midtown_resident

From a coffee standpoint, i'm actually quite happy with Tropioca. However, from a commercial validation standpoint, I'd like to see a Starbucks. You see all these Starbucks popping up all over the place and somehow Midtown doesn't have one (excpetion Randalls), and I'm curious as to why the market isn't attractive to them. I would consider it an 'indicator' of sorts... I like the coffee sure...but I'd like to see corporate America confident in this area.

Many of the new perry communities being built today and originally built on the east side of Main Street are indeed gated and don't have independent driveways and such. I should've been more clear - many GARAGES are behind the houses on the Perry's and as a result, it's easier to be 'hidden' if you're a thief. I know the Perry's on the west side of Main (i.e. near West Gray) are a different story...but aren't they technically outside the confines of Midtown? In any case - i'm not suggesting that it's so bad that you need to close your garage every second you walk in your house - I am suggesting using common sense. Don't leave valuable items on your driveway/patio; lock your doors; don't leave your garage open for extended periods - ISN'T THIS STANDARD PROCEDURE when living in the core of one of the largest cities in the country? Urban settings have this kind of petty activity - can't avoid it. On the other hand, how many home invasions and assaults have taken place in midtown? You seem to be griping a lot about the bums...and I can understand the frustration associated with dealing with these guys. But once again, you are in an urban setting in a neighborhood which is being revitalized. We knew what we were up against when we moved into our midtown townhome almost four years ago. But it is still frustrating and one must be patient.

I stand by the thought that Midtown is indeed getting better. The truth is that there are more homes being built and more people moving in...making for 'fresh pickin's'...i.e. everyone has a 'garage experience' before they learn how to protect themselves from it. Simply put, you can't leave your garage door open... Don't mistake the numbers of incidents to equate to worse conditions. This will be a trend that will continue. One of the contributing factors, imho, is that Perry Homes builds these gated areas which allow for some of these things to happen in a 'hidden' fashion. My garage comes out to the front of the street...so it's much more visible. Folks in the Perry's sometimes have a false sense of security being that they are behind these electronic gates...and leave their doors/garages open. In any case, use your head, LOCK UP. I also have lost plants and the like...and it SUCKS. Small price to pay for living in a region which could deliver big promise in the times to come. the plus i s that when i have bulk trash to throw out, i just put it on the driveway and someone takes it!!!

sad but true... It is getting better - but that's part of living in a revitalized space - one must deal with these upsetting factors. On the other hand, it seems at times as though the city police are busier setting radar traps in our neighborhoods than walking and patrolling them. I guess revenue generation is more important than the greater good for the community.

I shop at the Fiesta at the corner of Dunlavey and Alabama...it's a GREAT alternative to the on on San Jac and the produce is exceptional. Living a few blocks from the Randall's, I only use it for a quick stop to pick up one item...like a gallon or milk...or in some cases, i'll go there to pick up some Starbucks... Midtown needs a real Starbucks...another gripe for a another thread though.

There are two being built...one on the corner of alabama/main and one at labranch/gray...that's my understanding per the article in the HBJ.

The sign is up now - at the corner of Gray/LaBranch...i wonder when ground breaking is...anyone have some scoop?

For someone who's been touting the absolutivity of the Shamrock...that's quite a bit of negativity. Why do you think it will never get off the ground?

I have seen a project at Chenevert/McGown that looks like a four/five story structure...perhaps that's what this is.

The Deco Diner was supposed to go up there by the Pierce....but no such luck

Knowledge Beginnings ran that center for Enron and continued to do so after the Enron collapse. However, I believe they've now moved to the Concorde School facility in midtown.

Isn't this the spot for the proposed midtown medical center?

Much like pineda, we've had a GREAT experience with Downtown Montessori at Blodgett and San Jacinto - we're very happy with the program that our child has been enrolled in for some time now. Downtown Montessori

Looks like they're back at it dbigtex56...drove by today and noticed quite a few people at work...the framework is up! Good news...i was worried about the slowdown.

I'm in NYC this week, and I noticed MANY of these same tanks standing at numerous intersections...in fact, I've counted at least 25 tanks in Times Square alone...

I'm actually one who has vented aggressively about these problems in Midtown. And I had my aimless battle with the all-knowing 'houston_jack' several months ago. As a resident of midtown, I do believe that the problem has seen a significant reduction over the past few months - and that the police have been more active in identifying offenders, gradually having an impact on the number of 'johns' frequenting our neighborhood. Clearly, I'm not happy about the advent of another club/venue opening in midtown, but i'm confident in the right dynamic that is taking place. Regarding the meat rack, I'm assuming they're closed down since I rarely see any activity at that bldg. I'll be thrilled when i see it destroyed.

VelvetJ...I couldn't agree more. The fact that Sugar Land can pull off mixed-use psuedo urban development should surely be a sign that an area like Midtown can as well. Granted, it'slikely easier to attract the big names to Sugar Land than it is to Midtown - but nonetheless, they seemto have the right idea and in midtown, i feel like we could learn something from it.

The Sugar Land task force travelled to Reston, Virginia, to study the Reston Town Center...which is the model for the one currently built and being built in Sugar Land. You'll find that the 'town center' concept is universal across the US in a number of communities...so i'm not sure that they're just copying the Woodlands.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2896825 interesting...could be a merger/consolidation...

I think it's quite the contrary in midtown. I understand your point about rising taxes - but it so happens that their land is in high demand - so they actually MAKE money because of the location of a camden or post complex. They can sell their house at a great profit, and move on to the next shack if they wish. This is America, it's called capitalism. It works. Regarding these 'shack' dwellers btw...many of them are renters. I'm not sure I understand your aimless demotivated attitude about the development of apartments in a region which can and will support them with high dollar rent value. I understand that you want more out of the development, and so do i...i am dissappointed that the midtown district doesn't implement measures to promote better design and use of space, but I still find your negative attitude to be baseless. Explain yourself.

So where are those drugs again Ricco?

Midtown has a geographical advantage over Gulfton - with it's proximity to downtown, easy access to the med center, it's unlikely that a Gulfton complex would set in here. Additionally, note that there are huge changes in neighboring downtown which are acting as anchors...like the stadiums, main street, hobby center, light rail, convention centerl, the new downtown park...as downtown picks up, it will only further the sustainability of midtown. Apartments for urban dwellers is nothing new...and my thought is that this project will only promote midtown - i like the fact that they are trying to attract a large critical mass. Downtown apts are now being converted to condos at the St. Germain.

silver lining on this is the mixed-use... i somehow imagined that houston and midtown specifically, would grasp the idea that this parcel of land represents the future flagship of midtown...it sounds like another run of the mill complex to me... i'll wait and see...

Comparing the dome to the Capitol bldg is ridiculous. Let's put some things in perspective here...

I'm sure I can come up with one or two instances where i was completely hacked off with some aspect of blockbuster...i've never had that problem with netflix...maybe i'm the only one.