CHiPs

any chance of a source or more information about Devon having recent layoffs? According to Fortune magazine, as of mid-January 2009, Devon had never had a layoff - ever. Seems unlikely anything has changed that dramatically in the intervening 6 months.

http://www.employmentspectator.com/2009/05/devon-energy-to-restructure-eliminate-75-jobs/

Gulfgate Mall in the 6o's...nice pics...cool cars. Courtesy of Chron.com. Thanks J.R.

http://blogs.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2009/06/gulfgate_mall_in_pictures.html

I see this a lot in newly planted medians. Leaves me wondering if they don't want them to grow? Maybe limit the size so massive root systems don't tear up the roads later on.

But that might be giving too much credit where none is due, prolly just poor planning.

I've noticed the trees along 45 S and Cullen the same size...not enough nutrition can stunt their growth.

On the Garage

does anybody know if the "vines" on the garage are just an embellishment for this rendering..

or is are they really going to plant them on it.

It would look really cool, and go with the whole "green" thing going on.

From the picture that capture the garage i don't really see the space for this, so

does anybody have any more garage pictures and or know if this is gonna happen.

and the glass is awesome on Disco/Hess Tower!

Nice. But I don't think DG has that many trees as the photo paints it. Maybe that's what it will be in a few years.

Portland, OR

I ran into the same situation. Don't let your coworkers influence your decision. After all, you're going to live in the house, not them.

For what it's worth, people questioned my parents' decision to buy in West U in the '70s. "Why do you want to live there?! The neighborhood is so old and run-down!"

Wow...really? West U? I see hope for Broadmoor.

Is it "normal" to get an inspection before or after an appraisal?

There are lot of things you can do to improve a house....

....but not much you can do to improve the location.

Edited for poor rural meth adict metal recycler grammar.

Wow. What was there first...the tracks or the house?..well, she can always move the house.

Hello all,

So has anyone seen a time line for this Livable Centers/Strategic Vision? I saw a ABC-13 remote van/truck in Guadalupe Park last evening and they have a story on their website.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=...&id=6866389

It looks really interesting but also has an element of "pie in the sky, all talk, no action".

Personally, as a resident of the East End, I'm excited to see some interest in rejuvenating this area.

Good news for the East End. The area is ripe for revitalization.

I have a hard time imagining where a grocery store of that size would go in downtown. Clearly there's plenty of empty parking lots, but I'm sure they're asking a small fortune for those plots. East End would be great because there are so many vacant warehouses begging to be torn down.

really?...I think they would make great lofts or coffee shops.

This was a random act. I don't think the "thugs" who did this were from the East End, just a hunch. Store and same owner have been there for many years.

I noticed in the last few days that city crews have been scrapping off the top surface of my neighborhood streets (Eastwood/Lawndale). They did my street on Tuesday. I'm assuming they're going to lay down new asphalt.

I've been looking at houses and lots in Brookesmith. There are some blocks that are already stable. There are other blocks, especially north of Patton that are still struggling.

Unfortunately, I've seen one crappy (and I mean really crappy) townhouse project get started but otherwise it has been quiet. The southern blocks seem to have the best value and have the highest quality housing stock.

I've watched it for a little while to look for buying opportunities. Will appreciation from the Heights/Norhill jump North Main? Anybody have any insight to the area? Thanks in advance.

I'm currently house hunting and got a chance to drive through Brooksmith. The closer you get to North Main the nicer it gets. But, I see the potential. My guess is the neighborhood will continue to "evolve" and move further north, but may take about 10 years before that whole area becomes stable. There some very nice looking homes and some that need work. Also, the floodplain sits along 45 up to 610.

By popular vote, HAIFers have selected a date and time for their next HAIF Happy Hour. It will be on Friday, May 22nd, from 6:00PM until its over.

We've got volunteers that are bringing the essentials, and anybody else that wants to show up is welcome to. If we run out of booze or other necessities, there is a grocery store next door.

LOCATION: confidential. Sorry, but Google would pick up on the address and would advertise this event until the end of eternity. And I need to keep under the radar.

Anybody that has already told me that they're going to show up is about to receive a PM from me. Anybody that wants to show up need only post to this thread, and I'll relay the address.

It's in my neck of the woods. Where will this take place?

Very true, in fact the one or two signs I noticed near Lawndale were hardly noticeable. You have to peer behind the overgrown tree branches that block em out. That means at night they are invisible and thats when most hoods go to work.

We were on a friends patio in CC Place the other weekend, and noticed door to door bible salespeople in Mormon attire now that was shocking! Even had two childen with them. Had to rub my eyes! Talk about brave. Drive around CC Place and see how it appears as a movie studio backlot for a 1940's era film then go to the back where those sleazy Fair Oaks Apts start and its a living hell hole. Thats a whole other Crater Houston/crime ridden topic. Cc place has my condolences as with the rest of this area. If you did a online check of where predators/ex convicts live, BINGO! they are all there! Unfortunately, was told recently there are no plans to bullldoze but to renovate them. Now convicts get to live even more comfortably then continue the pillaging. Oy vey.

Drove by yesterday and noticed that renovations are already underway.

Did anyone attend this on Monday?

The Future of Houston

My prayer goes out to the family of the deceased. May he RIP. That place was an eyesore and wasn't stable. I agree, it's odd to think that rebuilding was a good idea. The structures should have been torn down.

I made a donation to GWGC and still nothing...come on' now. What's the hold up?

club type places are cyclical as are their clientele. a few yrs ago downtown was it, then midtown, now washington. this is just part of the cycle.

and in 10 years it will be Harrisburg Blvd..

You're Right, Northwest Mall, I think its the one off of 290 and 610.

I read somewhere (maybe here) that Northwest Mall will close and get a "facelift" soon.

I'm currently looking for a home in Oak Forest, since I can't afford anything in Garden Oaks. Will Oak Forest look like Garden Oaks in 10-15 years? Any recent tear downs?

Well, unfortunately, this new one is hardly any different than the old one.

However, its great that the managers are on the ball as far as making sure the staff is professional. Hope it lasts. Maybe my wearing a suit when I walked in created the stir? I any case, its Ok and still an improvement.

Lets hope the Burger King @ 45/Wayside is as great as the other new ones with Internet room, etc.? Cross fingers.

Anyone like the chic new logo? My GF, who's a Graphic Designer, hates it...lol

Very interesting development. This gutted church is visible from my office, and any of the west-facing offices at the edge of downtown. It's surrounded by Larry Davis townhomes (the metal ones). I think this park idea is a pretty neat way to preserve what's left of it.

Needless to say, it'll do wonders for the property values of the surrounding townhomes. If I had one of them I'd be doing cartwheels. When these homes were under construction, this was an abandoned, decrepit church. Then it was a burned-out, eyesore of a safety hazard. Now it'll be a very unique park. What better turnaround could the homeowners have hoped for? Somebody must have a friend on the city council!

No, somebody has money.

I was surprised to see how neat orange trees look around here.

However, I tried tasting one and it was not so good at all. So I guess for the ornaments sake they are Ok? The birds should love em?

Lemon trees smell very nice too but oh man, those sharp needles draw bood.

My mother has an orange tree, the oranges are very good..

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.

Why not?