flatline

i do like the part about the bikers getting a seperate lane. i run there every other day and can't stand them--part of the reason why I'm not wild about the additional concrete paths they are putting in (before you jump on me--i recognize that they have the right to be there too).

H-TP: Well put. Just so you know, the feeling's mutual. . .I wish I had a dollar for every time I've had to bail off into the grass on my bike on Saturday morning because iPod-ed, oblivious joggers are running 5-abreast in their marathon training haze on the Memorial Park bike trail. But I can at least chuckle at the twisted irony having to avoid slamming into the signpost with the picture of a bike and the words BIKE ROUTE on it.

So here's hoping that the powers-that-be are taking those logistical issues into consideration, so that cyclists and runners can be courteous and polite to one another -- from a distance on dedicated trails.

Yeah, New Year's Eve is the last night. They're supposed to re-open, possibly on Caroline, but I don't know where exactly.

Across from the House of Blues, in the spot of the former Josephine's Italian restaurant.

Not to mention that Heights is one lane each way, flanked by a heavily used bike lane and jogging path crawling with ipoded joggers, baby strollers, and speedwalking seniors. Circumstances often require something less than posted speeds.

Has the highly anticipated traffic study begun? There are vehicle counters installed out on Heights Blvd. this morning. . .

Isn't this possible walmart location still a rumor??

Bingo.

Less than 10 new construction plans have passed the HAHC review and received Certificates of Appropriateness since the Historic District was established, so that give some idea of how likely that is.

It actually doesn't give much idea at all how likely it is. What is the time period to which you are referring? How many total applications for certificates were made during the time period to which you are referring? Are you referring only to from-the-ground-up new construction, and not additions/remodels? How many applications got a flat-out denial without the HAHC proposing changes to their design plans? How many applicants decided to disregard design changes that were suggested by the HAHC that could have gotten certificates of appropriateness issued, and instead just waited out the 90 day window; and, if so, how onerous were the suggested design changes? How many applicants simply abandoned their applications because they lost their financing, or their buyer, or any other extraneous reason?

This brings to mind some lyrics from one of my favorite Todd Snider songs:

"The Statistician's Blues"

They say 64 percent of all the world's statistics are made up right there on the spot

82.4 percent of people believe 'em whether they're accurate statistics or not

Now I don't know what you believe but I do know there's no doubt

I need another double shot of something 90 proof

I got too much to think about

Mike McIntyre, McIntyre + Robinowitz Architects. 718 Heights Blvd (713) 520-9336

In today's article discussing the City's potential sale of the Summit/Compaq Center to Lakewood Church, one of the other city properties listed "for sale" includes the Old Heights Fire Station.

Nancy Sarnoff Reporting. . .

I assume the Heights Association has the property under some sort of lease. Can anyone shed any light on this? Any HHA folks lurking out there?

Starting on September 2, there's going to be some impromptu cyclocross races in the grassy area between White Oak Bayou and I-10 adjacent to the new bikepath, on Wednesday nights at 6:00. Allegedly work on the RR bridge crossing the bayou is supposed to be done in September. This is a very grassroots type event with the blessing of the proper authorities, come on down if you'd like to watch me suffer (and maybe try it yourself!)

Saw y'all yesterday driving home from work on i-10 at the Heights exit. Looked like a good turnout and a good time. . .

Worth $250? Hell yeah. Worth 10x that, if you ask me. All you need is one incident to make their service priceless. I wish we had enough neighborhood buy-in around me to get one.

We live on Harvard and kicked in for the 250. On Sunday evening I drove over to pick up some takeout at Dry Creek. The constable was parked on Heights Blvd. near Grace Methodist. After picking up a couple of tasty burgers, I drove by the constable again, this time parked at 7th and Heights by the new bike trail. Yesterday evening I was driving by Reagan high on the way to Proctor Plaza Park -- there the constable was, parked on 13th by the new Reagan track.

I second Jesse's 'hell yeah'. While I'm certainly under no pollyanna-eque illusions that crime will magically disappear, it can't help but be a good deterrent.

Thanks for the synopsis and photo link tmariar.

Sorry for the nonsequitur, but that photo really shows how Tricon (?) crammed the sardines in on 6 1/2 street. . .

We've used Sharon Carter with Creatures Comforts for over seven years now with our Boston Terrier. She's a Heights local and has been great. (713) 862-1844

Harvard Elementary reached "exemplary" this year, as well as winning a National Blue Ribbon award. I know several parents whose children tested into the HISD Vanguard program who decided to send their kids to Harvard instead. They've got a principal and core group of teachers who have their sh stuff together and are doing good work. Helms Elementary up on 21st gets good reviews for their dual language program. Travis in Woodland Heights has enjoyed a good reputation for several years now and has a fantastic new facility.

Is a map of the proposed cmpleted route available anywhere? Does anyone know where this is going? What is connects to?

Here's the project summary.

There are links on the left to some map images.

At most of the minor intersections along the path, the north-south traffic on Nicholson has the stop sign. I wonder if some or most of them will be converted to 4-way? or reversed to stop signs for the east-west traffic? Obviously, the major intersections at 11th, 19th, and 20th (and probably 14th) will stay as-is.

This is only an issue, of course, until the path hits 7th street and cuts southeast down the rail R.O.W. Then it's smooth sailing under I-10 to Spring Street.

I'm still trying to keep my expectations in check. I can't believe it's actually moving forward. . .

I think you may be referring to the parsonage for St. Mark's Methodist Church, which is just a couple of blocks to the east of that house. South side of Pecore? Big floor to ceiling windows in the front?

I believe the R.O.W. through the center is the abandoned rail track that TxDOT owns. It's been the subject of numerous rumors: (1) hike and bike trail, (2) that debacle of a Harris County Toll Road Plan for a toll road ripping through the Heights, and (3) Metro eyeing it for the western light rail line.

Good point on the mosaics, KJB. The city is generally helpful in preserving them; it's the contractors doing the work that one needs to keep his or her eye on . . . either because they don't appreciate their significance, or they just get in a hurry, or they don't care. . .

I'm afraid San Antonio is just being used as leverage against New Orleans and the state of Louisiana to get a new stadium/upgrades to Superdome/lease concessions. As the article notes, it's happened before. . .in fact, I'm pretty sure that Benson was doing the flirting that went a long way towards S.A. building the Alamodome in the first place.

Semipro makes a good point about the renovations. Now, since 15+ years have past since the 'MoDome was built, the NFL would assuredly demand upgrades and/or a new stadium to have a team there.

While the NFL desperately wants to be in LA, the key considerations will always be (1) ownership group and (2) stadium. The proof of that being that two small market towns -- Jacksonville and Charlotte-- got the expansion teams ten years ago, and that McNair and H-Town beat out LA, who just couldn't get its s--t together on an ownership group or a publicly financed stadium deal like H-Town did.

You mistake my intentions. I meant only to express my own personal view that members shouldn't be censored short of personal attacks or obscenities.

Your sarcasm meter is too sensitive . . . I believe that exurbs do provide amenties that you can't or don't get inside the loop. I begrudge nobody who wants to live there and enjoy them. (I would certainly like to have fewer warehouses and broken sidewalks, more curbed-and-guttered streets, and better, cleaner grocery stores in my own 'hood). More power to you and godspeed to Sugar Land on its development boom. . .

[The views expressed in this post are my own and almost certainly do not reflect the views of this website, its advertisers, or anyone else, for that matter]

I'm a Heights guy, raising a family inside the Loop. I love everything about living in the heart of the city. But I agree with KJB that if someone wants to live in the exurbs, with all the pre-packaged amenities that go along with it, more power to them. But as for this. . .

^^^

Can someone please quiet this member.

I can't go with you there. Exchange of ideas is what the board is about. Unless of course you mean quiet each other up with rock-solid reasoning and irresistable logic. . .

Anybody have any scoop from the meeting??

I add my wild speculation -- alligator gar. Makes a catfish look like a beauty queen. . .

I don't think the jails are a problem. . .the County jail is a good 10 blocks from there. And the federal detention center on Texas is just a large, non-descript government building. . .there's not a lot of loitering in front of it like there is at the county pen. The real problem with a less-desirable element will probably come from the Montague hotel, just a couple of buildings down.

I do hope that they can withstand a 2-3 year window of loss. Ed Wulfe is too good of a developer to be under any illusions that this is going to be an instant hit. I think (hope?) he's in for the long haul. The lunchtime business from Houston Center will hopefully give them enough traffic to minimize the loss until they can get a foothold.

Well done indeed!