largeTEXAS

http://www.binzmedcorp.com/main.html

Interesting...

Consistency doesn't really do it with me. I kind of like the process of trying out dozens of hole-in-the-wall restaurants and mom-and-pops, delighting in the discovery of a diamond in the rough. I kind of think that a consistent landscape would detract from the serendipity.

Yes, but that results in Houston life = life in a car. I agree those hidden places (love the East End Thai restaurant!) are kind of what make a city. Houston is not unique in having some of its best restaurants/attractions in remote places or hidden in the neighborhood. Unfortunatley there is such a lack of connectivity here that you have to spend so much time in a car just to get there.

Public transportation to me is the key. Otherwise Houston will always be a city where casual interaction is limited to grocery check out lines. Our steel cages so much define who we are it's sickening! That physical separation in my opinion helps make us obese, apathetic, and ignorant. One can simply cut off from the world and never interact with anyone outside their immediate circle. I for one can't stand driving unless I absolutely have to. There are many places I'd love to go for a meal but don't because it seems silly when there are options close by. If there were a good train system (the busses can be difficult, especially on the weekends or when it's raining) I would love venturing to these gems more often. Maybe I'm crazy and maybe Houston will always be a car-only culture, but I hope not. It would be great to at least have options.

I agree that this article does make a lot of assumptions. One big one is the assumption that the "Creative Class" even helps a city. Houston

A rendering thought you guys might like to see...

This project is being developed by Wood Partners and Phillips Development, not Wulfe. Wulfe is leasing the 25,000 SF of retail there.

There should be some press coming out soon about the project announcing fashion tenants and major attractions.

On another note, in the next few months we'll start to hear some REALLY interesting things being announced downtown. There seems to be some real momentum building. Downtown in the next year or two is looking like it'll really take off. We'll have to see but right now it's looking that way...

The Humble Building will also see a cool little sneaker boutique opening on Polk and Main in a few months. They'll be the first street fashion retail to open downtown in years (unless you count Jos A Bank)

September 15th is apparently the day to break ground. It's changed a few times but that's the current date.

Have you ever seen the 24-hour Starbucks across the street from the Galleria? If a 24-hour Starbucks were at Pavillions, plus a 24-hour bookstore like Barnes and Noble or Borders, it could work knowing that Pavillions will have residential lofts within it. House of Blues is perfect for tourists, but Pavillions could also be a playground and hang-out for downtown residents.

A large bookstore downtown we might see very soon my friends...very soon

There might be some hope with this particular CVS. We'll have to see but they could end up orienting it more towards Main St. As for momentum in Midtown, I kind of agree but time will tell. While the hype is pretty much gone, the area could see some cool projects in the near future.

That 1992 U2 concert was amazing! And, the Pixies opened!!!

My favorite though was Digable Planets at Tower Theater 1992 (I think).

OK whatever dogg? But what do you think about Dallas and Atlanta's new developments. See after visiting a few of these cities, you can see what i'm talking about. It just seems that our beloved city is "stuck". It can't get past the times of when the freeway dominated the earth. Why do these developments only take forever to get off the ground in Houston? Dallas's Victory project is on wheels. Houston will be lucky if we see some dirt fly.

So as to your little comment... WHINING? NO. It's called frustration and wanting to see more out of my city of Houston. It could be so much more.

Alright, first of all dirt if flying on Kirby and Westheimer. Second, I can't always be the guy being Mr. Positive, but Houston is damn hot right now. Just got back from Vegas where everyone in the retail and real estate business nationwide was talking about Houston. Quietly there is a boom happening. The exciting thing is that 1) it hasn't really been acknowledged by the city 2) it is just about to start resulting in product. I won't bore you with all the numerous exciting projects and transactions but I can assure you this city will look quite different before you know it. So get out there and take some photos before it all happens.

Looks great. Warm and inviting, implies its role. Blends a mechanical service function with an urban/suburban neighborhood instead of simply contrasting.

Ugly, disjointed, cold, dehumanized, anti-social. Some silly pseudo-deep artistic/social/political statement first, function an afterthought. Clashes with the surrounding neighborhood instead of integrating into it.

The parable of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' is timeless.

Are you serious?!!! On an architecture forum and that's what you have to say about contemporary design? That brick design is pseudo-architecture. It's trite, uninspired, mundane, and is a fake-historic representation of something else. It's just as inspired as Perry Homes or CVS.

It'll be mixed use and the retail will be significant. This project along with Blvd Place are really going to change the way Houston builds urban projects.

By the way, what would you guys like to see there?

I agree with some of you guys that graffiti can look bad, but I'm all for anything creative that gives some of the ugly, lifeless structures in this city a little personality.

these projects are slow and methodical. the denver pavilions had the same type of reaction by the community before they broke ground. this project seems to be moving ahead quite steadily. and, you didn't hear it from me but that book store you're talking about... it might just be there. and, many of us are going to be excited by news surfacing about this project in the next couple of months. be patient guys things aren't looking that bad

Once the renderings hit the media this project will gain national attention, I believe. Ed really outdid himself with a beautiful project.

firstngoal, I was there tonight. I agree with you - I thought the architects and Guy Hagstette did a great job explaining the different features. The many facets of the park make sense together and will combine to become what I believe will be a truly premier city park. I find it amusing that people on this forum get so upset over much needed piece of green space. I laugh that they have the time to complain about little things like a putting green.

I couldn't help but write a letter to the email address given on their website. info@incarnateword.org

What a great opportunity they are missing

i've lived in austin and houston... i agree with the article - for the most part....

and i still prefer houston.

Austin just has better PR than Houston. While I love South Congress it is nothing too different than 19th St or Lower Westheimer in Houston. If someone just packaged Houston's districts and marketed them better we'd have "diverse" districts too. But this is Houston. I actually prefer to be under the radar.

Thanks Ethanra and everyone else who's written letters so far! These letters are going to make a huge difference! I just got back from the latest rail meeting at South Main Baptist Church. There weren't many supporters of the rail along Richmond there tonight. I do have faith in Metro, City Council-members Ada Edwards, Anne Clutterbuck, and Pam Holm however. From their comments in the last few meetings I think they will look at all sides when considering what their recommendations will be. I'm excited to see the recommendations of the engineers recently hired to study the best route for the line!

Well, let's face the fact that Richmond between Kirby and Main is in really bad condition, and is going to be due for a major reconstruction project sometime in the next 10 years anyway. Rail is not the only reason streets get rebuilt.

And not all businesses die because a street is under construction. It may make it more difficult for them for a year or two, but that's temporary, and it's something that no business is totally immune from, no matter its location.

If all businesses suffered such devestating results when a transportation corridor is rebuilt, then there should be nothing but abandoned buildings along all of our freeways (most have seen major reconstruction projects in the last 10 years), downtown should have absolutely no street-level business due to the amount of reconstruction that went on there in the last five years, and the only places where businesses exist should be corridors that have not seen a construction project in a decade or two. Yes, I am well aware that there are businesses that will suffer, and some will probably close. Unfortunately that cannot be prevented. But again, it comes down to the fact that while a few businesses may suffer and close, many more people will benefit for many decades to come by the rail project. The best thing for the city and Metro to do is offer generous buy-out and relocation packages and financial assistance for those who will be most adversely affected during the construction period.

Rail is a major investment in this city's future. If we continue to neglect our transportation needs, Houston is going to reach a critical mass where the current streets and freeways cannot continue to be expanded to accomodate the city's growth. At that point, our population will start to decline, and the inner city will become much more blighted than it is now. Our entire region's economy will suffer greatly. Do we really want to be the next Detroit or St. Louis?

I do feel sorry for those who will suffer during rail construction. That's why I believe the city and Metro really need to find a way to work together and come up with the funding to minimize the negative effects for these individuals and businesses. But rail remains the single best way for us to greatly expand the carrying capacity of existing transit corridors with the least amount of disruption. What happens if rail is not built along Richmond, and in 10 years the street is nothing but a 24 hour-a-day traffic jam? Those same businesses are going to suffer just as much, only this time it will be a lasting problem, as opposed to a temporary one during a construction period. And at some point the city will likely try to widen Richmond, which will only result in major right of way acquisitions that will permanently destroy almost all businesses along the street. This is a far worse scenario than expanding the corridor's capacity through mass transit.

ssulivan, this is a great post! This truly is a critical moment in our city's history. All those who haven't contacted the officials please do. urbanspace posted the email address for Nick Swyka, Culberson's district director. I'm posting it just in case you forgot.

nick.swyka@mail.house.gov

Look, to those that oppose rail down Richmond (and rail in general) there are some compelling arguments in your favor. In its current state Main Street is not the urban mecca we'd all love it to be. But, was it ever? Main St. before the rail was great in very small pockets but dreadfully bleak in most. Now, it is still great in small (yet growing) pockets and much nicer in the areas that were once so bleak.

Rail is not a quick fix nor just a short term solution. In order for it to truly work, there has to be a system larger than just one line. That's what we're debating now. Houston is in desperate need of an efficient transit system that is clean, reliable, and easily accessible. Believe it or not, the current street capacity in the inner loop that is already overloaded will not be able to efficiently hold the cars projected in the next 7, 10, or 20 years from now. Something needs to give.

Rail is a tool to both solve some of the city

Excellent C2H! urbanspace is right, if all of us on this site that support rail on Richmond write letters (even if it's just one line saying "I support rail on Richmond"), then that will make a HUGE difference. This truly is a pivotal moment in Houston. For all of us who gripe about not having the quality transit that Dallas, Atlanta, etc. have, this is the time to be proactive about it.

Rail on Richmond makes sense. Metro has promised that newer and better technology will be utilized in order to save as many trees as possible, lessen disruption to businesses during construction, and stagger construction so that Richmond is still a usable street during construction.

The fact that so many businesses and residences are located along Richmond makes it the obvious choice over Westpark in my opinion. Property owners are understandably nervous, but with the microscope on Metro, they won

If you guys are so interested in rail, write letters. Metro keeps hearing from all those that oppose it. http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif2/...pic=5103&st=250