713 To 214

Houston has about 7,000 to 8,000 Ethiopians. Washington DC has the largest community with more than 100,000, followed by Seattle (over 70,000), San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas (more than 20,000).

Don't Worry about Atlanta surpassing Houston in terms of population. I heard that as soon as Atlanta gets close, Houston is going to annex all of Southern Louisiana. That should keep Atlanta at bay for another 5 years.

Thanks for the info. The "Habita" store sounds great. Hopefully, it will happen.

That may be true in some cases. However, I'm not trying to debate, or otherwise contest your point of view regarding the quality of merchandise sold at Crate & Barrel. My point, simply, was that people who live DT will need a place to buy household items. . .and the place should be preferably close to where they live. If you guys want to divert the topic to the quality of items sold at Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, etc, go right ahead. Thanks. If you locate the article, please let me know.

lol. I knew someone would make fun of the Crate & Barrel example. However, the need for "stuff" like plates, drinking glasses, shelving, furniture doesn't cease to exist in an urban environment. The demographic that will be able to afford life DT probably won't buy their stemware from Walmart. Just so I can understand your thinking. . .which stores, in your mind, are "urban," and which ones are "suburban?"

I keep reading posts that suggest Pavillions is somehow going to magically change the interest in living in DT Houston, even though it has no residential component. However, when I think of the project, there is nothing about it that compels me to think "oohh, I just have to move DT to be closer to that." It's OK to have hopes for DT, but lets be real. A bowling alley, some restaurants, and a clothing store for 18-24 year old women is not going to make anyone want to move DT. Build some more units, put some support retail in place (e.g. dry cleaners, urban market, Crate & Barrel, etc.) add some more parks, and bring those tunnel shops above ground, then DT will be cooking.

I actually don't know how the one in Deep Ellum stays open. Every time I pass by there in the evening/night, there aren't very many people there at all. The company must have some real commitment to that location, or they are profiting some other way that isn't readily visible.

There's no cover at the Dallas location, either.

Could you explain your interpretation of his comments as a bias for Dallas, when his post has no mention or reference to Dallas in it?

You should turn this into a poll.

Does anyone here really think that it's NOT troubling to have half of your economy dependent on one industry?

The City of Houston should focus on better management of the land already in its corporate boundaries. The City is already bigger than the ENTIRE state of New Jersey. . .My God!!!

350 sf isn't an apartment. . .that's storage space.

I seriously doubt it!

Is anyone here really surprised by the outcome?

Normally, the best way to monitor the progress of projects like this is to follow the City Council Agenda/Minutes and its relevant committees. I never really had a doubt that this project will be realized. I just wondered in what form. Unfortunately, because Pavillions no longer includes a residential component, it will not have as great an impact on Downtown Houston as originally envisioned. As for the DT grocery store that's being promoted as becoming reality in two years, I say. . .who will shop there enough to keep it afloat? DT Houston will not have enough residents to support such a venture, even with the Fingers Tower, unless a major wave of residential units/residents (at least another 4-6K) occupy DT within that same time span!

I agree 100%!

This will be my last comment on the whole "street excitemet" subject. Victory Park will be walkable, and accessible, both physically, and economically, for the people who live there, as well as many who don't (anyone who's actually been there can see this is already happening). The number of concerts, Stars Hockey games, Mavericks Basketball games, Circus, Ice Skating, and other events brings, and will continue to bring, people of all classes, races, and spending habits down through Victory, on their way to the AAC, for 230 + days of the year. Your assumption that Victory is for the rich only is wrong, and shows your unfamiliarity with the place outside of the what's been published on the internet.

I don't care that much!

So, the data is outdated?

How did we go from "street excitement" to "mob scene?" You miss the point. The level of activity ("street excitement") that was designed by the developers will be achieved once Victory Park is fully built out. It's that simple. Your suggestion that the developer at Victory somehow has higher expectations is wrong.

The jury will be out on the level of "street excitement" Victory can generate, until all of the shops/restaurants opens. I don't even think a third of the retail is open yet. Additionally, most of Victory's residents (the people who'll be walking these streets the most) aren't there yet. I think the Vista and the Residences just opened for occupancy a few weeks ago. The Cirque, The House, and One Victory Tower, are all still under construction. Realistically, I think it will be next fall before we see the type of pedsetrian activity envisioned by Victor's developers, begin to take shape there. Right now, Victory is still very much "under construction."

Not a surprising statistic, at all. The oil industry has been performing well, here lately.

The 2011 Superbowl WILL be in the new Cowboys' Stadium. That's been known throughout the league for the past 2 years. All that's left is the rubber stamp vote from the team owners in May. Jerry wants it in 2011. Anyone who understands the NFL and the politics among NFL owners, knows that whatever Jerry wants. . .Jerry gets. He's the single-most important reason NFL owners receive a bigger share of revenue. The owners won't say no to Jerry's request. Besides, in 2011 the Cowboys' Stadium will be the absolute best in the world.

Well stated! And for clarification's sake, my major point regarding the Greenway Plaza development was/is that it is primarily an office park. . .no matter how many third-party residential projects are built in close proximity to it. The retail set-up was obviously designed to offer, primarily, Greenway Plaza office tenants some convenient amenities while at work. This is evident by the fact that the retail, including the food court is insulated from the public-at-large, and after 5 o'clock the shops basically shut down. In contrast, Victory's retail mix was designed to be accessible and inviting to the public-at-large, as well as the residents in Victory, long into the evening, and in some cases the wee hours of the morning. For what it's worth: After taking a step back and looking at the Greenway Plaza from a historical perspective, I do agree with others, that for a majority of the past forty Years, the project has been a Victory of sorts, and certainly something Houstonians can/should be proud of.