wilcal

That's basically exactly what this is. Yes, they've hired a bunch of experts to help them, but this is a startup company. When you say "partner Japanese company" are you referencing JR Central, the company that operates the Shinkansen trains (in Japan, exclusively) or Hitachi/Kinki Sharyo who manufacture the trains? Yes, they are licensing the tech from a Japanese company, but that company isn't funding the construction of this project. The bulk of the funding so far for Texas Central is from the nation of Japan via the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. for Transport & Urban Development and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation who have provided a $300 million loan (about 2% of what they need). Texas Central has on their own website that they will be using private investors, but they have not announced anything more than the $300 million loan from the nation of Japan and and some initial funding of less than $100 million. Dallas Morning News reported that the $300 million loan from Japan (and again, I'm talking about the country) is the amount necessary to take them to the point where they can start construction. The nation of Japan could provide more funding, but no one has stated that publicly. I really wish that I'm wrong, but I have not seen a single piece of information anywhere that suggests that they have more than $500 million in funding from any source, and certainly not enough funding to complete the project, so if you can provide any information in regards to that I would actually be really overjoyed. Edit: I'll put this edit to say that yes, some Japanese corporation or the Japanese government, or who knows could have already agreed to fund this project behind closed doors. Nothing, to my knowledge, is public about any potential multi-billion dollar funding.

You don't have any concerns about them not having the cash? They need like $17 billion, right?

First midtown mid-rise project announced since parking minimums were eliminated? Feel like it'll skew higher end though.

Rode through the lane yesterday morning, and concrete separators/armadillos are creeping west on Gray. They were finishing up the paint work on the eastern edge, so that should be done. Paint work currently ends at the BMW dealer on the west side, so hopefully that will continue now.

Workers on site this morning Looks like they are keeping some metal fencing inside, so maybe this corner is just a staging area for a different site? I think the trailer was empty. The fencing is not in the Google Street View image from above. I should have stopped and chatted with them.

Yes, barrels are temp until construction is complete. They're currently placed where parking will be available. The concrete dividers will be in the narrow painted strip. Bike lanes will be identical to the ones on Elysian that I posted.

It is confusing, but it's because they are don't yet. They want to maintain the parking, and there are concrete barriers coming (a la Hardy/Elysian) to show people where to park. Armadillos will help guide people around corners. Concrete dividers on Elysian: FWIW, they did put out a #*@#-load of barrels to help people out after the negative newscast: And in reality, they would prefer to do permanent but it's an order of magnitude more expensive.

Doesn't look like any recent activity is taking place, just didn't remember seeing this.

Facade testing is up: I just moved around the corner, so can make frequent updates on this one. Had no idea it was gonna be so big.

Expanding market-based parking to everything in side 610 is in the CoH climate change impact 2040 plan, so that sounds about like what they are gonna do. And yeah, I'm sure people are desperate to clutch their almost unregulated free parking so they can fill their garage with a bunch of stuff.

FFffffuuuuu. That sucks. They must have gotten info on when the signals will actually be here. Sucks that we are looking at 9 months of construction for a few miles of painted bike lanes. Edit: says Gray is spring 2020 completion with signal work as well.

Lol, "what are they going to do for us". How about, the city owns the streets so you should feel lucky you are getting sustainable infrastructure. I don't think the parking plan is really that bad, and again, the museum district is weird because of the lack of commercial/restaurant spaces. How much of the basis of this is due to people parking and then riding the train to downtown or the med center for work?

Interesting as city went against any type of separated bike lane on the section south of HCC to the park. They said that they received concerns about street parking and some of the museums *cough*childrensmuseum*cough* didn't want them routing it immediately next to their bus drop off area. If the residents had demanded dedicated on-street bikeway it would have likely gotten done. For reference: Midtown SNC was against the use of dedicated in-street bikeway, but they are getting it in their area.

FWIW, I wouldn't count on the accuracy of any of those labels.

I definitely hadn't seen anything written/official on timeline like this. Most of the La Branch construction is new sidewalk ramps. Went and took a few pics this weekend (see below) I think I mentioned already in this thread, but the delay on the Austin street build is related to the new bike signals. Every street light will get bike timing/signals and evidently there is a backorder on the parts. The paint/armadillos go down quickly. They were doing 2-3 blocks/day on other projects, so maybe 2-3 weeks to do all of Austin. The signal work is a different story.

I have seen that, and I think that this is going to be the base of the CoH rules and regs regarding them. Considering it's been out for almost a year, the city is bound and determined to drag their feet out on this one.

Your project looks amazing! I love the exterior aesthetic and the interior is incredible as well. Well well done. I'm pretty sure I read through all of the posts and the FAQ, but noticed the omission of total construction costs. Would you be willing to share or give a ballpark amount? (and the finished sq ft amount)

Armadillos are there so that emergency vehicles can cross them as necessary. In most municipalities, it's just for streets that aren't wide enough for fire trucks to make a turn on them. That of course doesn't apply to the downtown Houston track on Lamar.

BRT on the interestate will be utilizing two-way HOV lanes. IIRC, funding has already been secured for some type of elevated/separated HOV lane from downtown to 610 along I-10.

I believe that the funding for that was based on some federal funding (as well as some of the current MetroNEXT 2040 projects are contingent upon some matching funds) and Culberson was able to single-handedly stop it by preventing federal funds. I forgot about that. I didn't realize it was a majority. I'd honestly be more worried with King. He specifically said that he doesn't want to spend another dollar on public transit. Buzbee at least said he would hire/talk to someone who knew what they were doing to make a decision. Turner is not even a particularly progressive candidate when it comes to transit, but Buzbee and King would be absolute killers for any type of progressive policies.

What does Buzbee/mayor's office have to do with disbanding Metro?

Yeah, looks like almost exactly 1 mile each direction, which really isn't too bad. That could be done in 6-8 minutes with a dedicated lane/signal prioritization for sure.

Packers have Titletown. Looks like they're adding a townhome component. Edit: Also, this must include the Home Plate Bar & Grill lot, too, right? It says it's a 1.7 acre parcel, but 1800 Texas is only 1/3 of an acre. Edit2: Home Plate has the 1800 Texas address, so evidently duh. HTX Fan Tavern doesn't.

Riiiiiiiight. I'll believe that when I see it. That date has been pushed back so many times. Will a full connection make sense, or would it be better to have it as a stub with it's own bus or two? Basically, how much extra time would it take if you were doing Galleria to Downtown. I'm not against the idea unless it's less than 8-10 minutes.

All I know is that Montrose Cheese & Wine is evidently going to be serving Pasteis de nata, which I've not been able to find an authentic one in Houston, yet.