j.33

51 minutes ago, Some one said:

More hysterics

 

We'll see. There are new bus stop signs showing up on the northern side of downtown on Travis St where the stops were previously removed when the red paint was first rolled out. Part of the project was to remove bus stops where right turns are. 

31 minutes ago, JClark54 said:

If they find a public comment worth discussing, a member can request for the item to be placed on a future meeting's agenda. This ensures the public knows what's being discussed, and at what time and where. 

 

Also, during the monthly Public Safety, Customer Service & Operations Committee meeting they have a section for "Board Speaker Follow Ups". Oftentimes, they'll says like 10 speakers spoke, only 2 required a follow up. Most of the follow ups are due to service comments like an issue with a bus operator or an issue with METROLift scheduling. 

New Youtube video posted. Over 10+ minutes of interviews from Heights residents and 11th Street business owners. Worth the watch and share it with people who you know are in the heights :) 

I have not watched the Board Meeting yet, but I did hear that a lot of public comments were anti transit. I don't understand why so many people are against progress as well. I am trying to remain optimistic.

Regardless, if you want more transit and you support these projects, try to speak at Board Meetings, send METRO a message (Home  | Submit comments to METRO | Customer service | Houston, Texas (ridemetro.org)), make an effort to ride the bus or train when you can, and/or reach out to your local leaders. It is clear that the small, yet now powerful anti-everything people are showing up and being extremely vocal. It is time for the people who do want these things to also be just as vocal. 

Whitmire reversed Houston Avenue changes. What comes next? (houstonlanding.org)

Sums up a lot of the things we have been discussing. 

On 2/16/2024 at 8:05 AM, wilcal said:

The interesting thing about this site is that TXDOT pretty tightly controls how many curb cuts they allow onto their streets and right now there is only one (with exits onto local street Munger and Telephone). There's a chance that TXDOT keeps them at one and makes them connect to Munger.

Good point! Looks like you're right. Here is the site plan that is on the planning agenda for this week's meeting (pg. 62 CoH - Plat Tracker (houstontx.gov)) 

2 hours ago, HoustonIsHome said:

What am interesting looking property.

I'm going to have to look up the story behind it

It is the old model showroom for the cancelled "Orion" condo project that was supposed to be built next door. The model showroom was then actually used as a home up until 2020ish. The parking lot was built to accommodate the showroom traffic way back in the day and when the project went bust, the parking lot was used for Brenners. 

1 hour ago, tangledwoods said:

not to be that guy but I am pretty certain that the train riding demographic doesn't have much overlap with the demographic that Post wants in their building.....

private rooms in the sleeper coaches are over $1,000. Long distance Amtrak is not cheap. 

Pg 172 of the agenda has these visuals: CoH - Plat Tracker (houstontx.gov)

10 hours ago, Triton said:

And because of those backups, there is yet secondary effects of traffic taking "back roads", if you will, 8th street being the big one.. where traffic will exit near MKT at 7th and then travel down 8th to Yale.

How do we know the cut through on 8th Street is because of 11th Street and not because of MKT Development and those two apartment complexes? It could be a combination of both, but I have a feeling that 8th Street will always feel busy with all the development around 6th and Waverly. 

38 minutes ago, Triton said:

The rumor mill is now saying that this project will likely be re-evaluated in the near future. There are too many residents in the area saying there is considerable traffic using W 8th (fewer on 10th) streets and that the traffic backups on 11th street aren't justifying the minimal bike lane usage. 

 

I've heard the rumor too. I will say that the increase in traffic on 8th Street is all the people trying to reach the MKT development. People use 8th to Waverly. The opening/popularity of MKT shopping center was around the same time as 11th St. 

13 hours ago, steve1363 said:

They can take down those white pickets on 11th and leave the bike lanes.  11th street looks sloppy…like a construction zone except the orange barriers have been replaced with green.  

The flex posts are actually pretty important. They provide greater visibility of the bike lane while also forcing drivers to slow down because they make the lanes appear more narrow than reality. 

Engage Houston has been updated (Houston Avenue Multimodal Improvements | Let's Talk Houston (letstalkhouston.org))

"Houston Public Works will begin improvements along Houston Avenue starting in early February. These improvements include removal of the concrete median and curbs on Houston Avenue that reduced lane capacity and restricted vehicles from turning into properties based on their direction of traffic. The project will effectively restore the roadway to the same way it operated previously. Restoration will improve traffic safety and mobility for travelers including first responders and METRO busses. As part of the improvements, the pavement condition of the road will also be remediated with new asphalt. In addition, Houston Public Works will immediately begin studying the corridor for proposals that will enhance pedestrian safety."

26 minutes ago, hindesky said:

I-10 Inner Katy Corridor managed lanes from Voss Road to I-45

Should this be in a new thread? This project is not part of METRORapid InnerKaty. Same corridor, but I dont want people to think METRO is part of this since it is in the METRO thread right now. 

All I can say is that the anti-bike lane, anti-road-diet, and anti-safe street people have been flooding the mayor's email with request to get rid of all the improvements. If safer streets, bike lanes, and other multi modal improvements are important to you....if you like the Houston Ave improvement and similar projects, tell the Mayor. He might listen, he might not. But the only people who he is hearing from are those who hate it. Email the mayors office at mayor@houstontx.gov and share your support of these projects :). 

On 10/16/2023 at 12:23 PM, hindesky said:

Eater posted that Golfstrommen "will serve its final meal on February 4. A press release says the concept will be reworked and expanded, then reopened at a date to be announced."

Source: Seven Houston Restaurant Closings to Know Right Now, 2024 - Eater Houston

32 minutes ago, trymahjong said:

In the lower Westheimer improvement plan; a center island is proposed to prevent left hand turns-- not really sure  that provides pedestrian safety as much as a raised crosswalk would. Perhaps a flashing yellow light might help.

Hmmmmmm, Stanford goes from Allen Parkway to I 69- someday COH might need a thorough fare like that. Blocking it off with that cement island might be premature.

Both are great in their own ways. The center island creates a shorter crossing distance and refuge. The raised crosswalk will slow down cars, but pedestrians would have to cross the entire width of the road at once. In this scenario, I think the center island is a better option. 

In response to the thoroughfare comment, drivers have both Taft and Montrose as N/S streets that actually have signals at Westheimer, W Gray, and W Dallas. It is not premature to close this to thru traffic since vehicles have those two corridors. Also, Standford is on the bike plan, so I dont think we would want to encourage a lot of cut-thru traffic down it. 

@IntheKnowHouston do you know if Sushi King closed next door?

On 4/28/2023 at 1:15 PM, gene said:

https://postoaklodgehtx.com/ IS NOW OPEN

It appears that Post Oak Lodge permanently closed within the past few months. 

15 hours ago, hindesky said:

Work has started on cutting the trees on Temple Dr.

Where are the montrose tree people??? ;)

6 hours ago, 004n063 said:

But yeah, I think it'd be worthwhile to add signalized crosswalks at 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

These are GREAT recommendations. Luckily for you, TIRZ 5 is actively seeking input from residents through a new mobility study. https://engagetirz5.mysocialpinpoint.com has an interactive map where you can place a tool marker on ideas you have (like your signalized crosswalks). There is also a survey under the "talk to us" tab where you can fill out some questions and sign up to be on the email list. 

The only thing left is new pavement markings. They still have the old lane lines, so the left lane in some areas is way less than 11' across, which is kind of awkward driving right now. 

1 hour ago, clutchcity94 said:

Not familiar with Bill King. Is he from the Culberson school of thought?

He makes his feelings and opinions very clear on Twitter and his blog posts. 

6 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said:

In one of those debates he mentioned having options to move around. I mean we'll see where he takes us. I'm still on the fence with him. I was in a meeting recently with a well known Houstonian who follows things like this and he said Whitmire's focus will be public safety and development. As a cyclist myself, I'm nervous but we'll see. 

Totally agree! I am very nervous as well. I hope to be surprised.