Gary
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Posts posted by Gary
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Yes sir, the one standing now was completed in 2003.
And when and where are they building #2?
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Houston needs an MLS franchise and a soccer specific stadium. I'd prefer them demolish the Astrodome since it's no longer viable for anything. They could make some type of monument to commemorate it or incorporate the Astrodome into new 22,000 to 25,000 seat soccer stadium. Build the SSS right where the dome sits now! The dome is just a waste of money at this point and time and would cost too much money to renovate. I know the dome has a lot of history behind it but it's just an old building now that Reliant has been built.
No dissrespect intended, but why don't we knock down Rigley field whle were at it. Tearing down the Dome for a soccer team would be a travesty. That's some of the problem I've noticed in Houston's architecture, theres no loyalty to past culture.
I've seen some old pics of this city and there was some fantastic stuff 50 and 60 years ago. The Shamrock is a perfect example.
There are plenty of areas to make this work but good night don't knock down the eighth wonder of the world.
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The simple solution would've been to take Mercer I and Mercer II and put them back to back. This way, the facades of both buildings would be facing outward, hiding the hideousness of its rear.
As it stands, the two buildings will essentially look like a single building that was dissected, as if a lesson to designers on how not to do anything half-a**ed.
Don't tell me they are building two of those things?
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Gary sez:
Interesting.
That's like enjoying pizza but you can't stand the sauce.
Gary and TP;
Both of your viewpoints are valid and bring up very good points.
As an agnostic catholic (go fig) I find Joel's speeches very inspirational and logical without patronizing the members. That's rare in quite a few programs I have watched (albiet briefly).
In regards to his right wing stance, I have noticed it, but he does it in such a subtle way as to not to offend people. Diplomacy is an attribute that few preachers seem to do well.
Ricco
Point taken. Although I grew up a Christian and do belive the teachings of the Bible, I don't really practice my faith nor do I attend any church. I guess my problem with Osteen is that his message is always positive with nothing negative and if you follow the teachings of the Bible there is plenty of negatives.
Don't get me wrong I do see the other side as well being negative all the time. I know of one church in particular that beat the crap out of people, and to the point that many left the church and the faith. I guess there is two sides to this.
Personaly I prefer the positive like you. It seems to motivate me to be a better Christian. By the way my regards to you in refernce to the Popes immenant death. Hopefully the church will appoint someone as upstanding as John Paul II.
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As growing up catholic, when ever a priest would talk about money he would get hit hard the next week when attendance would drop. No ever wants to hear a religious figure talk about how they need money.
I have watched one or two of lakewoods televised sermons. They aren't that bad, but I personally taken what I have learn from 13 years of religious education to live my life now. I really don't believe in organized religion, but i have great respect for religious leaders.
People such as Pope John Paull II and Mother Theresa are the best examples.
As a gay man with catholic upbringing, my alliegences seem split, but i truly believe i can be of a conservative mind and moral values and be able to live my life with my partner. Christianity isn't right wing or antigay, the organizations are. Some Christian organizations are full blown left wing liberals too. Look at gay christian churches. Look at Hillary Clinton who's mentor was a hardline Methodist preacher who shape most of her views as of today.
As for Lakewood taking over the Summit (and/or Compaq), I say go for it. The place would have remained unused if some didn't take over it. And if it is true that they are leasing it and not have bought it, then in the future they may move or not exist and the updated facility will be available again.
I heard that the church will lease the facility for when they are not using to businesses and other uses.
I'm now going against my initial rebuttle to this subject but I must just out of curiosity.
Before I ask this question please understand that it's ot meant to be quaresome at all, again just curious.
Ok, in regards to the Christian church not being against Homosexuality how do you get past scriptures like I Corinthians 6:9-10? I've always understood the church to be against homosexuality not against the homosexual.
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A big reason behind Lakewood taking on the Summit is economics and access. The is very centralized and is located in a office zone that has ample parking. The area is used to large events and can handle the extra traffic.
I am fine with Lakewood as they now. But if a power struggle occurs or a more conservative faction takes over and pushes their agenda on the congregation then I will have problems. As I stated in above. I am seriously afraid of the message preached at Second Baptist and some other ultra Christian Right money grubbing churches. I do not see Lakewood as that sort of threat. Lets hope they stay that way (and I think that is what drives much of their success).
I am not trying to offend anyone who worships at Second Baptist, I just do not agree with their intrusive way of raising money.
You may not be trying to offend anyone but in my case you have done so. My brother is a music minister with 2nd and I know first hand what a fine man Dr Young is. Give an example of why this man (Dr Young) scares you.
As far as Joel Osteen not being a right winger, you could not be farther from the truth. Pay attention to his messages and his fathers messages and you will find that he is very right wing. The difference is that Osteen is more of a motivational speaker than anything else thus he comes across as more accepting.
I don't understand how a discussion involving the summit has to turn into a religious debate. Stop It!
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Hey Gary,
You may be making the same mistake you are advising against. That is, not exploring Houston beyond inner loop. For example, have you driven along Memorial and San Felipe/Briar Forest from West Loop to BW8? Not exactly a cultural center such as inner loop but then you mentioned Sugarland too. The area along those two roads is lush and beautiful. Beyond BW8 to Highway 6, the drive on those roads is still ok but the neighborhoods off of them are quite charming. Certainly more interesting than Sugarland due to visual variety of homes.
By the way, if I remember correctly, the other day mentioned you only cared for Inner loop and the Bay (by which I assume Clear Lake area). Now you have added Sugarland in the list as well. So we can assume that the list will grow over time
As far as livability there are many places in Houston I'm aware of but being in the music circle for years I have grown to love the more eclectic areas of cities. I didn't mean to exclude Memorial, in fact I've mentioned before how much I love the trees in that area.
In context I was trying to point out the many areas in Houstons close in burbs that are generic and flat out ugly. Of course there are some fantastic areas like Memorial that are close in but I can't think of many other area's that are close burbs that I would consider nice.
I think the inner loop has an energy that is very unique which is why I love it so, as well as the bay area (CL, Kemah). These are places I like to be and spend time. Whereas the Memorial/Briarforest area is just a pretty drive to me.
I'm a transplant who loves many parts of this great city, however as far as spending my valuble time it's almost always inside the loop or at the bay.
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Simply said, "all Mexican food rules"!
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You said it even better than I could. I like that term: "ring rot"
Glen
My bass player lives in Willowbend and I'm there at least three times a week. I can tell you that the entire neighborhood on both sides of Willowbend have been totally revitalized. He bought his home ten years ago for 60,000.00 and just got it appraised at 120,000.00. He's going to sit on it a while as the appraisal district told him it would do nothing but escalate in value. Of course that means higher taxes.
The wierd thing is that just a couple of blocks away (South Post Oak) is litteraly slum.
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I think that since Houston has more to plan and deal with (DT, UT, MT &Med Ctr) it would be logical that Dallas would progress faster on there UT planning and development. IMO I again think that Houston has far more potential than Dallas, it's just going to take more time, but damn I'm ready to go.
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Danes, what do you have in mind re: Houston partnering with someone to help revitalize Midtown? Who did Dallas partner with? What did the City of Dallas do to assist/promote the revitalization of Uptown Dallas, that Houston has failed to do? Before anyone gets all excited and thinks I'm challenging you to a dual ;-) let me just say, my questions are serious. While I think you have been somewhat extreme in your trashing of Houston, it does appear that Dallas has done/is doing a darned nice job in its Uptown District and maybe Houston could learn from it.
Here is something I do not understand. I'm pretty sure the Downtown Dallas hotel market has a lower occupancy rate than downtown Houston, and yet they get Ritz Carlton and W to come in and build entirely new hotels! And I just read recently of a proposal to refurbish some older downtown Dallas building into a hotel. Is there going to be a serious bloodbath down the road there, or what's up with that?
What abandoned property are you referring to that the city sold to someone for low-income housing?
When comparing Dallas's Uptown and Houston's Midtown, I think it's fair to keep in mind that Dallas has been working on revitalizing their Uptown for a VERY long time. For example, the Crescent Court (including its office buildings) and a lot of nearby development, has been there for probably at least 20 years already.
I think you're right that Houston's Uptown is more comparable to Dallas's Galleria Area (although I believe that it is actually somewhat further from downtown Dallas than Uptown is from downtown Houston). In any event, I have not been near Dallas' Galleria for a while, but unless the area has changed dramatically, I think Houston has done a better job in developing this area. And the future is only looking better for Uptown Houston, growing more urban and pedestrian friendly.
I've always thought that for a sprawl city Houstons Uptown was an amazing plan. It has a very powerful look. The inside of the area is also well planned with the stainless arches and signs.
My point is that both cities have there strengths. Houston could use more connected living areas in Midtown and there on course for that, there are midrise complexes going up everywhere. That being said I have to admit that Houston seems to move slower than most cities in there planning phases. I see tons of proposals but little action.
Now, I believe when looking at the possibilities of urbananity Houston has far more potential than Dallas. Houstons layout from UT to DT to the Med Center is totally ripe for a massive urban landscape. We have the buildings and the space between areas, let's get going.
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What happened there?
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Citykid:
Citykid:
It's a shame that you never knew the inner loop neighborhoods of Houston existed. I wonder how many others in Texas think of Houston as freeways and strip centers with no cultural center.
Before I got here I was told that all of Houston was freeways and strip malls. I eventually figured out that the real Houston is off the freeways. I've often wondered what people must think of Houston when traveling East and West on I-10, it's just horrible.
I have been accused of being an inner loop snob.
Although I no longer live inside the loop I consider myself to be an inner loop snob. I can take or leave the rest of Houston except maybe Sugar land. This area is a treasure I hope we don't lose. If we did I would be looking for another town, yet again.
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It's actually relatively easy to catch a cab, at closing time they're running around all over the place, though. So finding an empty one, or one that isn't already heading to another call is difficult.
But to hail one in Houston is the same as in NYC; Raise your arm, and if they don't stop, that generally means they already have a fair or on the way to pick someone else up. You could always CALL a cab and tell them to meet you at the rail station.
Ricco
That's a good idea, I may try that next weekend.
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It's getting pretty big, the interactive and movie parts are a big deal as well. BTW, do they still have the Houston Press Music awards? I thought that was a pretty cool music showcase for Houston.
To my knowledge they are. One thing though, I (& others) have noticed a far more commercial paper out the Press over the last couple of years. It's full of advertisements etc. When I first started reading it, it was a better paper.
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has anyone checked out empire bar? thinking about going there this saturday.
also, are they still doing the last call trains? it's something ridiculous like 2:15am right? assuming we miss that, how hard is it to get a cab, are they around or would i have to call one?
have some friends coming in town and we're crashing in midtown. it would be nice to show them there are other ways to get around in houston other then driving...
I wish I could answer that but I pretty much stuck to the pedestrian only part of the party. To bad you couldn't take a cab to a place where you could catch the rail, it was pretty cool seeing people in it at night coming down all that pedestrian traffic.
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A full five-level interchange is planned but is not included in the current phase of construction. So for the indefinite future vehicles will need to pass through the traffic light at I-10. As far as I know, none of the ramps at the interchange are funded.
Also, you're calling the new SH 99 construction a tollway, but has that been established at this time? That project is being funded by TxDOT with gasoline tax funds. TxDOT is now tolling most gasoline-tax-funded projects, but not necessarily all gas-tax-funded projects. I'm not aware of any official decisions, although I know that TxDOT would like to turn over the entire existing section of SH 99 to HCTRA or FBTRA so it can be tolled.
Maybe it's not a tollway. I had a few people in the neighborhood tell me that it was. I also think your right about the interchange not being in the immediate plans.
The mill they put up looks like it's going to be there a long time and man it's as ugly as you can possibly imagine. Why did they put that stupid thing in the middle of the road??????? On top of that the dust in this area from the mill and the trucks coming in and of of the area is just murder.
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I know this is a little to the side of the discussion but I have a question.
I live in Cimmeron which is about a mile from I-10 and about a half a mile from 99. They have already begun construction of the tollway going south but started about a half mile south of I-10. About 200 feet north of where they started is a huge concrete mill (right in the middle) which was obviously put there for the construction project. Now my question is, are they going to build a ramp from I-10 to the tollway or are they going to make people go through the light at 99 to enter the tollway?
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Yeah, they're not bad. The Bebe brothers pretty much dominate the Continental club's lineup during the week. The El Orbits play on Mondays and Lightrock Express on Wednesdays. They're all cover bands, but the atmosphere is great, admission is free and drinks are cheap. I wish there were more places like the Continental Club in Houston. But luckily we're only a few hours from Austin and SXSW is coming up!
Great I'm going Thursday night! Speaking of SXSW how is that going now days? Back in 91 I played with a Texas band by the name of Stride and the atmosphere was great. Oddly enough none of us were from Texas, they had just moved here from GIT in LA.
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The reason that the cover was $15 last night at Continental was that Dave Alvin was playing there. He is a Grammy award winning artist and is nationally known from his days playing with The Blasters, one of the original southern California rockabilly bands. Great show by the way, definitely worth the price of admission, even though it was very crowded.
That explains it. Damn I wish I had known that, I'm sure it was a great show. This is off subject but have you seen "Beetle"? There supposed to be the Thursday night house band (Continental) and I've heard some pretty good things about em..
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Red Star is a club at Fannin and Holcome. Pretty awesome little place, mostly younger 20's.
Is it a dance club?
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I have heard the same thing. I heard Red Star had their busiest night by far in several months.
Sorry for my ignorance, what is Red Star? Theres so many places I'm not sure what's what.
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Last night (Saturday) me and a couple of buddies took off to Ginger Man pub in Rice Village. When we pulled into the arcade area the streets were packed everywhere, there was litteraly no where to park for blocks. we eventually got lucky and found a place. When we finally made it to the bar it was like sardines in a can, and it wasn't the only place like that. Every single bar (and grill) were packed to the hilt and we found it impossible to get in anywhere, so we left.
We then headed to Rudyards on Waugh and encountered the same thing so we left. We then went to the Continental Club on Main to find it worse than all of them and that was with a $15.00 cover. Since we were already on Main we decided to head Downtown and hit a beer pub (Mcelroys) which is also on Main.
When we got close to the area I was blown away by the thousands of people (and cars) swamping Main and Prarie. It was so packed that we had to park 9 blocks from where we were going. When we eventually made it on foot to Main it looked almost like Mardi Gras. The streets were packed to the gills with people. Every bar had lines going into them and in fact some bars had lines with over 100 people well past 1:00am.
When we got to Mcelroys we got very lucky to find a table outside being cleared so we grabbed it. As we sat back drinking Black & Tans we people watched for two hours as hundreds passed by our table on the street. I know the ladies may not appreciate this but the girls outnumbered the boys about 4 to 1, it was great. We also observed how young the crowd was, probably an average of between 22 to 26.
When we finally decided to head home around 1:30am the bars were still full and the people were still there.
I jus thought it was a great night to experience the Houston night life, this city is really up and coming and I'm proud to live here.
The Mercer Houston At 3388 Sage Rd.
in Uptown and Galleria Area
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So that's what everyones been talking about (the back side). The people that designed that albatross should be strung up, I have never seen an uglier building. And now there building another one, derrrrrr.
Someone with the city should have stopped this thing until a revamped design for the back was in place. I remember when it was going up and I thought, "Man that's the tallest storage building I've ever seen". Talk about not caring about your work.