midtown 4.2

I saw a new construction sign today, with a rendering fo one of the towers. The thing is, that the sign is on the block just south of Julia's Bistro (Main @ W. Alabama). What gives??

e-mail me, I'd like to talk further about this subject.

I believe the developer for Rushmore Lofts is the same one that built the 4-storey units on the south side of Baldwin park. . . looks like the same kind of architecture.

If jefe is closed, I'd love to see a Chuy's open up in that location.

My apologies. I was pretty upset when I posted. . . was just venting. My in-laws were visiting for the holidays last year, and got the same show that my family gets on a regular basis. It wouldn't be so bad, if the prostitutes found a dark alley, or faced a buiding when they "self manipulate." But everytime it happens, they're at full throtle and hopping around and grunting like a damed monkey.

How do you people feel about a sado masochistic club opening in your neighborhood? There's one that is about to open up right on Main street . . . right across from the Midtown superblock. I wonder how Camden feels about that. I'm personally against it. Like many other people, I feel that you are free to do whatever you want . . . within reason . . . what ever "floats your boat". But "not in my backyard." I'm still ticked off by all the male prostitutes masterbating in front of my kids. They are welcome to walk the streets, or hang out on the street corners, but there is no F-ing reason why they have to masterbate in public! With Montrose so near, I'm curious why this new business chose Midtown.

Location: Midtown, East of San Jacinto. My objections to large apartment complexes (in Midtown) have nothing to do with crackheads, crack dens, transient population etc. I'm very well aware that these are nice, clean, and up-scale projects that attract nice, clean, and civil tenants. I doubt that these complexes will evolve into the "Gufton Ghetto." My objections are rooted in POOR URBAN DESIGN. My earlier post complimented the Post Midtown complex. They sorta did it right . . . ground level retail, wide sidewalks, apartment units that actually open onto the sidewalk, good landscaping, decent architecture, Farrago's actually have people dining al fresco. I'm afraid that Camden's proposed project for the superblock will turn out to be like the Ventana, Calais, et al . . . as nice looking as they are, they are horrible from an urban design viewpoint. These apartments turn their backs to the neighborhood and the street. I'm sure they have fantastic amenities, nice party rooms etc. but they do not integrate into the urban fabric at all.

I live in Midtown . . . just a few blocks East of the "Super Block", and am dismayed by the possibility of yet another large apartment complex going up in the area. Yes, the Ventana & Calais apartments are better alternatives to the vacant lots, but only slightly better! . . .they still have a long, long ways to go. Post Midtown was a step in the right direction, but if I have to live next to an apartment complex, it should be like the one I saw while visiting Pasdadena, CA. http://www.paseocoloradopasadena.com/ Paseo is also managed by the Post company, but was built above a fantastic outdoor shopping mall. I've sent e-mail to Camden and the Midtown Management District expressing my concerns. If we don't speak up, developers will continue to build CR*P. BTW danax, adults enjoy libraries too. In fact, I see more adults than children in libraries.

No video stores please. Even Blockbuster sees the writing on the wall, and are modifying their services to compete with Netflix. Netflix is the way to go, you pick the movies online, and they mail it to your doorsteps. I'd say that we Midtowners bring our business to Angelica. The only way for theaters to compete, is to build a Megaplex . . . and Megaplexes are the last thing we want in Midtown. A small "arthouse" theater like the Aurora Picture Show is the way to go for Midtown.

I drive by the Sears store everyday, and wonder if we should try a letter campaign to get Sears HQ to renovate the exterior. I recall reading somewhere, that the building once had an elegant facade, but was covered up in the sixties . . . in keeping with the whole Modern thing. Anyone have pics of the original building? I figured we can go two ways, restore it, or go all-out contemporary. . . (another thought just poped in my head) third option - Mediterranean so that it ties in with Isabella Courts.

I've been stuggling with this question lately . . . especially after the completion of The Calais apartments. I can't decide what is better, bad architecture or vacant, weed-filled lots. I must applaud the designer and developers of the Calais for trying something "different." . . . but it could have been so much better. One obvious goof in the project - they could have made the archway into a covered arcade - with commercial space underneath! Then it would have lived up to the billing as Midtown's "French Quarter." As it stands, you see unsightly burglar bars and the underside of cars in the parking garage. But I digress . . .back to my point. Pro: Architecture (good or bad) brings in tax money for the district. Con: Fugly archtecture is . . .well, FUGLY! Pro: Fills in the rat-infested, weed-filled lots. Con: Harder to get rid of than a vacant lot. Pro: Increases urban density. Con: Increases urban density with pedestrian-hostile environment (makes the area un-livable, un-friendly) encourages people to get in their car and get away from that location. Which is the lesser of two evils? What do you people think?

Kudos to the developer that is opening up a small retail center on Westheimer @ Smith (next to the Calais). Looks like they are placing the parking behind the building, and pushing retail up to the street. Can't vouch for the architectural design yet, but I must applaud the site design. Let's hope this will serve as a cornerstone for other Midtown development. We complain about bad development, let's not forget to praise the good stuff too.

Actually there is a slight contoversy regarding Les Givrals. The original (1980's) Givrals, on Milam, moved into the Hoa Binh shopping center (between Milam and Travis), and another vietnamese sandwich shop opened up in the old location. . . using the same name. I recall overhearing the orignal Givrals owner expressing her frustration to a Houston Press reporter once. Anyway, both locations offer up good AND cheap sandwiches. . . .and other stuff. Don't be intimidated by the hole-in-the-wall asian atmosphere. . . we asians don't bite ; )