totheskies

Much agreed. This is Houston afterall... we've finally grown out of our "every major CBD building has to be tunnel-connected with retail" phase, I'm hoping that we've acquiesed into the "every major CBD building has to have an ugly parking garage with street-level retail" phase. Considering the close proximity to GRB and Discovery Green, street-level retail in the garage seems to be a no-brainer. As long as we're talking garages though, I give the aesthetics prize to OPP. The parking garage takes up the entire block, and is a total function of the building. I wish Houston had more like this one. ^^^^Wait, I MAY give the aesthetics prize to OPP if and ONLY IF they open a good grocery store like they are supposed to!!

CALLIOPE'S!!!! It's very good! Kind of a Timmy Chan's take on the New Orleans PoBoy. Here's the Houston Press article... http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-04-23/res...-and-fried-rice

I'll add to this SouthPhilly steaks (Scott and Alabama). Really good sandwiches, and lots of other stuff. Bohemeo's food is pretty good too.

Amazing!!!!! Of all things.... a hotel starting construction in an economy where tourism is on the skidz... good job for Houston and the financiers! I'm glad that people recognize how much the hotel rooms are needed in downtown. We've got a very low hotel capacity (within the CBD) when compared to other cities of similar size.

I'd settle for regular SWEEPING in the Northern Third Ward part of the trail. Everytime I ride there I have to navigate a continuous strain of broken beer bottles. Yet the second you cross I-45 back into EaDo, it's clean as a whistle. It really is a beautiful trail tho, and it's so great to have actual hike/bikeways that go somewhere.

Beacause it C-A-N!!!!!! And no... the Dynamo need to GTFO from UofH so that they can achieve the dream of having their own stadium (and bring more revenues into the East End).

I'm hoping that they reconsider the retail aspect sooner than later. We (being the church crowds in that area) lost our Subway to this project, so that would be an easy thing to plug in. Plus a little brunch place would surely see some major funds, and not just on the weekends. Keep in mind that every one of the large churches in the area has noon services a couple of times a week, and a full-time staff of at least 30-ish people. Add in the prospective residents of Venue and close proximity to the museum district station... sounds like a good recipe for retail.

I guess this is funny, but at the same time it's not. There are homeless people in Katy, Sugar Land, Baytown and all over. I have worked very actively with Search, Interfaith Ministries and Meals on Wheels (not exactly dealing with homeless, but certainly seniors that are in a tough situation). It amazes me the variety of situations that have led to their state... mostly disagreements with family, possibly no family at all, difficult economic times, or simply just being unappreciative of what they have/had. Of the people I've met, about half of them ARE "just being lazy", but the other half landed into situations that quickly spiraled out of control, and the next thing they knew they were on the streets. But most of the time, the people that "aren't lazy" don't stay homeless for long.

I still advocate that HP is on the whole a smart idea, and in a good location. However they did take the "Houston way out" on the project by cutting out the residential portion, and building the cheapest possible structure they could get away with, so that sucks. Still, this type of development can almost survive on concert-goers and conventioneers alone. It's also one of the few evening venues on the rail line which CAN attract the hundreds of thousands of workers, patients, students and visitors from the Medical Center/ Museum district. So recession or not, there are lots of good signs for HP. On a personal note... I'm in New Orleans today... talk about street level retail JEEEEEZ!

BTW, I forgot to give my latest "HP report"... I rode the Rail up to HP on Saturday afternoon (around 4pm). I figured with the rain and dreariness, it would be quite dead. Couldn't have been further from the truth. I walked around and saw a decent group of people in every establishment EXCEPT for Clique Salon. Guadalajara was packed... absolutely PACKED at 4:30pm. I saw at least 20 ForeverXXI bags just walking around the complex. I went to Books-a-Million and bought a cookbook... I probably saw 40-50 people in there the same time I was there. For a dreary Saturday, I was quite impressed. I probably go by/through HP about once a week (I normally don't walk all the way through or buy anything. But I'll say this... in the three weeks it's been open, Guadalajara has been a home run. That place is packed every single evening, and has a steady stream of people from open to close. From what I've seen, it's the next strongest venue at HP after House of Blues.

ROFL!! I'm a musician... let me be more specific... a classical musician. Do you know any of us??? If so, that should answer the question of where we will or will not go while wearing a tux.

If you're just referring to layout then I'd have to argue that HP did a pretty good job (or maybe a better way to say is that they made a good guess), at least from the perspective of creating an "activity node". Eventhough it's displaced by a block, HP is in between Macy's and Houston Center. This has the potential to create shopping district for downtown... it's a gonna take a while in this rough time, but I think the potential is still there.

In what way are they "non-related"? Is it b/c you expect the Ballet and Opera-goers to want to eat out at fancier restaurants than the conventioneers? I guess that's the case for the "old guard", but I have a sneaking suspicions that Gen-Xers and Millennials might change that.

First off... Davidlfj, welcome to the forum!! I have not attended UHD, but I had the great opportunity to teach one course there. I got my Masters degree from UH-Main (by my considerations a very BIG school), and I got my Bachelors degree from a small school in Arkansas. I too would have been very uncomfortable doing my undergrad degree at a school the size of UofH. It's very confusing, and there are a lot of hoops to jump through, but very little help and direction given to the students. UHD is smaller, yes... but on some levels it still seems to be quite "impersonal"... I don't know if that's because of the different social structure (more non-traditional students) or what. Right, b/c no matter which way you slice it, MOST of the wealth and economic advancement in this country is still held by the upper-middle class white population. I am an African American, and a first generation college student, and from a state where I am definitely a minority, and from a poor family. As much as some people like to "imagine" that all things are equal in this country, it's just not the truth. My grandfather had a third grade education, my grandmother had a 5th grade education. My parents were lucky to finish high school. Going to college was kind of a big deal for me. That's why all of those "minority" scholarships exist... b/c people need them. I live very near Third Ward, and I stayed on campus while I was doing my Masters. I have worked Downtown in several capacities, and have been there many many times at night (in the UHD area also). UHD is by no means, and in no way "safer" than UH-Main. Third Ward has a lot of poor people, but it also has a very concerned population of church members, UH-Main's police force, and the regular HPD regional headquarters. What we don't have is the Harris County jail right next to us, or a bevvy of bail bondsman in our midst.

Yeah I thought the HoustonPress article was way too presumptive. We live in Houston, Texas... the land of no zoning, skyscrapers that can sprout out of literally nowhere... and we're gonna criticize HP for being disjointed from the activity centers of Downtown?? Give me a BREAK. Where's the criticism for those who decided to build the GRB and the Theater District on opposite ends of downtown? Where's the criticism for all of those people that decided to gut the grocery stores/retail from the 40s and 50s, rip up the streetcar lines, and literally "pave paradise"? Surely the awesome burden of connectivity for the Houston CBD does not fall entirely to one brave little development that decided to open in the midst of Recessionary vice. And yeah, it's not tunnel connected... God (or other deity of of your choice) forbid that we have some retail in this town that is exposed to the open air. Yeah, yeah I know... HP facing inward really sucks, I agree with that. But its nothing they can't fix with some aggressive signage (and more tennants, which hopefully will come). We're just shy of 5 months into this thing... I'm by no means impressed with Houston Pavilions, but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, and not compose it's epilogue and then seal the coffin door.

Wow, very nice! You know I completely forget about this (just because it's not my side of town). I need to drive out there and take a look at the progress.

LOL... this has been a very interesting conversation... Different strokes for different folks. I don't live on or near the Red Line, but I will live near the Brown Line, and will probably use it quite frequently. My day job is at UofH, and I live about 2.3 miles from there (if you're taking the most direct route). However, my preferred method of commute is by bike so my trip is normally 3 miles... b/c I don't feel like getting mangled up by cars when I use the Lockwood underpass, so I bike up to Cullen, and cross the freeway there. It is not the most efficient route in terms of time, but it does help me burn some extra calories. Outside of the day job, I also work for the Houston Grand Opera in downtown, and I sing for a very prominent church in the museum district. These are both great ways that I take advantage of the Red Line. All things considered, I think it is one of the best and most efficient transit projects of the 21st century in the US. Why??? B/c Houstonians use it. The Red Line links downtown, the museum district, the TMC, and Reliant Park. So whether people are just using it as a people mover, or for more "sincere transit needs" the line still makes money and has a purpose. IMO same thing for the Brown Line. The East End will have another transit option (yes I know I'm ALWAYS talking about options) that links us to Downtown, the museum district, the TMC and Reliant. Due to several factors (demographic trends for the East End, ridership on the 50 Harrisburg route, etc.) I have no doubt that the line will be used. I of course own a car, and I make "decent money" (however one defines that), but I love the feeling and ability to not be a slave to my car, and not contributing as much to my carbon footprint. The less that I drive frees up one more space for those that HAVE to drive everywhere, which helps all of Houston. Houston is now a 21st century city. The inner loop is larger than it's ever been, and people are willing to explore more ways of getting around than just their cars. It takes a little sacrifice, but I'm gladly willing to make it to help our city.

Uh, you been to campus lately??? The food is a hell of a lot better than it was when I was a student (I work there now). With all the new restaurants like Chili's McAlister's Sonic and the Pita place in the UC, UH has worked very hard to improve options. They're about to sign a deal where Cougar Cash can be used at EVERY campus eatery too. The Cafeteria food is really imporving... especially when the full student population is around. Great news about the new dorms... this is deserately needed, b/c Cougar Place is just holding us back!

I guess I'm just thoroughly confused about what you're trying to say here... is it better that one mock Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, or some other faith besides Christianity? Your view is one-sided. And you seem to be showing a close-mindedness of your own that my Bible (and any of the versions that I have owned) don't display or teach within. I'm offended when someone insults Christianity, but I would rather speak to them and use that as an opportunity to change or refine their views, than immediately point the finger in reprimand. That whole "holier-than-thou" stuff is what's harming Christianity in the first place. As a fellow "stupid dum-ass Christian", I have no objection to Grace's cross... nor would I support it. That money could easily go to something else. And I agree that the likelihood that an outward and all-too visible sign of one's faith has little or nothing to do with that tasks that that faith is supposed to accomplish. Being Christian is about being a follower of Christ, and a servant to others. This cross, which IMO achieves neither of these purposes, may as well be the suringe antennae at the Medical Center. It'll be tall, it'll be pointy, and people are probably going to look at it as they zoom by in their cars.

No, that just depends on the university. The CUNY system is comprehensive schools, and some of the City collges are as well. I still think a name like "Houston City University" would work well just b/c it is distinct, but it doesn't overshadow any other institutions.

Alas, I have no data, but I'll try to hunt some up. Several shows have sold out, most shows have been near capacity. The restaurant portion seems to be doing ok (I see people there everytime I go by). They tend to stack up in the early evenings though, and there's less business during the actual showtimes.

Aren't we forgetting something?? HOB is a smashing success... probably the biggest entertainment addition in Houston of last year. XXI is doing ok (unless the girls are just going into the store and stealing the yellow bags so they can LOOK like they bought something). And the eateries are making probably making it on lunch business alone. So the totality of Houston Pavilions is no bueno yet, but you can't exactly yank HOB or XXI... they are making money and bringing people into downtown. Worst case scenario here... Lucky Strike pulls out, and HP has to find another tenant. HOPEFULLY they'll try to find another bowling alley b/c that would be really cool to have in downtown. But something like a Dave & Busters would probably do ok also... as long as it's oriented in activity and entertainment.

Too true. If it where me, I'd create a "seasons of Houston" store to appeal to all the festivals and big events that we have here. Have some of the normal tourist stuff like NASA collectibles, Texas junk. But then you also have a current calendar of all the stuff going on in the city, like a events planner for visitors. The seasonal display would feature big events like the Bayou City Arts Festival, Art Car Parade, or the Rodeo... I bet a lot of people would love to go to a "Rodeo Ready shop where they can get all of their Western gear in one place. That's the kind of stuff that would do well in Houston Pavilions.

From what I can tell, B-A-M is hanging in there... no crowds of people flocking to it, but they have been making some sales. I still maintain that even in its sucky and incomplete state, HP is a good move for Downtown. We have enough Convention business to warrant some form of RETAIL that stays open past 6pm. I'm really sorry to see Lidz and Journeys go, but this is an opportunity for HP to rethink its retail scheme, and try to lure some more suitable tenants. I'm happy that they took a chance and built this thing... at least we've got a glut of retail space in downtown now. They're going to have to rethink the look of it tho. HOB, B-A-M and XXI all benefit from having some street-facing signage, and I truly think this is what killed Lidz and Journeys. You literally don't know how to get to those stores, and no one is going to find them unless they walk the whole length of the complex. If HP wants consumers for the non-anchor stores, they're going to have to get to signs that reflect the store's location. BTW... it looks like Lucky Strike has postponed to Summer 09, and they've decreased the staff at Houston Pavilions. I hate job cuts!!!

The move to change UH-D's name is internal... started by President Castillo himself. He has led a movement to try and change the name for a couple of years, but he didn't have system support until Dr. Khator was installed as Chancellor. Jay Gouge (like many of the faculty at UH-D) thought it was a dumb idea. And I guess you don't live in Houston, don't read the newspaper, have never listened to KUHF, and don't watch television. UofH is working VERY hard to become a top-tier institution. Even last week, Gov. Perry was on campus to announce that UH had earned another $5.5 million in research dollars, and has started a partnership with the Methodist Hospital Research Institute (link). So the University of Houston is doing its part to become a more distinguished institution, and that has nothing to do with whether or not UH-D changes its name. I suppose that I'm "petty" b/c I went to UH... especially considering that UofH has a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate in my field of study, but I can't even complete a minor in the field at UH-D. Sounds petty to me.