brian0123

I'm always confused by Swamplot's demo reports. I don't think it means they are getting torn down like the site implies (I've asked before what they meant but never heard anything back).

I've seen some construction at Texaco (they recently built a concrete wall) along the back. I'd guess they applied for a permit so they can do construction to comply with the heat being thrown at them. I wouldn't hold my breath on anything big happening (I hope I'm wrong though).

With the younger demographic of Midtown I would like something recreational like some volleyball courts, basketball, and/or some basic fitness related equipment. Lets skip the whole family park idea with Midtown.

Pretty much every apartment complex in Midtown has this stuff already so I'm not sure if it would be fully utilized. Midtown had a public forum at HCC last year where they did a study on programming options. One thing they determined was that residents near the middle of Midtown needed and wanted open green space that was a little closer than Baldwin Park.

As nice as this park project sounds,1.5 acres really isn't large enough to make an impact as the 11 acre Discovery Green did.

Remember that Discovery Green was built with nothing around it other than the convention center. This park will finally bridge the East and West sides of Midtown.

In other words, people will now be encouraged to walk from Reef, over to Leon's (or Mongoose vs Cobra coming soon)... or over to Nouveau, etc. In other words, this park will fill the empty gap in the middle of Midtown and encourage people to stop seeing Main street as some border you can't walk across. It doesn't have to be enormous... it just has to have lighting, people, some restaurants, and green space. Plus, it's right at a light rail stop.

remember MCGowen Green? http://mcgowengreen.org/

I remember it. Problem with it is that it assumes Midtown owns the entire Superblock (which it doesn't).

I'm with infinite jim. This is like a Discovery Green part II. We need something a little more interesting and swanky this time around like in Uptown Dallas and maybe a Victory style development.

"Swanky" sounds expensive and more $$$ to maintain. I think this rendering looks awesome because it fills a need for the area, brings in more retail and green space, and probably won't be a money bucket for Midtown (my tax dollars) to maintain. It should also spur development on the other side of Main. Seems like a win all around to me.

La Maison was named one of the best B&B in the world...

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-09-12-best-in-the-world-midtown-houston-bed-and-breakfast-la-maison-is-bestowed-with-that-distinction/

I believe the parking is under Midtown's portion of the block.

Figured I'd go ahead and start a new official thread on this.

Coming Spring 2014 Midtown Superblock Park http://innerlooped.com/1653/midtown-superblock-first-look/

It's going to have underground parking too! There is a link to the full document on InnerLooped.


• Includes a balance of program items that support the overall goals of the Midtown District
• Includes over 140 underground parking spaces that support park activities, nearby retail destination and the Main Street rail line
• Includes over 7,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space

Renderings and info as of 5/2015:

http://i.imgur.com/JJVD97D.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HnlSiO5h.jpg

1. How is this stifling free speech? Churches can preach anything they want to. This just keeps them off private property.

2. Litter laws are enforced against people right now (which does no good for the homeless). Forcing the churches to pick up after themselves and their patrons seems like a fair request.

3. Yes, dart (and shuffle). Come watch people under Pierce elevated on a Saturday/Sunday. I think no one has been hit yet because traffic is slow on those mornings.

4. How is the city trying to "hide" them when they are inviting them into city parks? Under Pierce elevated and 59 is hiding. Bringing them into a controlled public park isn't hiding them at all.

I'm contacting my councilpersons to tell them criminalizing charity is nothing to brag about. Didn't some dude named Jesus feed a bunch of homeless people bread and fish once upon a time? Did he get fined $2,000 for his act of kindness?

I generally have little use for preachers, but when they finally do something worthwhile, such as feeding the less fortunate, the LAST thing I am going to do is attempt to punish them for it. James Rodriguez should be ashamed. Enforce littering rules if you must. But limiting the feeding areas because some people get grossed out at seeing homeless people is ridiculous.

No one is grossed out. It's a matter of safety. The homeless dart out into traffic and litter is left everywhere. They will still be able to feed the homeless... so no one is stopping that. There are tons of organizations better equipped to help the homeless (Search, etc.) and the churches should donate to them if they want to help. The reality is that preachers want a flock to preach to, and they use food as a way to get a crowd. They've been offered chances to help at places like Search but they turned them down because they wanted to run everything their own way.

A chunk of Midtown used to be the old city fairgrounds (I remember seeing a map on here sometime before). I guess the name just stuck as the land was sold over the years.

City council will be talking tomorrow about a new ordinance for feeding the homeless. http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2012/03/houston-wants-to-regulate-feeding-the-homeless/ and http://innerlooped.com/1635/homeless-feeding-regulations/

We've contacted James Rodriguez and Wanda Adam's offices in support of it. You may consider contacting your council member as well.

Other pic and link to Frontline episode on the artist... http://innerlooped.com/1628/free-event-of-the-weekend-ai-weiwei-heads-at-hermann-park/

Holy crap, this is awesome! I wonder how many screens the theater would be able to have in that size of a structure?

Thanks Marksmu, that's great to know. So let's say someone were to go the route Niche proposed and have a hurricane rated metal structure with living quarters inside. Would it be something you'd feel confident staying in during a hurricane... or would you feel safer in a typical Houston wood-framed house?

Also, what do these structures feel like in a Houston summer?

(Personally, I'd be tempted to go metal, then build out a modest and secured living enclosure inside, and then put money into the building itself (mechanical, insulation, landscaping, security devices) over time.

I've often wondered about metal. How would it hold up in a hurricane? Wouldn't it get shredded by flying metal sheets?

All of you should call 311 and report it. I haven't smelled it but if it's something uncommon, the city needs to hear about it.

In front of coco's about 20 minutes ago a guy on a bike snatched a purse from a very intoxicated girl walking back to her car. Scary.

I hope she wasn't planning on driving. If so he inadvertently kept a drunk driver off the road.

Midtown Park - should be sold to developer with planning restrictions

Part of the Bagby street reconstruction will enhance this along w/ other enhancements later. I saw a rendering w/ a small kiosk/coffee type place on the corner facing Cyclone Anaya's w/ outdoor seating.

Glover Park - anything would help this vacant lot at this point

Being redeveloped by Midtown. Last I heard plans are at the city for approval, and they are targeting full approval end of second quarter. Will have a dog park w/ a plaza.

Peggy Park - the triangulated portion of the park along Alameda could use a redesign.

Outside of Midtown's borders, not sure what plans are for it.

Midtown Superblock - sell the land to a developer with restrictions, use money to develop linear park over future demo of Pierce Elevated

Camden owns half already, Midtown the other (for future park).

This is my uncle's place. Weddings/receptions/private events are still the main thing they do. However, he'd like to do these types of events more often.

I heard a local bar owner say it best about Midtown recently. He said when the "scene" moved on, the dbags and "flighty people" left with it. Now, Midtown has normal regular people from the neighborhood that spend money consistently and regularly. He also said while the scene is coming back from Washington... the crowds are different this time. He said a lot of the dbags are still on Washington and finding other parts of town and that he's excited Midtown is becoming an upscale and long-term place. He thinks Midtown will become an urban version of Rice Village in a couple of years.

Screw this thing! I hope this never gets built. It's nice looking across the lake and enjoying a little slice of nature in the city. No need to mess up a good thing.

I love the look of the new stadium... I just wish I could enjoy soccer. I've tried. A part of me worries that once the stadium opens (and people pour in to see the stadium), their reaction will be like on the Simpsons http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/simpsons-explain-soccer/LX4RzIMfZsf03GZpqLs1Bw

This was supposed to be a new green office complex. I had heard the company was looking at building something else instead (I guess they did). It will be nice to have more residents on my side of Midtown. The location is awesome (couple minutes on bike to Discovery Green/Toyota Center/Houston Pavilions/etc.)

Where did you find these renderings? I'd love to get more info about this.

I like the webcam. I hope you keep it up.