brian0123

I'm confused, I thought the rodeo purchased the land for parking? Are they the one's selling it now?

Hate it. Houstonians like to think they're anti-zoning, yet the expensive parts of town Houstonians like are the results of deed restrictions and were/are heavily planned communities (i.e. West U, River Oaks, Braeswood, Bellaire, Woodlands, Sugarland, etc.). Conflicts always arise when something intrudes upon one of these places that don't fit into what neighbors want (Ashby high-rise, nearby hotels, nightclubs, etc.) Popular places where there aren't deed restrictions (but were at some point long ago heavily planned) constantly see conflict and people getting bitter about what's changing around them (i.e parts of the Heights where houses torn down to build townhouses, historic preservation arguments, etc.) Personally speaking, I used to live in Midtown (no deed restrictions, was never master planned, and we accepted it). A building down the street from me was a flophouse where drunks threw beer cans in my yard everyday. The building across the street from me was a metal shed that turned into a welding place, then abandoned to homeless, then ATT put a mobile cellular tower on it. I sold and moved to more $$$ deed restricted Knollwood/S Braeswood where I don't have to worry about a cell tower popping up next door to me now. Houstonians might say they hate zoning, but their wallets say otherwise.

We better get to see the final product

Great article in the NYT today talking about this very subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/us/fiscal-crisis-sounds-the-charge-in-gops-civil-war.html?src=recg

While I normally just look at the new content, I actually like all the sub forums. The only merge I could see making sense would be the national/state/local politics. I think just a politics would be fine.

I couldn't agree more. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of moderate Repubs are looking across the aisle and planning their "transition" to the other side so they can escape the sinking ship.

Nothing like ranking some of the largest cities as ugly to drive traffic to their website. I found it off-putting that they blame ugliness on poor people.

If I were you, I'd find some condos for sale and approach the Realtor/owner to see if you can pay to hang out. Heck, it may even help sell the place "Oh, never mind that photographer over there, he's just filming from here today since it has the most incredible view of the city." An example would be the condos in Midtown @ 2016 Main. I've seen views from both sides and they are awesome of either Downtown (w/ traffic along Pierce elevated below), and towards Med Center to Galleria on the other. They also have covered balconies so you could get a shot outside w/out having to worry too much about the elements. For example, this unit to the Galleria (third picture): http://search.har.com/engine/2016-Main-Street-Houston-TX-77002_HAR86156440.htm Downtown example would be something like this unit: http://search.har.com/engine/2016-Main-Houston-TX-77002_HAR64488417.htm

I finally was able to check out the new halls the other week and was blown away. The Egyptian hall is insane (I wasn't expecting so many mummies) and the paleontology hall also blew my mind. I loved the evolution part where it shows our family tree. I always liked the HMNS, but the new exhibits are definitely "tourist worthy" and put the HMNS on a whole new level.

Outside the beltway is a huge area. Just saying 2/3's of population lives outside it fails to take into account the fact that you'd really need to split "outside the beltway" into about 8 sections since commuting from one section to another is nearly impossible during rush hour. Add more housing and businesses to an infrastructure built for neighborhoods and not high traffic flow... and you'll eventually need to split it into more slices. Suddenly, the range of employees around a business on the Beltway is a lot less. Yes, maybe ___ million people live within a 10 mile radius, but commuting those 10 miles on narrow streets with tons of traffic lights won't cut it. Oh, and neighborhoods will have to contend with people "cutting through" a lot more, sort of ruining the suburban feel.

So can someone (pro moving businesses to the outside) elaborate on how that could actually help congestion (not sure if this should be a sep thread)? The way I see it... 1. Businesses would be farther apart, so commute times would increase (unless the business happened to sign a lease near your house). 2. There is only one commute option to get to the exterior for that business (i.e. one freeway), instead of the plethora near Downtown/Galleria/Med Center. 3. There's no definition of "outside". In other words, businesses would have to keep relocating as sprawl would move beyond the exterior. 4. Unless you live in a burb your job decides to move to, you have no option other than commute across town (inc commute times), or selling your house. A commute from Sugarland->Downtown vs Sugarland->The Woodlands Can someone elaborate, because frankly it seems like people that make that argument just assume their employer will choose to relocate near their house in the burbs.

I found this part of the article intersting: Meanwhile many commuters are looking for whatever time savings they can, though some said there is really no good way to travel along the I-10 corridor. Buses take too long when you factor in parking, boarding and then getting to your destination, many said. The general use lanes are statistically better than they were a decade ago, but still nightmarish during peak commutes. "Is there a time when the freeway isn't jammed?" Roland Smith asked. "I went out Saturday and (the traffic) looked like Monday morning." So basically the huge expense of redoing I-10 only slightly helped, but it's still a mess as more people are using it. I can't imagine the energy corridor maintaining its popularity if traffic becomes crippling along it.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts (more-so from Republicans) about the current state of the party. As a liberal who has always enjoyed good debate and respected a lot of Repubs in the past... I'll admit that the current Republican party is actually kind of depressing me. It's almost like they are trying to make it too easy for Democrats to win. I have some intelligent, conservative friends who just seem at a loss. Insightful, moderate, or just well-reasoned Republicans seem to be ostracized for anything... all while Tea Party conservatives seem hell-bent on changing the party completely. Whether or not you agree, you can't deny the fact that the party's image is at an all time low (see most recent gallup poll http://www.gallup.com/poll/165317/republican-party-favorability-sinks-record-low.aspx) I don't want this thread to turn into liberal/conservative bashing. Instead, I'd like to keep it focused strictly on the party itself. Are you worried about the current direction, what plans you have for voting as the party changes (i.e. will you go libertarian, etc.?). Do you plan to work in the primaries against/for Tea Party candidates... will you just sit back and hold your nose when you vote for the ® on the ticket? OR, is there no problem at all and liberals like me are just completely off base and everything is peachy in the Republican camp?

It's already like that. My brother (in the burbs), was attacked and the group tried to pull him out of his car in NW Houston. Speed away and called 911. It took the Constable 1 hour to respond (they were short staffed that night). The white trash cop told him he should get a CHL and just took a statement. When I lived in the Midtown, I would call the cops and have HPD on my front door within minutes. Now I'm in Braeswood and it took them 10 minutes for a suspicious person call. Friggin awesome. I love police response times in the city. My biggest fear for my family in the burbs is as the crime rates and traffic rise, it's only going to get worse for police and fire response.

To elaborate more on my point earlier, why can't the city do more things like South Main @ Holcombe? https://maps.google.com/?ll=29.707126,-95.404424&spn=0.001037,0.001055&t=h°=270&z=20&layer=c&cbll=29.707126,-95.404424&panoid=sqJkY38dbDl_fvE2RqFtBw&cbp=12,217.45,,0,5.87 If the city would make S Main have no stoplights all the way to 610, that would solve a TON of traffic problems for the Medical Center. Same could be done for other roads w/out much of an impact to the existing ROW's.

The problem isn't even employment... it's just getting around period. That said, there is only so much office space an edge city can support (especially when it's only on one major freeway). If anything, the edge cities will only be in more trouble down the road because they lack any type of streets that can handle a lot of off-freeway traffic. They'll eventually only be swallowed up and in a constant state of gridlock like FM 1960 or Pearland Pkwy already are. I think the best (quick) solution to traffic would be to actually make major thoroughfares work (some almost like mini versions of Memorial). Richmond, Buffalo Speedway, Shephard, Montrose, South Main, etc. Reduce speed limits and eliminate lights (heck, even tunnel at major intersections), and add bike lanes. This would ensure a slow, safe, yet constant flow of traffic and keep bikers from slowing down traffic and out of harm's way. Long term, the burbs need rail. Only problem is that the burbs are conservative... so they'll vote against their best interests and keep turning it down. They'll complain about traffic and move further out... eventually turning Hempstead into the next Jersey Village.

I just hope TGM watches out for all those roaming gangs of wealthy, college educated thugs who are robbing stores, dealing, and holding people up at gunpoint on a daily basis.

You are WAY to simplistic in your view. I'm guessing you aren't struggling to feed your family, or live in a neighborhood where the guys with the most money seem to be gang-bangers or dealers? In your neighborhood, you see success first-hand being achieved via jobs and education. In poorer neighborhoods, the only success they typically see first-hand is through more nefarious means. They live in a neighborhood w/out petroleum engineers, and come from a family that has probably had more struggles than you can imagine. The only way to help them is through education and showing them first-hand examples of successful people. The Republican route of slashing education funding and reducing investments in their communities will only exacerbate crime and inequality.

I guess they needed something larger that could accomodate Dominique's ever-growing ego.

No, but yes. I live in a neighborhood that I can walk to Reliant. My impression is that Reliant wants to bring bigger concerts/festivals of the multiple stage variety, but have had to spill over into the "Green Lot" for now since it's the only other option they have where you won't melt event-goers' shoes. Even at the final four events w/ band like Kings of Leon... Discovery Green served as a so-so place for the large outdoor concerts... but the park was bursting at the seams, parking/getting in and out was horrible, and the lawn was pretty much mud afterwards. I'll say it again, but my belief is that officials think casino gambling is close to passing here in Texas. I think officials are trying to save the Dome that would make it usable for this purpose in the future (hence no indoor ski-slopes/stripping the thing down/etc. but just preserving the shell and making it a large indoor space). Ed Emmett has even said that the dome will be saved so that future "proposals" can be easily implemented when that day comes.

The vineyards is one thing I haven't done yet. Any recommendations?

These are all awesome ideas. I'm really open to anything. I'd hate to tell you all what I like and then miss out on other random ideas (i.e. the county fair is one thing I never thought of). I'll contribute to the thread by mentioning Trinity, TX. It has Lake Livingston, camping, and Fat Cops! I'd love for this thread to have whatever off-the-wall type places people like near Houston. Maybe others can get some different ideas as well.

I'd love to hear some of your favorite (and lesser known) weekend getaway spots from Houston. I'm not talking about Austin, San Antonio, Galveston, etc... but somewhat unknown/quirky places that you can take the wife (and possibly a kid) that are an easy drive away and stay the weekend. I need some ideas!

No need to watch the entire video when his premise is wrong in the first two minutes. "Living in them is two identical experiences" - WRONG. I can do whatever I want to w/ my house. Not so w/ a rental. "3k to rent or 1Mill to buy same property": WRONG. $3k will not let you rent a $1 Million property. Try ~$6k+ per month "4% cd": WRONG. Try 0.78% right now Especially in Houston, buying > renting most of the time. My mortgage for a 4/2 in the loop costs me less than renting even a 2/2 of similar quality/location. Plus, as rents continue to rise in the loop, my mortgage will remain the same. It blows my mind that someone would be willing to pay $1900 a month for a 1bedroom "luxury apt" when my 4/2 near West U costs me less than that.

This event highlights what the suburbs are already going through (and will continue to see increase). It's a fact that lower income families are flooding the suburbs as land in the city gets more expensive. This pattern is occurring everywhere around the country (and has already done so in Europe). Spring was a nice HS back when I was at Cy-Creek, but it sounds like they have a serious gang problem now. Give it another 10-15 years and I believe you'll see problems even crop up in the Woodlands, Sugar Land, Cinco Ranch type areas as well.