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quietstorm

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Everything posted by quietstorm

  1. quietstorm
    Yep, I saw them this morning and thought the same. The marketing was going for a vintage 40's feel and the stripes kinda remind me a pin stripes on a suit...pretty clever touch. Glad you got a pic.
  2. quietstorm
    From that viewpoint it does look squat, but from street level, and viewing from near DG, the scale "feels" right to me.
  3. quietstorm
  4. quietstorm
    That's my point. Every school design in the HISD bond is based on stakeholder input/preferences--The HSPVA design is largely based on what the school community wanted. And the new HISD school designs are not "good/bad" based on zip code. The quality of design is no better for 77002 (HSPVA) than schools in less affluent areas.
  5. quietstorm
    I'm off South MacGregor.
  6. quietstorm
    We're neighbors (I'm off MacGregor). Have lived in the neighborhood for years. My kids went to school at the Energy Institute High School site when it was Lockhart Elem and graduated from Carnegie Vanguard HS, which also has a more interesting design that HSPVA, imo.
  7. quietstorm
    Not quite how this works. I'm speaking as a former HISD administrator who has had a school built w/ bond funds. The bond elections to fund these schools was held as a largely separate measure from funding for school repairs. The school design is largely based on a committee of school stakeholders that meets with the architect to give input on the design. The amount per school was also pre-determined as part of the bond vote. So for example, the new Energy Institute High School (see below), which is also currently being built, has a somewhat more dynamic design, and was funded along the same cycle as HSPVA.
  8. quietstorm
    I've stayed at the W in Uptown Atlanta and attended a conference there. It was a bit "cheesy" feeling to me, but maybe I'm just getting old (lol)...
  9. quietstorm
    On a related note...Hubby and I had lunch at Kulture today and were remarking that we hadn't noticed the Avenida De Las Americas actually connects Toyota Center with Minute Maid Park (although it's hard to tell). I believe this hotel will help create more to connect the Convention District, MMP, Discovery Green and Toyota Center.
  10. quietstorm
    CQ are designed for basic business travel. I've stayed at three: Financial District SF - modern clean decor, compact rooms DT Boston - clean, comfortable, small rooms, fairly modern, clean decor Center City Philly - larger rooms, but not very well-maintained *all of them were in older/historic buildings...the one here is in an older building (I think). I'm not sure about the quality of the Houston CQ.
  11. quietstorm
    Color me a bit cynical about this project being successful in Houston. I love all of Texas' cities, but each is so unique...like very different members of the same family...fwiw my daughter just landed her first job in Dallas and lives in Uptown, and the vibe couldn't be more "opposite" Houston. While The Rustic has done well in Uptown Dallas, I'm not so sure it's larger than life, everything's bigger in Texas, honkey tonk vibe will do well in Houston's more laid back, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Not wanting it to fail by any means, but just not sure.
  12. quietstorm
    Steady progress...
  13. quietstorm
    HSPVA adding to the transformation of DT.
  14. quietstorm
    Catalyst, Great Southwest, HSPVA... 1) Apt Tower 2) Repurposed Bldg 3) High School...unthinkable for DT Houston a few years ago.
  15. quietstorm
    I actually think it will be ok if downtown Houston doesn't develop significant retail. What I've found that distinguishes Houston from places like NYC, Chicago and SF in terms of retail is our lack of public transportation and street grid in our retail district (Uptown). My visitors mistakenly think 'Uptown' (Galleria Area) is Houston's CBD. In my view, the Galleria Area is similar to 5th Ave, Michigan Ave, or Union Square in terms of retail options. If downtown develops into a significant entertainment district to compliment the growing residential and existing corporate sector and developed better transit options to Uptown that would be something. While the Galleria itself is certainly 'walkable', the greater Uptown district has a ways to go in terms of overall mobility and access.
  16. quietstorm
    What 'grocery stores' are you referring to? If you're speaking of Byrd Market (Georgia's), (1) that was a specialty store and not a traditional grocer, (2) the absence of said specialty store does not negate the businesses that have opened in the area since to DT living initiative (e.g., Local Foods).
  17. quietstorm
    Main Street, Phoenicia and even Green Street were busy; but since much of downtown is comprised of singular buildings on whole blocks (i.e., BoA, Chase) with no ground floor retail, I expect downtown will continue to have weekend and after 5 pm "dead zones" outside of Discovery Green, Market Square, Main St, Theater District, etc. If street vendor ordinances are changed, it may help somewhat. We will also have to see what, if any, activity builds around the new residential, HSPVA, etc.
  18. quietstorm
    Having been in Austin for school in the late 80's/early 90's and with a daughter there now, Houston's DT (dead zones notwithstanding) "feels" more settled and "grown-up". Don't get me wrong, I love Austin's energy and San Antonio's history, and even Dallas' "bling", but imo, the planning (this time) involving downtown incorporates what Houston is about--diversity, industry, good food, and a southern urbanity that is unique to the Bayou City. It doesn't feel like we're trying to copy or compete with other cities, but rather build/create something that is unique and befitting the 4th and soon to be 3rd largest city in the nation.
  19. quietstorm
    Wednesday night....
  20. quietstorm
    I believe that we are reaching a critical mass of activity around Discovery Green/Avenida Houston and Market Square Park that will eventually move to Dallas if thoughtful big box retail alternatives are offered (i.e., pop-up shops, farmers markets, art fairs, flea markets, etc.). These were all taken tonight. This type of activity on a Wednesday night in DT Houston would have been unimaginable a few years ago. There was a great mix of programmed activities (live music in front of GRB, movie at Market Square Park) alongside organic urban activity with folks walking, eating, reading, and just enjoying the night. We are getting there....
  21. quietstorm
    Nice compliment to the Rice (Lofts)...
  22. quietstorm
    Still a lot of activity/cranes in the area.
  23. quietstorm
    HSPVA is coming along....
  24. quietstorm
    When we start lamenting the fact that West U, Boulevard Oaks, the Heights and other historic Houston neighborhoods are not ethnically diverse enough, I will take your arguments about the "need" to diversify 3rd Ward as valid. Otherwise, welcome to this historic African American neighborhood. There is nothing wrong with you living in an area where you are the minority, and the community has affluent and politically connected African Americans who are looking out for their self-interests just as those in other neighborhoods do. I've known Garnett Coleman, et. al for years...they/we are not anti-development, but rather are not necessarily promoting the types of development you all might prefer.
  25. quietstorm
    Not only are the new homes inappropriate to the existing stock of wonderful old homes, but they are shoddily built with cheap materials that will not pass the test of time. I agree with you, but that's Houston in a nutshell and is not specific to 3rd ward, but sadly every place where town home farms and McMansions are being built. Again, let's not act like 3rd Ward has unique problems that are not common in other areas. The elephant in the forum is that the area is historically and predominately black,has poverty, crime, etc., but also many African Americans of political and economic influence who are not about to passively allow the area to be gentrified.
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