ricco67

If we're talking about fairly bland looking buildings, then what about the Waldorf Astoria in NYC? Hotels are known for their service, comfort, and amenities and NOT for their appearences. Hotel Derek is bland, but is sees a considerable amount of business. The Intercontintenal Hotel on 610 is good looking, but people flock to it all the time. C'mon people, we're a bit TOO critical on the looks of something as opposed to the actual functionality and performance. Lord knows I've been in a number of good looking homes which are poorly designed as far as the interior spaces go. Ricco

You know, there are quite a few significant buildings that were initially built (in houston, and around the world) that were initially ridiculed for a variety of reasons. Some which are repeated on here. Eiffel Tower, The San Fransisco Pyramid, the St. Louis Arch, and the Vietnam Memorial are a few that come to mind. Give it a chance, in a few decades, I'm sure this building will be looked upon quite fondly. We're too quick to point out the faults (whether or not justified) and compare it with our own personal tastes (which are varied, to be sure!) that we're ready to thrash it verbally. If one individual designs a building that comes to fruition to a solid tangible piece of property, SOMEONE will find fault with it. Ricco

I just prefer bottled Shiner, but I'm sure they will offer other, more prefered, flavors for the new demographics. Ricco

Greystone, I may be a bit wrong on this, but if you're having an emergency, finding a parking spot would probably be relatively low on the priority list, especially if you suffered a fairly traumatic injury. Then again, you could just have your buddy push you out of the car onto the parking lot while he finds a place to park (and wipe up the goo from his car). Ricco

27, Then at least you got your bases covered. Ricco

I've been tired since the end of the season last year. I'm SOOOOOO Ready for baseball season! I got tickets for Tuesday's game, and it's SO ON! Ricco

Gary sez: Interesting. That's like enjoying pizza but you can't stand the sauce. Gary and TP; Both of your viewpoints are valid and bring up very good points. As an agnostic catholic (go fig) I find Joel's speeches very inspirational and logical without patronizing the members. That's rare in quite a few programs I have watched (albiet briefly). In regards to his right wing stance, I have noticed it, but he does it in such a subtle way as to not to offend people. Diplomacy is an attribute that few preachers seem to do well. Ricco

It's actually relatively easy to catch a cab, at closing time they're running around all over the place, though. So finding an empty one, or one that isn't already heading to another call is difficult. But to hail one in Houston is the same as in NYC; Raise your arm, and if they don't stop, that generally means they already have a fair or on the way to pick someone else up. You could always CALL a cab and tell them to meet you at the rail station. Ricco

Well, the richmond strip is still going, but not like in the old days. T-Town2000 and the Sam's strips are still going on strong. Another place which is surprising is a place called, "The Palace" and that seems to be alot of activity there after hours. I'm up 3-5am on the weekends with clients, so I get to know a bunch of things about the nightlife. Ricco

Red Star is a club at Fannin and Holcome. Pretty awesome little place, mostly younger 20's.

Please do, I want to put this on a "suggestion" list if the food is good enough and would be a great place to suggest out of town Chinese Clients. I might even forsake my favorite resturant to go to Yao's a time or two. Boofay's suck. IMNSHO. Ricco

Maybe it can demo the Warwick, or kick out people at the Warwick towers and convert it to a high-rise museum. Ricco

How about a 3-storey tall Burger King? Yumm.....burger king... Ricco

I believe Glen is correct in his information on the constables. In regards to the River Oaks police being paid by the association fees, you have to remember, their fees are substantial enough to be able to hire accredited law enforcement officials (which is NOT cheap) as well as the infrastructure they need to operate properly. Midtown does not (yet) have that kind of wealth to throw around. At best you can hope for is a constable and hire two or four police officers for four hour shifts at night or whatever hours you want to be "protected." Before going further with this conversation bear in mind something that doesn't make it into the news: Beverly Hills and Hollywood mansions have been having averaging 40-60 breakins a MONTH for the past year or so. Basically what I'm saying is, crime is everywhere, just protect yourself and be aware of your environment. Ricco

So the crime of Midtown is more serious and deserving of police protection then say, the Gulfton area? Please, continue.. Ricco

Well, most of it that be alliviated with a little community leadership. It is quite obvious that the homeless isn't going to be taken care of by the government (The homeless don't have a lobbyist), it is basically up to the private sector to take up the slack. My only beef is that the private sector agencies that DOES try to help either doesnt have the resources, the knowledge, the knowhow, or the clue as to what to do. Some of this can be helped if a few of the charity organizations would swallow their civic pride and join forces to focus on a community based rehab. Every homeless person has a different need to be able to get away from their situation. Some need psychiatric help, some need a job are able to apply their skills, and yet others simply need a bit of medical care. The "one way to treat them all" doesn't really work. I think if we can put 10% of the resources we have sent to asia as relief to here in the U.S. we'd be in much better shape. Ricco

Sorry, but I think you're talking about two totally different groups of people. I'm a regular semi-shopper of Fry's and they USUALLY have the item on sale listed. The CD-Rs and some consumables are no big deal at bargain basement prices. The electronics at a lower price are ideal for people that are just getting into it and need some minor upgrades or those that don't have the cash to spend money on a high-end video card. The ones that you see for "status" electronics are available at other stores, probably a bit cheaper, then at fry's. I buy electronics and computer components at fry's, if they just don't have the part I want for a reasonalbe price, I go elsewhere. That's part of being an informed consumer. IF someone is going there strictly for the price and buy something strictly on price, then more power to them. Sorry, Larry. your post almost border on being inflamatory to a number of people on here, including me. Next time you make a post along those lines, I would seriously re-read the entire text and read it as a disinterested 3rd party. We wouldn't want to start calling you "Jack". Ricco

not every park is a haven to the homeless. I noticed the park just outside of BW3 is rather nice with not a homeless person in sight! I was there towards the end of the evening when they're generally bedding down at night. I agree that some more aggressive measures should be done in regards to where the homeless congregate. Metro offers them free rides to/from various charities around town. They could all go to a centralized area where ALL the charities can help them out. But then we come to another question: WHERE? The NIMBY's will be outraged. Ricco

Midtown bums = Heavy Trash Day pickup?

LOL I have to agree with a number of the posts. This is a neighborhood in transition, the thing is that the thefts, as a whole, shouldn't be considered unusual. The same thing happens in the heights and various subdivisions around the city and outlying subdivisions to a lesser or greater degree. It just seems that midtown is getting the press because it's a "hot place" at the moment. Ricco

I have to agree with H-Town on this point. You have to remember that there has been an age-old problem with making a building look good and having a building that's functional. There are many instances of buildings that LOOK great, but are structual failures. In regards to the looks of a building overall being subjective: The Eiffel Tower in Paris was considered an eye-sore for years. Who is to say that the courthouse won't endure? Then again, I wouldn't want my tax dollars to make something look pretty, but be so ineffecient that we'd have to build another in a few years. Ricco

There has been so many discussions on various buildings going up that I find it difficult to remember to know if we covered them all. During my runs, I noticed that they knocked down the old Miller Beer wherehouse next too "Bridal mart" or whatever it's called on 59S @ 610. Any news as far as this goes? Also there is a substantial project going on at Fannin and Greenbriar (I think) Right near the dome where Fannin and the other street splits. Did we cover those two items in the past or does anyone have the skinny on the construction? Ricco

*IF* Landry's opens up a theme park, would it be Fish Themed? Seriously, since we're all talking hypothetically, I think an ideal location would probably be in some of the vacant pieces of land in the east side or maybe FINALLY dear down that Northline or NorthWest Malls (or land near those areas). It would better serve Houston (Tax Wise and Local Residences) if it was located in close proximity to Downtown. It would be fair for ALL residence in the communities of Sugarland to the Woodlands. We have plenty of open spaces in or near the loop, why should we give such a tax base to Sugarland, Pearland, or any of the other communities that obviously who's residences are hesistant to support anything outside their little subburban bubbles? Ricco

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/m...politan/2942360 Dec. 12, 2004, 12:00PM Opponents want viaduct grounded Neighbors say replacing Elysian with a 2nd bridge would hurt area By LUCAS WALL Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle A seemingly innocuous plan to rebuild a 50-year-old bridge into downtown has sparked the latest tug-of-war about highway construction in Houston and its long-term impacts on neighborhoods and urban revitalization efforts. The proposal unveiled last week by the Texas Department of Transportation seems simple: The Elysian Viaduct, a mile-long span connecting the north side of downtown with the Near Northside, would be replaced in its current location and extended by three-fifths of a mile to connect with the planned Hardy Toll Road extension. But neighborhood residents, downtown leaders and several prominent civic organizations don't want the lengthy elevated structure rebuilt. Many consider it an eyesore. "Why replace it with another problem?" Gene Goins, president of the community group Near Northside Blocks Organizing Neighborhood Defense, asked at Tuesday's public meeting, where TxDOT presented three alternatives for the Elysian replacement. All three include a 1.6-mile bridge from Commerce downtown to the future Hardy Toll Road extension near Quitman. The options differ only slightly. "If you are going to tear it down, make it a ground-level road all the way through," said Goins, whose criticisms were echoed by others. "It doesn't make sense what they are proposing." TxDOT concerns The Transportation Department responded that it presented the most-feasible options to the more than 100 people who attended the meeting. But TxDOT pledged it will carefully review public comments as it determines how to proceed. TxDOT is concerned the existing viaduct, built in the early 1950s by the city and county, is structurally deficient and unsafe. It has no shoulders and is restricted to vehicles weighing 12 tons or less. Today's standards call for bridges to handle 40-ton truckloads, spokeswoman Janelle Gbur said. Last week's unveiling also attracted representatives of some influential business and community organizations. None was happy with what they saw. "It seems to me these plans are about 30 to 40 years old in terms of the way we look at cities," said Susan Keeton, chairwoman of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, a nonprofit group spearheading plans to revamp Houston's signature waterway. The Elysian Viaduct crosses the bayou on its way out of downtown before going over two sets of railroad tracks and Interstate 10. Competing plans The partnership's master development plan calls for replacing the viaduct with a scenic boulevard serving redeveloped areas north and south of Buffalo Bayou. Keeton said the state and the Harris County Toll Road Authority, which is participating in the design process since the new viaduct will include the Hardy connectors, need to envision how Elysian can become an aesthetic gateway into downtown's northeast side. A downtown framework plan released a few months ago by numerous organizations also calls for a surface-level boulevard replacing the viaduct. The Quality of Life Coalition, a subgroup of the Greater Houston Partnership, wants a greenbelt established along the Hardy Toll Road extension and distinctive bridges built into downtown. Long on drawing board Plans to replace the viaduct and extend the Hardy Toll Road from the North Loop to downtown have been on the drawing board since at least 1987, when the initial segment of Harris County's first tollway opened. After voters approved a Metropolitan Transit Authority mobility plan in 1988, Metro pledged to build a new viaduct. But in 1995, Metro decided the project was too expensive and abandoned it. Responsibility for the viaduct defaulted to TxDOT, even though the bridge is not part of the state highway system. TxDOT is required to maintain any bridge passing over a state highway. Pat Henry, director of project development for TxDOT, said doing anything but replacing the bridge would be difficult because of four spots requiring grade separation. Resident Phillip Ramirez is concerned because the proposed tollway connectors would be virtually in his front yard. "I don't see how I could keep living here," said Ramirez, owner of an 1890 Victorian house on Elysian Street that's a block from where the current viaduct drops back to Earth. "It would be pitiful having all that noise right in my head and that bridge right in my face." The 30-year Near Northside resident is among two dozenhomeowners who could see the ramps from their windows. Another two dozen or so houses in the ramps' direct path would be purchased and demolished to make way. "Why displace all these people and cause all this aggravation?" Ramirez asked. City Councilman Adrian Garcia, who represents the area, said he "would appreciate a little bit more incorporation and inclusion of the community in this process. I'm not sure what the true thought is here. Is it to eliminate the neighborhood, to push people out?" Ramps can't be altered Mike Strech, Toll Road Authority director, said moving the ramps isn't feasible because adjusting their curves would lower their speed limit, in turn reducing the traffic capacity of the one-lane connectors. The ramps from the Hardy to the Elysian Viaduct are necessary because the toll road's southern terminus into U.S. 59 can be only one lane to allow efficient merging, said Strech, meaning a second exit into downtown is necessary. TxDOT and the Toll Road Authority hope to recommend the best alternative at another public meeting as early as spring. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2008.

Look, the Dome is so large, it could fill a variety of uses at the same time. It could be a storage spot, a sports venue, a parking section, or even a hotel! If done correctly, this building can be used heavily for a number of years. There simply too many options that this building could be used for. Ricco