roadrunner

I won't divulge any details, but Post Midtown Phase III isn't going to break ground any time in the immediate future. It's still on the drawing board, though.

Where would Phase III be located?

I pass the Bells & Whistles restaurant everyday on my home from work. It's across the street from Vic & Anthony Steakhouse. And it looks like a somewhat new building from the outside, but I've never seen people eating there. Did this place go out of business already?

I ate there once and the food was terrible, so this wouldn't surprise me.

Part of me thinks it's a shame that nothing has really been developed near here, however I know it would just be some bland Camden complex. I hope some developers really try to match the architecture this place has whenever the empty blocks around here are developed.

I was reading through Tory Gattis's blog last week (houstonstrategies.blogspot.com), and I was really intrigued with his idea for a global energy technology conference in Houston.

Here are a couple of entries he posted on this:

http://houstonstrategies.blogspot.com/2007...technology.html

http://houstonstrategies.blogspot.com/2007...or-houston.html

A couple of excerpts:

The model I'm thinking about here is the South-by-Southwest (SXSW) mega-conference in Austin every year focused on music, movies, and interactive media. It grew from something pretty small to a true mega-event that gets national and even international coverage every year. We need a similar event, starting modestly but growing aggressively. One that brings together academic researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, policy makers, and the big energy companies (who can be researchers, innovators, and technology buyers themselves). It should be known as THE critical annual event for people who want to keep up with what's going on in the realm of energy technology.

For what it's worth, I would argue that the goal should be to establish *the* largest, signature, flagship conference on energy technology in the world, broadly covering both renewables and traditional sources. It should be the one that attracts the broader generalist media - not just the niche industry media. As an example, there are lots of auto shows, but the Detroit one is where the major announcements and product unveilings are made, and both the industry and general media give it strong coverage. There are lots of film festivals, but all the buzz is around Sundance and Cannes. Comdex in Vegas used to be that show for technology (and they would *fill* the city with it, booking almost all available hotel rooms - it was the "must attend" event for everyone in tech). Austin's SXSW has become that level of show in music and creative media.

...and then a Chronicle reply:

http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/200...ur_brand_1.html

It would be like the OTC + Aspen Institute + Burning Man + SXSW + the Rodeo. Houston would reinforce its image as the energy capital but update that image for the 21st century.

My initial thoughts are that this would be extremely beneficial to the city. I think this is worthy of a discussion here.

Work has started on this in case anyone was wondering. One more surface lot gone....

update from the Chron:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6212049.html

Jesus this moves at a snail's pace. When did the county talk about their requirements for involvement? September? It took 4 months for the Dynamo and City to say "we agree"?

The unfortunate part about all of these cancellations and delays, including the new light rail lines, is that none of it will be here for the 2011 Final Four, which seems to be a nice showcase for the city.

There will still be noticeable improvements since the 2004 Super Bowl, though, especially downtown. However having a W or Ritz would be nice for these kind of events.

Channel 2 posted news on this recently:

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto...7502800^1736561

HBJ reports that things are back on schedule (original groundbreaking was to be October 2008) and work on the site is expected to begin in the Second Quarter of 2009. Also, they're completely renovating the Marketing Center for the development right across the street (have been working on it for a month, if not more). The developer is saying in the media that they're going ahead with it. Work has been very active over there at the Marketing Center, so I don't see any reason to think that they've changed course.

A lot could happen between now and 2Q of 2009, but things look to be on track for now.

We've heard the "everything on schedule, groundbreaking is coming in a few months" for over a year now. I wouldn't get your hopes up, especially in this environment.

This needs to happen. I just don't see it anytime soon.

That's a bit pessimistic don't you think? 30-40 years? Really? Think about how DT looked in 1970 versus today. Almost totally unrecognizable.

m.

That picture has 4 new residential buildings, a new stadium, an expansion to the GRB, and a new convention center hotel all in a 5-7 block area. Even if downtown were to add 4 new residential buildings, I would be surprised if they are all along Crawford between the park and MMP. Add that to the current state of the economy, which will most likely wipe out any thought of new residential development downtown in the next 5 years, not to mention compelely alter the development environment in America. I don't expect Miami and Vegas like development anymore, especially not in Houston

And don't forget that when Houston grows, it grows all over the place at a realistic and steady pace.

It may sound pessimistic to some of you, but maybe I've just learned not to set unrealistic expectations. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a negative nancy.

I wouldn't really get excited about that model. Obviously the other buildings are in there for marketing purposes. I wouldn't expect that side of downtown to look like that in the next 30-40 years.

Drove by this today, and a frame is up. A small ray of light in a dark development economy.

I'm in the non-flat camp, too, but either way I don't think a 19 story building is going to have any effect on the skyline.

Anyone who works downtown knows how valuable the tunnels are. It doesn't take that much away from street life during the day, and it wouldn't transform downtown into a nightlife district if Ninfas, Alonti, etc. were on the street.

For what it's worth, as a young professional in Houston that hangs around the trendy crowd, I can tell all of you that HOB is very popular. They draw great acts. Everyone I knew went to the Michael Jackson cover band concert last weekend. A couple of friends and I went late and tried to get in but the line was down the street.

The Foundation Room is also very popular with the 30,000aires of Houston (yep, they're here too). HOB is an excellent tenant and is really the only thing that is keeping my hopes up for this development.

I wasn't expecting a some extraordinary destination shopping. I was expecting something more like West Ave. I realize that West Ave isn't complete, but I am already impressed just driving by the current structure. Walking by HP gives me the same feeling when I drive by the Marq E on I-10.

Don't get me wrong, I think there is still a chance for HP to succeed in the short term (next 5 years or so). What really worries me is what the place is like in 15-20 years. Restaurant lifespans don't usually last that long, and I can't imagine the retail would either. It's up to the buildings and concept to keep drawing people....and unfortunately I don't think that will be enough. Just look at Bayou Place.

In the end, for all its promise, it's really just an inward-facing outdoor mall that may serve office workers and a few people killing time before a concert or basketball game and no one else. The thing I find funny is that we already have one lame mall downtown that no one goes to, why does anyone think we need two?

This is what really kills me. It's like an upgraded Park Shops, but it's two blocks away from the Park Shops. And the Park Shops sucks.

I do think HOB and Lucky Strike will be successful, though.

If HP had about 10 times the retail space and some air conditioning, it would be a run-of-the-mill mall.

If its storefronts faced the street, it would be a curious collection of lackluster shops that make a downtown shopping district.

If its tenant list were interesting enough (except for HOB and Lucky Strike-those are great, but perhaps not enough to sustain it) it would be a destination.

If it were connected to residential or better positioned near a critical mass of residential (no, a few Midtown bargain hunters shopping for high school apparel isn't enough) and gave that population a public square -- not just an un-air-conditioned mall (this claustrophobic tin can is going to be miserable in summertime) it might form the core of a real urban neighborhood.

If its architecture reflected local materials, or some hint at a Houston or Texas regionalism, it might inspire developers around it to continue its mission with complementary retail and restaurant developments of their own.

As it is, HP is none of these things and doesn't appear to be in this for the long haul. HOB seems cool, though for "happy hour" I counted five people behind the bar, serving seven customers this evening. Granted, it was Monday, but someone needs to adjust staffing levels or their employee costs are going to run them out of business. And why stick on a crappy mall to this thing? It would have been fine as a stand-alone without the Lidz and the handful of restaurants we already have.

I'm a big Houston booster and try to look on the bright side in cases like this, but HP sucks.

Unfortunately, I agree with this. If HP fails, which I think is definitely a possibility after seeing the finished product, it would be because the developers played it too safe. It tries to be all of the things above, but it comes short on all accounts.

Are you talking about BAM or the Pavillions?

Strip centers don't prevent people from shopping there, and they're not "hip." Not saying that's why you shop, but if it's convenient to you and the stores have what you want, why wouldn't you go back? Just because the vibe isn't good yet?

I think the reason why it doesn't feel right yet is because of all the stores are enclose with that colored wood or whatever material that is and that makes it feel even more empty. Hopefully once it is glass it won't feel so suffocating. But I do agree that the walkways feel small.

edit for other thoughts: although the walkways inside feel small the sidewalks next to the streets seem rather wide. Also, it was kind of weird to see trees planted in the road. I guess they did that for delivery trucks to be able to get in and out, and also to provide side street parking in between them?

Well if I need a book I have much more options inside the loop that are closer with free parking. If I want something to eat, it usually isn't one of the chains that are going in the Pavilions. If I need new clothes, I'm not going to shop at Forever XXI. I get a new hat maybe once every two years, so I guess then I would go to the Pavilions. Honestly, the only time I see myself going back is for a business dinner downtown or to see a concert at the HOB. I think this will be fine for tourists, but I don't think this will really attract anyone outside of people going to a sporting event or concert downtown. That's okay, because I think that will generate enough business to keep this place busy, but if this was going to attract people on random nights in Houston it needed to have a special "vibe". Right now, it doesn't have that vibe.

I agree that if a residential and hotel portion were included it would probably look/feel a lot more exciting, but right now it looks like a downtown version of the Marq E, and that is disappointing.

My first suggestion: Get rid of the piped in music.

So I stopped by the other day and took a look around. BAM was fine but I couldn't believe how huge the Thomas the Tank Engine section was. Casey Jr. was just lumped into the other train stories section.

Maybe it was because it was empty, but the place reminded me so much of the Marq*e Entertainment Center it scared me. Empty, strangely uninviting, with piped in music. I'm sure it will get better but I can't say was impressed -- and I really wanted to be.

That was exactly the reaction I had. Don't see myself going back anytime soon

I think downtown looks great at night. The skyline is very classy without any unnecessary lights on the buildings. I even prefer the white light on the Continental building over the blue light. I would much rather have a Manhattan-esque skyline than a Vegas-esque skyline.

So is this at the empty lot on the bayou just east of Fannin? Or on the empty lot on the bayou just east of Cecil? Or niether?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6083117.html

"Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have begun holding serious discussions that could lead to a merger of the state's top private university and one of the country's best medical schools.

A merger would bring Rice the reputational enhancement it has long desired and Baylor the security of a university affiliation, which is often necessary to keep medical schools afloat financially. Baylor is one of only nine stand-alone medical schools in the United States."

I'm reading a lot here about West Ave's next Phase of expansion (even before Phase 1 is even complete, lol). Mostly about how the property could expand across Westheimer, from where Chuy's is, down to where Buffalo Hardware is potentially.

I've heard different.

I heard from a contractor whom said his company was doing the roofing on West Ave., that it'll expand in the opposite direction, where Beck's Prime is, going south all the way up to West Alabama.

Again, just something I heard, nothing definite or concrete... any truth to this?

I have no idea but that would be awesome.

That Wulfe list is interesting, there are some old structures included, the old gas station at LaBranch, old bldgs. downtown at Prairie, have a look.

What are you referring to?