SSGinSpringBranch

You're going to have to arrive in that limo pictured because there is never anywhere to park on that side of the mall.

Does anyone know where on that lot this building is going to be situated? I'm guessing the section north of Mathewson but I'm basing that on absolutely nothing.

I grew up along the tracks in Bellaire, between Bellaire Blvd and Bissonet though where the lots are deeper, and later lived in a rental on Ione. I'd take the train over the water plant any day. That said, as kids we rambled up and down the train easement on bikes and on foot all the time, it was a lovely escape, and I wasn't particularly interested in trains. My boys would flip to watch trains go by that close on a regular basis. LOL

I think there was definitely something else besides funding at play.  I asked three times about funding, I've been in grant-funded humanities for a decade, I know the drill. They swore up and down funding was not an issue, 10 days later, funding is an issue. I do not think the price tag just all of a sudden dawned on them. Nope. Someone changed their mind. Don't know who or why but there was a change of heart somewhere.

That locomotive and the two houses have been in that area since long before the museum was announced.  They moved them more recently (a few years ago maybe?), but they've been within a block or so of there for close to a decade, if I remember right.  So I don't think those will necessarily be taken away.

Well technically, the Cohn house has been within a few blocks of its current location for a little over a century, hence its importance. The city bought it around '03, moved it a bit to save it from road construction, and there it has sat. The city felt it was important enough to save a decade ago when they needed to widen a road, and there were plenty of empty lots in the area. That is not to say they still feel it is worth saving if they choose to build something on the lot. That area has filled in considerably in the last decade, the fact that the house is still just sitting does not speak well for it's future preservation. The other old house which was next to it, the Foley house, was gifted to Incarnate Word, they were supposedly going to use it for offices, but I don't know if that's still the case.  The deciding factor will be what the city and Houston First want to do with that parcel of land, there are a lot of options which would be far more economically profitable than any sort of cultural/historical use. Whether they want to add economic value or cultural value to the area is the key.

It would be great if they could just keep the house and open it to the public. keep the train. And keep the rest as a park. Win!

I am very curious what they will do with the house. The city donated the land (and I think) the house for this project, and the train was donated along with $$ from Union Pacific for the museum. I suspect the train will be returned along with the money. And chances are there is something else totally-non-history-related on the horizon for the land which means the house either has to be incorporated or removed.

LOL At selfies with the cows!

One of the houses was moved over to the church property next door.

Yes, the Foley house was given to Incarnate Word and I was told (see above, I was also told funding was not an issue) IWA would rehab the building and use it for office space, but in light of the news about the Clayton building, I was just wondering if the Foley house was still being saved or not.

I hate to say it but I do not think this project will be resurrected. I think there was a loss of interest somewhere (the funders, the board, the city) that when combined with the economic downturn made this not only unfeasible but unpopular. And whatever happened/whoever made the decision--I think it caught Houston First off guard, as of 10 days ago they were enthusiastically interviewing candidates for museum staff to guide the content development.  And they swore up and down that funding wasn't an issue.   At least now I know why they never called me back.  

I am very curious/worried what will happen to the Cohn house and the Foley house now. Anyone heard anything?

In the immediate I-10 and Beltway area we considered MDUMC and Fair Haven UMC on Gessner. There's also Creme de la Creme and Holy Spirit Episcopal both south of I-10 for a slightly higher price. Just outside the beltway there is Westwood Montessori. Moving in I-10 there is St. Christopher's on Blalock, Morning Glory Montessori and Kindercare both on Bunker Hill, Spring Branch Presbyterian Academy on Campbell, and Big Little School and School of the Woods Montessori on Wirt. Those are (mostly) only the places that take infants, full-time--as that was what I was researching for when I made my list. I'm sure there are other options because not everywhere takes little bitties. Also, I'm not recommending all of the above places, those are just the ones on my list.

Unfortunately, daycare/preschool options are far more abundant and cheaper in the suburbs. Full-time infant prices in this area range from $900 to $1200+, and frankly I toured some places where I wouldn't leave my dog. We pay right around $1000 for a one year old in a very good school. For a toddler I would expect to pay $800+. Hope this helps.

Did they give any idea of a time frame? Or is this all still in the distant future?

Saw a sign on the fence today & it said new home of Memorial Vein Center.

Very strange building design for a medical facility!!

Not to mention strange location... behind the old Petsmart in the Hobby Lobby/Home Depot parking lot? WTH?

My husband and I have been curiously watching this building since they started it. For a long time we were betting on restaurant of one sort or another but he said the air handling system looked all wrong for that. The only thing Google turned up for the address (10504 Katy Freeway) is "Memorial Surgical Solutions" http://healthstip.com/fine/zo9101251265u21/m841563586

After a little more Google work I think it will most likely be an out-patient treatment center for varicose veins and the like.

Not nearly the exciting addition to the neighborhood I'd hoped for.