Urbannizer

Today

Yesterday from the Houston Chron

49 story residential tower out, 31 story apartment tower in.

Developers on Thursday unveiled their latest plans for the art-themed 21c Museum Hotel, with the downtown project now calling for a 31-story apartment tower, along with a 13-story, 250-room hotel with a modern art museum open to the public.

Officials with the Poe Cos. and 21c Museum Hotels presented their plans to the Waller Creek Citizen Advisory Committee.

The project would be built on about 3 acres at East Cesar Chavez and Red River streets on the banks of Waller Creek.

The developers would set aside 10 percent of the rental units for housing for people making less than the area's median income. The 355 units would include eight live/work artists' lofts overlooking Waller Creek, also with more moderate rents.

The project would be the first major development in the Waller Creek District, contributing $1 million annually in property tax revenue over 20 years to help fund a $127 million flood control tunnel.

The tunnel would be a catalyst to spur investment in an area that has been "basically been undeveloped, like the last prairie of downtown, so we want to do all we can to jump-start that," City Council Member Sheryl Cole said.

The developers have been talking to city leaders about the $200 million project, raising the prospect of potential new funding sources, Cole said.

In discussions with the developers, Cole said they talked about other "creative public-private partnerships" involving cities, counties and even the federal government to help projects move forward in a difficult economy.

Because it would be in a part of downtown that is seeing revitalization, Cole said she would "certainly support examining all the other options that other cities have used to keep and attract these type of investments."

She noted that there are no specific proposals on the table for the 21c project, however.

Asked whether the developers would seek city incentives, Craig Greenberg, vice chairman of 21c Museum Hotels, said, "we're always looking for help" to obtain financing.

If financing materializes, construction could start by midsummer and be completed two years later, in mid-2012, said Steve Poe, chief executive of the Poe Cos.

http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/2009/12/04/120421c.html

Winter Storm Warning:

AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE COUPLED WITH AN INCREASE

IN MOISTURE AND UNSEASONABLY COLD TEMPERATURES WILL SET THE STAGE

FOR PERIODS OF SNOW ACROSS THE AREA FRIDAY. ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO

5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED.

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALVIN...ANAHUAC...ANGLETON...

BROOKSHIRE...CLEVELAND...COLDSPRING...CONROE...CORRIGAN...

DAYTON...FREEPORT...FRIENDSWOOD...GALVESTON...HEMPSTEAD...

HOUSTON...HUMBLE...KATY...LAKE JACKSON...LEAGUE CITY...LIBERTY...

LIVINGSTON...MISSOURI CITY...MONT BELVIEU...ONALASKA...PASADENA...

PEARLAND...PRAIRIE VIEW...RICHMOND...ROSENBERG...SHEPHERD...

SUGAR LAND...TEXAS CITY...THE WOODLANDS...TOMBALL...WILLIS...

WINNIE

1017 PM CST THU DEC 3 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM CST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HOUSTON/GALVESTON HAS ISSUED A

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO

8 PM CST FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE AREA BEGINNING LATE MORNING

FRIDAY...AND BECOME MODERATE TO HEAVY DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS.

THE SNOW WILL PERSIST UNTIL EARLY EVENING BEFORE ENDING. TOTAL

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 4 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED TOTALS OF 5 INCHES...ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE INLAND COUNTIES AND THE NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE COASTAL COUNTIES. TOWARD THE IMMEDIATE COAST...THE PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN AS RAIN AND NOT CHANGE TO SNOW UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON. AS A RESULT...SLIGHTLY LOWER ACCUMULATIONS ARE ANTICIPATED THERE. THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO END ACROSS THE WARNING AREA BETWEEN 6 AND 8 PM. SOME ROADWAYS... ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES ARE LIKELY TO BECOME ICY FRIDAY EVENING AS TEMPERATURES FALL WELL BELOW FREEZING.

IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS AND COLD

TEMPERATURES WILL RESULT IN WIND CHILL READINGS IN THE 20S FRIDAY

AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS WINTER WEATHER

CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW

ARE FORECAST.

MELTING AND REFREEZING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY BRIDGES

AND OVERPASSES...WILL CREATE PATCHES OF BLACK ICE. THIS TYPE OF

ICE IS VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE ON THE ROAD SURFACE...AND CAN CAUSE YOU

TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR CAR.

http://forecast.weat...=hgx&wwa=winter

From Swamplot:

http://swamplot.com/dolce-freddo-condo-towers-on-san-felipe-left-out-in-the-cold/2009-12-03/

Just a month ago, an executive of Brooklyn’s Boymelgreen Developers was telling the Chronicle’s Nancy Sarnoff that the company was still committed to building those twin 28-floor condo towers at the very end of Woodway on San Felipe, next door to the old Dolce & Freddo gelato shop. Development director Sara Mirski reported that the firm planned to start construction on the Ziegler Cooper design next year, after completing a new market analysis in the spring. The former shopping-center site, just a leap over Buffalo Bayou from Piney Point Village, was purchased by an Israeli company controlled by developer Shaya Boymelgreen 2 years ago, just days after another Boymelgreen affiliate flipped the property at the corner of Richmond and Post Oak — the site of the former Mason Jar and Steak & Ale — for a quick $24 million profit.

But those were the good ol’ days. Now Boymelgreen may have a few other things to take care of before he can get going on the San Felipe Condominiums:

He is battling a bankruptcy filing against one of his companies, eviction from his Brooklyn headquarters — a judge ruled Tuesday morning that the proceedings could move forward early next year — and the seizure of a Queens theater in what the buyer calls a “friendly foreclosure.” Condo owners are filing lawsuits over his construction. He has cut his staff to 15 from 200, his spokeswoman says, and several former co-workers report that the five of his eight children who are in the family business are looking for other employment.

There’s also trouble with Boymelgreen’s Liberty Pointe Bank, which the FDIC demanded stop issuing commercial real estate loans in July. This past Friday, regulators indicated they might need to seize or shut down the undercapitalized bank soon, giving it 30 days to raise $25 million — or suffer the consequences.

But what about the plans for Houston? The same executive who reassured Sarnoff last month apparently still has her job, and is still . . . upbeat — about several Boymelgreen projects:

Sara Mirski, managing director of development for Mr. Boymelgreen, maintains that he will develop the Queens theater site along with properties on West 23rd Street, upstate and in Texas. He is just waiting for “when financing is available,” she said.

But the developer Sam Suzuki said that his lawyers were drafting a contract to buy the theater property’s mortgage from the bank, that he was doing due diligence on the property and that he planned to close early next year.

Must know more about thundersnow...

It can only mean one thing: thundersnowballs!

No thundersnow tomorrow forecasted. Just the normal white stuff.

2010 Hyundai Tuscon

The most impressive Tuscon attribute is in likelihood its frugal MPG rating. 23 miles per gallon in the city, 31 at highway speeds. In addition to the slight weight reduction, the Tuscon achieves these numbers via innovations such as a switch away from parasitic hydraulic power-steering in favor of an electric system. There's also an all new six-speed automatic that uses 62 fewer parts than the outgoing five-speed. Interestingly, the new slusher is built fully in house by Hyundai.

The engine of course contributes to the good-for-a-CUV mileage. The new Tuscon comes with a 2.4-liter Theta II four-cylinder that produces 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. You will notice that the Tuscon does not come with the more powerful Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) Theta II that ships with the new Sonata. We asked Hyundai if a future iteration of the Tuscon (say the 2011) would in fact receive the GDI motor. "That's a logical conclusion."

We also asked if the turbocharged GDI motor would make it into the Tuscon. "It would fit." We then asked if we'll see a hybrid version as the new Sonata will eventually show up in gas-electric guise. "No comment." Then after a pause, "We all have to get to 35 mpg. Finally, we asked if we'd see an all-electric version of the Tuscon. We received another "No comment" but Hyundai North America President and CEO Jhn Kracfik did state that they will be selling an electric car in the States. As to when, "Not next year."

Oh snap!!

More LA Auto Show Madness. Meet the 2011 U.S Spec Kia Sorento

Coupled to a 276 horsepower V6 and an all-new built in-house six-speed automatic, the Sorento is able to get up and boogie a bit. Or at least as much as a top heavy CUV can boogie. Check out our First Drive of the Kia Sorento (a pre-production model from Korea) for more details. Long story short, a base Sorento will start at under $20,000 – about $1,500 less than the outgoing body-on-frame model.

Yep. There might also be a Buick version based on the Chinese Buick Excelle.

Here you go, a rendering of the Compact Sedan released during the LA Auto Show (Note: The vehicle on the left is the LaCrosse)

Likely based on the Chinese market 2011 Buick Excelle XT (a rebadged Opel Astra with an upmarket interior), the new compact four-door is expected to lose its hatch in favor of a traditional trunk and gain a 181 horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated to a six-speed gearbox.

The sketch above (flashed on screen during the Regal unveiling here in LA) certainly bears a resemblance to the Excelle and to the larger LaCrosse, although a few tweaks to the fascia, headlamps and the addition of a few hood-mounted portholes could be found on the concept and later, the production model. We should know more later this year, when Buick unveils an official design study followed by the eventual production car that is expected by the end of 2010.

http://www.autoblog....-compact-sedan/

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Porsche rolled out the 2010 Boxster Spyder, the third model in the Boxster lineup, for its world debut at the LA Auto Show, with an entirely new look and – we are led to believe – a driving personality nearly on par with the 911 GT3 RS.

Hidden deep and low in the belly of the Spyder is a tuned version of Porsche's 3.4-liter flat-six, rated at 320 hp (ten more than the Boxster S). While the added horses are welcome, it's the 176 pounds of mass lost that really raises our interest. To achieve these savings, Porsche has fitted the Spyder with a lightweight carbon fiber-ribbed soft top, unique rear decklid, low side windows, aluminum door skins and interior door panels with straps swapped from the 911 GT3 RS. Air conditioning, cupholders and an audio system have been left back on the factory floor (don't worry, Porsche will let you add them back for a price). With a curb weight of just 2,811 pounds, it is the lightest model in Porsche's lineup. With a power-to-weight ratio rivaling the Carrera S, the Boxster Spyder with a dual-clutch PDK transmission will now rip to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

However, that's only part of the enthusiast-oriented story. Porsche replaced the dampers with an all-new sport suspension, riding 20 mm lower than the other models, to drop the center of gravity and improve handling over the standard Porsche Boxster and Boxster S. Fitted with a standard limited-slip differential and lightweight wheels, the package looks just fine to us. As expected, the pure driving enjoyment of the Porsche Boxster Spyder won't come cheap – base pricing starts at $61,200 when it arrives in February 2010.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-porsche-boxster-spyder-at-2009-la-auto-show/

I'm so jealous!

Any chance of a Chrysler version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta?

Possibly, the next-gen Chrysler 300C will be another version of the next-gen Alfo Romeo Giulia sedan.

http://www.insideline.com/alfa-romeo/giulietta/alfa-romeo-giulietta-2010-geneva-auto-show.html

2011 Audi R8 Spyder

New hue aside, the new convertible variant is a looker from its carbon-fiber mirrors to polished aluminum wheels. The blades are gone and it has gained 476 pounds in the transformation, but the standard Lambo-derived 525-hp V10 will still rip it to 60 mph in about four seconds flat.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-audi-r8-spyder-is-shown-again-this-time-in-red/

More Mitsubishi action, first photos of the new RVR.

These are the first official images of Mitsubishi's all-new compact crossover which bears the name 'RVR'. With this model, the Japanese automaker expands its crossover lineup.

Inspired by the Japanese firm's 2007 cX concept, the RVR makes use of Mitsubishi's mid-size global platform, which also forms the basis for the Lancer and Outlander.

However, at 4.3 meters in length, the RVR is 365mm (14.4-in.) shorter than the current Outlander SUV.

The compact crossover model will be offered at launch with an all-new 1.8L MIVEC petrol engine, though it is almost certain that Mitsubishi will add a diesel variant for some markets in the near future.

Mitsubishi said that the RVR will be released globally, including North America, Europe, and Asian regions including China, with sales set to start first in Japan next Spring.

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-mitsubishi-rvr-first-official.html

We are headed to the LA Auto show next weekend, and I can't wait to see some of these cars!

Cool travel_guy! Your going to have alot of fun! I love Auto Shows.

3-Door/5-Door 2009 Mitsubishi Colt, Coming to America

Additionally, now is a wonderful time to bring over a small car. Don't believe us? Just ask Ford and Mazda. The Colt will be going up against some pretty hefty (albeit lightweight) competition in the form of established B-segmenters like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Sentra.

And while we haven't driven the new Colt, the stats aren't exactly overwhelming – in top trim, a 1.5-liter MIVEC four-cylinder spits out 104 hp and 104 lb-ft of torque. Routed through a CVT transmission that's probably plenty of grunt for day to day small car activities. And odds are Mitsubishi will drop a slightly buffer mill into the Colt for US duty. But just picture this – what if Mitsubishi gives us the Ralliart Colt? Maybe with a turbo. We, for one, would really be in favor of that (hint, hint). Either way, here comes the Colt.

I hate to be a downer, but I'm sick of winter already and it's technically not even winter yet. This weather makes me depressed.

Don't worry, it'll be over sooner than you think, stay in all day Friday.

Looked at the news, now its around a 50-60% chance. In the beginning of the week it was around 20%.

More on the 2011 Sonata

Not counting full-size trucks, the meat-and-potatoes of the American car market remains the mid-size family sedan. For the past two decades, the undisputed kings of this particular segment have been the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, especially since the Ford Taurus fell off its pedestal right around 1992. Many have tried to knock the two Japanese heavyweights (now figuratively and literally) off the hill – and almost as many have failed. And while those two titans have remained atop the sales charts, other family sedans have met with considerable success. Perhaps most notably, the Hyundai Sonata, an unassuming car that has found its way into 1.2 million homes.

With beaming grins and news of Hyundai being named the Most fuel efficient brand in America, Hyundai's brass took the wraps off their new-for-2011 Sonota. What strikes you instantly is the Sonata's curvy, slightly-hefty, almost organic shape. Hyundai calls the design language "Fluidic Sculpture," and while not quite as in-your-face as Mazda's signature Nagare styling language, we have a feeling it might prove nearly as polarizing. That's not to say the new Sonata is bad looking or ugly. But it is highly-stylized in a mid-size market that tends to reward the bland and middle-of-the-road.

As for the non-design aspects of the 2011 Sonata, the big news is under the hood. Gone is the 3.3-liter V6, or for that matter, any V6. Instead Hyundai is offering consumers a choice of three four-cylinder engines. The first is a 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) motor called the Theta II good for 198 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That much power from a 2.4-liter essentially puts the Sonata at the head of the four-cylinder class. But what about those pesky V6 cars? No problem, as Hyundai will launching a turbocharged version of the GDI Theta II. If direct-injection and turbocharging sounds a little EcoBoosty to you, well, it is. And that's a very, very good thing.

But what about hybrids? There will be a hybrid version of the Theta II. Hyundai's calling the technology Blue Drive,and it sounds pretty spiffy. Unlike other hybrids that use nickel hydride (or starting soon, lithium ion) batteries, the Hyundai system will use lithium polymer technology

Its rising very slowy...

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

MILAN, Italy — Alfa Romeo will present its all-new Giulietta to the world next spring at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, with the first cars scheduled to hit the U.S. market in 2011.

Originally christened Milano, the new Giulietta is essentially a five-door companion to the Alfa Mito, with design cues based heavily on the exotic 8C Competzione It goes on sale next spring in Europe, filling a gap in the range left by the demise of the Alfa 147.

The Giulietta is built on Fiat's new C-Evo architecture, which also is expected to underpin a larger Guilia sedan that is expected to supplant the Alfa 159.

Both the Giulietta and the Giulia are slated to be sold in North America and one or both may be assembled there as well. In addition, Fiat's partner Chrysler expects to use the C-Evo architecture for one or more future products.

Alfa said the Giulietta will offer two turbocharged gas engines, a 120-horsepower 1.4 and a 170-hp 1.4, and two turbodiesels, a 105-hp 1.6 and a 170-hp 2.0. Eventually it will add a more potent Quadrifoglio Verde edition with a 235-hp direct-injection turbo 1.8.

The storied Giulietta name dates back more than half a century. The original Giulietta, a coupe, was introduced in 1954, and the series was expanded to include a variety of body styles, including an extremely low-volume wagon called Giulietta Promiscua. The series ran through 1965, and the name was revived on a sedan from 1977-'85.

This weather has been pretty crazy this year. 2004, 2008 now possibly 2009!

N.A Spec 2011 Mazda 2

The 2011 Ford Fiesta may have been the big B-segment reveal last night, but Mazda has finally decided to bring its own compact runabout to North America, and it's based on the same architecture as it Blue Oval sibling. Originally launched in Europe, Japan, and Australia a couple of years ago, the Mazda2 was very well-received by media and consumers alike, a warm reception that probably helped make the case for the Japanese automaker to bring it over to the United States. That time has arrived, and the Mazda2 will be available in North America as a 2011 model.

Although Mazda revealed what the North American spec version will look like, it's still holding back additional information, including engine specifications, interior details, and pricing.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/2011-mazda-mazda2-los-angeles-auto-show-2009-unveiled/

2011 Toyota Venza Sienna, Ugh...

SE

When the new third-generation 2011 Toyota Sienna shows up in dealerships next February, parents should head straight to their closest dealer after dropping the kids at soccer.

Built on a revised version of the outgoing platform, the 2011 Sienna has the same wheelbase but is slightly shorter, lower and wider than its predecessor. It will be available in five different trim levels: Sienna grade, LE, SE, XLE and Limited. All-wheel-drive will still be available on V6-powered LE, XLE and Limited models. That V6 is the same 3.5-liter Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) unit available today, with 266 horsepower. The engine is stout enough to give the Sienna a 3,500-pound tow capacity while returning mileage of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Also available in Sienna and LE will be the VVT-i 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horses and a slight bump in mileage to 19/26.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-2011-toyota-sienna-could-wear-a-lexus-badge/

Face-lifted 2010 Infiniti G37