Warehouse Next To Specs

[MidtownCoog]

I do think CVS dropped the ball in Midtown. Especially with The Post getting that environmental award for urban design, etc.

And what about that strip near BW3. Seems like nothing new has opened there since last Summer. Kinda sad.

[Astro]

That's All well and good in the textbook, but Houston is a city of automobile drivers.  Pedestrian traffic pretty much comes to a halt by July. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But considering how much residential development there is just within a few blocks of this new store I'm sure there will be quite a bit of pedestrian traffic from the nearby apartments and townhomes at all times of year.

[s10n]

Oh where to begin...

First, most of the basic elements of "urban design" can be incorporated into their store without any impact or cost to their typical development. Echo those comments previously about simply moving the building to the street and placing parking on side and/or behind. But, simply put they don't have to do it so they won't.

As for Houston being a City of drivers, it is obvious this is the case. But, you could argue that it is a city of drivers because the built environment was designed for and around the car, not pedestrians. If you want a pedestrian environment, you must create it with the design of the built environment. This is a self-perpetuating problem. The more you build auto dominated design, the more auto dominated you become. You have to start somewhere. Midtown is the best and only hope (outside of Downtown) for true urban development; allbeit, it is rapidly fading.

As for parking ordinances, they are a problem. The same requirement pertains to midtown as it does in Kingwood. This is a problem that must be addressed to spur more urban development in Midtown, especially as land prices continue to increase.

As for going to the MRDA meetings, it is always good to show up and speak your mind. But, the board is essentially powerless on this type issue. They have failed to pursue the ability to institute land use and/or design control. Without it, they simply ask the developers for their consideration and hope they get it. The board members are afraid to push the issue with City Council (they have to CC approval for this ability). When you ask a board member about this, they simply laugh and say it will never happen. This is the prevailing attitude of the board members that serve your neighborhood. That being said, this will only change if all of those who support urban design and/or oppose typical suburban development in midtown will organize and make their point in more public and open forums (i.e. political forums).

[MidtownCoog]

organize and make their point in more public and open forums

Would be nice but such a group would have to be very organized and on top of things.

It's hard when a empty lot turns into a framed town home over night.

[kjb434]

If midtown develops like we want it too with as much residnetial that is expected, having this many pharmacies would be a problem. San Francisco is extremely dense, seeing the need for many locations. Houston will get to this point (maybe not San Fran dense) to where these locations are needed.

[Trophy Property]

If midtown develops like we want it too with as much residnetial that is expected, having this many pharmacies would be a problem.  San Francisco is extremely dense, seeing the need for many locations.  Houston will get to this point (maybe not San Fran dense) to where these locations are needed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But there is already a Walgreens on W. Grey and another on Montrose. I do not think there is a need for another one anytime soon. The only reason they are building there is to try and push CVS.

[kjb434]

great, that's competition. If they don't do well, they'll close and somebody else would buy the property and build there.

[Trophy Property]

great, that's competition.  If they don't do well, they'll close and somebody else would buy the property and build there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or the property will go vacant, get boarded up and be an eyesore for the neighborhood. I would rather have a vacant tract of land.