HirschWacoYork

On 2/9/2023 at 7:39 AM, samagon said:

it's not the best use of the land 30 years from now, it's the best use of the land now.

if you look at the area, this is a huge uplift to the area, sure it could have been more, but there is more right across the street, and there will be more in the coming years. first steps are often not the biggest steps.

Probably my biggest complaint about Houston urban development - or maybe urban development in general - is that it focuses too much on "best use now". If this is not the best use in 30 years, then why offer a product where a 30 year mortgage is likely used to purchase? 

"Huge" might be a bit hyperbolic, but I agree additional residential development is good. These 5 town homes however have potential to max out at like, 15 residents? 10 if they're all car dependent, despite living right next to the metro. 10-15 people isn't as much as it could be for the neighborhood. I also pessimistically imagine at least 1 being an AirBnB right out of the gate, and a couple turn into rentals in 5 years. 

 

I really dislike this. I suppose I get it, because - Houston - but I still dislike it. It just seems like such a waste, long term, for a piece of land so close to a major downtown artery and rail stop. Perfect scenario: buy the whole block and do a podium or courtyard project. Essentially mirror NewHope. Even a true townhouse concept where the units are connected would have been a little better, right? 

On 1/22/2023 at 2:46 PM, HoustonMidtown said:

This development firm wants to make Houston’s East End area a car-free neighborhood
 

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/shows/houston-matters/neighborhoods/2023/01/17/441524/this-development-firm-wants-to-make-houstons-east-end-area-a-car-free-neighborhood/
 

I hope it succeeds, and I hope the car based townhomes going up at the corner of Sampson and Harrisburg are not a foreshadowing. Seriously though, I wish Houston P&D had the guts to do something about it.