quietstorm

I'm at the Plan Downtown public workshop at the Rice. Are there any other HAIFers here?

http://plandowntownhou.com/

If 3rd Ward becomes reflective of the diverse UH campus, that would be great. As a long time resident of 3rd Ward, I've said before here that it has good and bad parts like any other place, but let's not make the mistake of thinking gentrification is the answer. Third Ward has too rich a tradition of past and current African American achievement and institutions to be supplanted by more that which is "vibrant and urban" (which is code for cookie cutter gentrification). For those who are new to the area, welcome! Learn about its history and add to it, but institutions like Wheeler Ave, Good Hope and St. Mary's churches, or TSU, Frenchy's, Shape Comminity Center, or Jack Yates are there. Learn about them, their history and current contributions and join us. 

16 hours ago, HoustonBoy said:

I would love for a sort of West Campus feel to the area around the rail stops next to UH. It would definitely spur a lot of development like retail, residential, hotel, etc. It'd also give UH a more college experience for its students which would make the school grow and be more attractive. Win win 

I would like to see UH develop a near campus-student community that is unique to UH.  UH has never been and will never be "like UT" (and I think that's a plus).  With the new construction and focus on creating a full-time student community on and around the campus, UH has a great opportunity to create something one of a kind. I have degrees from both schools and think UH and UT are both equally but differently "fine".

Great shot!  Is that the Williams (Transco) shadow?

Near TEDCU Stadium...

Took the survey.  It wasn't the most user-friendly, but I liked that the questions are being asked.  

8 hours ago, Triton said:

 

Easy answer to everyone's question because I expected it. It's all of those projects but on steroids. The sheer size of this project is impressive. Blocks upon blocks upon blocks of stores, bars, and apartments AND the light rail is immediately to the east of this near Top Golf. I saw quite a few riders hoping on and off to the apartments near by. And even though it's in the suburbs, it's so well connected to the surrounding area, including the JJ Pickle Research Institute. Sure, we have developments similar to this, but nothing at this size. Perhaps Rice Village comes close but it doesn't have the nightlife nor the bigger retail you would see from a mall. It's honestly the perfect combination for all sorts of people. I couldn't find any pictures online that really do it justice.... hopefully when ya'll are in Austin, you can check it out and you'll understand what I mean. Or do Google Streetview and "drive around" I guess.

 

Edit: And perhaps even looking again at the renderings for Regent Square, this project won't quite match that either. But I seriously believe we need some type of project at this scale and so well connected like this in Houston. Fingers crossed we get this at Hardy Yards with the Burnett transit center connection but who knows...

I've been there.  You are correct, our older friends in Austin love the Domain as well as our daughter who's in college.  For me personally, it feels too sterile and 'dystopian' in a way...I do think it works well for those who want the 'energy' of the city without 'messiness' (e.g., homelessness) that occurs in urban areas that are more organic.

On 2/24/2017 at 5:17 PM, UtterlyUrban said:

Biggios, the few times I walked by did not seem crowded.  There were people in there but it wasn't "crowded."  That new place, "Brasserie du Parc" seems a little thin but twice I have seen a "good" crowd.  I think that they could use better signage.  Xochi seems to be doing well.  The others I can't  comment on.

Husband and I ate at Grotto Friday night.  Grotto was full, Xochi was full and Biggio's, while not full, had a good crowd. Brasserie du Parc had a nice crowd as well. Mkt Bar is a regular go-to for us and typically has a good crowd. 

7 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

 

If Weingarten restricts (or lets tenants restrict) their parking so that you can't shop at more than one store, then they're as dumb as I thought.

 

The Village parking is similar in some areas as well.  Unfortunately, restricted parking like this is fairly common phenomenon in our "strip mall" centric city.  

2 hours ago, BeerNut said:

Maybe a UNIQLO?

Great idea...here's a pic of the one in Denver Pavilions (Greenstreet's predecessor) 

6 hours ago, Nate99 said:

What kinds of large square footage retail is looking for space these days?  Maybe they could give Dick's Sporting Goods a sweetheart deal for the BAM space, they just added a bunch of Houston area locations.  The BCBG had big bright harbinger-of-store-closure "EVERYTHING MARKED DOWN!" signs last time I walked by.

I think Zara or H&M would do well.

14 minutes ago, Naviguessor said:

if Houston is getting a food destination reputation, then concentrating local flavors in the Convention District is a great idea. 

agree...

17 minutes ago, samagon said:

offering awesome, authentic Houston food is a great idea.

 

Unfortunately though, the majority of people who attend conventions want something that reminds them of home when they aren't at home. A lot of times that means getting the familiar cup of coffee from starbucks, rather than getting a latte from the independent coffee place. that means getting a burger from the commercialized Houston owned place that has a menu designed to be attractive to everyone, rather than some original timmy chans. they might even want a quick sandwich that has familiar toppings (ham, or turkey, and lettuce, mayo, etc) rather than fried chicken that is absolutely going to be very greasy.

 

I love Frenchies, I've probably knocked a few years off my life expectancy by eating there way too frequently, but it's not exactly the kind of food you get at a business convention.

 

Besides, for authentic Houston, go around the block to Huynh. That's bar none, the best Vietnamese food I've ever had, and I'd absolutely call it authentic Houston.

I agree with you to an extent, but I have seen lines at the original Frency's on Scott and the Breakfast Klub when large events (e.g., Superbowl) are in town.  For those out of towners I've taken myself to Frenchy's or to the Breakfast Klub, it's typically b/c they have already heard about the places in the same way we know about Roscoe's in LA or Sylvia's in NYC and want to visit.  Not sure if Frenchy's or Timmy Chans would resonate with the OTC crowd if OTC were to move from Reliant to GRB, but I do think there is a niche group at every convention that seeks out "local" establishments.

From today.

Is the rendering still the same?

More work in ESPN staging area.  A lot of super bowl set-up activity going on today.