Ducks

I hear they are going to open two in Houston... one of which will likely be behind the Marquee on I10 and Silber.

Excellent if true.

Really?

Booze sale? I'll drive up there for that!

Nope. Shipping everything, as we speak, to other locations.

There are two tower cranes in the area between the Cemex building and Specs near Bunker Hill Road. Does anyone know what's going up there?

RIP Specs. Bunker Hill location closing in early September.

It is my understanding it will be medical office bldgs like stated above, however they wont be built for some time. The developer tore down the existing structures to reduce the taxable vaule of the property while it sits waiting for construction.

I imagine the pic posted above is the poster's way of saying s/he imagines the property becoming an empty, unleased strip center like so many around town right now.

I understand that it will be more medical buildings matching the style of the ones south of I-10, from north of I-10 to the New Memorial MRI that is essentially across the street from Mr. Carwash.

Okay, well that can't be too bad, I suppose. Sure beats another grocery store/strip center, etc. Not much crime and loitering occurring outside medical buildings.

Yep, the old Komart too.

What are they building in its place?

I drove down it this afternoon after work and it's a very interesting street. Some really nice homes and fantastic lots. Almost didn't feel like you were in Houston. And kinda creepy too!

Seems to me construction really has grinded to a halt on the hotel. Bad windows or not, you could still be doing other work and there's not a person on the site.

They are, however, working on the sky walk over Gessner.

"Spring Branch Plaza" is to be built this fall at the corner of Bunker Hill and Long Point. Little strip center. FYI.

Full-length article. Just FYI.

Memorial City stages all-star branding show

Drivers on Interstate 10 will soon be able to tell when they’re anywhere near the Memorial City District.

The district plans to install four obelisks beside the freeway as part of a branding campaign in West Houston.

The gateway markers, five stories tall with lighted tops, are scheduled for installation in late September on both sides of the freeway at the Bunker Hill and Gessner intersections.

Commercial businesses subject to assessments for improvements within district boundaries are spending approximately $548,000 for the larger-than-life landmarks.

Some area residents are less than thrilled with the plan.

“I don’t think anything should be built that close to the freeway,” says Donna Freedman. “It’s going to be a distraction.”

Bases for the obelisks — square wooden structures supported by rebar — have already been installed by the Texas Department of Transportation as part of the freeway widening project.

TxDOT also allowed officials to pick some design elements for the freeway to match the district’s decor.

Perry Pace, project manager for the Memorial City District, says TxDOT painted huge stars on the retaining walls along many miles of the recently widened Interstate 10, and permitted the ones in the Memorial area to carry the district colors.

“It just so happens that our logo was a star, so it worked out perfectly,” Pace says.

In addition, old street signs were replaced last month by new ones adorned with the district’s colors and logos — at a cost of nearly $136,000.

Next up, the district will put in extra landscaping along the freeway.

The star-studded branding project has some area activists upset about the money being spent on these improvements.

Pace assures that revenue generated by the tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) for enhancements in the area is not being used to fund the identifying features.

I think the building facade was ripped off during Ike and never replaced.

Just saw that they put up a new wooden fence around the old Mervins area. There are also a couple of bulldozers in the empty lot.

Looks like they might start construction on the outdoor section of the mall soon.

Interesting that they tore down the Olive Garden for more parking space. Perhaps Olive Garden is going to build in the new outdoor mall area.

Anyone know?

Olive Garden moved to the HEB shopping center at Bunker Hill.

That is F'ing awesome. Very excited by this!!!

I read another related article somewhere describing how unhappy some the nearby residents were about it. Can't remember why exactly... I'll see if I can find that article.

Edit: Now that I think about it, I think the descension is discussed in that article. I just don't know how to login and see the remainder of the article.

So does anyone know what these really nice stone blocks are going to be at I-10 and Gessner & Bunker Hill? Looks possible pedestals for signs, water features or statues. Whatever they are they have conduit or plumbing going to them.

They're going to be four "monuments" so-to-speak to set-off the Memorial City area. I think I read about it in last week's HBJ.

Found it...

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/07/20/tidbits1.html

Drivers on Interstate 10 will soon be able to tell when they’re anywhere near the Memorial City District.

The district plans to install four obelisks beside the freeway as part of a branding campaign in West Houston.

The gateway markers, five stories tall with lighted tops, are scheduled for installation in late September on both sides of the freeway at the Bunker Hill and Gessner intersections.

Commercial businesses subject to assessments for improvements within district boundaries are spending approximately $548,000 for the larger-than-life landmarks.

Care to expound on how you draw your conclusions on that?

My own unscientific study. haha

Perhaps the greatest loss of the I-10 expansion project.

I would much rather have an asian grocery store there than a Fiesta. Different demographic. Less crime.

in case it hadn't already been mentioned...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6451680.html

Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant leased 4,000 square feet in the Echo Lane Shopping Center at Interstate 10 and Echo Lane. Jim Smith Jr. and Matt Strange of Smithco Development represented both the tenant and the landlord.

Why not?

because to me, a Supermercado de Walmart does not scream revitalization to an area. i'm probably wrong, though.

I was pleased to see the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market on Longpoint close, however looks like Wal-Mart will be opening a Supermercado de Walmart in its place. I do not see that as a good thing for the area.

That Academy may be the largest Academy I've ever seen.

Houston taxpayers could start footing the bill to help first-time homebuyers pay off debts and improve their credit scores, under a proposal before City Council this week.

The "Credit Score Enhancement Program" will give up to $3,000 in grants to individuals who are trying to qualify for mortgages through the city's homebuyers assistance program. City officials say some applicants fall short of eligibility by only 10 or 20 points on their credit scores, and paying off some debt balances can quickly improve their numbers.

The proposal has aroused critics who say the city should not use public funds to help people pay down car loans, credit card balances, or other debts

Toys R Us is going to move by HEB (as posted on another link)

A new Spec's is moving into front of the Home Depot. The old Spec's renewed the lease for another year. I was in there today and asked. it seems that Spec's wants to have a store on both sides of I-10.

So there are going to be three Specs all within about 4 or so exits off I-10?

Can someone please let me know which shopping center, mall parking lot, etc. has never been victim to crime?

I did not know this, but it was to be the first one in Houston branded as "The City" I went to the 6-10 West location yesterday to shop, and they had bags that said "The City" instead of "Circuit City". They said they sent all the inventory from the Bunkerhill location to this one since it never opened.

I have read about a prototype store being called that, but was the sign they hung above the new store reflective upon this name change?

The logo, for the sake of CC, looks identical, so it is easy to miss, with City being the larger of the two words.

I had not heard this either, but appears you're right. I've seen the sign, but didn't notice any difference.

http://www.frpltd.com/property/west_villageplaza_NEW.htm

I just think common sense dictates certain steps people can take to mitigate the likelihood of becoming a victim. I just happen to believe that leaving your purse on, let's say, the seat of your car in a parking lot, is not very smart.

I feel a sense of obligation, as a responsible citizen, to eliminate within reason the chances of myself being a victim of crimes of opportunity. I leave my garage door closed at night, lock car doors, etc.

For example, if I leave town for a couple of days and leave my garage door open only to find upon my return that I've had tools, etc stolen, I accept partial responsibility for it occurring. I certainly don't place all the blame on the police department, etc. for preventing it from occurring.

But maybe that's just me.