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thedistrict84

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Everything posted by thedistrict84

  1. thedistrict84
    Exactly this. These types of developments need to be established all throughout the city instead of just concentrated in one area. It’s also important to note that this isn’t just housing for “the poor.” This is intended to be affordable housing for people such as teachers and first year HPD and HFD cadets, and people working other similar jobs that otherwise meet the income limits. Those jobs exist all throughout the city and it makes sense to allow the opportunity for people to live close to where they work.
  2. thedistrict84
    It’s about 19 or 20 blocks total, all the way to the historic Ford dealership where Tout Suite is. The entire area of EaDo is around 270 blocks, so it’s about 7% of the total land area. My estimate was a bit high, but the blocks being taken are either developed or more prime for future development due to the proximity to downtown. There are only about three or four blocks of surface parking near MMP—certainly not half of the total lots though. I believe there are only two HOV-type lanes being added to I-45 as an increase from current capacity. One of the main reasons for the reroute given by those that have developed the plans is not the addition of outright capacity but to streamline the exits and other ramps and have traffic flow more smoothly and require less lane changes through that section.
  3. thedistrict84
    It will certainly be transformative . . . it will have a significant negative impact on the ongoing development of EaDo. Something on the order of 20 blocks wiped out, including many bars/restaurants that have been there forever like Huynh’s and Kim Son, as well as new spots like Neil’s Bahr. The places that aren’t taken by eminent domain will likely still be affected by traffic and parking issues from the ongoing construction, which will take years to complete for that section. This represents about 10% of the total land area of the EaDo triangle—gone. All of this to help commuters from the suburbs and those traveling through the city—even though thru traffic should be taking the 610 loop, as was originally intended when the interstate system was developed and expanded. And there is no meaningful increase in the number of lanes, just two additional HOV lanes. The only “good” thing about this project is the proposed cap park to connect what’s left of EaDo to GRB, Discovery Green, etc. But, the funding to develop that park is not accounted for in the TXDoT budget and the funding must come from a private source. And, even if the park gets built, there can be no significant construction on top of the cap. I fail to see how this is good for the area.
  4. thedistrict84
    There has definitely been an increase in loitering in the general vicinity of the New Hope development, including at the Green Line Coffee Plant stop about a block away. I wouldn’t necessarily agree that they are “riff raff” but a concentration of people loitering around aimlessly does discourage pedestrian traffic. I’ve often seen a Metro PD officer in a parking lot nearby and they seem to be patrolling the light rail stop more often, likely in reaction to the increase in loitering and a small uptick in property crime reported in the immediate area. It is also worth noting that of the three or four GFR pad sites on the first floor of the New Hope facility fronting Harrisburg, I don’t believe a single one has been leased out to any commercial tenant. Something to keep in mind next time New Hope tries to use inclusion of GFR as a benefit for the area when proposing a new property.
  5. thedistrict84
    Thank you for bringing the existence of this magnificent tool to my attention, I’m about to waste countless hours with it.
  6. thedistrict84
    From my understanding, this development will have GFR on both Canal and Navigation. This will provide a destination for nearby residents who don’t live at this property and help promote walkability in a general sense. I’m within a few blocks of this and looking forward to seeing what kind of restaurant and/or retail options they can land for this space.
  7. thedistrict84
    I’m guessing not very quickly. 1,400 vehicle capacity with maybe a dozen or so loading bays. I guess we won’t know for sure until we see the layout, but I’m not optimistic this will be practical in that kind of scenario.
  8. thedistrict84
    610 units is a lot for that site. And given the student housing immediately across Cullen and the development on Hussion St., and Lovett’s history, I’d be willing to wager that this will be at least partially subsidized/affordable housing through the LIHTC program or similar programs. Just what this area needs more of. . .
  9. thedistrict84
    Good point. I know we like to give Lovett a hard time about dragging their feet on larger projects like the old Houston Post building and Post HTX, but a smaller scale project like this should be easier to turn around in a more timely manner. Or, they’ll just sit on it for an extended amount of time with no activity. Honestly could go either way.
  10. thedistrict84
    Did anybody happen to go to this? I heard some information third(?) hand that was apparently discussed at this meeting regarding East River, but don’t know how credible that information was.
  11. thedistrict84
    That’s a refreshingly rational viewpoint. I was just curious because I’ve seen other people post on here complaining about having tall buildings built that compromise their views, sunlight, etc. You didn’t seem to fit in that camp, but I thought I’d ask anyway. I did the same, buying with an empty lot next door. A three story apartment is currently being built that blocks a view of the edge of downtown from the shared driveway. Like you, I figured it would be developed eventually. I’m just glad someone didn’t try to stick a high rise there. . .
  12. thedistrict84
    I’m guessing you live in one of those townhomes immediately to the east of this site. I’m curious how you feel about having your downtown view blocked by a mid rise apartment?
  13. thedistrict84
    It might have. A sign is still up advertising the property for lease, but the land is now being used for parking for the Southwest Key detention center on Emancipation.
  14. thedistrict84
    It was open for maybe a month? It didn’t do too well. Reviews were generally bad. https://yelp.to/qTKq/JO91BApuY0
  15. thedistrict84
    Just walked by and there were several cars parked in front and a bunch of people sitting at the bar. Seems like it’s open!
  16. thedistrict84
    Today I learned of the Venus sports car made right here in Houston (thanks to a post on Reddit). As a native Houstonian and gear head, it is a bit surprising that I hadn’t heard of it before. A total of 10 were apparently built. Although the running gear was from an earlier Ford, a lot of the components were custom made for the Venus, including it’s fiberglass body. This was presumably done at their building located at 930 S. 75th St. in the East End. The Pinterest page linked below was set up by the son of the designer and shows some really interesting historical photos of the vehicles, as well as a few articles. https://pin.it/qz2dalwkojyzc7 One of the pictures features the vehicle in front of the building on S. 75th St. Using Google maps, it looks similar to the building now located at 926 S. 75th St., which is an auto repair shop. I doubt that the address would have been changed however, so I presume that the building was torn down some time ago. If anyone happens to remember that part of town from the 1950s-1960s, I’d be curious to know if it’s the same building. Thought I would share. Enjoy!
  17. thedistrict84
    Surrounding East River with these new mixed income affordable housing projects (as proposed) is probably not what potential future tenants for the retail sections of the project want to see. The City is undermining the creation of what figures to be a promising new commercial district if it’s going to allow these other developers to put several of these housing projects—primarily inhabited by people with no disposable income and limited buying power—in the immediate vicinity, instead of more market rate apartments (like the Marquette developments nearby), more townhomes, and other similar developments. Seems counterintuitive. And yet again, the East End (and lower Fifth Ward) may take on more of these types of housing developments. There are too many here already, as the map on the linked page clearly shows. I know I sound a bit NIMBY-ish, but other areas in the City do not have nearly the number of low income housing developments that the East End has. Since the City is involved in this process, they really need to do a better job of spreading these out more (i.e., by modifying the approval process that these projects are currently going through right now by making proximity of existing developments more of a factor in granting or denying proposals, etc.). Edit: @I'm Not a Robot does make a good point that part of the goal of these projects may be to relocate those currently in Clayton Homes, but I was under the impression that Clayton Homes was a different class of low income property (i.e., exclusively Section 8) than these projects.
  18. thedistrict84
    Thanks for pointing us to those new renderings. Architecturally it’s better than expected, and from what I can tell it will front Hutchins and Leeland with no parking on those sides, which should help promote pedestrian traffic on this streets. Not bad (aside from the sea of parking, but that was probably inevitable).
  19. thedistrict84
    I drive by this building every day. They’ve been busy the last few weeks making modifications to the windows and building out the interior. Hopefully part of the renovations are to relocate the entry door back to the corner, at a 45 degree angle, as it was originally.
  20. thedistrict84
    I’m anxious to see the site plan on this development. Given that the vast majority of Raus Construction’s portfolio on its website looks to be soul-crushing suburban-style developments, I’m not holding out much hope for something pedestrian-friendly that helps promote walkability in the area. I guess we will see.
  21. thedistrict84
    Minutes are always posted on the Planning Commission website. Just scroll down and click on the link for whatever date you want to check. http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Commissions/commiss_plan.html I haven’t heard much about this development recently. I agree that having land bank style properties in this area isn’t going to help further development, especially in such close proximity to other affordable housing-type projects. These types of projects really need to be spread out more, and not just in the East End. Hopefully the major market rate projects by Marquette nearby and other similar developments help even things out.
  22. thedistrict84
    They should have named that development Nickel’s Edge.
  23. thedistrict84
    They may have removed it from the name then. It was originally referred to as “EaDo Navigation” in materials and on the variance request notice placed on the property (see the previous pictures and discussions in this post). Regardless, Marquette still states on their website that both this development and 400 Jensen are in EaDo. They’re not.
  24. thedistrict84
    If you type in “Greater East End” in Google maps, you’re not too far off from how it is currently. I thought it ended at the Bayou, but the map shows it going all the way to Clinton. Agreed 100%, but if developers and real estate agents have their way, all of this will be called EaDo eventually. It’s the hip, trendy name after all. Exhibit A: this development, which has “EaDo” in its name but is definitely not in EaDo. I’m not against gentrification generally, but the loss or even dilution of existing area/neighborhood names into whatever invented name sounds cool to marketing focus groups is an unfortunate byproduct.
  25. thedistrict84
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