OldGeo

I am a downtown resident and this is my 1st post, so be gentle. I have read and watched this thread for several months and have gone through the highs and lows with all of you, is it going to happen? when is it going to happen? I for one feel that this is a critical development in creating the critical mass of retail and residence needed to make the downtown area a truly livable community. So enough bable - here is some news: I attended the Downtown Town Hall Meeting at the Rice Post Lofts this evening, during the presentations and the Q&A, the HP project was mentioned by Mayor White and Councilwoman Alverado several times. It was mentioned in the context of the type of project that is redefining the downtown landscape. They mentioned the Finger project as well - also as a transformational project. While they did not give a certain starting date, they made it clear that this is a viable project that is moving forward. Following the meeting, I walked down by the HP site and there is something new - there are surveyor markings around the perimeter of all three parking lots and all utilities are marked with new flourescent orange paint - these are new in the last day or two. Also at the pay station of one of the parking lots there was a sign notifying customers that the lot will be closing in February and directing them to nearby parking facilities. Based on what I have heard and seen tonight, I am now a believer that this project will not only happen, but will commence in the very near future.