midtownguy

$355,000? What happened to the "$150,000 and up" prices they quoted when they announced the thing? Yeesh. And I was looking forward to it as a potential buyer. But I can only go to about $170,000 or so.

One year later, Metro rail still a dividing line Some point out lots sitting empty; others say change, developers need time By DAVID KAPLAN and NANCY SARNOFF Depending which way you turn your head at the Ensemble/HCC stop on Metro's light rail line, it appears great things are starting to happen - or the area is going nowhere. In one direction, stylish shops and eateries are popping up. There's the cosmopolitan Julia's Bistro with its violet and mango interior and glass windows overlooking the train. Tacos A-Go-Go, a hip taqueria sporting a statue of Carmen Miranda, will open in several months. But look in another direction, and the neighborhood seems full of empty lots, boarded-up buildings and panhandlers. Both optimists and pessimists can make their case about how the 1-year-old light rail will shape development along the route. Some believe the rail will generate something new for Houston: dense "urban villages" where people live, work and play. And some don't. Since the Main Street light rail opened, no major development has sprung up along its seven-mile corridor. Experts advise that patience is required; it takes five years or more for such growth. But Houston, a city with no zoning, could pose a challenge: Unlike in many other cities with rail lines, no rules here encourage urban environments combining residential, office and retail space. Developing in time In the late 1990s, when city and Metro leaders were trying to sell Houstonians on a light rail line along Main, they emphasized the economic benefits of new development. Today, a year after the rail line opened, the adjoining landscape looks much as it did before the line was built. "It's incredibly disappointing that nothing has happened on Main Street of significance," said David Crossley, president of the Gulf Coast Institute, a nonprofit group promoting quality-of-life issues. Metro Chairman David Wolff counsels patience: "I'm not at all disappointed. These things take years." Michael Bayard, a senior research fellow at the Urban Land Institute, agreed. In Washington, D.C., he said, it's taken from five to 28 years for development to take off around subway transit stops. "Development is a complicated business

Midtowncoog, Why didn't you just move to the nicer part of midtown, over near Post and Amli and the other nice complexes? And where are you living now?

Midtowncoog, again: please fill us in on your situation. You obviously own. But where? Sounds like River Oaks, from the way you're talking. Where in midtown did you live? And why did you leave midtown? There are some houses and townhomes for purchase in midtown (though they're a little pricey). Why didn't you buy in midtown?

midtown resident, you asked midtowncoog to explain himself. That's just it: he can't. I would love to know where he currently lives and where he used to live. I think I remember him saying once that he used to live in midtown, but his place was getting broken into too much and had to move. Midtowncoog, is that the case? Are you the same person?

Jtmbin, I totally agree. Just the very idea that someone who rents is trash is immature and ridiculus. Just tonight, I was at a meeting at my apt complex with various residents and mgt. I over heard one guy talk to the mgr about upgrading to a larger apt. The one he wanted was $1,200 per month. When the manager told him the price, he said, "not bad." I got the sense from him that he travels a lot and just isn't ready to buy. Is he trash? I don't think so. I pay $850 a month. Am I trash? And, what about the people who own the little shacks behind our complex? The ones that are basically crack houses. Are they trash? Based on midtowncoogs theory, they are not, because they OWN. Never mind that our apt complex actually RAISED the values of their shacks. I guess we're trash, huh? Anyway, you see my point. Most of us are excited about the future of midtown and this new complex. Let's not let one person spoil it. p.s. the mgr of my complex told us that within the next 2 years, 6,000 new units - both apts and condos - are exected to be built in midtown. That's exciting.

MidtownCoog, you forgot your tagline: Print it. LOL!!!!!

Ha! Ha! I totally agree about the "Print It" bull----. It's like talking to an eight year old. And, if you want, MidtownCoog, I can give you the names and addresses of people who bought homes that were bad investments for various reasons.

2112, Oh, I know. I actually went back and saw your PS. I know it wasn't meant for me. No harm no foul. It's nice to hear other people back me up and say that the chances of midtown becoming another gulfton are slim. I said that a few months ago and was shot down by a few people who said it was a possibility. MidtownCoog, what's your point? Ok, five years ago midtown was a ghetto. Ghettos, like apartments, are a necessary evil. Ok, so? I don't get your point.

2112, I totally agree. I think you may have misread my earlier message. I was only saying that I'm tired of the attitude that many have that people who live in apts are "the element." Perhaps my "$400 a month" example was off base, but my point is, at the very least, the apts that are going up in midtown are geared to a specific group, and chances are, that group won't be "the element." Midtowncoog, let me say this: if I owned a house, and an apt the quality of Post, AMLI, Calias and the others in midtown went up next to it, I wouldn't mind one bit.

Sullivan, EXACTLY! Great Post. I live in midtown, in one of the nicer complexes, and I could easily afford a nice house or condo. But I'm not ready to buy. I'm not a crackhead, and I don't plan on living in a crack den. Most of the people in my complex aren't crackheads, and are, instead, professionals. Sure, some of the nicer complexes are offering rent specials. But so what? There's STILL extensive INCOME, EMPLOYMENT and CRINMINAL background checks. I don't get it. Camden is creating an UPSCALE apt complex which will benefit midtown (bringing in the much-talked-about critical mass) and people on here are bitching and moaning. I could see if they announced that the rents would be $400 a month. THEN that's time to panic. But we're talking about a complex that's probably going to have units at $800 and up. I like parks. I do. But in order to make a park viable, you have to have people LIVING NEAR IT. The idea for a block at McGowen was dumb. All it would have turned into was a drug-infested crack park. I have a question I'd like to toss out to the entire board: where does everyone currently live?

Come on. Fugly buildings are always better than an empty lot. Sure, Calias could have been built better. But it's MUCH better than a lot filled with debris and trash. At least Fugly buildings demonstrate SOME type of vibrancy and interest in the core. And MidtownCoog, I agree about the pocket parks, but keep this in mind: you need a neighborhood surrounding a park to make it viable and useable. That's why I'm against the McGowen Green and favor an apt complex in addition to a small park.

I'd be excited about Krystals coming - IF they weren't putting it way out on FM 1960!

Cinco, You asked: What' major conventions does San Antonio bring? You're joking, right? San Antonio is a major, major, major, major convention city. It has a dense core with lots of attractions, which makes it easy for people to walk around. Personally, I find San Antonio dull as dirt. But it's a major convention city.

Ah. Gotcha. I must have misread. Thanks.

$317,000???? How about something at $200 and below? Yeesh. They are CLEARLY trying to create a suburban enclave in Midtown/Downtown. $317,000 isn't all that "affordable", in my book.

That diner will be fine. I live w/in walking distance and as soon as I saw it I thought: I can't wait until they're open so I can walk there. As an investment, restaurants are iffy. But in Midtown, where we're begging for more, more, more, restaurants tend to do very well.

I live in Post. I don't think they are that badly constructed. My apt is fine. I don't hear my neighbors at all, and everything works.

Ooooh, if camden develops the Superblock as they claim, I am THERE. Don't get me wrong, I like Post Midtown Square, but the superblock is primed next to the rail.