HermanPark

Does anyone know what happened to this? Is it dead? It was, in my opinion, one of the nicest looking proposed low/mid-rise buildings.

According to the following, it is still a go.

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial/business/article/New-H-E-B-coming-to-San-Felipe-and-Fountainview-5692834.php?cmpid=email-mobile

Went for some coffee this a.m. and noted that a sign on the window stated that they were closing this month with the last serving day being October 24. I remember my dad taking me there when I was about 3-4 years old. As trivial as it seems, I'm a bit sadddened and hate to see a long time building, landmark or establishment close it's doors. Not sure why it is closing, but my guess is that it has something to do with land values or rent. Long time patrons might remember the rotating bar stools and the glass window to the right as you walked in, where you could watch them hammer out the donuts.

I would like to see them gut most of the structure, open it leaving four raised columns to support four "panels" of the roof to span the entire structure. This would leave some memory and tribute to the former structure. They could then bring in materials,large trees, park amenities, play spaces, water / cool spaces etc.. inside the area of the original structure. A pedestrian pathway from Herman Park and / or the HP rail station - traveling through Braeswood Rd. / Braes bayou could be built that would extend to Reliant Park to the Astrodome Park with the path ending near the Fannin light rail station - 4-5 miles total. Pedestrian walk ways to be lighted and patroled with operating hours. The park would serve the interests of the Rodeo, Convention participants and the Texans. The park would be free to the City Residents, but a fee would be incurred to utlize parking. Some revenues drawn from signage. Obviously fund raising and some philanthropic effort would be necessary ( a gift from the blah blah foundation to the City of Houston ). Rodeo / Reliant could also kick in, in exchange for some concessions from the county.

I'd love for this to become reality, but no not the first thing about making it so. I wouldn't even know who to call.

Does anyone have any experience or reviews of Track 21 ? I know that the location is not really in Katy, but it is near - Hwy 6 between Clay and W. Little York.

We may celebrate a birthday there (9yr. old) and wanted to know if it was safe, clean etc...

Thanks.

I noticed Lord Byron's cigar bar has already closed its doors. Does any one know why. I was really looking foward to going to it.

Spoke with someone today - not sure of how legit the source, so take it with a grain of salt - who stated that the there are back rents owed and perhaps even some build out fees outstanding. The place is still stocked and appears that you could go right in and open shop. I was also told that they might have others interested in acquiring the space. So it appears that Lord Byron is Lord no more.

Honestly, I'm not torn up about it in the least. I thought it was another run-of-the-mill concrete block with little elequence. I'm sure that eventually it will be replaced with something far more achitecturaly appealing. Just my opinion of course.

Amen to that. I want steel, etched glass, titanium, curves and angles. Something more interesting, void of the "blue pants, white shoes and the $6.95 early bird special" look.

Never heard of it, and I live in Katy.

When I saw your topic I thought maybe it was some new disease discovered in the wake of hurricane Ike.

Cykat

Located at the corner of the Grand Lakes subdivision on S. Fry and 99 - they have a very small space with limited seating. They have / had very good food and a friendly staff. I ate there a few times and loved everything I had. Their pizza was fantastic. I hope they are still kicking, but if not, I will be sad to see it go.

At the time that center was built, it was state of the art and Cinco Ranch wasn't even so much as a dream yet. Mason Rd. hadn't even gone past Chesterfield at that point. The place sat empty several years after Randalls vacated it and it was very well maintained. The center has had good long term tenants in it ever since. Dostals, Jump Zone, Big Lots, Cafe East, the postage place, and the veterinarian have all been in their for years. Dostals and the postal place were there when Randalls was still in there.

For a Class B center, that place is a goldmine for it's owners. New tenants, just like high school kids these days, want everything just given to them specifically tenant buildout allowance and free rent. From a financial standpoint, they have no real incentive to give it an overhaul. From a tenant standpoint, it's locations like these that give small businesses a fighting chance to start AND STAY in business. The rents and NNN in those locations are at least half of what it would cost them in Cinco Ranch, and quite often the traffic they get there is twice as good as what they'd get in Cinco.

And as far as adding art to business, that all comes at a cost. La Centerra is struggling to lease it's office space. At last check they were still only around 35% leased. And Phase II has been pushed I don't know how many times. Just because you see those tenants showing up on their site plans, doesn't mean there's an actual lease in place - only that they're having significant talks with them.

Not the same place I was referring to in my original post. The place I was thinking of is called Inflatable Zone. Hope no one takes offense. I realize you make do with what is affordable when you are a new start up and hope to make a go of it. My kids have been to the place a few times and really do enjoy it. So we enjoy the product if not the packaging . I'm sure there are good people behind those vanilla pudding walls.

You know it may not look as bad as you think, it may end up looking nice.

Yep, it will probably look "nice" and clean, but I doubt it will look different or provide any character or superior function that might contribute to the overall area. Drive around Katy / Cinco and see how many partially vacant strip centers there are. Drive down Mason Rd. and check out the "Jump" zone place (I forget the actual name). Now, I'm all for entrepreneurship and I'm sure kids really love this place, but man, that place looks like it took all of $7,500 bucks to build. It's plain cheap and an eyesore. If God forbid they go under, I can see that thing becoming a house of rats in an otherwise decent neighborhood. Will Cinco become the new Alief, Texas - West? I know the dollar drives everything, so building something as cheap as you can seems to win the day. I just wish that there was a bit more ART to this SCIENCE - Retail, business and neighborhood development.

Regarding Dollar Tree - if it ends up being a tenenat, it will be indicative of the new demographic and thus responsive to that market. I doubt they would sign a lease without performing their due diligence.

We used Houston Structural to redo our four year old house. It is no longer generic...

http://www.houstonstructural.com/

We worked with Tom Lammers and Mark Hamilton. Great work, ethical, clean and have great ideas. They did the blueprints and even let us keep them.

Mateo, thanks ! Did you obtain a room addition, or did your project consist of a remodel of existing rooms ?

We've talked with several, but none have been able to come up with their financials to back them. Starbucks is out because they now require a drive-thru at locations not inside other stores. If you have any thoughts about who you would like to see in there, let me know and I'll follow up with them!

bman sounds great. Can't wait to try out El Rancho -high school wait staff and all ! Just kidding folks. Think I remember eating at the Saums location and if I remember correctly, it was quite good. Is Rialta North of the Berryhill sight or is it East of the Azzarelli's?

Coffee place would be great. How about a bagel place ie. like the one off of Kingsland and Mason RD?

How about "Mama's Cafe" - West side - ya know, like the one off of Westhemer. Just a thought.

Thanks.

Do you know that many of those katy high school students as u call them...are having their first job and don't really know what to do?...I mean dude just go back into ur life and remember ur first job..did u do a good job?....probably not..Let them work and save their money to buy their own stuff. Thank you.

Yes, I see ur point - Dude. You make perfect sense. I would expect that someone would take the time to train them, both in life and in business, but I see that is too much to ask.

Yes, I meant high school students residing in Katy. Did not mean to pick on The Big Red.

Katy dwellers - Has anyone undegone a recent residential room addition, second story addition, remodel etc.. ?

How was the experience ? Did you utilize an architect ? Can you recommend anyone ?

Sorry you didn't like it. I love this place.

First I am a big fan of places where I place my order and pick it up from the counter, get my own drink whenever I want to refill it, and best of all get my own chips and salsa all without having to wait on someone. And the best of all this I don't have to tip anyone.

I really like the fish tacos, or the shrimp, they have grilled you might like them better than fried.

They spinach enchiladas and chimichangas are my favorites. I hear the burritos are good too.

I hope this location makes it because I live right around the corner. the one in Westchase (where I worked closed a couple of months ago)

I like the place as well. I understand that first impressions are the most important. Sorry you had a poor experience. Service is your typicall Katy High School student. Off topic, but I wonder why we have so many teenagers servicing in these joints who have zero manners. Do they not know that service is part of the job ?

Anyway, the fish tacos keep me coming back - both fried and grilled. If you like it spicy, get the grilled. I don't mind getting my own drink or chips.

By the way, is the "Sweet and Spicy" place still around ? Do all of you like it ?

well wings and rings was a pretty neat place with decent food.

has anyone tried that sushi place near wings and rings?

We tried Wings & Rings this weekend. I was a bit disappointed with the food. The burgers were over done and the wings were average at best. The wait staff was your typical Katy high schooler and our waiter had that "deer in the head lights" look to him. No problem though as it is a new place with new employees. I'll probably give them another try because I really want to support the local establishments.

I live in Cinco and I can feel the difference between the two communities.

I agree. It is different. Cinco I has a more pedestrian and neighborhood feel to it. Perhaps it has to do with a maturing landscape ?

Does anyone have any connections with the gentlman named in the story below? I wonder if he would consider the Dome a viable candidate for what he would like to do - proximity to TMC etc...

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto...1496400^1581793

It was designed by Richard Keating, who was head of the Houston office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. He also designed San Felipe Plaza.

Thank you for the information. Very beautiful home. I'm facinated by the many "gems" scattered around town.

Does anyone know who designed / built this home ?

In general, is the upkeep on these type of homes far more expensive or involved than a standard spec home ?

I understand that they are interested in creating and "end zone" facility at Robertson. Is there any chance that they might implode the old building and create a new 30-35K facility? Robertson is way past its prime.

This entire part of "Katy" is turiing into and has the feel of an over crowded McDonalds play area - people traffic back and forth with little regard for anyone but themselves. Makes me want to take my family and move back closer into town (Houston). If it was not for HISD, I might actually do it.

The Library between WHPKWY and Cinco Ranch Blvd. has free WIFI.

It

That's a good question - the Cohens moved out around 03-04 because of age/mobility (in the Chron article, it mentions there were only three steps between the two levels of the home, and that was too much for Mrs. Cohen to get around). If it were my "baby" I would consider perhaps modifying the steps in part to make them accessible. Anyhow, while O'Quinn kept up the exterior nicely, I can only imagine that there were leaks on the inside (or perhaps an open door) that caused such problems inside.

They also likely failed to utlize proper air conditioning thus creating a mold factory.

I work near this home and decided to pay my respects in person. It is quite striking and beautiful. I would think that someone with sound resources wishing to set themselves apart from the mundane, cookie cutter everything that dots our personal landscapes would want to take this on and rehab the property. Perhaps the current owner can be persuaded to pend his current plans for a set period of time, thus providing a sympathetic realtor enough notice to locate a willing, enthusiastic buyer.

Certainly the current builder has an awareness of the unique context of the property ?