midtown_resident

i do think the article was a bit over the top - the truth of the matter is that there are many that are very happy with their purchases - but these horror stories are tough to stomach. I do wish perry was a better partner for midtown and didn't just homogenize block after block...but i hold the MMD/MRA accountable more for that fact.

Check out the article...it's too long to cut and paste, so try this link: http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/current/feature.html This link will be outdated after next wednesday, 3/2/05

not sure...but this looks like a pretty large project - i'd say bank on summer at the earliest.

went over to the park today to see the progress - They were in the process of pulling up the sidewalks around the perimeter of the park. The tore up the jogging trail almost in it's entirety. The swingset is gone and the playground is being dismantled. Overall, they are digging the place up. Let's hope this is a sign for good progress - i'm looking forward to the completed park!

The orange fencing has been put up around each tree so as to protect them.

hmmm...the banner isn't up anymore

it's located at fannin/mcgowen...

They just put up a sign on the front of the St. Germain saying that there will be a special auction on March 12th...and some info about financing contacts...interesting. I saw them put up the sign an hour ago...

Very much agreed. I 've had my son on that playground numerous times and it's great - very new and clean. The playground could surely afford some much needed scheduled maintenance/upkeep, but tear it down? No....

last time i spoke to anyone at the collective...they seemed a bit cautious about the project...i.e. they didn't really commit to any timeline or such

Today, on my quick drive home from downtown, I noticed that Baldwin Park has bright orange temporary fencing all over it - specifically around the outline of the trail and around each of the trees...likely a protective measure. Looks like they're finally gonna start on this thing...

cool - where was your townhome? did you see any appreciation during your time in Midtown?

coog...do you still live in midtown? or downtown?

thanks for the info mystery masked man...or woman.

what is fashion square?

i read a sign on the bldg at west/mont that said it's gonna be a 'faddi's'... Middle Eastern grub - good stuff. There's one at West/Dunvale as well - excellent food.

It seems to me that the franchised or corporate big name hotels are constantly taking over the boutique hotels rapidly. In DC, you'll note that many of the big name boutique hotels, like Hotel Washington and The Mayflower are now taken over, rather acquired, by large chains like Renaissance and Hilton. Note that the Waldor-Astoria in NYC is actually a Hilton Hotel.

Public market returns to historic downtown site It

"We're just afraid we're going to be too old to enjoy it." What a great statement. While we don't live in downtown, we live several blocks south in midtown...and our biggest fear is that by the time it all gets going, we won't be able to enjoy it... This likely isn't true...but the sentiment encapsulates much of what midtowners (espeically midtown families) seem to be trying to rationalize.

I live close-by this bldg...and the units seem great...however, they don't seem to be moving all that quickly. Open house every Sat from 1-4 for the past one year plus...

You talk to "mass-trans fans" as though you're not one...but you're a proponent of "rail from uptown to downtown in 10 years". So what's the scoop? I'm not sure that we want the best solution in the quickest amount of time at the lowest price. I think there's more analysis that could deliver answers on that question.

I'm gonna listen to my own words and preach patience on this...even my impatience gets the best of me now and then...but then i have to remind myself of these developments nationally and how long it takes for the impact to truly settle.

I'm just fedup with the 'talking points' that some of these anti-rail folks come up with. They're just that - talking point - and phrases. They carry absolutely no substance and are intended only to provide baseless criticism of the metro project. If you want to see points in case - look at the Washington DC area 25 years after rail has started. Everyone takes it for granted now...but in the mid 70s, people were raising a ruckus over whether or not it would be 'appropriate' for DC. Example - if you go to Washington DC as a tourist, you'll likely use metro to see all parts of Washington like the Smithsonian, monuments, WH, capital etc. However, you won't be able to take it to the tourist mecca of Georgetown. Why? Because during planning, G'town residents were irrate about the idea of a train system coming through their neighborhood, brining in a 'bad element' and such. So the federal funding wasn't applied to G'town. NOW they are lobbying for a station - and congressional response has been tepid - essentially saying that if they want a station, the residents and businesses are going to have to sustain increased taxation. This constant anti-rail bias that i see, read and hear everyday in the press/media is absolute bunk. Houston can't expect things to happen overnight and must understand that it takes a generation cycle to truly build a great city. We get to experience some of the initial successes and celebrate them witih fervor. However, it's our children that truly get the benefit...

What exactly did you mean when you said DUH? There's no need to have buses and rail on the same corridor. Rail has proven that to be the case. You need to have the cross lines going east-west, but not at all on the north/south. Meanwhile, there are enough local bus lines to serve as an effective component to the rail system. The contstant droning of anti-rail in this town is unbelievable. The upside of this sort of development is tremendous. It does cost money and it does take time. There are some realities to be dealt with. But tell me this, how can you possibly compare buses and the rail system? Apples and oranges. Somehow, i think we've had this conversation before....

I too am starting to ignore projects that are supposed to be breaking ground...simply because they rarely, if ever, seem to actually break ground.