The Great Hizzy!

There aren't that many tenants at Bayou Place, and of those who are there, Hard Rock Cafe & Slick Willie's are the only two that really mean something to those who don't spend a lot of time downtown (those who would be needed to make the place swell with activity). Also, Bayou Place has no consumable retail. The new project is supposed to have manufactured retail available, which is important in helping draw interest to the project overall. I mean, people like to eat but they spend more time shopping and they shop at all times of the day. The West End in Dallas doesn't have much consumable retail either and is mostly dependent upon people visiting the Sixth Floor Museum or what have you wanting to eat (although, the West End has more recognizable venues and better overall attendance than BP). On the other thand, Bayside in Miami not only has your Hooters, your Hard Rock Cafe and Your Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., they have a litany of stores, from Banana Republic to J. Crew. The difference in attendance between these two projects (and Bayou Place, for that matter) is very noticeable, especially on weeknights. You also have the advantage with regard to this new project of having Foley's nearby along with the rail line, and a denser conglomeration of office buildings and residential (such as the Commerce and Kirby Towers). There's also a large hotel across the street as well as two others within a few blocks down Dallas Street. So I think it has the potential to be a great success from the get go both from the perspective of locals and of visitors.

Well, there isn't much to be done about the building from a design standpoint so the Wulfe Co's efforts are to be commended (though I still don't find the building particularly attractive in its revised condition). Anyway, that would explain why I still see guys waltzing in and out of the building with hardhats (they're not doing anything all that spectacular inside but they're tooling around with ladders). Maybe they're taking inventory of the space for the designers. I know the building probably needs to go through asbestos abatement still. Anyway, I'm glad to see that there are concrete plans for the building.

Right. I take a gander at 'em and most of it speaks for itself so I try not to ruin the info by commenting.

Someone mentioned that the mosque is moving because they can't handle the rent (or something to that affect). If that's true, what do you all think would work in that building? It looks a tad too big for a club but also doesn't look like a good setup for residential or a hotel. Thoughts?

1) The completion of construction on Commerce, particularly between Fannin and Milam, has provided a very charming corridor that makes the Spaghetti Warehouse building look a lot less isolated. It also does a decent job of psychologically tying in Main Street with the Allen's Landing area. People are more willing to park near here and stroll up Main Street. I was surprised last night by the number of people walking from Spaghetti Warehouse to places like Empire Bar. 2) It's a good sign for the area when El Rey is open late (like after 11:00PM) on a Thursday night. 3) Weather is very important to downtown's vibe. If there's even a hint of rain, you can expect things to slow down. Last night proved the opposite; a bit chilly, yes, but clearer skies give people more confidence to head out. Last night looked almost as busy as last Saturday night, which is pretty cool. 4) Curse be upon the owners of the entire "Jefe" indignation. They have no clue what to do with the site and it is ruining the flow of action on Main Street between Preston Station and Texas Avenue. It doesn't help that two units down, on the other side of Grasshopper, is another empty storefront that seems to be screaming for some type of shop or eatery as well. This will all probably look a lot less conspicuous once Glo opens across the street. 5) Azumi's (sp?) presence in the Rice is great. Along with Sambuca (and Bossa across the street, this section of Texas Avenue looks very cool and upscale, and it's great watching people hang out under those hanging lights from the balconies at the Rice. 6. I didn't realize that the Calpine Center had the potential to house ground level retail. There are about two units on either side of the main entrance that appear to be waiting for someone to move in, and they're not offices, or at least I don't think so. 7. I'm now in favor of a residential project in Phase II of Bayou Place. A 200-unit dwelling of some sort, with units priced mostly around $180 - $250K. The disconnect of Bayou Place from its surroundings will probably be best eliminated if you have people in the area who have a vested interest in being there on a consistent basis. The theater crowd is there but they're only there for certain nights and only for about three or four hours. Residents have a lot more reason to stroll over and take advantage of what the complex has to offer. As for Bayou Place, it's also too bad that Jones Plaza isn't used much between November and March. That really amplifies the lack of activity at Bayou Place compared to Main Street or Market Square. 8. The Shamrock would really complete the urban landscape of Main Street in northern downtown. It's absence is conspicuous, and just like the Jefe Bar fiasco, there is a disconnect in place between one section of Main Street's action and the rest. All in all, a lot to like. One thing that is without dispute, Main Street is very well lit, and the streetscape is very appealing for the pedestrian. It's too bad that Main Street can't look like it did this past Thursday night on Mon-Wed as well.

There's nothing but solid real estate to work with around Uptown Park. I hope the developers do a good job of incorporating these new projects with the rest of the area. I realize that some people don't like the faux urbanity of Uptown Park but I like the project and think it's a step in the right direction from your typical strip mall thinking. Baby steps.

The homeless in Miami are wont to hang out along Biscayne Blvd. north of DT proper. Some will hang out on Tamiami Trail (SW 8th St) or near the Orange Bowl. You may be on to something, though, because the Miami River is near those areas and it suffers from quite a bit of trash, too.

No, a Mercedes-Benz is really a Chrysler.

I was thinking the same thing but it very well could be true, given the position of the sun in the sky (the reflection hides the brown). Plus, as Danax said, that area of the Bayou is pretty tidy so...

Wow. The Bayou's never looked so beautiful.

Anyway, in all seriousness, I think that's it great that someone has put a goal otu there to work towards. I don't think there's anything wrong with setting a goal or failing to meet that goal as long as you make the effort. To set a goal and then put forth no effort is the real crime. Do I think downtown Houston will see 10,000 residents (that is, 10,000 inside the loop created by I45, US59 and I10) by 2010. Can't say. You have no idea what may happen in the next two years that could lead to an explosion of speculative residential projects. No one really thought the Fourth Ward would experience such a massive explosion of new townhomes in five or six years either. It really depends on some outside factors that are unpredictable. The 20,000 goal for 2025, however, is entirely doable, and I don't think much speculation needs to be done on that. In fact, I think a goal of 30,000 is even reasonable. Hell, the city of Houston has been adding as many residents to the city every 1.5 years or so for the last 15 years plus. Either way, the issue is whether the effort will actually be made by the Downtown Management District, City of Houston, area developers and so forth to try to make it a reality.

Sure blame the dogs. Always blame the dogs.

[Arrogant ex-Floridian]You people just have no appreciation for tropical colors.[/Arrogant ex-Floridian]

The key word with Midtown overall is patience. West Midtown is in pretty good shape and the east side has already experienced the initial stages of build up. The middle of it, from about Milam to San Jacinto, is what's most in need of attention, IMO. And that's good news about Baldwin Park, 'Coog.

In what is probably loosely tied in with this, I saw this weekend that Elgin has been scraped (at least, the eastbound side had) from Bagby to about Milam, so I take this to mean that the entire stretch from US 59 to the 527 Spur will be redone. Don't know if the sidewalks will be rehabilitated as well but the street is apparently in the process of being smoothed and repaved. 'Bout time.

My new office in my new building overlooks Midtown and then westward out to Uptown. What a great view! And you really gain an appreciation for how dense Midtown as well as the longterm promise that it has. Very impressive. If I can ever find a scanner, I'll take a pic and share it with you all. Surreal view, indeed.

That does look nice. I wonder if they plan to incorporate the skate park/plaze into the Bayou (meaning, along its banks)?

Just west of downtown proper. Think about the Sabine Lofts, then look a bit to the north. Although, looking at a Key Map, 110 Sabine looks like it would be closer to Allen Parkway than Memorial. EDIT: I see I didn't read the article correctly. THe meeting is being held at 110 Sabine but the park is being proposed for land near the intersection of Memorial & Sabine.

JFC brings up a good point. I remember reading an article about how some of the businesses that had already leased up space in Phase I were growing agitate by the failure to live up to the promise of adding retail and expanded entertainment with the Phase II. I can't comment on how successful the bars were originally (I wasn't here) but I do remember reading an article that suggested that the concept's potential was being squandered.

Van's Skatepark died at the Marq*E but I wonder if it would have any chance downtown, especially with the tens or dozens of punkers skating around downtown in the evenings. What downtown needs is something new, hip and innovative. Not something that could be found anywhere else in the city. I understand where Duce is going but given the type of people who live near downtown and work downtown, you'll need something that's fresh. If someone can go to a Cadillac Bar in Kemah or on the west side, they probably won't be driving in to downtown. Same with a Chilli's, Black Eyed Pea and so forth. You need something that's kind of original. BTW, Is it me or is the empty building sitting due north of the Aquarium across Prairie just screaming for something touristy like a wax museum or cowboy hall of fame (all right, all right... don't get nervous, just using that second one as an example)?

$970 for a one bedroom in the core offering those ammenities isn't bad at all - unless rental prices in the area and in this class have gone down overall.

I don't think there's any question it would work downtown provided that it was planned properly and other factors were in play: 1) Core population in or near downtown grows 2) Access to the complex is multifaceted and sensible You have a mix of that in downtown already, but the problem is that that mix lacks connectivity. Want to party? Main Street isn't really near Bayou Place or Houston Center (Granted it's only three or four blocks but still). Want to play? Bayou Place isn't really near Main Street or Houston Center. Want to shop? Houston center isn't really near Main Street or Bayou Place? Get what I'm saying?

If they're idiots, using their brains wouldn't have helped much. I think it was more a survival mechanism... even the dumbest animal has that.

Funny how unorthodox behavior can give you misconceptions about a person. I know who you're talking about and I always thought that he was homeless until a coworker told me that he's actually a retired something-or-another and now an ordained minister. His wife is supposedly the nicest woman you'll ever want to meet. I haven't seen him at the corner, though, in close to two weeks.

I'm still woozy from this news. Subdude, this better not be some early April Fool's joke.