first-convention-center-expansion-land.html The parcels in question span two downtown city blocks in between the convention center and the Toyota Center. Block 309 is bounded by Clay Avenue, Hamilton Street, Bell Avenue and Chenevert Street, while Block 310 is bounded by Clay Avenue, Chenevert Street, Bell Avenue and Jackson Street. Currently, both blocks contain ground-level parking lots. Should the measure be approved, the properties would be used to construct a new building that is outfitted with parking, exhibition halls, ballrooms and meeting space, according to the City Council’s agenda. However, Houston First, which operates the convention center, has not provided details about what the project will entail. The city council agenda item does not state how much Houston First would pay to acquire the parcels. However, the organization would be authorized to use eminent domain to acquire them, if necessary. Houston First confirmed it is in negotiations with the property owners and hopes to strike a deal without employing eminent domain. “Houston First looks forward to beginning work on the previously announced transformation of the George R. Brown Convention Center and surrounding convention and entertainment district,” a spokesperson for the organization said in a statement. “While the project is still in the planning stages, the expanded convention center will require the acquisition of land to the south of our existing campus and adjacent to The Rustic and the Hilton Hotel garage. The agenda item before Council is a critical step to commencing this project, which will ultimately mean billions of dollars of economic impact in the years ahead." Houston First added that it hopes to announce details of the project later this year and break ground sometime in 2025. The proposed expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center comes as a result of last year’s passage of Senate Bill 1057, which will allow Houston First to receive a portion of the hotel-occupancy taxes in excess of the amount collected this year for the next 30 years. Under S.B. 1057, the revenue collected will allow for improvements to the convention center and the surrounding area, which could include the East Downtown area. The state comptroller’s office estimates the revenue will exceed $1.8 billion over the next three decades. Houston First President and CEO Michael Heckman previously told the Houston Business Journal that his organization aims to transform the convention center into “the most sellable and activated convention center in the country.” Part of Houston First’s plan is to create an entertainment district to the south of the convention center that is activated year round and that is attractive to Houstonians and tourists alike.

Yes, you’re right about the HAIFr drama. By my last count we’ve had two casualties of war on the forum! Apparently over thread names/organization and not enough love for illustrations provided. I personally blame @monarch for the latter as that’s his department to pass out blue ribbons for the best illustrations! JK Monarch! 🤣 I know you’ve been busy with the SEC hoopla!

It looks great! I hope the University shuts down Cullen to vehicular traffic on football game days. I remember when TDECU first opened Cullen was filled with food trucks and tailgaters. If they’re smart they’ll go back to that setup.

Blurb in The Chronicle… https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/environment/article/montrose-boulevard-tirz-trees-flood-whitmire-19589548.php Four new Montrose TIRZ members installed by Mayor John Whitmire faced a barrage of heated feedback on the stalled Montrose Boulevard redesign project in their first-ever meeting Monday night. … Both groups came out in force Monday night for the first meeting of the neighborhood's TIRZ — or Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone — led by Matthew Brollier, the chair appointed by Whitmire to replace former leader Joe Webb. While the previous city administration seemed poised to give final approvals to the project, whose first section plan has been ready to break ground for several months, Whitmire has vocally questioned some elements of the plan developed under Webb's leadership. Ultimately the next steps for the project depend on Whitmire, not on his new board. "Until we get direction from the city, we're on pause," said Muhammad Ali of Gauge Engineering, a group hired to work on the roadway. Ali explained that while the TIRZ solicited the redesign plans and secured bond funding to cover them, all of the work is in the city's right-of-way and requires the mayor's approval.

There has been no drama with this building. Are you referring to the Montrose Boulevard proposal?

AT&T U-verse fiber was fine when the power was restored. I never lost my Verizon wireless access.

Right. They are committing to improving the customer experience, public safety and ridership. I agree with @j_cuevas713 that we have to hold them accountable. For now I'm holding out hope that this Board will be effective towards their stated objectives.

https://www.papercitymag.com/culture/hotel-saint-augustine-new-houston-hotel-opens-montrose/?city=Houston&mc_cid=51692ef49c&mc_eid=9daebd0819#536309 Houston’s New Hotel Saint Augustine Sets Its Opening Date With a Bludorn Restaurant — Get an Early Look at the Montrose Marvel The new Houston hotel is located at 4110 Loretto, a stone’s throw from the Menil Collection’s Drawing Institute, in the heart of Montrose. Seventy one rooms and suites are distributed across five small, two-story buildings connected by open-air bridges and porches designed to blend seamlessly into the neighborhood’s residential character. Hotel Saint Augustine features four lushly landscaped courtyards and winding outdoor pathways amid mature heritage oaks.

She must have declined very very quickly. I could swear I just saw a tweet of her yesterday on a three-wheeler wearing a cowboy hat. The tweet was making fun of her getting that hat over her hair. She was a champion for Houston and her family has my deepest condolences. She will be missed.

The purpose of my post was to suggest a couple of use cases for the Dome. Yes, there will be obstacles. Those obstacles can be overcome with the appropriate leadership and vision.

Right. Just as the Astrodome was the first domed stadium of its kind, the grass issue led to Astroturf which is pretty much now the standard across most athletic fields. 55 years, later I bet someone can develop a grass variety that will grow in the Dome. Or, perhaps a retractable field can be used - like Allegiant Stadium in LV uses. It’s a minor thing. Geez, you’re really splitting hairs here. For all intents and purposes La Porte is Houston. Johnson Space Center is in Clear Lake City. So what! It’s Houston! Besides, I’m not hung up so much on the Houston city limits as much as the fact that the Texas Revolution was fought in this area. The San Felipe Trail went right through Houston to Harrisburg. There is actual Texas history here.