SunKing

I'm not sure if you guys have heard or not - but the Kemah Boardwalk is getting a brand new wooden coaster!! More details can be found here: discussion on sixflagshouston.com

I work for Continental. IF a merger were to occur (and that's a BIG IF)...Houston would certainly remain as a major hub. The big talk right now is a United (2nd largest US airline) and Continetal (4th largest) merger - which would result in the largest US airline (and in the top 10 world-wide). Of course, the Houston Chronicle got it all wrong as United COULD NOT aquire Continental without NorthWest Airline's approval. See, Northwest holds a 'golden share' in Continental that basically prevents any other airline from aquiring us. However, that doesn't prevent us from aquiring United or another airline. Continental has gone on record as saying we would prefer to remain independant - but will merge if market forces dictate that action. So, for example if US Air and Delta merge, there would be more incentive for us to merge in order to stay competitive. But like I said, even if Continental did merge with United, the Houston hub would stay. The reason United and Continental make such a good pair is that we don't have much overlap in our routes - they compliment each other. Other airline mergers have more overlapping routes, which makes for a worse 'fit'. A United/Continental merger, in all probability, would result in very little changes to the hubs or routes - the big question IMHO, is where the corporate headquarters would be located. Personally, I'm not too keen on moving to Chicago.

As a native Houstonian (born in 1964) - I have many fond memories of Astroworld. Yeah, the park did go downhill in it's final years - but for me - it was always magical. FYI - I think the best and most informed explanation as to why Astroworld was closed can be found here: http://www.saveastroworld.com/

It's short for 'Discovery'.

Interesting discussion. ...but jeez, now I know why this thread is 33 pages long.

Actually, it's been steaming along for quite some time now. I bought my 1st home In Garden Oaks in '93 - and there were already several teardowns/new homes going in. The pace just seems to have picked up over the years. While I will agree that the McMansions some build can be disruptive to the 'feel' of the neighborhood - I saw many that did fit in with the architecture of the old neighborhood. Regardless, one thing was sure - property values GOING UP! As a homeowner, I was happy to see it. In '93 I purchased a 1700 sqft home on Sue Barnett in Garden Oaks for $84,000. It needed a LOT of TLC. Over the years, I put about another $80,000 into it (new kitchen, baths, etc...). In 2004 we sold it for $250,000. Yes, I was happy to see the increase in property values.

Interesting article - give a very optomistic picture of downtown development: Apartment occupancy in downtown is 89 percent, according to data gathered in the spring by Central Houston, a group that promotes downtown revitalization. That's up from 83 percent the year before. With the top-class office vacancy rate now at less than 10 percent, developers are moving forward with residential projects to capture some of the anticipated demand. Another developer is proposing to buy and renovate the long vacant Texaco Building with more than 400 residential units.

I posted some of this info in the Images of old Houston thread, but I thought it deserves a thread of it's own. What are the oldest buildings still standing in Houston? I know there must be more in the downtown area - here's what I've been able to find so far: 1) If my research is correct, the oldest building still standing in Houston is located at 813 Congress (LaCarafe) built around 1845. 2) Second oldest building - the Travis Building (TreeBeards) built around 1870 3) Annunciation Church - dedicated in 1871. 4) The Cotton Exchange Building - built in 1885. ....others?

GREAT thread!!! I've got a couple suggestions (will try to get pictures myself if no one beats me to it). 1) If my research is correct, the oldest building still standing in Houston is located at 813 Congress (LaCarafe) built around 1845. 2) Second oldest building - the Travis Building (TreeBeards) built around 1870 3) Annunciation Church - dedicated in 1871. 4) The Cotton Exchange Building - built in 1885.

No, I think y'all have mis-understood each other. The signs that MidtownCoog are talking about are downtown big circular signs with N.S.E.W. marked at each quarter circle. They are situated so that main street 'appears' to run directly North/South, and Congress 'appears' to run directly east/west. Of course, looking at a map you can see that the downtown streets don't run directly north/south. So those circle signs are a bit skewed. And yeah, that is a bit lame IMHO.

Yep, it was good while it lasted - but Dirty's is long gone. It was razed, and a new Cyclone Anaya's was built on the lot.

... why is this thread in the 'going up' section?

Awesome post! Thanks isuredid.

Indeed - those were some great pics! You did a really great job of capturing the activity of downtown in some shots, while others focus on the architecture...good stuff 2112.

Thanks folks. No, there isn't any 'public' viewing area - I work there. Well, not on that floor. 47 is undergoing revovation (mostly empty). I just had an opportunity to snap a few pics.

With all that I have recieved, I figured it was about time I contributed a little something back to these forums. I took these from the 47th floor of the 1600 Smith building (Continental Center). I wish the weather was better that day, but I hope y'all enjoy regardless. http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_01.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_02.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_03.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_04.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_05.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_06.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_07.jpg http://www.bradberryman.com/images/houston_2006_08.jpg

I think we recently passed up NY in this category. Here's the thread: http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...;hl=fortune+500 EDIT: I just re-read the thread - and it was TEXAS who passed up NY. Houston is still #2 to NYC. Sorry, my bad. As a 3rd generation Houstonian, I don't find these to be mindless comments. Sure, I've seen many of these facts before, but I thought it was interesting to see them all listed together in one nice post. A good post IMHO.

AMEN!! Yep, it's a sad day for freedom. Forget letting the market, and private business owners make decisions about how they will run their business. ...makes me glad I live outside of the city limits now. Oh, and I don't smoke either - I'm just against this on principle alone. A necessary evil - like cars. You ever tried jogging in Memorial park, down Memorial between 4 and 6 pm? The amount of exhaust fumes you breath in can give you a headache. Maybe we should look at some type of automobile ban. Oh, and all those petrochemical plants that fuel our economy...well, do really think second hand cigarette smoke is worse?

As a downtown employee - I say - Awesome!!

Nice! ...maybe I'll be able to afford one in another threee years.

Thanks. I can understand your reluctance to have kids. I waited until I was 36 before having any. Originally, I thought the best thing I could do for this planet was to NOT have any kids (and the wife and I did enjoy the free time and extra $$). However, over time my thinking changed, and now I belive the best thing I can do for this planet is to pass on my knowledge, values and wisdom for my children to carry on. Honestly - and I don't expect you to understand or agree - but having kids was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have had more 'smiles' and happy thoughts because of those kids than anything else. Thanks! ...but I have no idea what a Kittrike is. I think the wife picked that up somewhere. As for the hairdo - I blame the wife for that too. I think the 'Cool Cuts' place had a special going on. Thanks again - I was inspired to post by all the other great looking kids.

I'm a new forum member - but I've also learned that the 'search' feature is very helpful. Instead of starting a new thread - all the info you need may already have been posted. ...saves everyone a lot of time. Anyway, no worries - welcome tot he HAIF.

Well, I'm somewhat new to this forum - but it has been taking more and more of my (work) time lately. Anyway, here's a pic of my two kids. Our daughter just started Kindergarten this year, and my 'little man' will be 2 in December. Having kids really does change your perspective of the world.

Taken directly from the website http://www.discoverygreen.com/index.asp: "And why the color red for the word green? Applying the universal language of color, red stands for vitality and energy. Because it is the color of that which flows through our veins, it's recognized as the color of life itself -- a critical element to any park. The use of red is unexpected. Like Discovery Green -- like Houston for that matter -- it's unique... a little adventurous, a little magical, a little unusual and quite a bit of a surprise." ...jeez, who writes this stuff?

Funny, I don't see your name on the Contributors list: Partners and Contributors Discovery Green's generous partners and contributors. Major Founding Donors The Brown Foundation, Inc. $10,000,000 Houston Endowment Inc. $10,000,000 Kinder Foundation $10,000,000 Wortham Foundation $5,000,000 Major Donors Anheuser-Busch Foundation $1,500,000 The Fondren Foundation $1,500,000 The Cullen Foundation $1,500,000 John P. McGovern Foundation $1,500,000 Fayez Sarofim $1,000,000 Bonnie and David Weekley $1,000,000 The Williams Stmps Farish Fund $1,000,000 Significant Donors Bracewell & Giuliani LLP In-kind James A. Elkins, Jr. Family $500,000 Cherie and Jim Flores $500,000 Rockwell Fund,Inc. $500,000 Vinson & Elkins LLP In-kind Mr. and Mrs. John H. Lindsey $325,000 Cemex, USA In-kind The Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation $250,000 Cornelia and Meredith Long $250,000 H. John and Diane M. Riley $250,000 Waste Management, Inc. $250,000 Kelly and Lily Kinder $200,000 Maconda Brown O'Connor $175,000 Merrill Lynch & Co. $150,000 Cooper Industries $100,000 Harriet and Joe Foster $100,000 The Houston Astros $100,000 CenterPoint Energy $100,000 Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation $100,000 Scurlock Foundation $100,000 The Matthew and Ellen Simmons Family $100,000 Susan Vaughn Foundation $100,000 Devon Energy Corporation $75,000 Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP/The Kayser Foundation/The Love Foundation $51,000 E. Rudge Allen Family $50,000 Compass Bank $50,000 Charles C. Foster $50,000 Hagstette Family $50,000 Ann Lents and J. David Heaney $50,000 Frank J. Hevrdejs $50,000 The Powell Foundation $50,000 Lynda and Bill Transier $30,000 Weil, Gotschal & Manges LLP $30,000 Burguieres Family Foundation $25,000 Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. $25,000 JS Martin Associates L.P. $25,000 Tessie and Dudley Crosswell/Mandey and Ginger Elsenbrook/Winston Gibson/Abbey and Issie $25,000 McGee/Moet and Chandon Thomas $25,000 Beverly and Staman Ogilvie $25,000 Scott E. Rozzell $25,000 Chris and Don Sanders $25,000 Louisa S. Sarofim/The Brown Foundation, Inc. $25,000 Trinidad Mendenhall Sosa $25,000 Greg and Gretchen Tharp $25,000 Wachovia Securities $25,000 Wells Fargo $25,000 The West Endowment $25,000 Donors AIM Investments $20,000 Goldman Sachs $15,000 Virginia and L.E. Simmons Foundation $15,000 The Coneway Family Foundation $10,000 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP $10,000 Cushman & Wakefield $5,000 Susie and Joe Dilg $5,000 Patti and Richard Everett $5,000 Katie and Pat Oxford $5,000 Roy Huffington $1,000 Pavers Sheryl Johns $800 Memorials and Honorariums Sheryl Johns $800 George P. Mitchell $500 Houston Architecture Foundation $500 Nancy Kinder $250 Pam Brasseux $100 Sara Cizik $100 Peggy Menchaca $100 Nancy Pittman $100 TOTAL $48,109,450 Campaign Goal $52,000,000 Amount to Raise ($3,890,550) Sure, maybe the name could be better, but for the most part I agree - I think this is a great thing for downtown. I'm really surprised at all of these negative comments.