jtmbin
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Posts posted by jtmbin
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Typical Houstonian. The City just finished spending $15 million on renovating the main library, and you complain about how little they spend.
Not to confuse you Red, but I wasn't complaining about the money spent on the renovation, bond funds, although I could. I am complaining about how little we appropriate for operating the system, annual budget from tax revenues, because it is too little for a city this size.
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AND you can have any (circulating) book from any HPL library sent to any other HPL library in the system, typically overnight, to be picked up at your leisure with just a few clicks from your home/work computer. You can check it out for up to six weeks. All for FREE. (yeah, yeah I know your taxes pay for it) Try that at Borders.
It is amazing that the Library Dept manages to accomplish anything at all with these numbers:
"According to federal statistics for 2006, Houston's library system spends $17 per capita to operate each year
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Coming late to this discussion, I know. But I would be very surprised if 100% of both lists are not widely available at numerous branches throughout the system. Same with the Brazoria County Library System.
AND you can have any (circulating) book from any HPL library sent to any other HPL library in the system, typically overnight, to be picked up at your leisure with just a few clicks from your home/work computer. You can check it out for up to six weeks. All for FREE. (yeah, yeah I know your taxes pay for it) Try that at Borders.
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Cheesy is good.
At least it doesn't have that red, white and blue big bird looking sculpture (now in front of GRB in Discovery Green).
That's progress in and of itself.
A bit of info on the "cheese". The patterns and colors in the plaza are themselves the result of a civic art project, not a planning meeting. Sorry to disappoint you, H-town. The pattern is a super-graphic of the floor tile pattern in the historic Julia Ideson Building, the former central library adjacent to the plaza. It is meant to show a connection between the old and new central libraries. The colors are the same colors that will be used in the upcoming LED light sculpture that will be installed in the plaza this summer. The lights in the plaza will be programmed in part by software designed by students at UH-Clearlake. The software uses the library's online computer activity to activate the light patterns. The busier the system, the more active the lights. In effect, the lightwall becomes the LED heartbeat of HPL's electronic/internet/online life. At least, these were the artist's intentions.
Additionally, the plaza has been wired for performances and concerts. Three shading devices will be installed in a few weeks that spell out "Houston" "Public" "Library" in the varying gauge of the screening. The shadows of those words created by the screening will move across the plaza has the sun moves across the sky. It will be a cool visual from all of the neighboring skyscrapers.
The edges of the plaza will be lined with very red planters filled with very tall-growing bamboo. There will be outdoor seating for the new Inversion Cafe, and new decking has been added under the oaks adjacent to the Ideson.
Some may think its all cheesy, but compared to the lifeless half-city block of brown brick pavers inhabited by nothing but the homeless that was there before, some may welcome it.
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those were the words guy hagstedt used. guess there is a lot to do before then. they also interviewed robert del grande who'll be operating the two restaurants.
They are rushing because the project is behind schedule because it rained for TEN straight weeks this summer.
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I noticed that the angled corners which we thought would be entrances, are actually not. One of them is just a window (maybe with a display of some sort in it?). The other is a drive through. So I guess there will be no entrance near Main!
While it kinda sucks for midtown, it doesn't surprise me too much. Until the rest of the neighborhood develops (I am talking about the abandoned buildings and empty lots along Main), it's unlikely that anybody is going to try anything risky in this hood. I would have rather seen an urban styled store but if it's cheaper and more profitable for them to do it this way, and zoning laws are non existent, who's going to stop them? Everybody here loves the free market, and this is a good example of how the free market works.
At least we don't have an empty brick wall facing the rail. At least there is a window on one of the corners...
"at least", that about sums up most development in Houston these days, and since this city's administration demands nothing more and its citizens expect nothing more, we get what we deserve - the least.
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Wow, this is very nice looking! Where is it located?
HPL seems to be doing very well with their new facilities. This is a great addition to the system, as was the branch on Stella Link a few years ago. And I really like the old church conversion on Montrose. I look forward to the completion of the central library renovations downtown.
http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/loo_home.html
HPL Looscan Neighborhood Library
Phone
832-393-1900
Hours
M 10-8; T 10-6; W 10-6; Th 12-8; F 12-6; Sa 10-6
Address
2510 Willowick
Houston, Texas 77027
(Key Map #492S)
Directions
From the corner of 59 and Weslayan go north on Weslayan. The library will be on the left just past Westheimer.
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I read an interesting article recently about the changes being made in new libraries.
They're starting to be designed more like a combination of Starbucks and Borders in order to draw in more people.
One of them, I think in the Northwest, actually (*gasp!*) dropped the Dewey Decimal system and has organized its books the way bookstores do -- by topic.
I love the library. My wife hates the library. She'd rather pay for a book at the bookstore than go through the hassle/wait of trying to find it at the library.
It is interesting that your wife thinks that it's a hassle. She can search the catalogue of the entire HPL system from the comfort of her home computer 24/7 and have any book, CD, DVD, book on CD, etc. delivered to any one of 36 locations around town within 48 hours, typically. The item will be waiting with her name on it on the HOLD shelf. In many libraries, she can walk in, grab the book off the shelf, check it out herself using a Self-Check machine just like at the grocery store and be out the door. This might take five minutes. If the book isn't ready immediately, say you want Harry Potter on Day One and all 300 copies are reserved, you'll be sent an email telling you when it is waiting for you on the HOLD shelf at the library of your choosing. She can renew the book up to two times for a total of six weeks of check out time, all online, without risking a late fine. She can track and store books that she browses online, track books she's read, blah, blah, blah. I could go on, but I guess you get the picture.
Regarding the retail model, libraries have simply stolen the customer service page back from the retailers, or at least they are trying to by offering amenties that people have come to expect. Comfy chairs, a cuppa coffee, wi-fi, and later hours are all parts of the equation. It is notable that while the city's wi-fi initiative is on hold, HPL completed adding free wi-fi service to every library last year.
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Very pretty library, it just makes you want to wander around and check out the books. I love libraries and this is a very pretty one.
It is very different from the last new HPL building, the Stella Link Neighborhood Library which opened two years ago. That one is very contemporary, very colorful, glass and steel. It is also one of the top two most popular branch libraries in the city. It will be interesting to see how Looscan stacks up when the performance numbers start rolling in.
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Yeah, sorry, but they're not coming up for me either.
Try this link http://web.mac.com/bindana/iWeb/Site/Looscan%20Library.html
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Pics from the Opening of the new Looscan Neighborhood Library.
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i wonder what the library's fate will be?
The library will remain for as long as HPL chooses to use the facility to provide library services from the building. If HPL ever decides to discontinue using the former church building as a library, control/ownership of the facility reverts to the owner - now UST.
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Yep, sure do. Now THAT is a flashback.
But the buildings are still there, I think, and occupied.
That's an odd part of town.
The Houston Public Library's Young Branch has been located in the Palm Center for several years. It's smaller than most HPL libraries but it has free wi-fi (like every HPL facility) and you can check out a laptop for use in the building. Palm Center is alive and well.
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Still missing:
Sunset Tea Room
DISH
Driscoll Street Cafe
The Spud-U-Like
Cookies, Goodies, and More
Empanada House
the original La Strada
Frenchy's on Shepherd
Sabine
Armandos
Quilted Toque
Sierra
The Magic Pan Crepery
and many more
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Just curious what happened to all the federal money the city has received for the restoration of this site.
Approx. $1.1M in federal dollars was received by the city towards the Gregory School project. The majority of those dollars have been spent during the scope development, progamming, and design phases of the project. Those plans are 90% complete. The city has identified nearly $3M in bond and grant funds towards the nearly $5.5M construction budget for the project.
The city is in the process of finalizing plans, budgets, operating costs, and management of the facility before committing the balance of the needed funding and beginning construction. The intent is to begin construction before the end of the current fiscal year; June 30, 2006.
It's been a long three-year process, but considering that HISD allowed the building to rot into complete disrepair for nearly 20 years before the city agreed to take it over and save it, and considering the ridiculous amount of political posturing that has enveloped the project, the city is making reasonable progress.
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Our neighbor says that it will be a Copperfield Liquor store, not Spec's. Are you sure it's Spec's?
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My office overlooks it from a nearby skyscraper, and if any of you have ever seen it from above, you see how L A R G E it really is. The orangy-brown color grabs your eye and won't let go (even "tin can alley," block after block of Urban Lofts, can't detract from the Federal Reserves presence).
As for the style, it is definitely Graves. I suspect before it is finished, there will be a soft blue grippy handle sticking out one side and a water spout on the other. Very Target housewares.
It's light years better than another stucco, buff, beige brick, gray glass, boring me to tears office building that Houston seems to have adopted as official. Better this Graves design for Allen Parkway than something like that awful 3333 Allen Parkway apt/condo tower with the pathetic hat on top. It's supposed to have presence. It's supposed to make a statement. Bravo to Graves and to the Federal Reserve for having the balls to build it.
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I drove by this building today and there is a huge sign on the front that says, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. ??? Uh, I don't get it. This building is in Houston. Just like our Government to get all confused and waste money, they'll probably change the sign in a year or two for $100k. Go check it out next time your driving down Allen Pkwy.
Dream
this post is dedicated to the late 27, "he may be country but that don't mean he wasn't classy"
Not to worry. Drive by again. They've added "Houston Branch" to the signage which aptly describes the facility. It really isn't that big of an issue is it? Saks Fifth Avenue didn't change it's name to "Westheimer Road" just because they opened a store in Houston, away from their New York roots.
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Did anyone else notice how they're converting the Compaq Center into a church? I couldn't believe it when I saw that sign! Here's some general info I found through Google. Sorry if this was already discussed somewhere else.
http://www.injoystewardship.com/solutions/...05_lakewood.htm
Are you kidding or new to Houston? The deal to lease the building to Lakewood Church was one of the biggest news stories in town a couple years ago. It involved lawsuits regarding the other tenants of Greenway Plaza, it threatened to keep the Rockets from playing in Toyota Center on schedule, it was a BIG deal.
It's been under construction for nearly a year.
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Does anyone know if all of the units have the rooftop patio space, or is that just for the ones on the top floor?
Another thing I liked about this place: There is an incredible feeling of privacy despite this being a high density complex. The staggering of the walkways, exterior shapes, and multiple levels make each unit feel like its own building.
Only the upper two story units and the three story units have roof-top decks. The one-story ground floor units have ground floor patios, some of them quite nice.
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I lived there in the mid 90's in #7. Loved it. Incredibly quiet or else I had neighbors with hearing problems because I played my stereo very loud without ever a single complaint, plus I never heard anyone else. The pool area is very cool, and the location as described above is hard to beat if you are in inner loop kind of person.
Only drawbacks, the finishes, appliances, and fixtures need major updating in most units. There are 20+ floorplans and some are much, much better than others, but on the whole it is one of the best designed developments ever in Houston - in my opinion.
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Very interesting. I called to find out the story and they're auctioning 20 units in order to get to their pre-sale requirement of 40 units.
Has anyone ever heard of this type of sales method before?
This is not unusual at all, just not common in Houston.
An auction is just a way to get things done faster. Selling an entire building is not unlike selling every house in a neighborhood - it doesn't usually happen in just a couple of months. Randall Davis has several major new construction projects under development in Houston, Galveston, and Las Vegas. Word has it that he may sell all of his rental properties if the St. Germain sale works out as hoped.
Two friends are purchasing units in St.Germain and others are considering it. It's a fantastic location, and the as-is units are a very competitively priced per sq. ft. Alas, the best deals were two months ago before prices went up on the more popular one-bedroom units. The auction may offer a chance for a great deal or two, but it's an auction so you never know.
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Wait - I think I get it.. The only difference is that Polo has green tags and RL has purple tags - right? I mean, I'm sure that's how the little kids in the sweat shops in SE Asia tell them apart.
Really.. It's all the same. It's only the suckers that buy this junk that are different.. different from myself and anyone who knows that a $3000 jacket = need for attention.
I didn't come from money, and I still don't have it. So unless I win the lottery, I will NEVER spend hard earned money on worthless crap. Some people just don't understand the value of a dollar.. 100 pennies. I wonder if downtown homeless Joe's jacket has a purple or green tag?
Glen
Why do so many people on this forum have such animosity towards wealthy people or just people who choose to spend thier hard-earned dollars in ways that you would not? Why do you have this "reverse-snobbism" towards people who make different choices or who can simply afford to do things that you can't imagine?
It strikes me as odd and ironic that this attitude persist so prevalently on this forum because we are often discussing the merits of, need for, and desire for multi-million dollar structures. Poor people aren't building them. One hot topic right now on the forum is the "need" to save a Mid-Century house in Memorial Bend. I doubt "homeless Joe" can come up with the $350,000.00 asking price or the additional $200,000.00 to renovate it "properly" in ways that will meet the approval of the members of this forum.
And actually you are wrong, Polo and the other lower lines are typically made in third world countries, providing incomes for people who might otherwise have none, but the upper lines cost more because they are likely made in Italy by highly skilled workers. There are more reasons, not the least of which is reputation, but why go there?
To argue that there is no difference is to expose ignorance of the products. Do you actually believe there is no difference between a Kia and a Mercedes Benz? How about between a Perry Home and one custom built by Tyne Sparks?
The differences exist, some people appreciate them and are willing to pay for that difference. If you are not, so be it, but enough with the holier than thou attitude.
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the meyerson symphony center in dallas is simply beautiful. but for the most part, it seems a lot of new designers attempt to go for shock value instead of true beauty. houston's symphony counterpart jones hall just looks like a bomb shelter.
Interesting. I've never known anyone to call Jones Hall a bomb shelter. I think it's an amazing building (especially in plan) and also beautiful. Different strokes...
Central Library At 500 McKinney St.
in Downtown
Posted
Doesn't apply to me. I'm one of those people who actually understands that ALL of the things that I want government to provide like libraries, roads, police, etc. have to be paid for and that the currency is taxes. I've not once ever advocated for tax cuts because for 1)ta xes here are incredibly low, and 2) tax cuts equal service cuts and there is not much I want to see cut. I do argue for greater efficiency and less waste - anything and every process can be improved. Frankly I wouldn't mind a tax increase if it resulted in better library service, more streets with sidewalks, more streetlights, more police, better schools, better parks - not just brown fields and rusting equipment, more rail sooner than later, etc, etc. Bring it on, I'll vote for it. No, I'm not one of those lunatics whose home value doubles and then complains about his property taxes increasing. Those people should be shot. Just kidding, sort of.