hokieone

Yeah everytime I drive by it looks like a somewhat bizarre scene. Looks really nice inside, about 100 TV's, no one inside. Haven't gone by on a weekend, but maybe it just needs to get "word of mouth" out. I also have done that same drive through that area and there are always people out "enjoying" the neighborhhod by standing in groups on the corners and staring at cars that drive by. Probably just talking about the weather, Houston Pavilions, and the future of light rail.

FYI it is winter right now. We did hit 80 on Jan 3rd of this year with a low of 46 that day, but why is that too much for you? I'm wondering what temperature you would consider ideal for walking around outside. From the sound of it, nature frightens you. Yes summer is rough, I would not argue that. And it rains here? That's amazing, I think in most other places it never rains, how unfortunate we are that we are cursed with that phenomenon that it rains. I mean its amazing we survive an 80 degree day in the winter, when other places are buried under 12 inches of snow. I would say 7-8 months of the year here are pleasant to be outside. Those 4 in the summer are rough, but good to know that in the future I'll be able to get on the megawalk and just stand as I'm moved from place to place - sounds like the Jetsons.

Plastic is also infamous on this board for at one point saying everything inside beltway 8 should be considered downtown. He also suggested that downtown (the CBD) was already too crowded. Perhaps its not pedestrian at his version of downtown out at BW8 and 59 where no one is walking on the feeders. Either way, the posts are often amusing, because now the latest idea is moving sidewalks, which I don't even understand because don't we all just love moving walkways at the airports? Not to mention avoiding "the elements" such as the 70 degree weather outside in January. That is way too harsh, I mean how can any reasonable person be expected to walk outside today?

Yeah some co-workers and I went down to have lunch at Stallone's today and lo and behold - its "closed for renovation" - and there's a nice, big "for lease" sign there as well. I didn't love the place, but sucks to see it close so quickly, that couldn't have been open for more than 6 months. Hopefully laidbackmanor does better.

I actually like the way Washington is going along as well. I think while its not going to be an urban street that some people probably wish it would be, I think it could be basically a funky representation of all things Houston in a few years. It reminds me in some ways of the way lower Westheimer looks, but the roads on Washington are better and also things will be a little newer. I actually like that new plaza where Washington Mutual is, even though there is nothing else there right now. I saw that it looks like they've started moving ground too where that smoothie place is going to be located. I agree it probably could have been another place where mixed retail/ residential would have been nice, but I think the mix of some of the stores/ restaurants going in is actually not bad.

is the baggage claim area in terminal C going to get any kind of makeover? It still has the look of the previous incarnation and also needs a little work. I know baggage claims are never the most glamorous areas simply by the nature of its a disaster area, but with E and C both in there, the monitors that say who goes to which carousel are probably from the Atari era. Just think that visitors see the rest of the gates, think this place isn't that bad, then see the baggage claim area and think the place is a dump. Especially since it usually takes forever to get the bags out. I thought Newark's was a decent balance of the two, its obviously the same disaster logistically, but at least visually it wasn't as dumpy. I know, this is where everyone says "that's why i don't ever check my bags"

Terminal E is by the best visually. However, the biggest pain in the ass in landing there on domestic flights is the fact that you have to walk to Terminal C to pick up your bags. When I get delayed for some reason, Fox Sports grill is there to grab a couple of beers at. I do like picking up some Pappadeaux on the way out of E just so I don't have to eat that garbage Continental usually serves on their flights. Let me think a imitation BBQ sandwich in a plastic bag or some Pappadeaux - easy choice.

I kind of don't understand the general negativity from people on the park. I read through that document and I think that it sounds like a pretty good idea of what all a park that is a centerpiece would encompass. I agree there will be arguments about who gets contracts for such and such portion and the bid for certain things, the tenants will probably suck for a few of the ideas, some will get left out in the end, but overall its got to be something that will bring people into the park than just people that live within a few miles. Grass and some benches is probably the main idea of a park, but what does that do to draw people in? yes, the ideas do sound Kemah-ish, but what is so wrong with that? Its meant to be something pretty touristy/ accessible to everyone. When is the last time everyone here went to Tinsley park just to hang out and enjoy the green space on a saturday afternoon? i love that park too, but very different priorities are in place for each one. I for one look at the template and think its a good set of ideas. I know making it complicated will definitely delay things, but I wouldn't mind having a park like that to enjoy, especially this time of year when it is so nice outside. Only thing that I saw a little lacking on was athletic type things. Tennis courts would be a great addition, even its just a few. I saw they addressed basketball and volleyball, but there aren't that many tennis courts around dt that I know of.

They did at least re-do the food court area, which is the main reason the place exists currently. New carpet, added the plasma TV's. I also use Larry North gym which is one level up. Its funny to go there after work around 6-ish and the entire mall is basically closed and/or empty. the only things I think open later are the Longhorn cafe and Sbarro. Everything else is done by like 3. Its got a long way to go, but they decided to first work on the thing people are actually using, which is the food court area. Makes sense to me. Tenant mix is a big problem. An Aeros merchandise store? About 10 glorified gift shops? The bookstore in there is horrendous too. Its more of a newstand than anything, I see people in there usually just to buy magazines. The Dozo dumplings is probably the most popular thing there, thinking about it makes me want to head over there today.

FYI on the train - as I said, i sort of stopped noticing it, but paid attention last night to when it goes by. Between 10 and 11 PM, there was noise from the horn probably for a good 20 minutes of that hour (on and off of course). Eventually as more people move into the area, I see them petitioning to put more crossing arms up, not only for the noise reasons, but safety. When no one was living there, it wasn't as much of a concern, but with people moving in, it probably will change. As for the homeless, yes there are pretty much none, but there are some less than ideal people sometimes wandering around. last night i was leaving my place and some guy was in the road trying to wave me down. However, that is the first time that has happened and on the whole I would consider the area to be more deserted than Midtown probably ever was. This is good and bad - absolutely 0 retail until you head towards the Wayside/ lawndale area or go over to midtown. I agree, it will probably always be more of a bedroom community in the future. I have noticed that the plasma center up near Clinton is under construction now and they are tearing down the convenience stores that were there. Not sure what they will be putting there now instead.

While I'm not saying I wish we were #1, but lately it seems as if enforcement to some of the rules would be really nice. I had some friends visiting during the Christmas time and we went out around both downtown and Midtown, had dinner at Brasil one night in the Montrose area. Needless to say, we all had a great time, but it was a little annoying that there was not one spot we went that we were not hit up with some type of panhandling/ begging at each and every stop. Park the car in midtown, get out, someone approaches asking for money. Fill up for gas, same thing. We eat outside at Brasil, sure enough, someone comes and leans over the railing and asks for food, which someone at our table gave their leftovers to him. Seemed fine, but then sure enough, he comes back 15 minutes later and also asks for money. We go watch a Rockets game, walk from there to main street, get hit up at least 2-3 times on the way for money. Leaving to the airport, went down Chartres until it hits 59, passed by Congress and you see the current refugee camp that has been built up there. In looking at that, I find it hard to believe we are #7. Its an eyesore and just cannot be the solution to the problem. Probably at least 200 people these days. I was in New York the week after that, and I'm not saying they don't have a whole entirely different set of issues, but I was not asked for money once while I was up there. I know it all depends what part of Manhattan you are in, but I was all over from Chinatown to lower east side up to the upper east/west side. I know its already a law to not be able to approach people for cash at ATM's, gas stations, etc. but its not being enforced and while in general my friends from out of town had a great time, they were surprised by the amount of begging that goes on, even one being from L.A. In my day to day in downtown, I don't see that much in the CBD, but there are a few characters that seem to get away with breaking the law in very visible places. Near Stowers Condos, there is always a guy there laying on the sidewalk and smoking cigarettes and yelling at people. On Louisana, not too far from the Calpine building and also around Market Square, there's always a few guys. I'll admit it, I'm not compassionate towards any of the people who panhandle to me. I know panhandling and homelessness are two different issues, but they probably go hand in hand in some ways. And while I know shuffling the people around isn't a solution, I hardly believe just letting things stay the way they are is the answer either. I'm not surprised to see Atlanta so high, I think they just passed one of the toughest ordinances, completely banning panhandling.

I live pretty close to where Waterhill is building. Waterhill has become aggressive in the east end/ warehouse area lately. Not sure which waterhill community you are looking at, I'm guessing its the ones that are close to a warehouse and are very close to where a train passes. At first, I wasn't too sure I liked the homes with the blue finish, but now I think it adds a little character. Like Red Scare says its not a sure thing that the area will continue to gentrify, but I think it will because of exactly what your realtor is saying. You can get more house for the same money as midtown or the heights. from a strictly geographic perspective, its equally as close as midtown in relation to downtown, but the change isn't going to be over night. Still, over one year of time, I would say there has been a significant change in the area, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 100-200 new homes built. That is a lot for just one year. FYI, that train can be loud depending how close you are. Its not that close to me, but I can hear it because there are not crossing arms at a lot of intersections so they blow the horn.

DC passed a smoking ban including bars now. When is Houston's smoking ban for only restaurants up for review again? I think the "hurts the hospitality industry" argument is getting less and less as now New York, DC, Dallas, Chicago, and all of California ban smoking in bars and restaurants. Yes, that is not all the major cities in the US, but I would love to see us also step up and ban it in all places next go round. USA Today Article

Yeah i live over on that side, so from time to time, i drive around and see all the activity. There is a lot in the east end/ warehouse district these days. Off the top of my head ones that are currently building over by Kim Son - 5 large 4 story townhouses going for $356K In Town - large townhome community over off of Clinton, several smaller ones near Palmer and Leeland. Perry - building St Charles place, several communities going Juliet - several large ones off of Clinton, large townhome community by Delano and leeland McKinney Villas - down McKinney past Dowling, I think 15-20 townhomes in the $190 - $200 range Herrin Lofts - loft building, activity has picked up I think 8-10 townhomes at the terraces building off of Jensen Looks like the old plasma center has been cleared and those stores closed, I think it was bought by alan atkinson st emmanuel place - building more near the Meridian Live oak lofts is done, still selling (slowly) Its going to take a while to make all the dots connect, since most are pretty spread out, but all the above is within the last 1-2 years, which is a pretty significant Good call on the trains, I would love to see them put more crossing arms at the intersections, a lot don't currently have them, so you hear horns blaring all day and night.

My personal vote would also be in the east end, somewhere in the region bordered by 59, leeland, rusk, and scott. Seems like a huge potential, and would really get the area kick started I think. On the same side as toyota center and minute maid would be nice, but I still haven't really seen either one of those really have much of an impact on their immediate areas, so i don't know how a soccer stadium would fit in there either. 25-30K max, and I would rule out the idea of a track because tracks actually make the field farther away. Most colleges ripped out the tracks of their stadiums because of this very reason.

Looks like its Michael Berry who is trying to broaden the restrictions. Apparently, in reading some of the stuff online, there are some restrictions currently, but they supposedly allow panhandling/ begging if the person is idle, meaning not weaving through cars at stoplights. Yeah, that did a whole lot. The other non-related thing I saw was that they passed laws making it illegal to lay down and or sleep on the sidewalks of downtown between 7AM and 11PM. Someone should tell the guy that lays down in front of Stowers building all day and smokes cigarettes and begs for money. Chronicle article

Fine by me. Enforcing it is entirely different. Its kind of like the "how do we get rid of people living under overpasses" thing. It was outlawed, its still not enforced. Still, making this a law would be a step in the right direction.

Yeah I was actually going to say the same thing, I get the "those guys don't need a new pool table" argument, but if its for fighting MS versus some guy on the corner begging because he needs another 6 pack, I have to go with the fighting MS. Yes you can get into the philospohical debate of "how do you know where your money goes" argument and that my donation all based on appearance, but I have a hard time knowing as to why I should hand over money at every intersection with panhandlers, which if you go down westheimer/ allen parkway/richmond could cost you a lot real fast.

I wouldn't mind this being extended to all age groups. The pan handling in general has gotten out of control. Not too far from the Woodridge spot you guys are talking about I saw three bums panhandling the other night to the point they were arguing about who's spot it was. Yelling at each other and to the point of fighting until the "peacemaker" one stepped in the middle. Yes kids are dangerous but so are the grown ups. Not to mention its becoming easier to think of stop lights with panhandlers than ones without panhandlers.

feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano - oh my god its annoying. and its almost as if someone knows I hate it, because I think I hear it in about every store/ restaurant I go into right now. What a joke. For poppy Christmas songs, I actually like Lil St. Nick by the beach boys - actually not bad. felt I had to put one positive in this thread since there are a lot of songs to hate.

I always feel like Steakhouses in Houston are pretty subjective (just like any restaurant actually, but especially on "Texas specialties) My boss raves on Vic and Anthony's as being the best he's ever had. Another boss says Pappas Bros is far and away the best, and that Vic and Anthony's is not as good. Then you read Esquire magazine rave about the Strip House as being fantastic (yes i know, big surprise, a New York magazine raving about a New York restaurant located in Houston) I've got friends coming into town this Feb and they've never been here and one was telling me his favorite steak house is Outback. So something tells me it doesn't really matter which one I take them to, they're going to like it just a little more than Outback. We just argue about it because its here 365 days a year. its the same thing with "Best Bar B Q" and best "Tex-mex" food.

That bottom picture looks gorgeous, but that's life I guess. More and more lanes is reality.

I hate to slam builders, but I'm going to chime in here too. I had a contract with In Town homes, a subsidiary of Lovett, and the problem there wasn't with the customer service, more the quality of the home. I know kjb and some others on here bought with them, and actually I think kjb even had similar issues. All along the builder talked about the Lovett quality, but the builder I had was maybe capable of building a doghouse, or a birdcage, but not much more. Literally, there was a crooked wall in the house that I was told was "common" and that was just one of many issues I kept having. Electric outlets cut into the baseboard trim, I wanted tile in the kitchen and they put wood instead, then claimed they always install wood first and then go back and put tile in, which then resulted in the cabinets being damaged.... blah, blah, blah I can go on but its not important. In the end, I walked and lost my earnest money. I was more sad than mad because I liked the floor plan and the house, it just didn't work out. Only reason I'm posting is because someone else mentioned Lovett and I've worked with one of their other divisions and it also didn't pan out. I just get the feeling these days with all the townhomes being built inside the loop, name the builder, and you'll find at least one incident. Like West gray Guy said, for as much bad press as perry gets, he hasn't had any problems. So sometimes it may just be isolated incidents.

The market is soft as is. Also, I think to see new tower growth, you have to have one company that is growing/ booming and decides they need a new home. In Philly, they are getting new towers because Comcast decided they needed a massive new complex. While we have a ton of businesses, I don't know if any are exactly to the point where they feel they need to either combine into one massive building downtown or are booming. Although Enron's boom was manufactured, that is how that building got done, because they were allegedly "booming"

The other road that i like taking out of downtown sometimes is polk all the way until it dead ends into Wayside. Another street that maybe doesn't have quite the border town feel, but is somewhat different. Its seems like a street with such potential, especially seeing the downtown skyline in the background. Al sorts of old homes line the street and it seems like its a neighborhood just begging to be redone. Doesn't even seem rundown, just not cared for over the years.