thedistrict84

20 hours ago, thatguysly said:

But there is no reason to push the poor to the worst areas of town. Many poor people live in this area now and have jobs in this area. To push them away can cause some to no longer be able to access their jobs and assume they could find a new one. There are low paying jobs in this area and they need work staff that can fill those jobs. This allows that to happen.

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 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

 

I think it's more like 16 blocks, half of which are surface parking.

 

Funny thing:  freeway opponents often tell us that nothing worthwhile can be developed adjacent to an elevated freeway.  Here, freeway opponents tell us we must not replace an elevated freeway because it would destroy all of the wonderful development adjacent to the elevated freeway.

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. 

2 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

 

False.

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.

5 hours ago, Avossos said:

Houston will have its 'big dig' when TXDoT digs down the entire East side. It will be a terrible process, but it will be good for the area... in fact, it will be trans-formative. We are lucky they are going to sink the highway instead of have it above ground. Just think our downtown will not be surrounded by above ground freeway lanes. I can't wait.

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.

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.

6 hours ago, Angostura said:

(BTW, when in doubt w/r/t address, the interactive parcel map is your friend.)

Thank you for bringing the existence of this magnificent tool to my attention, I’m about to waste countless hours with it.

6 hours ago, Angostura said:

I'd be interested to see how this competes with nearby non-automated garages. I wonder how quickly they can empty it out after an Astros game, for example.

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. 

2 hours ago, ljchou said:

Lovett Commercial changed the brochure from retail to a 610-unit multifamily building surrounded by a chic-fil-a and a 7/11. Some plots are now left empty, some are marked "future development".

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. . .

19 minutes ago, CrockpotandGravel said:

Good find!

Lovett Commercial does well when it comes to rehabbing older buildings of this size. I'm glad to see them expand their footprint in the East End.

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.

On 10/24/2019 at 9:25 AM, Mr.Clean19 said:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2362009653924691/

 

Town hall planned for the developer

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. 

2 hours ago, JBTX said:

 

You are correct.

 

I don't care. There was a beautiful tree on that lot before that blocked my view from the 2nd story because the tree was so big. The view is only available from the third floor right now, and while it is a lovely view, I bought a piece of property in the East End with two massive vacant lots in front of me (this one and the one owned by Midway across from Alamo Tamales). I was under no delusion that the lots would be left undeveloped.

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. . .

17 hours ago, JBTX said:

Looks like the did more work today than just concrete. I guess we are officially "Going Up."

 

 

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?

1 hour ago, ljchou said:

Has this fallen through?

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.

1 hour ago, hindesky said:

I don't think it ever opened, every time I went by it was under construction but never actually opened.

It was open for maybe a month? It didn’t do too well. Reviews were generally bad. 
 

https://yelp.to/qTKq/JO91BApuY0

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!

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!

1 hour ago, Mr.Clean19 said:

http://www.saveeastend.com/

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.

26 minutes ago, HtownWxBoy said:

 

New renderings are up on their facebook page... actually looks like a nice place. 

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).

On 9/22/2019 at 7:44 PM, BeerNut said:

https://www.loopnet.com/listing/2901-fannin-st-houston-tx/7075869/

 

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. 

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.

23 hours ago, ljchou said:

Could you tell me where to find these minutes? I'm curious about the future of this development.

Thanks!

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

23 hours ago, ljchou said:

Also, apparently Lovett Homes/Frank Liu are going to make these afforable housing and sell them back to the city for 150k. Anyone else heard word on this? Seems to take the property value in the wrong direction for this neighborhood.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2018/09/07/developer-frank-liu-planning-market-rate.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. 

7 hours ago, JBTX said:

There is also "EaDo Edge" off Jensen and Clinton, by UrbanLiving. It annoys me cause it's its not EaDo edge, it's EastEnd Edge, if anything.

 

But alas.

They should have named that development Nickel’s Edge.

33 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

 

I don't think the development has "EaDo" in its name. https://www.marquettecompanies.com/new-development

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.

11 hours ago, Montrose1100 said:

Isn’t this the old Americas Plaza proposal site? It’s amazing how Navigation is buzzing with activity compared to Harrisburg. Once the Bayou Park & East River are completed the greater east end will become a destination. The “Greater East End”.

 

...in the not too distant future, anything south of I-10, and north of 45 will be the Greater East End. You heard the super neighborhood buzzword here first. 

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. 

11 hours ago, ZRFkris said:

Sounds better than eado 

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.