Freelander

Thanks for the compliment RedScare. I never thought of my writing as "artful" as you say. Two points to clarify: we don't oppose all development and we do understand urban cities' needs for density. We are concerned about the addtional burden this multi-family project will place upon our already old and fragile infrastructure, i.e. sewer,drainage, and traffic on our narrow streets (which were burdened by the 300 unit complex built a few years ago). At some point, development reaches a point where it's too much.

Why do people live in the Heights? What attracts them to this unique community?

-old single family homes with character, history and mature trees

-homes with big porches where neighbors can visit with each other

-appreciation for the charming bungalows and Victorian architecture

-the nostalgic "feel" of old times (and perhaps simpler times)

-the narrow streets with ditches, not curbs, that remind you you're not in suburbia

-it's near where they work

-park-like areas within walking distance where you can walk your dog and actually see some wildlife (I notice the trees, not the darn freeway.)

Unfortunately, there are some trade-offs, which we accept:

-ditches that don't drain as they should and lead to flooding

-narrow streets that sometimes make it difficult for residents and emergency vehicles to get through when other cars are parked there

-small, but charming homes, with small closets and only 1 bathroom and crooked foundations

-small lots that only allow for narrow driveways and a 1 car garage

I am wondering, RedScare and others, if you moved into the Heights by mistake if you can't appreciate that. Since you don't seem to care about the negative impact of this project to the neighborhood, let me know what street you're on so I can let the developer know so they can route the +100 cars up and down your street daily and put the visitor parking in front of your house.

Good Afternoon All,

Wow . . . I am wondering was the city involved as well to hault the Hi Rise Condo development ?

Local neighbors and the Heights Association went before City Council and have met with the Planning Commission in the last month, all who seem powerless to do anything to stop this. We'll just have to make it difficult for them to sell this idea to potential buyers by picketing and protesting at the grass roots level. Hope you'll come join us or watch us on the news! Ideally we'd like the city to purchase the land and keep it as green space, which would be adjacent to the upcoming hike/bike trail.

Have you heard about the proposed hi-rise condo development (again) in the Heights by Inner Loop Condos called Viewpoint at the Heights? This came up 2 years ago and they were chased away by neighborhood opposition, but they layed low like sneaky crocodiles and are rearing their ugly heads again. This absurd plan proposes to construct a 77-unit, 7 story condo at the dead end of 5th off of Oxford footsteps away from the upcoming hike and bike trail. They plan to raze this undeveloped land which is a tranquil green space over a ravine (a natural inlet from the bayou) with historical value to build upwards on about a 1.5 acre parcel of land. This land is home to numerous species of birds, butterflies and even rabbits and don't forget about the trees that will be coming down! If this ill-conceived project is allowed to go through, it will surely set the stage for further condo development in the Heights, if that is not already in the works? If you are as outraged as we are, join us and show your support by helping us picket one of their other developments (The Piedmont) on Sat, Feb 10 @ 11:00am on Waugh. We're meeting in the Luby's parking lot. If you've had enough of outside developers who have no respect for our historical, small-town-feel community, we'll see you on Saturday! It's not too late to put a stop to this nonsense (you have to see it to believe it)! If you want more information before then, come by Onion Creek this Thurs. night to sign a petition and pick up a flyer!

Pumapayam, you're starting to upset me with the things you say.

The people who enjoy going to the River Oaks Theater could care less about its lack of Stadium Seating, its lack of THX sound system, and its lack of DLP projectors. Too much technology is not always a good thing, and it detracts from the theater's intention, which is to be an alternative to the megaplexes and their crappy movies. I'm not saying every movie they show is good, but it at least keeps its focus on the idea of "cinema" rather than gimmicks.

Belongs in a small town? How long have you lived in Houston? It fits perfectly in that location. You say it "doesn't belong in such a great location"?! The theater is part of what makes the location so great. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but unless you're a native Houstonian, you just wouldn't understand. Back in the 1980s/1990s, anyone who even brought up the idea of destroying the theater would be criticized. I guess in today's Houston, with all its non-Houstonian residents all over the city, something truly great and locally significant can be criticized because it's not modern enough. It's an historic landmark, and people enjoy it for what it is. It's something you can never re-create again; definitely of the last remnants of evidence of civic life in Houston. It's not like an AMC 30 that you can just build anywhere, regardless of the city or area. It would be an insult to re-invent it into whatever high-rise property is built in that space. I'm hoping the rumors are not true, and if they are, that the project is met with much resistance. First Astroworld, then Cactus Music, now this? People need to stand up for their city.

Bravo! Well said! My sentiments exactly! Some people just don't get it! I'm sick of the homegeneity of retail in this country. The old theater is precisely what makes that center UNIQUE and SPECIAL!

Has anyone heard anything about a new restaurant going up at the corner of White Oak & Oxford--across the street from Onion Creek? There's a sign up that says Soul Food and Fried Chicken restaurant coming.

Nice to have something different to choose from, but that seems like an odd location for this type of food.