dbigtex56

Oh good - it's not just me. Tenneco will always be Tenneco, and Transco (I think that's what you meant) will always be Transco. Same with Allied Bank, Republic Bank, Texas Commerace Tower, and the Enron Buildings. I even kind of gag at Minute Maid Park. Does Chrysler still own the Chrysler Building? I'm guessing they don't...but the name remains the same.

By sheer chance, I was in this building a couple of months ago. Did you know that medical researchers sometimes randomly call people, and ask them to volunteer? It's true. Someone called, and asked for my basic demographic information, then told me that they were looking for someone like myself, as a control for a cancer study. As luck would have it, their offices were located in the Prudential Building. I was impressed by the circular area above the main lobby, and the mural - also the fountains in front of the building. The rest of the interior was unexceptional. If you stand back and look at it as a whole, it's a respectable (typical) mid-century high rise office building, and a pleasing design. I hope it's lovingly photographed before its inevitable demolition. So far as it being some sort of iconic structure, I don't see it. While I'm sorry to see a nice example of mid-20th century architecture go down, it's not so exceptional to rate the outcry about its destruction IMO.

All these years I thought I was the only one... I used to go into abandoned buildings all the time. There were some lovely ones in upstate NY - factories, mansions, apartment buildings, theaters, stores... And when (and not until) they were demolished, I'd salvage some great things. That's how I furnished my first apartment. I've posted this link before, but it bears repeating - the abandoned subway of Rochester, NY. Some good links, too.

For the lazy but curious, a definition of 'crapulence':Excessive indulgence; intemperance. And I too am curious as to whom qualifies as an artist. Is formal education required, or forbidden? And must I get something pierced? I make my own greeting cards...will that get me a reduction in rent? Pragmatically (oh, look it up yourself), I'm glad that something is being done to preserve this building. Put a roof on it and sort out the finances later. And btw. I like those yellow tree trunks.

Maybe if someone could kick Radar, the Channel 2 Weather Dog, off the air for a moment, and bring this to peoples' attention...

Wasn't a child care facility built adjacent to the new Enron building? I don't know if it's in operation or anything about its reputation - but the location might be convenient for you.

Click on the underlined TABC in my earlier post - it's a link to their site. And I got my unzipper unstuck, and there is no liquor license currently listed for this address.

A hearty hello and welcome, squatterkid. I knew people who lived at Allen Park Village just before much of it was destroyed (squatters), and they were decent folk. Likewise, I remember when lower Westheimer had abandoned buildings which were respectfully occupied by non-paying residents. I'm still mystified that people can own buildings and not want to do something with them.

What on Earth are they talking about? There is no nearby high-rise condominium complex. If they're talking about 2016 Main, these residents are really pushing the limits of the definition of 'nearby'. They'd need binoculars to be offended - maybe a telescope. And X-ray vision. "A meeting of those involved in the revitalization of Main Street was called this week to discuss the move of the MeatRack" Those involved? What the heck does that mean? Was this a public meeting? Seems to me that anyone with an interest in Main Street is one of 'those involved' - and I didn't get any invitation.

I've 'googled' this property (216 La Branch) and it shows up in Harris County Purchasing Department Listing of Current Term Contracts By Description. According to County Commission Court Agenda, Dec. 18 2001: 38. Recommendation that the award for lease of the Palace Hotel at 216 LaBranch be made to Palace Partners, Ltd., in the amount of $420 per month, and for the County Judge to take necessary action relating to the award. If I'm understanding this correctly, the building is still owned by Harris County, and is under long-term lease to developers.

Football, shmootball. The important thing is that People magazine named David Carr as one of the "50 Sexiest Men Alive"!

If someone would like to check this, go to TABC's website and look up the address. I'd do it myself, but they're available only as .zip files, and my zipper's stuck...

Ha! I wondered what happened. I was downtown, and they kept making these garbled announcements about "an incident" and how shuttle buses would ferry people from the Wheeler Street station. Thought for sure we'd succeeded in winning the Nat'l title for most light rail accidents this year. Incidentally, wish they'd refine those announcements a bit - there were a bunch of people jabbering away in the background, and it really was difficult to make out what the announcer was saying. Too bad about the tree; they add so much to that area of town.

Here's a picture which shows this building when it still had the mansard roof. This isn't the first building I've seen which has had the roof/uppermost floor removed. Perhaps they're hard to maintain; and at one time mansard roofs were considered to be hopelessly old fashioned (and therefore ugly). You can see what was meant by the William Scott Field quote from Subdude's post:"Prairie Avenue was given side-street status in this remodeling, evidenced by the new roof not continuing all the way down this facade..."

Absolute and utter agreement. Plywood covered with aluminum paint?! What...they ran out of cardboard? That building could be a showcase, especially if the missing architraves (second definition) around the upstairs windows could be replicated and replaced. Also, this building originally had a Mansard roof, and replacing it would definitely reenforce its Second Empire appearance. Takes $$$. In a case such as this, it would seem appropriate for the city to offer some sort of tax abatement to return this building to its historic roots. Perhaps then they'd also find a more deserving tenant.

Welcome to the forum, aggiemustang. Since I did not say any of the things of which you accuse me, I'm puzzled by your lengthy reply. I'm glad you can write; and maybe with time and patience, you'll learn to read, too.

Not everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah either. Both Christmas and New Year's Day are national holidays; whatever ones religion (or lack of same) this is a festive time of year. "The Holidays" acknowledges this fact without making perhaps unwelcome presumptions about others.

Thanks for clarifying soft good retail. I agree about the importance of continuity of businesses - think of how many cities have "restaurant rows". Perhaps promoting retail on some of the neglected east-west streets between Main St. and The Park at Houston Center (or whatever it's called now) would help to tie the two areas together, and create the sort of shopping mecca which would attract more people. Currently, it seems like the enclosed mall and Main St. are unrelated, and at odds with one another.

BRAVO (brava?), SUZERAIN! If there was a way I could bronze that post, I'd do it. Knowledge is power. I hope people put it to use. BTW, who or what is a "neighborhood protection official"? Would this include police, firefighters, public works employees...?

And speaking of ugly vacant lots... Today I took a walk on the east side of Midtown, because I hadn't been there in quite some time (years?) and wanted to see first-hand what has transpired. And I have to admit, the new townhomes are very attractive, and not at all like the hideous early Perry Homes, as I'd feared. The designs are varied and imaginative. On those blocks which have been redeveloped, it's a nice neighborhood. Yet there's no mistaking that this is recently recovered slum property. Only a block away from these newly constructed, neatly maintained townhomes, it's the same cruddy vacant lots that prevailed 20 years ago. Look at the south side of Elgin near Crawford (kittycorner from Elizabeth Baldwin Park). The grass and weeds between the sidewalk and street are easily two feet high, and the vacant lot beyond is no better. There are abandoned houses (on McGowen, for example) which are literally falling down. If I lived in this neighborhood, I'd be down at City Hall every Tuesday, demanding to know where my tax dollars were being spent. In other cities, this sort of blight is simply not tolerated. Isn't there a mechanism in place by which neglected properties can be condemned and demolished? Or overgrown lots mowed, and the expense added to the property owner's tax bill? Seems to work elsewhere - why not Houston? Or are our elected officials too lazy (or corrupt) to carry out such a program?

This seems like a win-win situation - retailers can exhibit their wares, and building owners can showcase the possibilities. What is meant by Mr. Kaplan's reference to 'soft good retail'? I'm pretty sure it's not because the furniture is upholstered...

Thank you for clarifying your position. I hope to clarify my own. Is this the post to which you're referring? I see a statement - an assumption - not a question. I'll freely admit that the David Koresh remark was over the top. That he and the Branch Davidians felt an intense need to coalesce was the point. I meant it the way pineda took it (that a sense of community such is offered by A&M might have fulfilled this need in a healthier way), and also as a cautionary example of the dangers of an 'Us vs Them' view of the world, which is one of the characteristics of a cult. That being said, a tight-knit community must, by definition, have some insular qualities. The Aggie Spirit is something of which I am not a part, and I acknowlege that, without envy or resentment. I respect A&M for its superb accomplishments in academics and research. The qualities of conservatism, "redneck" culture and religion are not, in themselves, displeasing to me. As someone who is considered liberal, urban and with agnostic tendancies, I too feel that my core values may be misunderstood. I too am dismayed by a society that seems to embrace the Seven Deadly Sins so readily. The assumption that any person or group has a lock on morality or values is what's so disturbing to me. As someone who was reared in a conservative, rural, church-going family, please believe me that I do not sneer at that way of life. Neither Jeff Foxworthy nor "Will & Grace" portray an accurate view of their respective worlds, but I can laugh at both, without malice. We both have our crosses to bear - you, as an Aggie, me as a Montrose-dwelling homosexual. We're stereotyped and disliked for all the wrong reasons, and it becomes very frustrating. I offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your classmates, and believe that God will comfort you. I hope we can continue to learn from one another.

I had hoped to stay out of this conversation. However, when someone persists in asking for it, eventually I have to cave. My remark about David Koresh was purposely ambiguous, a sort of literary Rorschach test. You could take it as a compliment or as an insult. Pineda chose to see the good in it, and you chose to see the evil. Neither response surprises me. Scroll up. No one spoke with disdain for Aggies prior to your remark, only towards the poor planning and execution of the bonfire. You made the conscious decision to create an offense where none existed. Now, I'm starting to get angry. How dare you? The implication is clear; either you're an Aggie, or you're a styrofoam munching, glassy-eyed misanthropic zombie. How condescending - and inaccurate. Let's reframe this, shall we? After bragging about the superior social and spiritual aspects of Aggiedom, combined with open contempt for the rest of the world, you're suddenly some sensitive little flower, and the Big Meanies are picking on you. I have no feelings towards Aggies in general, and prefer to think that you are not representative of that body. You're demanding that people should feel envious of you. I, for one, am not. O, omniscient one! Now you can read the minds and understand the motives of people you haven't even met. Miss Cleo, eat your heart out. See, I knew you didn't mean it when you said "A&M welcomes everyone into the family"; therefore my David Keresh remark. No. "People hate people who care for each other"? Sir, you know nothing about me. I have a family who loves me, and lifelong friends. Most adults eventually move on past high school, but if this helps, I was the Prom King. Big f-ing deal. Eventually, people grow up and acquire deeper values than adolescents - some people, anyway. I think it's wonderful that Aggies feel a special bond. I think it's terrible that you assume no one else is capable of having one. Why the hate, indeed? Maybe it has something to do with your gratuitous character assassinations. Maybe it has to do with your hysterical defense against non-existant insults, the ones you fabricated yourself. Some people, including your fellow Aggies, have the notion that perhaps God, friendship, and community exist outside the world of Texas A&M. "No one was talking about why the bonfire happened until these people brought it up"? Why the hell not? When twelve promising young lives are snuffed out, shouldn't people ask why, and if such a tragic event can be averted in the future? Traditions can be fine things - or not. As I understand it, A&M started off as an exclusively white, male, Protestant school. That this 'tradition' has been discarded speaks highly of those who had the courage to change it. Perhaps a dangerous, environmentally destructive tradition (the bonfire) can be adapted to something more productive, while fostering the strong feeling of community which distinguishes this fine school.

Just think...if David Koresh had gone to A&M that whole unfortunate Waco thing could have been avoided.

This being a very old part of Houston, it seems likely that a least a few of these houses would contribute to the 6th Ward or some of the older parts of the Heights as infill. Perhaps they could be moved rather than demolished.