J008

That is a very good point and I completely agree. TAKS testing is an exercise in institutional detention for above average children and there is certainly some value to avoiding the amount of time diverted to it.

My child isn't school age yet, but we are zoned to Harvard and plan to use that. Hopefully those six years will be long enough for the improving trend at the Middle School \ High School level to make the concern over school moot, but if not if my child can't test into a good magnet\vanguard program then it is really hard to rationalize paying the outrageous tuition for private school (this of course is easy to say now and is a great rationalization for staying put). Of course I don't know what kid of student my child will be but I can't tell much from stats like 80% of students passed the TAKS? If my child is above average, then measuring his ability to pass a basic skills test is silly, i'd be interested in what programs they have for advanced students (which it seems most HISD schools typically have plenty). If he is average to below average, I'd be worried about athletics \ extracurricular activities , but probably not private education. My greatest fear of moving to the suburbs with a middle school \ high school age kid is adding an extra hour(s) between when school lets out and parents get home, in addition to the greater ease of going to extracurricular activities after work. Additionally, in my casual observation many suburban schools are built in nice new neigborhoods and are good, then start to decline as that group of affluent new home buyers kids matriculate. It is really hard for me to guess what suburban school district will be good 15-18 years from now. I have worked with several people who moved way out for the schools and then sent their kids to private school, which seems the worst possible scenario. Of course I know these assumptions will change, but that at least is the plan.

I just went there last night and had the lamb suasage with some asian mayo sauce or something, and it was unbelievably good. (food didn't arrive until 545 or so)

They are building a cut through street by extending Koehler to Heights Blvd. The ramps weren't be built until the stimulus was passed, If I remember correctly this was one of those shovel ready projects the President had alluded to. I have no interest in going to wal mart, but this will be a great example of effective federal stimulus spending. Once that federal money showed up, private industry (Wal Mart et al) was ready to invest and create jobs for americans.

The drawings show that the new Koehler extention will connect to second street going right through the apartments. Dirt bar will be a Panera bread or bank or something.

If it were the city would have thrown $6 Million dollars into it while waving a middle finger at the effete that is the Heights, then there would be several sympathizers saying how this hole is the only thing that keeps us free.

I haven't looked at rental agreement in a while, but I am confident that there is some language that covers change of ownership (since this is Texas I would also imagine it is very favorable to the landlord). I lived across the street from Allen House when it was bought and the people were out of there pretty quick. As far as the condition of these apartments. I still question that they are in ill repair. I cycle by them daily and they are in better shape than several others on Heights blvd.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but you can't depreciate\expense "write off" land.

yeah I saw what you are talking about it. It used to be an old building with aluminum looking siding that was practically falling down. The hole left by the place is massive, I am curious what it is \ was as well.

Interesting article regarding emails planning for the 'grocery' store. http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7712351

I imagine Wal Mart will spin it as part of their urban store strategy. Since they know what is best for us anyways we should defer to their wisdom and call it an urban store.

It is official. The city is going to play their role in the tax diversion plan. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7212433.html

No I simply agree with s3mh's conclusions. The more information that comes out about the 380 the worse deal it seems it is for taxpayers. There are few negotiators who wind up with a good deal and are opposite walmart and walmart interests. s3mh's posts seem to confirm that is the case here too.

Anyone know what is up with the helicopter hovering around 11th and Heights? It has been hovering from about 950 to now? Nothing on 10 oclock news.

Interesting, I have cycled to work past this place everyday for several years and never noticed it in any major disrepair or with a building shuttered, I do not doubt your account though. At least they still got everyday low prices on rent.

When you mention the "this" I bolded up top, Are you referring to the apartments on Heights blvd or the one with collapsed stairs somewhere.

I first read your post and thought it was a bit rude, but then I remember the ridiculous shopping cart thread a while back and the over 100 ridiculous posts regarding shopping carts, and now I agree with you for calling them out a bit. I think a major development ensnarling two main streets in the neighborhood is probably up to par for an architecture forum, or at least more so than perpetual whining about shopping carts and calls for police action, economics of letting shopping carts roam, technologies that can be deployed to prevent it, etc... I didn't read that whole thread but I don't remember anyone telling them to go do something useful with their lives? Since I brought up the subject.. Since this is going to be such a pedestrian friendly walmart that will bless everyone with irresistible low prices, should we expect a dramatic increase in shopping cart litter?

I have tried driving down yale to find the really crappy part and it isn't great but it isn't memorably bad. The stretch on Shepherd heading north between memorial and Washington ( or all the way to I-10) is memorably bad and uneven and with at least 5x as much traffic. I know there are several other places in Houston with crappy roads but even in the near vicinity I am not sure Yale is the most needy. One day maybe the other roads will find a patron and then they can get basic services too!

No. It appears the esplanade ends where the bayou begins and I haven't seen any plans to build a pedestrian bridge in the middle there to connect it to heights running trail. The running trail is real cute and everything but it doesn't really go anywhere or connect well with the north side, I-10 and the bayou pretty much kill any conventional chance of it right there and so you have to get in\or cross the street or just stay on the winding sidewalks they are to build.

I always enjoyed a night that involved going to the Dirt Bar it will be a shame to see it replaced with whatever generica is planned for its spot.

Yes the part that borders the rail road tracks and heights is owned by someone else. They have had the same sign up forever. All I know about them is that they don't cut their grass unless you call the 311.

oh no. That is worse than the dreaded WM itself. I am anxiously waiting for the cup cake craze to end and the littering of derelict shoppes around town.

Just curious if anyone wants to speculate on what the other stores of this development will be. From the below article the developer estimates there will be 25 to 30 stores. Let me be the first to bet on a starbucks. http://www.khou.com/...-101533333.html

I don't know anyone from the Woodlands who lives in the Heights and to say it is full of people from there is like ... saying the heights is full of pesky hipsters, again simple not true. The snobbery argument is still odd to me. I cycle through the heights and by one of the developer's houses everyday and to see the two neighborhoods and conclude that the Heights is the home of the snobbery snobnose snobs is silly. At least people in the Heights walk their own children and pets.

C&D Hardware and 14th ST Fiesta. Target is a stretch but not by bike.