j.33

Issue with LA-Vegas is the line is not technically LA-Vegas, it is currently planned to Vegas-Victorville with an extension in the future to LA. That means Angelenos would have to drive at least 75-90 minutes to reach Victorville. No one would want to do that. The line will only be successful if they make it go to Union Station, which they're unable to do at the moment. Not surprised it is delayed, their plan isn't the best from the start. With that said, I wouldn't compare CA's situation with HSR with Texas. I do believe HSR Texas can be successful, but CA has just had too many hiccups and negative press on both their LA-Bay Area and LA-Vegas proposals to really see the actual plans being a success. 

KPRC did an update last night on both the Southmore Bridge and Ardmore Bridge.  Report says Ardmore Bridge delay is due to quality issues similar to what @hindeskystated above. 

I love Joey's! The atmosphere is similar to Moxie's, but the food is way better. 

Was that space part of Rise? Or was there like a salon/spa there? I can't remember. 

@wilcal Saw it from airliners.net, can't seem to find the exact quote. Schedule starts it at March 11, so I guess it is not that soon. My bad. 

Currently, United has A1, A2, A3, A7, and A8. A3 is rarely used, it is the smaller part of Terminal A that Continental Connection (the prop planes for smaller Texas markets) used to fly out back before 2012-ish. When Southwest flew to IAH prior to 2005, they flew out of A7 and A8.  (Link to photo of Southwest at IAH https://www.airliners.net/photo/Southwest-Airlines/Boeing-737-3T5/679490?qsp=eJwljksOwyAMBe/iNYuQlH7YtRdoFr2ABVaCRAMyrtQoyt1L6M5%2BY43fBi4tQl95rZnAQiFkN4OCjIzvAnYDDBzDckDTDxddmUufRXgFa7RRwDSFtIDV5qYgJofS1uHUXbUCj0LjnCRNjHkmXzV9152qpSSWR5W0k7tzlKXif/5kT3wgKq6Vmer/asvEY5thONfch5IjNgcJhgj7/gNwrEJp) 

I think a few things could happen:

1. Southwest could take over A7 and A8 and UA would still have A1-A3. A3 has technically 8 gates for smaller regional planes, but is rarely used. I think UA could makes use out of that again with SkyWest operating some of their Crj-200 for United Express. This would then open up A7 and A8 for SWA. United is probably not very happy with SWA's announcement, so I doubt they will ever give those two gates up. 

Or

2. A3 section is demolished and Houston Airport System expands A by a few gates (very unlikely); or SWA just uses A3's existing hardstands reducing it from 8 regional stands to like 2-3 hardstands meant for 737. 

Or

3. SWA takes over 2 of American's gates (they have A25-A30)

Again, all speculation, but I am very curious to see how this plays out! If anyone has other ideas, would love to hear them :). 

@nicole23 I believe it is 6$ now. Here is more information at the Zoo's Website: https://www.houstonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/prices-and-discounts/lone-star/

IAH only has so many slots. SWA's presence at IAH will be minimal with only a few flights a day to a few destinations. Also, SWA has recently announced multiple new routes out of Hobby starting to Cincinnati, Detroit, Fort Myers, Miami, Minneapolis, Ontario, and Sacramento. I think HOU will be just fine! 

"Part of the second floor of the building had fallen down onto the first floor. Dispatchers said there are reports of at least one injury."  Can't really tell how bad it is yet...doesn't seem too bad though. 

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/10/05/emergency-crews-respond-to-reports-of-building-collapse-in-west-houston/

If they really heard it was a "Buc-ees" then it is most likely a Bucky's. The giant travel stop that we all know and love, Buc-ees, would never choose a location like this. The other Bucky's is a midwest gas station/convenience store that has been expanding across Houston in the past year. They have new locations at Beltway and Westview and Hammerly and Gessner. Wouldn't be surprised if this is one of theirs as well. 

No surprise here, but I believe Neiman's Last Call has permanently closed in this shopping center (according to Last Call's website)...I'll try to drive by soon and see to make sure. We all saw this coming due to their financial issues, but good to recognize in terms of the potential redevelopment of the center. 

@SBurbanist Great point! Given that the 151 is only a peak route right now, I wouldn't see an issue currently with the HOV set up. You are right though, the way METRO designed the TC for the park and ride buses can make it difficult during non-peak hours for those routes to stop at with the current HOV config. I cannot wait till we get two-way HOV lanes  even tho it'll prob be 2035 or 2040 when that happens haha. 

@Houston19514  Yeah, it looks pretty much finished. There definitely is enough space for two more routes. The 9 would be on the ground level and the 151 would be on the elevated one w/ access to the HOV. I guess we'll just have to wait till the next round of service changes to happen. 

I used to ride the 33 Post Oak daily back in 2018. The morning trips were packed, sometimes standing room only. There was a wide range of riders, from business professionals who worked in Uptown using the park and rides and transferring at Northwest TC, to retail workers from Galleria to hotel workers. I am sure the pandemic has impacted this route greatly. Before the 433, the 33 during Covid was the only frequent route (usually 10-15 min) to go to 30 min so the route did struggle.  It will rebound. I have faith in it.

I did send a comment to METRO (off their public comment section) to bring two additional routes to the Lower Uptown TC to increase connectivity and transfer options. The 9 Gulfton/Holman and 151 Westpark Express should stop at the TC as well. I have no idea why METRO didn't think of that. Building a brand new transit center and only have three bus routes utilize it is underwhelming. 

With regards to parking, probably an unpopular opinion, but I think the city should add on street parking to N Main and they could even meter it (if they wanted to get some $). Currently, two lanes in both direction allow people to fly down this road, so reducing it to 1 travel lane each way would force drivers to slow down, especially when there is such a large pedestrian presence during venues. Just a thought. 

Update: Ninfa's reopened this past Saturday. 

Not sure if this is important to post here, but it looks like Ninfa's in BLVD Place is having some issues right now. Their business did look kind of slow at the start of the Pandemic, but it did seem to pick it up quite a bit recently. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. 

Edit for those who might not have access to Chron. Restaurant has failed to pay rent due to the downturn, but they seem to be in negotiations, which seemed promising this past week. Sounds like management was a bit shocked to find the doors locked, but it does say they're trying to reach a resolution. Not sure really what will happen though. 

https://www.chron.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/article/Ninfa-s-Uptown-locked-out-of-BLVD-Place-amid-15514022.php

3 hours ago, tigereye said:

article says this shopping center will be demolished

I wonder where/if Dicks Sporting Goods and The Container Store will relocate. I know Gallery Furniture was wanting to leave/close anyways and Nieman's Last Call is likely on the way out since Niemans is closing almost all of their Last Call locations. I am excited to hear more in the future. 

So it will likely just replace Sacred Heart ER's closed space. 

I caught this on video last week of the BRT crossing San Felipe during a road test (had to upload it to Google Drive because file is too big to share on here). I hope they're only going this slow for the road tests and will get better at approaching the platform as the tests go on. Can't imagine this being successful if they have to cross San Felipe at this pace every time. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X5TNJ-HT7Vtak5_pmN0WXyyPyVf_yayc/view?usp=sharing

It looks like 4710 Oakshire Dr are 4 story townhomes and the other townhomes on Aftonshire are 3 stories, so maybe 4 stories won't look too out of place?