My Impression Of Houston As Its New Resident

[kzseattle]

I was just looking at some of the pictures of Houston under Houston Photos forum. I work in a high-rise building in Westchase and have a great view of the entire area between Uptown and Westchase. Lots of trees all the way up to Uptown and then sleek buildings of Uptown, Downtown and TMC.

Houston looks so nice and modern. However, it looks so nice and modern

when viewed from a distance.

Things change a bit when you come down to street level and look closely. When I first came here, I noticed that Houston has plenty of greenery, magnificent homes, impressive shopping centers and shimmering skyscrapers. Unfortunately, the major roads around them go a great deal in ruining the impression both for its residents and the visitors.

Most major roads have little or no landscaping. Many need immediate repair and attention. There are potholes and bumps. The road markers have faded. Grass needs to be mowed. Trees need to be trimmed. Power lines need to be buried. Some roads should probably be rebuilt. It would surprise many how big a difference these changes can make in the look and feel of a city.

The other issue is the presence of some neglected or poorly maintained commercial properties. I believe this issue stems from city's lax control over businesses. I assume that, due to lack of zoning laws, they are not required to meet and maintain a minimum standard of quality. That requirement is therefore governed entirely by market forces. A business owner is compelled to improve the property only when threatened to do so by competition.

One would certainly ask how could we fund a project of this scale in a city so big? I find it amusing that the city keeps annexing well-managed smaller cities and then complains it doesnt have enough resources to manage itself.

Anyways, in a war, when medics can't attend to all the patients, they focus on

those who have greater chance of survival. Making these changes in slums or

ghettos probably aren't going to make much of a difference. So the city could start

with western half of inner loop and then move west selecting major east west

and north south roads such as Memorial, San Felipe, Westheimer, Richmond

etc (Bissonnet and Beechnut are probably hopeless). This would cover major population centers of the city and most of its tourist destinations.

The city could divert millions of dollars from low-impact but expensive projects such as, say, a new stadium. Furthermore, if the city cannot pass zoning laws, at least it should introduce laws forcing businesses to beautify and clean-up their

premises, and maintain architectural integrity, as is the case in many other

cities. And that includes apartment complexes too. Home owner dues are used in well-managed residential communities to maintain the region. I am not sure if Houston has business owner dues. If not, it should. After all, they are often the primary sources of urban ugliness. Heck, even if the city collects a buck for each CVS store, it could make, what, a million dollars? Hey, go ahead and count them!

The worst offender on the streets, however, is (drum roll please...)

littering. Drive around and its easy to notice papers, paper cups, fast food boxes, beer cans, plastic bags and so on along the roads and in parking lots. This problem angers me the most since it is the simplest to avoid and does not need billions of dollars to fix. All that people need to do is stop doing it. If people keep treating their city as garbage dump, well, that's what they will get. I don't mind trash in an area that is slum since the area is slum because of that. However, when I see such trash in an otherwise nice area, then that irks me. I dont know if city has laws against littering. If not, it should. Fine the violators and use the money to track and fine more violators. You will see the difference soon.

Overall, I think Houston is very close to becoming a great city. It has strong and diversified economy, large middle-class, growing population base and is making efforts to improve itself. It just needs to polish itself by fixing the roads, shunning lax control over commercial properties and cleaning itself up.

[greystone08(returns)]

The worst offender on the streets, however, is (drum roll please...)

littering. Drive around and its easy to notice papers, paper cups, fast food boxes, beer cans, plastic bags and so on along the roads and in parking lots. This problem angers me the most since it is the simplest to avoid and does not need billions of dollars to fix. All that people need to do is stop doing it. If people keep treating their city as garbage dump, well, that's what they will get. I don't mind trash in an area that is slum since the area is slum because of that. However, when I see such trash in an otherwise nice area, then that irks me. I dont know if city has laws against littering. If not, it should. Fine the violators and use the money to track and fine more violators. You will see the difference soon.

Overall, I think Houston is very close to becoming a great city. It has strong and diversified economy, large middle-class, growing population base and is making efforts to improve itself. It just needs to polish itself by fixing the roads, shunning lax control over commercial properties and cleaning itself up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I share your frustration on this matter. But unfortunately enough, if you leave it up to the residents of this city to do their part and stop littering, you'll be waiting for a long time meanind forever. However the city should start in cleaning up the inner loop. It should start downtown then to midtown and other neighborhoods on the outer fringes of downtown. Fifth Ward, i'm scared to drive through there even in the daylight. I'm thinking i might catch a bullet just for looking a certain way.

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[kzseattle]

I share your frustration on this matter. But unfortunately enough, if you leave it up to the residents of this city to do their part and stop littering, you'll be waiting for a long time meanind forever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, thats why I suggested that laws against littering should be strictly enforced. We cant just leave it up the people. Indeed, I wouldnt blame the city too much for not collecting the trash. I have seen the same spot being cleaned up many time. However, the next day, the trash is back. I have not seen a single sign saying that littering is unlawful. So I assume its not. I saw quiet a few such signs in Austin.

I read somewhere that, to fight this problem, some cities in Europe started fining voilators on the spot and got good results.

tw2ntyse7ven, you are right, Richmond is in pretty bad shape. Also, while driving on San Felipe in Uptown area, you feel as if you are riding a roller-coaster.

I heard that this has mostly to do with floodings and older roads were not built keeping that in mind. Thats why, some roads need to be rebuilt.

By the way, Westheimer is in very good shape (it seems as if it was recently done) although it could use some trees and landscaping.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Most major roads have little or no landscaping. Many need immediate repair and attention. There are potholes and bumps. The road markers have faded. Grass needs to be mowed. Trees need to be trimmed. Power lines need to be buried. Some roads should probably be rebuilt. It would surprise many how big a difference these changes can make in the look and feel of a city.

Bingo!

Great eye, KZ. I think there needs to be something called a "City Standards" ordinance/project that puts the onus on not only area governments but commercial entities and residents to take better care of their surroundings. It's teh same frustration that I started feeling in Miami before I moved. Areas of note get the city services but most of the rest of the city is a "fend for yourself" type deal, and when you do that sort of thing, you leave yourself open for neighborhoods that are typically middle class looking tattered and less than itself.

If Houston's going to allow so many homeowner associations to operate and maintain landscaping along the esplanades of the major roads, they need to to make sure that they're doing so on a viable schedule. Allowing Group A to maintain the esplanades once a month or bi-monthly (or whenever the spirit moves them) while Group B is more proactive yields a landscape overall that's inconsistent and annoying.

Take a ride down Kempwood or Hammerly and you'll see my point in full. One stretch is well manicured, another stretch looks like the landscaping hasn't been done in close to a year.

We need full-fledged enforceable standards, and that means for the city as well. No more of this fixing ten blocks of, say, West Gray only to allow another ten blocks of it to look like hell while the next ten blocks have been rehabiliated. Fixed the entire stretch if you're going to fix anything.

And I think the biggest mistake made with regard to street repair was putting general street repair and construction in the hands of METRO. That should be a COH Public Works responsibility entirely.

[2112]

I dont believe that all of our ugly business fronts are a result of the lack of zoning. Zoning always seems to be blamed first for some reason. It is code enforcement or a lack of good codes to enforce that are the real problem. You can have a free no-zone city and still insist that a certain minimum quality be maintained on the visual side. That is our real problem.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Yep. City standards, baby!

[Guest danax]

The other issue is the presence of some neglected or poorly maintained commercial properties.

The worst offender on the streets, however, is (drum roll please...)

littering.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It seems that Houston will have an increasing challenge in the future in these two areas due to the projected 1 million or so illegal aliens due to cross in the next 20 years or so. It's inevitable that Houston will always resemble a border town to some extent, just like certain areas do today. These people will be mostly uneducated, low income so their housing needs will require more apartments, etc.

As the demographics increase in this direction, we'll likely "always" have the semi-slummy areas along with the beautiful ones.

Shades of Brazil.

[houstonsemipro]

Houston is already a great city.

[citykid09]

It seems that Houston will have an increasing challenge in the future in these two areas due to the projected 1 million or so illegal aliens due to cross in the next 20 years or so. It's inevitable that Houston will always resemble a border town to some extent, just like certain areas do today. These people will be mostly uneducated, low income so their housing needs will require more apartments, etc.

As the demographics increase in this direction, we'll likely "always" have the semi-slummy areas along with the beautiful ones.

Shades of Brazil.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank You! Thats what I have been trying to tell people. I can assure you that as more illegals move in, Houston will become more slummish. And the more wealtheir people will move out to cities where illegal aliens aren't taking over.

Now before you all say I prejudice, don't for get that I did not mention a certin group.

[2112]

Thank You! Thats what I have been trying to tell people. I can assure you that as more illegals move in, Houston will become more slummish. And the more wealtheir people will move out to cities where illegal aliens aren't taking over.

Now before you all say I prejudice, don't for get that I did not mention a certin group.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Right. You didnt mention a certain group.

Those illegals from Canada sure are taking over....

[The Great Hizzy!]

Even with that, there still needs to be enforcement of "standards." As with anything and anyplace, it doesn't take a lot of any particular group of people to contribute to an area's unsightliness. Those of you who have visited SF can attest to a handful of homeless people or just generally obnoxious drunks urinating/defecating and trashing the city's streets to the point of making the experience lousy but I don't think anyone believes that San Franciscans overall are trashy.

You've gotta enforce standards, and if that means PAYING for that enforcement then it's time to put our money where our mouths are, otherwise we're just a bunch of idealogues.

[kzseattle]

I dont believe that all of our ugly business fronts are a result of the lack of zoning.  Zoning always seems to be blamed first for some reason.  It is code enforcement or a lack of good codes to enforce that are the real problem.  You can have a free no-zone city and still insist that a certain minimum quality be maintained on the visual side.  That is our real problem.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello,

As I mentioned in my post, it was only my assumption that lack of zoning also implied that businesses do not have to comply with a minimum standard of quality. Howver, I could be wrong. So I suggested, as you also have, that even if we dont have zoning laws, we should at least have laws requiring business to maintain visual and architectural integrity.

Having said this, I would still blame zoning for some of the ugliness. I believe lack of zoning is the cause of extensive commercialization along major roads, and mixing of industrial areas with residential communities. There are industrial areas in other cities too but people dont have to live next to a warehouse. However, it is of course too late to undo that. Also, I think it is still not as bad as I thought before I came here. Most businesses are along major roads, feeder roads and intersection of roads. That makes sense because businesses want exposure. Not many people are going to notice a lone business in the middle of houses.

So what the city can do now is enforce some "deed" restrictions on those businesses.

[kzseattle]

It seems that Houston will have an increasing challenge in the future in these two areas due to the projected 1 million or so illegal aliens due to cross in the next 20 years or so. It's inevitable that Houston will always resemble a border town to some extent, just like certain areas do today. These people will be mostly uneducated, low income so their housing needs will require more apartments, etc.

As the demographics increase in this direction, we'll likely "always" have the semi-slummy areas along with the beautiful ones.

Shades of Brazil.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think there many other cities with illegal immigrants including NYC, Phoenix, San Diego, SF, Miami and San Antonio. Yet, many of them are considered the greatest cities in America. In other posts, people have often blamed low income for the slums or urban ugliness around Houston. It cannot be denied that slums and areas with high crime rate are usually home to poor, untrained, unskilled and uneducated segments of society. Houston has a large industrial base. As long as those industrial plants exist, there is going to be relatively poor and low-skilled working class to meet the need of those factories.

However, Houston is not the poorest city in the US. No, it is not even in the list of top 10 poorest cities. That list includes names like Cleveland, Fresno, Miami, Long Beach, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

The fact that Cleveland is the poorest city in America comes as a surprise to many. Indeed, the headlines read like this

[2112]

I think there many other cities with illegal immigrants including NYC, Phoenix, San Diego, SF, Miami and San Antonio. Yet, many of them are considered the greatest cities in America.

[Guest danax]

Suddenly, a lone man stands and claps slowly yet vigorously, soon followed by the steadily increasing sound of the applause.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is this lone man clapping for? Is he a champion for illegal aliens and he feels like they're getting a bad rap from people who dare say anything hinting of negativity? My original comments were punctuations of KZSeattle's points that 1) littering is a problem and 2) run down commercial businesses make Houston look like crap. I see these things in my immediate surroundings so my responses are based on that.

Can we not make objective observations about this group without being accused of being racist? Wouldn't racist be having bumper stickers that read "La Raza" (The Race) or listening to "Mega 101, Latino and Proud" or maybe having a business that advertises "Donde El Hispano Siempre Califica" (where the Hispanic always qualifies). Or is the person that has the gall to point these things out the racist? Lets pretend its 2050 and not 2005 and get over this racial stuff.

OK, my disclaimer is that I think these Latin American Nationals are, by and large, GOOD people. As I've mentioned in the past, I have family ties and harbor no hatred towards them. I live amongst them happily.

However, as armchair urban planners we need to look at this "immigration" phenomenon with clear vision if we are to predict and improve the future of our city.

I have lived in Pecan Park for a few years and have many valid observations based on day to day living. There are many illegals here due to 1) low housing costs 2) owner financed older homes where SS#s aren't needed. And yes, I've been told by residents who have been here longer that it once looked much better.

Having said all that, here are some things that I've noticed about neighborhoods with illegals.

1) You will have more cantinas. They will likely be painted in primary colors and the names will be painted often by hand in crooked lettering. There might be a scene painted with maybe a palm tree and a woman with large breasts.There will usually be a pile of Bud Light bottles stacked visibly nearby. ( We have 3 within 5 minutes walking distance from me, except one burned down and has been sitting there half burned for months.There used to be drunks spilling out onto the porch when it was open. It used to be a victorian house.)

2) There will be cars parked on lawns.

3) There will be abandoned stolen shopping carts sitting around the streets.

4) There will be little businesses popping up from homes and garages. Most will have some kind of hand-painted sign, maybe a piece of cardboard at first, often mis-spelled and crooked.

5) There will be multiple families living out of one house.

6) Litter will increase.

That's about it, but it takes just a small percentage of a population to make it look like a border town.

Houston is still a great city and is getting better. I'm just pointing out that we are likely to always have some of the above. Which is really no big deal.

Suddenly, a lone man stands up and throws a tomato, then, a mango hits the speaker square on the head. Soon, bottles are being thrown. The police finally escort the speaker from the stage. Thanking them, the speaker asks where they are taking him. The tell him he's being arrested for starting a race riot, with a Hate Crime enhancement........ "But officer, I was just speaking the truth!"

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[tw2ntyse7en]

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[The Great Hizzy!]

On the other hand, in Houston ghettos are scattered around, with nice neighborhoods right beside or even inside them. Could this be due to lack of zoning?

In this case, I would agree to some extent but even with this I think that some neighborhoods *look* like ghettos when they're still pretty middle income in economy and setup. Again, a lack of standards placed on the various homeowner associations by the city followed by sincere enforcement allow things to get out of hand in certain neighborhoods.

It's funny, I agree that this is still a great city that is attractive in many ways but it's full asthetic potential is being hindered by three primary factors:

1) Renegade or poorly maintained commercial units on main highways

2) Poor landscaping on many roads/poor condition of said roads (I realize this isn't a Houston problem, though; it seems to be a growing problem in many Sunbelt cities)

3) Unsightly signage along highways as well as unsightly billboards.

As we work to eliminate billboards I also think there needs to be a height restriction on commercial signage. It was cool to have a 60 foot Shell or McDonald's sign in the 60s, it's not anymore.

Outside of that, though, I'm good.

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[The Great Hizzy!]

There's a sign on MLK just south of South Park (I can't remember the name of the community) with a sign that says "Deed Restrictions Strictly Enforced" and of course I think to myself Picking up trash and cutting the weeds in the esplanade must not be part of it Granted, the actual neighborhoods off of MLK are in pretty good shape, given the income level (which gets higher as you go south) but there's no reason for MLK or Bellfort to look as they do.

[MidtownCoog]

To see someone from Seattle talk about Houston's lack of infrastructure is pretty funny.

Seattle, the land of two hour commutes to get over the bridge.

Houston's freeway system leaves Seattle in the dust.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Well, every city certainly has its problems, that's for sure. I think San Francisco traffic is worse than Houston's or Seattle's (I'm statistically backed up by this, according to AAA) but because people have more "urban" neighborhoods in the Bay Area, the issue of traffic isn't spoken to as much because the people who are most concerned about this are the very people who are likely to live in these urban neighborhoods. In Houston, it's a hot button topic because many people, including some Houstonians, don't think Houston has many urban neighborhoods--which, comparatively speaking, is probably true, but not altogether so.

[2112]

What is this lone man clapping for? Is he a champion for illegal aliens and he feels like they're getting a bad rap from people who dare say anything hinting of negativity? My original comments were punctuations of KZSeattle's points that 1) littering is a problem and 2) run down commercial businesses make Houston look like crap. I see these things in my immediate surroundings so my responses are based on that.

Can we not make objective observations about this group without being accused of being racist? Wouldn't racist be having bumper stickers that read "La Raza" (The Race) or listening to "Mega 101, Latino and Proud" or maybe having a business that advertises "Donde El Hispano Siempre Califica" (where the Hispanic always qualifies). Or is the person that has the gall to point these things out the racist? Lets pretend its 2050 and not 2005 and get over this racial stuff.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, I was just trying to be funny. You know, the scene where a poet finishes, there is silence, and then one person stands up to applaude, then everyone joins in with the same regard.

It was my admiration of everything kzseattle said.

cheers.

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[westguy]

Westchase has many crappy, pockmarked roads, but they've made them very attractive with their landscaping. I haven't seen anything else quite like it in Houston (maybe that is because they paid for it themselves). There isn't much litter there and the weeds in the pavement are consitently removed. I see it fall apart in the residential areas near the district because they aren't organized to spend on external improvements around their neighborhoods.

Getting the city to provide and maintain landscaping outside of DT and Main street is hopeless.

I disagree about Westheimer, though. I think it is ugly and should be improved immediately. TXDOT is making these small improvements to facilitate some trees and landscaping, but it is not enough. Westheimer should look more like Highway 6 in Sugar Land. Somehow they got TXDOT to pay for that.

[2112]

oh...okay...but what was that second paragraph all about?

Glen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

whos?

[tw2ntyse7en]

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[The Great Hizzy!]

Westchase has many crappy, pockmarked roads, but they've made them very attractive with their landscaping. I haven't seen anything else quite like it in Houston (maybe that is because they paid for it themselves). There isn't much litter there and the weeds in the pavement are consitently removed. I see it fall apart in the residential areas near the district because they aren't organized to spend on external improvements around their neighborhoods.

Getting the city to provide and maintain landscaping outside of DT and Main street is hopeless.

I disagree about Westheimer, though. I think it is ugly and should be improved immediately. TXDOT is making these small improvements to facilitate some trees and landscaping, but it is not enough. Westheimer should look more like Highway 6 in Sugar Land. Somehow they got TXDOT to pay for that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I live in Westchase and agree completely. Richmond Avenue, for example, from the Beltway to about Wilcrest is a fine example of this. If the city actually repaved the street, it could be one of the best looking "urban" streets in Texas.

It's stuff like that, small but not insignificant. I'd like to see more care and concern shown in this area. I think about Scott Street from UH to OST; some of it is scabby but it also runs through a wealthy African American neighborhood and some nice, well-kept middle income African-American Neighborhoods. The streetscape should look as prosperous as the homes.

Granted, the new rail line planned for this corridor should cure the area of this ill but the fact that the COH has shown no interest in revitalizing the streetscape in all of these years is amazing.

[MidtownCoog]

On a related note, UH plans to build a parking garage on Scott, with first level retail.

I think they have alreday started work on the first parking garage across from Moody Towers, which will also have retail on the first floor.