happytown

That sounds a little premature...at least I hope. That fugly empty lot right in front of the complex probably isn't a huge selling point - at this rate, it will probably remain that way for quite a while. It would definitely be nice to know how well they are leasing... I wouldn't be surprised if they are having a tough time considering the price and the amount of other new complexes in the general area (Alexan on Westheimer, Alexan Upper Kirby, the new apartments in Greenway)

A rail?

Don't get too excited. I believe it isn't funded yet.

Hanover has a terrible business model.

Didnt they get the memo from Ric Campo that apartments over ground floor retail will NEVER work in Houston?

This reminds me that when the Galleria first went up 'experts' said it would fail because Houstonians would never park in a garage to go shopping.

The writing is on the wall. The land values between Buffalo Bayou and 59 South, all the way from downtown to the loop, are going to go up. They have already gone up in the past year. This will cause rents to rise and will cause more older structures to be torn down.  There is nothing special about Westcreek and if it is a good business decision then it should come down. I know it sucks if you're a renter, but if I were the owners I would be trying to do everything possible to maximize my profits. 

Whatever you decide to do, I hope things work out for you.

Needs more cowbells!

I have nothing to add, except to say that this is one of my all-time favorite HAIF threads. I hope it keeps on going.

Wow, I remember when this project was first announced almost 5 years ago.

Hard to believe it isn't fully up and running yet. It looks beautiful, though. Definately worth the wait.

Anybody?

Maybe they're desperate for money and they are selling the trees for firewood.

Funny, you'd think that HSLR or the Texans would've at least put out a press release to that effect.

I got the following from Swamplot. It's from a previous Chron story.There's a lot more over there if you care to look. Like I said, the Chronicle's reporting on this has not been stellar. I believe commisioner's court is being less than frank about the situation, and the Chron needs to point it out in every article they do. The issue is not the hotel.

In the latest installment of the Chronicle

I think it is funny how worked-up people seem to get about the convention hotel...

HLSR and Texans only have events going on for what, less than 2 months total a year? We are going to "protect" those 2 months by prohibiting the development of a $450 million convention hotel in the beloved Astrodome? As far as cost-benefits go, this seems like a no-brainer to me (although I am still skeptical this sort of convention hotel would be totally successful).

In my opinion there is a lot of confusion about this convention hotel project. The Rodeo and the Texans are not against it. What they are against is the attempt to sneak an amusement park in along with the hotel. I have been unable to determine whether the original proposal to the county was intended to be for a hotel only, or whether the poposal got changed. But at this point there doesn't seem to be a proposal on the table for a CONVENTION HOTEL ONLY. Maybe the hotel people were trying to pull a fast one from the beginning. Or maybe they got the idea for the amusement park later. But one thing is certain: the amusement park would impact the revenues of the Rodeo and because of traffic issues probably the Texans too.

Every time the Chron does an article on the Dome, this CENTRAL amusement park issue just seems to get pushed into the background. I partly blame the politicians for this. The more they can confuse the casual followers of this matter, the more pressure they think they can put on the Rodeo and Texans to cave in. But I also blame the Chron. This has always been the central issue and the Chron shouldn't allow it to be fuzzed over.

Ten years or so ago the Gulf Freeway from downtown to the 610 loop was basically a dead zone. In the last few years, though, it has started coming to life. Townhouses are going up steadily near downtown. UH has significantly improved their campus adjacent to I-45. Gulfgate Center is steadily expanding. The lovely new AAMA school will soon be finished. Strip centers have been build or remodeled.

And today I saw another sign of improvement: The Rodeaux(nee Helena Motel) site at Wayside, which has been an eyesore, at least in my opinion, is being bulldozed to the ground. This will create a freeway frontage of almost a full block. Does anyone have an idea of what might be going on there? I hope it isn't just another strip center.

I think it'll help round out the convention schedule downtown, offering more budget accommodations to convention travelers. Other than that, I couldn't care less about this. It will affect me exactly zero. When I like to splurge on a weekend being a tourist in my own city, or spend New Year's Eve, or eat a great restaurant, I like posh hotels.

I'll never set foot in this place and don't care that it's coming here.

It is hard to tell whether you are bragging or complaining. If you care so little about this, why did you bother to post? I hope you aren't as ugly a person as this post makes you seem.

Well, Allen Square is a great name, coming as it does from local heroes. But I think it would be a bit confusing because of Allen Center and Allen's Landing. I think Parkway Square would be a better choice. Or, since it's just west of downtown, how about WeDo Square? Just kidding.

I'm wondering about the dissapearance of WHAT from this thread. I guess he or she got tired of reminding everyone that this project isn't going to get off the ground.

I think that if Who's on first, then What must have struck out.

I love happy endings.

While I was driving down W Gray, I noticed two variance request signs for Midtown Square Phase III, on the two adjacent blocks to the west of the Post Midtown.

Why is it called Midtown Square when it's in SoDo?

Look for the strip denoted by the red-dot to get a makeover. I get my hair cut there. It's a neat little area with a euro-village feel to the layout.

Looking kinda dumpy right now, but I see them trying to keep up with the Jonses'.

Is anyone else besides me old enough to remember when this area was called "Sin Alley"?

Topic consolidated into already existing topic.

They're getting closer to being finished so we should know something fairly soon. It looks like there will be bathrooms in the backs, hinting that.....it could be anything. A couple of locals I've spoken to are still hoping for a gym but it doesn't look like there any locker rooms.

That area needs a bank. There are only four others within a block or so.

Albeit, the development is in the middle of an old industrial complex so the area is lacking an identity.

I guess they'll be hiring someone soon to name that side too. EaDo anyone?

Simply put - the name is stupid.  That's why everyone's worried about it.

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I can't believe they are going to spend 100 thou to promote that stupid name. Why can't they do something better with their money-- Like giving it to me.LOL

TexasBOY. take it easy on the KID. I think he was just wondering why as big as Houston is

I too have noticed the KID ought to reign himself in a little. The things a city offers are not like some merit badge to wear on its chest. They're to be enjoyed. Or not.

...or we could all start referring to South Downtown/Midtown as SoDoMi!

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And there used to be something called "Neartown". What ever happened to that?

I live right down the street.  Too bad I have never shopped for fabric in my life.

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I bought some drapery material there. The people are very friendly, very professional. If you live in the neighborhood, check it out.

Good information.  Glad to see the project moving.

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I was by there today. There's a security fence and lots of signs with telephone numbers, but as of yet no groundbreaking. The new Downtown Cathedral lot remained in a similar condition for two years, so I guess what I'm saying is I'll believe it when I see it. I sure hope it happens soon, though. It looks fabulous on its sign.

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Nothing wrong with being a taco fanatic. I consider them one of the greatest foods invented by mankind. By the way, does anybody know of a great taco place on the east side that focuses on tacos-to-go the way Laredo Taquerea on Washington does?

Did you go to the truck or the sit-down restaurant?  Just curious.  The food between the 2 seems to be identical and consistent.  Of course the sit down version can offer plates and other dinners that the taco truck doesn