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thedistrict84

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Everything posted by thedistrict84

  1. thedistrict84
    Maybe it’s time to revisit religious organizations being exempt from taxes? Between ambitious, overwrought construction projects and churches scooping up land everywhere (like what is happening currently in Third Ward), it seems they’re generally rolling in cash. And don’t even get me started on Osteen. Unfortunately, I’m guessing that would be a political non-starter in this state.
  2. thedistrict84
    Finally. This block has to be one of the strangest in all of Houston. There were maybe one or two portable storage sheds on site, with a playground (?) and a bunch of 18 wheeler cabs parked there all the time. I have no clue what the property was being used for. Meanwhile, the one holdout lot is fenced in with a metal gate up front, like somebody was thinking of putting up a single-family home and then just decided not to at the last minute. So weird. Whatever happens to this block will be a very welcome improvement.
  3. thedistrict84
    Debris is completely cleared. Looks like they’re ready to get this started!
  4. thedistrict84
    The original proposal only included a few blocks of EaDo (up to Emancipation I believe), but now covers the entirety of EaDo. The rest of the East End (i.e., everything east of the BNSF tracks/outside of the EaDo “triangle”) is not included, unfortunately. It would have been nice to extend it throughout the East End/Second Ward to at least Sampson St.
  5. thedistrict84
    Thanks for the background info @CrockpotandGravel. I didn’t even notice that the new entity name on the construction permit was different than that mentioned in the Swamplot article (with “House” vs. “Bar” being the only difference). But it seems to be the same group as far as you can tell, correct?
  6. thedistrict84
    They started putting up the framework for the northern-most building (Corky’s BBQ).
  7. thedistrict84
    Instagram page only has one post so far:
  8. thedistrict84
    Coming soon signage for Roots Wine Bar is up in the windows at the small commercial building at 3107 Leeland St. This is a block or so southeast of East End Hardware. This is the former location of Metamorphose Studios, a business that (I believe) was engaged in restoration and sale of antique furniture. Swamplot article about the location from last year indicated that an alcohol permit had been applied for: http://swamplot.com/empty-leeland-furniture-workshop-now-has-a-wine-sign-on-it/2018-09-18/ Given the font on the signage, is it safe to assume that this venture is related to Roost on Fairview?
  9. thedistrict84
  10. thedistrict84
    The article that @Urbannizer posted describes the company as a “faith-based community development corporation.” It looks to be affiliated with Trinity East Methodist Church, the church immediately to the northwest. I wonder whether the fact that it’s “faith-based” carries any significance. If so, would there be tax considerations involved?
  11. thedistrict84
    They’re still in the process of installing the drainage system and leveling the lot. Making decent progress so far, and should start the actual construction of the building in a few weeks. I’ll take a few pics this evening and post them.
  12. thedistrict84
    Huh. I thought we were expecting an official groundbreaking this year? And a 20 year build-out for all phases is also longer than initially suggested. I understand that projects of this scale are hard to fully predict, but the fact that these dates and numbers are changing this early is a tad bit concerning.
  13. thedistrict84
    Yes, there are a minimum number of parking spaces required to be provided for different property types, tied to the square footage of the building. Exemptions can be requested, and there are other ways to meet the requirements (offsite parking/valet lots, bicycle racks, etc.). https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopRegs/docs_pdfs/parking_req.pdf There is a current effort to eliminate minimum parking requirements for Midtown and part of EaDo, but this property in the East End would not have been included in that area, despite its proximity to downtown.
  14. thedistrict84
    I drove by this site regularly. The paintwork (which honestly looks pretty shoddy up close and with a bunch of overspray clearly visible on the windows) was done months ago. Also, that lift has been in the same position for a while. I hope they’re not just renting it, because if they are they aren’t getting their money’s worth.
  15. thedistrict84
    I agree. My point was that the layout was dictated by the required parking. Current arrangement, you have one lane with two opposite rows of parking in the front, and one lane with one row against the building in the back. Even if you just switch the lanes to have the single row in the front, you’re likely to lose some parking on the side along with the placement of the patio. It would be impossible to move all of the parking to the back and still keep anywhere near the same number of parking spots, which I would guess would be the difference between meeting the minimum parking requirements and not.
  16. thedistrict84
    I’m sure the arrangement in the site plan allowed for the highest number of parking spaces possible, in order to meet the minimum parking requirements. Doing away with those minimums would eliminate that incentive for sub-optimal parking (from a walkability/pedestrian friendly standpoint) and encourage development at the sidewalks.
  17. thedistrict84
    And here’s a more in depth write-up from Culture Map. Discusses the menu too. http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/06-19-19-lotti-dotti-new-patio-bar-montrose-adam-dorris-michael-riojas-brooklyn-athletic-club/#slide=0
  18. thedistrict84
    That is a fair point. I think we will soon see that stretch of Navigation transformed, however. Most of the commercial and industrial buildings in that immediate area are unoccupied or under-occupied, and I could see many being repurposed like they are doing in EaDo and Second Ward (in fact, I believe there is a brewery that was slated to be going in right near this site). The extension of the Buffalo Bayou trails will bring about some development. There is a new sand volleyball facility planned right around the corner from here, over on Lockwood. There is also already a moderate townhome development immediately east of this site, and some of the unoccupied commercial land could be repurposed for future communities. In five or ten years, I think things are going to look a lot different in this particular area of the East End.
  19. thedistrict84
    No GFR here, which I guess is ultimately irrelevant since none of the GFR sites at the New Hope SRO Housing at Sampson and Harrisburg have been leased out since the building opened. GFR is one of those selling points New Hope has used in the past to “sell” communities on these developments, but so far seems like an empty promise.
  20. thedistrict84
    Lotti Dotti opened over the weekend in the former Brooklyn Athletic Club spot. https://houston.eater.com/2019/6/17/18681700/lotti-dotti-montrose-patio-bar-open-frozen-cocktails
  21. thedistrict84
    Thanks, that makes sense. I probably either saw your post here or the Swamplot post. Good to know I wasn’t just imagining things!
  22. thedistrict84
    I remember hearing before that that entire large lot (between 45 and Leeland) was going to be townhomes. In theory, it would be great to have a mid rise apartment mixed into the area. I guess we will have to wait and see the renderings and cross our fingers for GFR.
  23. thedistrict84
    Just a friendly PSA @Urbannizer, this is not technically EaDo. EaDo ends at the BNSF tracks that cut over from 59 near Commerce (by Tout Suite) due south(ish) to 45, near Lockwood/Elgin. This would be considered part of the Greater East End, and is more or less on the border of Second Ward and Eastwood/Greater Eastwood (the border between the two is typically considered the UP railroad tracks that run parallel to Harrisburg). (The border of EaDo is a very contentious subject in the area, especially with long time residents who despise the term “EaDo” and the gentrification it stands for in their eyes. Making sure we are consistent with identifying these borders would go a long way to helping preserve the historic boundaries of these neighborhoods 👍🏻)
  24. thedistrict84
    Just drove by, and like clockwork there was a homeless person bathing in one of the spray fountains (which apparently are active again). Hopefully more normal and regular pedestrian presence will cause a reduction in this type of loitering/behavior. These developments will go a long way to helping achieve that goal.
  25. thedistrict84
    Good point, didn’t think of that. My avid-gardener mother would be disappointed to know that I missed that detail. Was expecting something a little closer to the street. Huh.
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