Jump to content

dbigtex56

Full Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,935

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    15

 Content Type 

Everything posted by dbigtex56

  1. dbigtex56
    Nidda Thai's "OPEN" sign was lit this afternoon.
  2. dbigtex56
    I had the impression that the affordable housing was to be located at Caroline and McGowen, but not occupy all of the land that was previously earmarked for Midtown Commons. If so, the existing building at 2403 Caroline would not be included (and could possibly become a bar, restaurant, or some combination). Either way, I'm looking forward to any development that will breathe more life into these blocks.
  3. dbigtex56
    Perhaps his trend may help revive the proposed bar and restaurant development that stalled out at 2403 Caroline, especially since the construction on Caroline St has mostly been completed. With any luck the rebuilt street, sidewalks, and landscaping and appealing destinations will draw the people who live in the newly built apartments nearby to walk a few blocks.
  4. dbigtex56
    According to merriam-webster.com: Since a farmers market is a place where farmers convene, but that does not necessarily belong to the farmers, many style guides recommend eliminating the apostrophe and simply treating the plural noun as a modifier: farmers market, a market for farmers.
  5. dbigtex56
    Risk intolerance by developers and inflexible city codes aside, what role does the financial institution that puts up the money play in determining the creativity (or lack of same) in architectural design? I have the impression that, in general, bankers believe that the more conventional the design, the lower the risk.
  6. dbigtex56
    Prior to the Greek Orthodox building's construction, the lot contained a two-story white stucco house (some might say a mansion). It featured a port-cochere, and was typical of the style and scale of the early houses built on Montrose Blvd. My understanding was that it remained a single family house, but had been used as a rental property for years. It was a bit run-down, and people used to joke about spotting Norma Desmond peering through the windows. Still, it was a relic of what once was one of Houston's premier residential streets, and I was sorry to see it go.
  7. dbigtex56
    Cyclists who blow through stop signs without slowing or checking for traffic are not just flouting traffic laws, they're borderline suicidal. But this is not usually the case. Most cyclists are acutely aware of how vulnerable they are, and don't play games of chicken with motor vehicles. When riding on side streets that have stop signs every block or two, many cyclists (myself included) will slow when approaching the intersection and prepare to stop if there are vehicles or pedestrians who have the right-of-way. Otherwise, it makes sense to maintain some inertia. Repeatedly starting from a dead stop is exhausting and puts cyclists at a disadvantage. If a situation arises, they're caught flat-footed and unable to run or bike out of harm's way. Traffic laws can do a lot of good, but as @Texasotapointed out, most were written specifically for cars. They work better if common sense is used in their application.
  8. dbigtex56
    that's some neat historic knowledge if Montrose had a median all the way from Westheimer to south of Binz. I was told by people who lived in Montrose in the 50's that the esplanades were planted with palm trees which attracted an infestation of tree rats. The neighbors were not amused. They offered little resistance when the median was removed and the boulevard converted to a more heavily trafficked street.
  9. dbigtex56
    Is or was there a warehouse/loft building called the Pierce building in that area? I remember going there for a 1983 New Year's party.
  10. dbigtex56
    Is this the I.M. Pei drive-thru building?
  11. dbigtex56
    There are many historic photographs showing the esplanade on Montrose Blvd. Here's one.
  12. dbigtex56
    IIRC, that's been the plan ever since announcement of the construction of the Co-Cathedral was made. I'm surprised it's taken this long. Usually I'm a proponent of preserving old or historic buildings, but in this case, how likely is it that it would it be adapted to another use (food hall, nightclub, Half-Price Books....)? And I'd call the architecture unremarkable. Sorry to see it go, but not shedding tears over this one.
  13. dbigtex56
    I'm surprised that it didn't open with more pomp and ceremony. Politicians love that sort of thing. Or maybe this is a 'soft' opening?
  14. dbigtex56
    I think the name Disco Kroger became popular because its former nickname (Cruise-y Kroger) made some people uncomfortable.
  15. dbigtex56
    That's....nuts. I notice that many of the streets around W Alabama have the TOD designation. Yes, the same W Alabama that lost its bus line (78 Alabama) several years ago.
  16. dbigtex56
    I'm told that it's to become a doggie day care/spa. Yes. Another one.
  17. dbigtex56
    That's amazing. I wonder what kind of loads it's capable of lifting. Where is it located?
  18. dbigtex56
    I'm trying to take a wait-and-see attitude, but at this time it looks like an incorrectly assembled jigsaw puzzle.
  19. dbigtex56
    Especially during an inversion (when warm air gets trapped under a dome of cooler air, and circulation stops). I've literally seen the filthy smog swirling behind city buses. Every breath is unpleasant, and suddenly a realization: so this is why New York women are so fond of wearing lots of perfume. Anything to distract from that horrid stench.
  20. dbigtex56
    I notice that there's no trace of a parking garage in this rendering, and wonder how deep they'd be willing to go for underground parking. Perhaps instead they have somewhere close by in mind. Is it sheer coincidence that Kroger is shuttering just as this project is getting underway? While Montrose Blvd is making progress to become a more pedestrian friendly destination street, the focus seems to be more on Lower Westheimer. A parking garage adequate for both this development and another could be squeezed onto the Kroger lot, especially if the developers petition the city to abandon that block of Lovett Blvd. (which would almost certainly be granted).
  21. dbigtex56
    You're probably already aware that an ad hoc committee has been formed in opposition to this project. Further information can be found at this link to LOLA (Leave Our Lovett Alone), including an on-line petition. I urge whoever has concerns about this land grab to check out what's being done to oppose the project. A few emails and phone calls should make a difference.
  22. dbigtex56
    That would be nice, but does South Main Baptist Church have any incentive to do so? I assume there's no property taxes at this time - would that change if they're making money from the property? As things stand they can hold onto this land till Doomsday (or until land prices are astronomical) at virtually no cost.
  23. dbigtex56
    Among the improvements listed is the repainting of buildings. To each his own, but I don't understand the appeal of painting everything black, gray, or white (or any combination thereof). Is all color considered to be in bad taste now? Are people afraid of it? What did color ever do to you? While I accept that growth involves change (and destruction) I'd rather see some of the elements of the original Montrose retained - a few century-old houses, quirky architectural details, bold colors used with abandon. While Melrose Ave may be a great street in its own right, I'd rather see Houston be Houston, not L.A., Jr.
  24. dbigtex56
    If memory serves, indigo, then violet.
  25. dbigtex56
    I see what you're saying, and you make valid points. My impression is that one of the goals of this facility is to integrate it into the surrounding community, so that the developers and techies could draw inspiration from other sources. There's a tendency for people who surround themselves with others much like themselves to become stale. A couple of well-worn cliches seem applicable ("Echo chamber" and "thinking inside the box"). A bookstore would provide a break from their routine, and allow for socializing and the exchange of ideas that could provide different perspectives and lead to unexpected insights. This is not a typical investor and developer driven project. The techies are being subsidized. Many tech companies were started literally in someone's garage, because that's all they could afford. It's not as if they're going to be paying market rates here. This is a large project. I don't have the square footage available, but it's sizable. I'm suggesting that setting some aside for Half-Price Books is an idea worth examining.
×
×
  • Create New...