heights_yankee

That is exactly the insinuation being made by Swamplot. They compared the renderings to the less than spectacular rendering at the construction site and suggested that budget issues may have done away with the window treatments and other niceties. We all know how often the real thing differs from the renderings, so we'll just have to wait and see how this thing pans out. If they are going to risk ridicule by building something new in the Heights, the least they can do is shut up the naysayers by making it look nice.

Really, anyone building anything new anywhere should make it look nice. There is no reason for crap design other than lack of caring. It doesn't need to be super fancy to be interesting.

I know I am a minority on this point: I am very strongly in favor of preserving old things for several reasons but when new ones are build, for the love, make them look new. Otherwise 9 times out of 10 you end up with a) bad design... Whitestone Builders, I'm talking to you... or living in the middle of Disneyworld... Harry James... I'm talking to you.

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2011/06/heights-building-to-have-retail-and-condos/

According to this, the roof top pool is included with an outdoor kitchen. Developers claim that the architecture is supposed to look like a conversion of a historic warehouse. Hard to tell from the computer graphic what the detailing will be like. At least it looks like there is a good set back, leaving room for outdoor seating for a restaurant.

I have been trying to reconcile that rendering with the actual construction. I live a couple blocks away and, as of now, I just can't see how they are going to fit any kind of ample patio (like bigger than 4 cafe tables) off the side of that building. It may take some of the machinery vacating the location for it to come in to focus.

Also, did anyone else get the impression from the Swamplot post that most of the renderings they have on the architect's site are NOT what the building is going to have to be because they had budget issues?

I went to the White Oak BB's for dinner yesterday and the food was absolutely fantastic. Makes me think Big Mamou isn't long for this world, BB's is infintely better.

My husband was always raving about the BBs on Montrose so I was very excited when this one opened. We had a GREAT dinner and can't wait to go back.

It might be the death knell for mamou but maybe not. I have to wonder if BBs is going to be more of a bar/restaurant than restaurant/bar. If that's the case, a lot of families will still go to Mamou. Mamou has a very sweet owner and a great patio. Plus it sits in the middle of a casual restaurant dry zone. I dunno. Do I think Mamou is the bees knees? Nope but I hate to see a locally owned establishment with great people behind it close. I don't wish that on anyone and just hope there is room for both since they offer different things...

So which areas of the Heights should i avoid during the evenings?

You should probably just avoid the whole area.

BMW get away vehicles.

Exactly.

I am glad they are spurring development in the "washington heights" there is no way that would have occurred with out some help.

Yeah, because nothing has been happening in that part of town.

I support the idea of having a safer bridge and think it is a real issue. That being said, RUDH is pushing this and I think it's against their bad interest. As someone who is anti-Walmart (all Walmarts) I feel like a new bridge makes it easier for this damn thing to be built. Still, my concerns about the safety of the bridge actually outweigh my dislike of this development and my disgust about the anchor tenant.

I'd be surprised to find out any one is surprised by this. I rarely venture down the west side of Washington after dinner time so I don't have to see it but on the sleepier side of Washington, this place sticks out like a shore, shiny, cheesy thumb.

According to you. But are you a Wal-Mart executive or do you own Wal-Mart stock? Then I'd say it's a very safe bet your "opinion" carries no weight at Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters and that soon you'll be joining me and a whole lot of other people shopping at the Heights Wal-Mart. I can't wait. How about you?

Oh, certainly WM execs don't care about my opinions. HAIFers don't even care about my opinion, but I am still entitled to it. I haven't stepped foot in a WM in years and the only time I have in the past 20 years (since I was 18 and they built one in my hometown) is in rural Oklahoma or Texas where it was literally the only option. I am a long time Walmart hater. My hatred of WM is the only reason I even entertain the notion of Donald Trump as President because of his desire to bring back tariffs, but that's another message board...

My wife and I plan to meet friends at Revival on bicycles, pick up Noms and head to a local park for a picnic. I have a feeling this will be a common thing for many people. Maybe they could put togther some sort of picnic package with small portions of jams and etc. with their crackel bread and etc.

I went to this bakery in D.C. last time I was there called Le Pain, and they served picnic style baskets with a mix of fresh breads/jams/dips that were awesome. I wish I could find something like that somewhere in this city.

Love this idea. We do similar things with our kids in tow all the time and it would be really nice to grab a brown bag and eat at the park.

I received a Walmart grand opening announcement for the store at 1118 Silber in the mail today. Inside, there is a free $5 gift card.

I just wanted to suggest to S3MH and any Walmart haters that are too good to be seen shopping in a Walmart that they might want to donate their free $5 gift cards to charity instead of throwing them away or burning them with their bras or whatever.

I think that is a GREAT idea!

HOwever, I also think that if Heights residents are getting mailers enticing us to shop at the Silber store, it shows that the Silber store is close enough to the Heights and that a 3rd location within a 7 mile radius is unnecessary.

Yeah it is too niche of a market, just like you said for Jus' Mac...

= P

which is scouting a second location.

And to add to what others have said about Revival, both the owners had huge followings before the store front. I would say this was more a response to a demand from Morgan's existing customer base than any kind of novel idea.

http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2011/04/parker_administration_lays_out.html

There may be a method to their madness but I can't see it. Appears that Woodland Heights, Norhill/Proctor Plaza and East Sunset Heights are part of a new district. Speculation I heard today has been either "divide and conquer the most opinionated neighborhood in town" or District H and Woodland Heights will never see eye-to-eye again, so Gonzales wanted them out of his domain.

I don't know if either of these have a shred of truth, but I think the borders are strange indeed...

C&P:

Come learn about the proposed state cuts to public education and the direct impact to our public schools in Houston and the state. Local officials and school administrators will discuss how these severe cuts will make changes in your schools, including classrooms, this fall.

You will have an opportunity to voice your concerns and learn what can be done about it. You can be a part of the process.

When: Saturday April 9, 2011

Where: Lamar High School, 3325 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098

Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

For further information, please call Nancy Lomax 713/668-7075. Co-hosted by Parents for Public Schools --Houston, HISD Board of Education members and the HISD Council of PTAs.

I see what you're saying.

The net result would be that the site is remediated, but that is not the way it is normally done. The reason is that the contaminated soil must be disposed of properly, and it would be very expensive to dispose of an entire block 12 feet deep if it didn't all need to be remediated.

So they dug all the dirt out, technically making the site itself remediated but there is doubt that they disposed of it properly?

Don't disagree...but the construction is well past remediation now

Forgive my ignorance on the process, but wouldn't removing all the contaminated soil be at least partial remediation? I mean, what ground was there is certainly not there any more.

A couple weeks ago there was a topless woman masturbating (a painting of it, that is). The prudish mom in me sure came out but I left it be. Walking by yesterday, there is also a crucified Obama-as-Jesus, crown of thorns, the whole thing. ANyway, I think someone is making that space in to a "gallery" or studio and this is just the kind of art they paint.

Any idea on how the neighborhood would be rezoned if Love were actually to close?

Sinclair, Durham and Harvard would pick up the slack if Love closes.

The other day someone was taking a left on Studewood and it was when school was letting out, so there was a west bound traffic from Hogg. I laid on my horn and my 4 year old proceeded to yell "NOOOOO LEFT TURNS" from the back seat. It was totally wrong and totally awesome at the same time.

I don't know, maybe it was the time of day, the route I chose, or that I was completely unprepared for road work in the area (I didn't think to look in this thread cause it only mentioned signal work, not the entire street being replaced).

I wasn't prepared that I couldn't make a left onto yale, among other things, it was frustrating. probably since I know about it, I can plan a route that goes down a different street.

The no left turns anywhere thing is pretty frustrating, I admit. Just as an FYI, cops have been out ticketing people for making lefts at the various intersections, especially Heights at 11th.

You needn't take such drastic measures. It isn't bad. I live a block off of 11th. While 1 lane is slightly slower than 2, it isn't like we have gridlock or anything. The switched lanes at Heights is probably to replace the intersection. That shouldn't take more than a week, based on the Pecors and North Main construction schedules.

I agree, it's really not bad! My son goes to school on Wirt Road. With Studewood exit closed, I pick him up around 4 and we come home via TC Jester to 11th. It's not bad at all- barely takes longer than it did when we would come all the way to Studewood. 11th Street businesses need all the support they can get during this construction!

*Link to site: http://savetxschools.org/contact-the-texas-house-subcommittee-on-education-budget/

SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS!

Contact the Texas House Subcommittee

on Education Budget

The Texas House of Representatives has named a seven-member subcommittee to work on the budget for public and higher education. This group -- officially known as the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III -- is expected have significant influence over the next draft of the House budget plan for education.

Please call, write or email these elected officials today! Ask them to:

•Make education a top priority.

•Use the $9.3 Billion Texas "Rainy Day" Fund to support schools.

•Encourage the governor to sign for $830 Million in federal aid for teachers.

•Fix school funding laws to be fair to all districts and to our growing student population.

Note: Due to the way the House online system is constructed, emails for each member must be sent separately through their respective websites at the links provided below. If you prefer to write or call, additional contact information is provided below.

Download a Sample letter in Word

Rep. Scott Hochberg, Chair, Houston (Democrat)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=137&session=82

ISD: Alief, Houston

District: 137

Capitol Office: CAP 4N.8

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0492

District Address: 7011 Harwin, Suite 230

Houston, TX 77036

District Phone: (832) 252-7336

Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, Killeen (Republican)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=54&session=82

ISD: Burnet Consolidated, Killeen, Lampasas, Lometa, Marble Falls

District: 54

Capitol Office: EXT E2.710

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0684

District Address: 2916 Illinois Avenue

Killeen, TX 76543

District Phone: (254) 690-1752

Rep. Myra Crownover, Lake Dallas (Republican)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=64&session=82

ISD: Denton, Lake Dallas, Little Elm

District: 64

Capitol Office: CAP 4S.2

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0582

District Address: P.O. Box 535

Lake Dallas, TX 75065

District Phone: (940) 321-0013

Rep. Helen Giddings, Dallas (Democrat)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=109&session=82

ISD: Cedar Hill, Dallas, Desoto, Duncanville, Ferris, Lancaster

District: 109

Capitol Office: CAP 1N.5

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0953

District Address: 1510 North Hampton Road, #340

DeSoto, TX 75115

District Phone: (972) 224-6795

Rep. Geanie Morrison, Victoria (Republican)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=30&session=82

ISD: Austwell-Tivoli, Bloomington, Cuero, Edna, Ezzell, Ganado, Hallettsville, Industrial, Meyersville, Mouton, Nursery, Placios, Refugio, Shiner, Sweet Home, Victoria, Vysehrad, Westhoff, Woodsboro, Yoakum, Yorktown

District: 30

Capitol Office: CAP GS.6

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0456

District Address: 1501 East Mockingbird,, Suite 101

Victoria, TX 77903

District Phone: (361) 572-0196

Diane Patrick, Arlington (Republican)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=94&session=82

ISD: Arlington, Mansfield

District: 94

Capitol Office: EXT E2.610

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0624

District Address: 318 West Main Street, Ste. 102

Arlington, TX 76013

District Phone: (817) 548-9091

Mike Villarreal, San Antonio (Democrat)

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=123&session=82

ISD: Alamo Heights, North Eeast, Northside, San Antonio

District: 123

Capitol Office: EXT E1.506

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0532

District Address: 1114 S. St. Mary's, Suite 110

San Antonio, TX 78210

District Phone: (210) 734-8937

There will be an interactive Community Meeting at Hogg Middle School on Wednesday, February 16th at 6:00 pm in the school cafeteria.

The purpose of the meeting is to greet the new principal, Dr. Mina Schnitta. A letter received today from Dr. Dallas Dance, Chief School Officer for Middle Schools indicates, "Parents and community members will get an opportunity to meet and share ideas with Dr. Schnitta as well as learn about her strategies for promoting effective parent and community involvement that will result in improved learning for all students."

That's the thing. Between 11th St Kroger, a possibly remodeled 20th St Kroger, Studemont Kroger, WF on Waugh and Walmart, HEB may feel like there's no good reason for them to expand into the area.

The little Timbergrove HEB is probably too small to justify a big remodel.

Yeah, I'm sure they look and see an already saturated market. However, I would bet a large percentage of people would stop shopping at any of the assorted Krogers if there was an HEB. I know many who already drive out to Bunker Hill as it is.

But again, I am just fine with the number of markets currently in the Heights area...

Really? You guys are still engaging in this volley?