RedScare Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I'm with infinite jim. This is like a Discovery Green part II. We need something a little more interesting and swanky this time around like in Uptown Dallas and maybe a Victory style development.I cannot for the life of me think of a single thing About Victory Park that should be emulated in Midtown. Midtown is actually successful. There are actual people living in Midtown. Victory symbolizes everything about how to do something wrong. Victory is Defeat.To even suggest Victory while discussing a park leaves one scratching one's head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 With the younger demographic of Midtown I would like something recreational like some volleyball courts, basketball, and/or some basic fitness related equipment. Lets skip the whole family park idea with Midtown. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 With the younger demographic of Midtown I would like something recreational like some volleyball courts, basketball, and/or some basic fitness related equipment. Lets skip the whole family park idea with Midtown.Verdantly green jello wrestling... I like it.Mud pits divided by volleyball nets with a dress code...requiring verdantly green bikinis... I like that too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 With the younger demographic of Midtown I would like something recreational like some volleyball courts, basketball, and/or some basic fitness related equipment. Lets skip the whole family park idea with Midtown.Pretty much every apartment complex in Midtown has this stuff already so I'm not sure if it would be fully utilized. Midtown had a public forum at HCC last year where they did a study on programming options. One thing they determined was that residents near the middle of Midtown needed and wanted open green space that was a little closer than Baldwin Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I walk to that rail stop and use it all the time -- in fact, today. I cry a little on the inside every time I look across at the giant empty super block. Very excited to see this; hopefully this and the new Arts complex are "real." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Baldwin park is nice, but I think it is a little too "plain."My favorite "open spaces" in the city that I use on a regular basis:Rice University student center, near the middle of campusThe renovated area in the middle of Hermann park (cafe/pond/train area)Discovery GreenI guess more "Union square" than "Memorial park." Part of the urban fabric, not just a patch of grass with a playground and softball field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simbha Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I guess more "Union square" than "Memorial park." Part of the urban fabric, not just a patch of grass with a playground and softball field.Agreed. Put slightly differently (at least, in my interpretation): More plaza, less park. I think that's a better option for this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Agreed. Put slightly differently (at least, in my interpretation): More plaza, less park. I think that's a better option for this space.I agree with both of you and would submit the idea of an adaptable multi-use space should be a consideration. Perhaps something like a sculpture garden with some kind of running water, but that's open enough that it could double as a small amphitheater or open air market on the weekends.But yeah, I'll put a different spin on it, too. What these greedy green-space-wanting morons in Midtown don't seem to realize is that this is next to the light rail. Tourists might theoretically ride by and it should be a strategic policy goal that hypothetical tourists (possibly from Dallas) are impressed by the urban environment that we build for them to the exclusion of our citizens' own recreational opportunities. (Otherwise, they'll go home all pouty and write bad reviews about our senselessly hallowed burger joints. We can't have that, people! Something must be done!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 (edited) I cannot for the life of me think of a single thing About Victory Park that should be emulated in Midtown. Midtown is actually successful. There are actual people living in Midtown. Victory symbolizes everything about how to do something wrong. Victory is Defeat.To even suggest Victory while discussing a park leaves one scratching one's head.He's probably talking about all the flashy things Victory Park has like the jumbotrons and stuff. lol. In his defense though, he also mentioned Uptown Dallas as a suggestion.But i think Simbha put it best: More plaza, less park. I'm happy that Houston's trying to increase its green space, but to slap a patch of grass on everything in every part of town (especially urban environments) can get a little boring. I'm guessing that's what C2H was "trying" to say, but failed misearbly the moment he mentioned Victory Park. Edited March 10, 2012 by scarface Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simbha Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 (edited) I agree with both of you and would submit the idea of an adaptable multi-use space should be a consideration. Perhaps something like a sculpture garden with some kind of running water, but that's open enough that it could double as a small amphitheater or open air market on the weekends.But yeah, I'll put a different spin on it, too. What these greedy green-space-wanting morons in Midtown don't seem to realize is that this is next to the light rail. Tourists might theoretically ride by and it should be a strategic policy goal that hypothetical tourists (possibly from Dallas) are impressed by the urban environment that we build for them to the exclusion of our citizens' own recreational opportunities. (Otherwise, they'll go home all pouty and write bad reviews about our senselessly hallowed burger joints. We can't have that, people! Something must be done!)Yeah, I agree with the idea of having a plaza. In fact, this could easily become a signature space for Houston, being along the rail line and in the middle of an important, developing and central area of the city. Something along the lines of a bricked space with fountains and minimal statuary. Because I visit Spain very often, and have a place in Barcelona, I'll refer to the Plaça de Catalunya (Plaza of Catalonia) as the archetype of is being suggested: a central space with fountains, benches, etc that has multiple uses, including the potential for small concerts/festivals.I'd think that area developers would get behind such an idea, as it would likely increase the value of their properties significantly.I don't know much about how these things work, but if someone could direct me to a meeting where I could voice my opinion on this, I'd be happy to do so. Edited March 10, 2012 by Simbha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 If it's a plaza, don't let the City get anywhere close to it. Jones Plaza was a great place until it was "improved". We went there every week. Now, it's a boring palce with no redeeming qualities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 (edited) Pretty much every apartment complex in Midtown has this stuff already so I'm not sure if it would be fully utilized. Midtown had a public forum at HCC last year where they did a study on programming options. One thing they determined was that residents near the middle of Midtown needed and wanted open green space that was a little closer than Baldwin Park.What complexes do have are pools and fitness equipment, I haven't been to or heard of any with volleyball and bball courts in Mditown. My initial thought was a public swimming pool: throw in a lap pool, main pool w/diving boards, a splash pad for the kiddos, and some small slides. However, almost every large complex has a pool.Well if the people want more open green space then I can't argue with that though. Edited March 11, 2012 by kdog08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Verdantly green jello wrestling... I like it.Mud pits divided by volleyball nets with a dress code...requiring verdantly green bikinis... I like that too.Also, bolt down some ping pong tables and lets dub thee Verdantly Green Jello Wrestling Green Space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simbha Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 If it's a plaza, don't let the City get anywhere close to it. Jones Plaza was a great place until it was "improved". We went there every week. Now, it's a boring palce with no redeeming qualities.Yeah, that sucked. I'm not against open-air performance venues AT ALL - but I wish the city maintained the existence of true plazas in its central core. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rci2145 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 How about tennis courts and a driving range? Midtown people are active, let's give them something to do in their own neighborhood. Normally, you have to drive to Memorial for these things and it's always packed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simbha Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 How about tennis courts and a driving range? Midtown people are active, let's give them something to do in their own neighborhood. Normally, you have to drive to Memorial for these things and it's always packed.I'm personally opposed to this, and I live in the vicinity of this space. Tennis courts and driving ranges are only enjoyable by a relatively small proportion of people, and then only in limited numbers at a time. For example, a driving range would need to be at least 600 feet in length (probably more) - most of which is open space taken up by lawn and green... unusable by people directly. I'd rather see a plaza that can directly be utilized by relatively large groups of people simultaneously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rci2145 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 After looking at the rendering, it basically looks like one city block with an open field, trees surrounding it, and some very small, shallow pools. I'm not expecting much from this as far as the park itself. The retail space will make the area nicer though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simbha Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 After looking at the rendering, it basically looks like one city block with an open field, trees surrounding it, and some very small, shallow pools. I'm not expecting much from this as far as the park itself. The retail space will make the area nicer though.My comment isn't about the rendering - but rather what should be done with the space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 (edited) How about tennis courts and a driving range? Midtown people are active, let's give them something to do in their own neighborhood. Normally, you have to drive to Memorial for these things and it's always packed.For tennis there's emancipation park (taft and dowling), I think there's 3 courts, they are well kept and I've never seen more than 1 in use at a time.For driving range there's gus wortham, because it's over on lawndale and wayside no one knows it exists, so the driving range is always available, and of the people I know who have played there, only 1 didn't find the course to be one of the most enjoyable they've played (public course anyway). Edited March 13, 2012 by samagon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Wortham is a great layout. It was orignally built as Houston Country Club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisPHous Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Wortham is a great layout. It was orignally built as Houston Country Club.Yes! This is my go to course! Never too crouded, cheap (like 25 with a cart last time I went), and there is a mexican guy on Wayside that will sell you like 40 golf balls for 7 bucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 (edited) http://www.khou.com/...-144475275.htmlNothing new but here is the latest article..."That’s precisely what the Midtown Redevelopment Authority and Camden Development Inc. plan for about half of the 3.5 acre site. Also on the drawing board are sites for two restaurants and a residential development, as well as an underground parking garage for about 140 vehicles.""Construction is expected to begin next spring, Thibodeaux said, and the park should be open in 2014." Edited March 29, 2012 by DrLan34 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 "That’s precisely what the Midtown Redevelopment Authority and Camden Development Inc. plan for about half of the 3.5 acre site. this explains a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Maybe METRO will contribute towards a memorial here too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Does anyone have any more info on this? I'm extremely excited about this, a nice park will help draw development around the area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I think the likliest action will be to attract a couple hundred more homeless/vagrants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGM Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Zuccotti park? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nole23 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/10-22-12-midtown-to-get-a-new-park-while-losing-two-nightclubs-its-full-speed-ahead-on-the-superblock/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 http://houston.cultu...the-superblock/Great news! I've been waiting to hear this and it's about time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skwatra Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 What's going to happen to Thien An? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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