Jump to content

talltexan83

Full Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    159

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by talltexan83

  1. talltexan83
    Again......please drive by this site sometime during rush hour to get a better feel for the traffic flow. I don't have a wealth of insider knowledge or 5300+ posts for reference, but this stretch of Bissonnet would be pushed to the max with this development. It is not specifically the number of residents that will cause problems. There are already plenty of cars at Maryland Manor, but they have multiple exits and entrances to help with traffic flow. I am most concerned with the retail component (I know, it pains me to say that). The in-and-out of visitor parking could cause havoc. See the effects of the Raven Grill just down the street. I also find it interesting that the developer has offered to build a stop light as a form of compromise. I am not sure what this would accomplish. Maybe more traffic lines on Ashby instead?
  2. talltexan83
    It's good to see the City of Houston addressing this issue. There were clearly flaws in a traffic study that indicated "no measurable impact." I think that the last line in the article is telling.... "Whether we develop that site or not, there will be other developments in close proximity that will be traffic generators in that neighborhood," Kirton said. That is a far different tune than we were hearing a few weeks ago. I still think some kind of compromise is just around the corner.
  3. talltexan83
    Just found this on chron.com http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...iz/5178375.html
  4. talltexan83
    It is not about whether you feel bad for the people in Southampton. Yes, their homes are some of the most expensive in the city (well beyond what I could hope to afford), but they are no different than any other civic association in the city. They want what is best for their neighborhood In lieu of deed restrictions, Houston neighborhoods have always fought these kind of developments. Some have been successful and some have not, but you cannot fault an association for putting up a fight. A "they should have seen it coming" logic does not apply. I had a chance to live in the area has a student and have fond memories of Southampton. Along with Rice University, Hermann Park and the Musuem District, I think this is the one of the most appealing parts of Houston, and a high rise on Bissonnet is only taking away part of that appeal.
  5. talltexan83
    Just drive westbound down Bissonnet around 5:30 on a week day. You will be crying by the time you reach Kirby Drive...... Good to hear that the Mayor is getting involved. It should make for an interesting battle. side question: Would the economics really not work for building an upper class 4 -5 story mixed use development on this site (similar to Sonoma)? Wouldn't a project like that be even more marketable to potential buyers?
  6. talltexan83
    It is just my impression that many high rise owners would prefer to be closer to more commerical establishments or green space. The project downtown next to the new park and all of the activity in Uptown would seem to suggest that. Anyone know how much they paid for the land? More or less than property in the musuem district or near Hermann Park?
  7. talltexan83
    Property values were not at the center of the discussion last night. These neighborhoods are already a gold mine, and the decreasing number of single family homes inside the loop will only increase their value. A high rise is not going to change that. Many of the speakers came from backgrounds in urban planning and design and spoke to quality-of-life concerns that this development would bring. A 23 story building is in direct contrast to its surroundings. Why not push for a development that will embrace its environment?
  8. talltexan83
    I stopped by the neighborhood meeting last night at Poe Elementary. It was an impressive turn out. Standing room only.......I would guess close to 500 people. It turns out the developer is a resident of West U who grew up in the area. The group seemed intent on organizing and taking legal action. And the civic association has already started raising funds for a legal team.
  9. talltexan83
    The River Oaks shopping center is a different animal. They are replacing one commercial shopping center (albeit a historically significant one) with another commerical center. Over time, I would expect a Barnes & Noble to do more business with the River Oaks clientele than a Black Eyed Pea ever did. It was a frustrating loss for those trying to maintain Houston's architectural heritage (myself included), but replacing a 1 story structure with a 2 story one was never the issue. I hope to hear more following their neighborhood meeting this evening, but I expect to see quite a fight from the local residents. Building a high rise this close to deed-restricted neighborhoods would be unprecendented inside the loop (I can only think of a few along Westheimer, San Felipe and Kirby - but they are not completely surrounded by dense single family homes) . I really encourage you to drive by and understand how out of place it would seem.
  10. talltexan83
    I just don't recall that much opposition to the building on Robinhood. It it surrounded by commercial businesses (including a 10+ story IBC bank) and offers far easier access to the freeway and Rice Village. This proposal would offer neither. Given the concentrated wealth in the area, I would except some kind of compromise to be reached with the developer. A mixed use development would be great, but 23 stories is just exploiting the available land, without regard for the surroundings. Somewhere along Montrose Blvd (less than a mile away) would be much more in tune with the surrounding landscape.
  11. talltexan83
    I drive by Maryland Manor on a daily basis and a new 23 story high rise on that property would look very out of place. While the developer may not have any restrictions on the property, it is bounded by deed restricted neighborhoods on each side. This project would be far more appropriate in the Museum District or the Village with better transport options. If they are commited to building on the site, I suggest they follow the lead of the Rohe project on Sunset Blvd. (Cheyenne Walk?) And Maryland Manor went through a dramatic facelift a few years ago and is one of the more appealing complexes in the area. Many of the tenants are Rice students that walk or ride their bike to campus. However, I think the biggest hurdle will be the existing traffic congestion that exists along Bissonnet. It is a traffic jam every afternoon by 4:30 and the inclusion of a high rise (with entrance/exit on to Bissonnet) seems unfeasible. I expect a good fight from the surrounding neighborhoods. This reminds me a lot of the proposed project a few years back behind the Half Price Books in the Village that never made it off the drawing board. Time will tell.
  12. talltexan83
    I can find any links to a rendering. what am I missing?
  13. talltexan83
    This is more good news for Richmond. I don't know much about variance requests either, except that they seem to indicate the development is moving along quickly. Time will tell. I enjoy the Post property in Midtown and hope this development continues along the same trend. Do you think a retail component is possible? I believe anything from a bar to restaurant to food market could be successful.
  14. talltexan83
    I noticed a variance request for a development called "Richmond Landing" yesterday. It appears to be pretty large; encompassing most of the block bordered by Jack, Colquitt, Richmond and Garrott. I always thought that was a great piece of land with easy access to 59-N and the light rail. Anyone know what this "Richmond Landing" is all about?
  15. talltexan83
    When does the demolition begin? Are there any more obstacles to consider?
  16. talltexan83
    I could have sworn this was a recent construction. Adjacent to the Bookstop. Maybe completed within the last year?
  17. talltexan83
    It's a little off topic, but why haven't there been more banks being built within an existing, larger development? They could reduce building costs and establish relationships with their neighboring businesses. The Chase bank accross from the Whole Foods on West Alabama is the best example I can think of. The Chase bank going up in Midtown is not.
  18. talltexan83
    Having 121 of the 124 units reserved before construction even begins seems very impressive. Does this only represent the small non-refundable payments (~$4000)? What it the norm for pre-construction "reserves" in a project of this magnitude? I am still excited about the Sonoma project, but worry that the Village may be pricing itself out of it's core audience. For every West U mom shopping on the weekends, the Village continues to attract a wide variety of students from Rice and the Med Center. You just don't see that in Highland Village or Uptown Park.
  19. talltexan83
    I don't know if it has been mentioned previously, but I think the Spec's in Midtown is slowly taking away some of Randall's market share (I think this is a good thing - it will force Randall's to reevaluate its business model). Spec's has a reasonablly priced produce section, a great deli, a nice selection of cheeses, and of course.......a lot of booze. I generally get my non-pershible products at Fiesta once a month (toothpaste, shampoo, mayo, etc.) and visit Spec's a few times a week in between. Its a nice balance and am starting to notice more people doing the same.
  20. talltexan83
    I do not have as strong feelings against the style of the building, but I agree that the design elements will only serve to detach themselves from the rest of campus..........right across the street. I hate to think of it is a Med Center vs. Rice issue (both are instrumental to the continued success of the city), but the Med Center design influences difinitley won out here. Future Rice undergrads/grad students will likely consider classes in this building as "going to the Med Center" rather than "on campus." From the renderings, it looks like some green space may open up next to the track stadium. That would be a welcome change from the current chain fence on that corner.
  21. talltexan83
    I live close to the Rice Village and am eagerly awaiting more news on this project. HAIF is my primary source for any updates, and it is frustrating to check this message board once a week......only to find endless banter and pontification about anything but the Rice Village. Please keep it on topic.
  22. talltexan83
    What about the Hoa Binh shopping center right across the street from the "Superblock"? I used to get the best Vietnamese Po-Boys in a small shop there and now the entire building has closed down. Does anyone know what the plans are for that space? The exisiting infrastructure is interesting, with interior corridors and spaces for 10+ tenants. It may not need to be torn down. Either way, this lot, in conjunction with the Superblock, have the potential to dramatically alter that area.
  23. talltexan83
    I ate at La Tapatia for lunch yesterday, and took a walk around the "Fairmont" project. There was a lot of activity....10-15 trucks, land clearing, massive pipes, etc.....and I was surprised there had not been more activity on this message board. This is a large peice of land in a prime location with the potential to make a large impact in the area's redevelopment. Tapatia alone should make it one of the more sought after properties in town......
  24. talltexan83
    I just took a walk around the site during lunch, and while the parking lots are still full, all of the pay kiosks have notices indicating that they will be "closing in February 2007" and offer parking alternatives in the area. Central Parking would have nothing to gain by displaying these notices unless construction is around the corner.
  25. talltexan83
    I guess none of us would be posting on this message board if we weren't hoping for the best. Nothing is lost by staying optimistic.
×
×
  • Create New...