Walmart Supercenter At 111 Yale St.

[RedScare]

Marksmu - we're paying over $6M for the equivalent of one extra 20-year-old tree (12 more caliper inches total added than removed from the ROW).

Hyperbole much?

[Leonard]

Aha haha - yeah, maybe a little bit, RS. But the 380 is supposed to be all wider sidewalks and thicker trees. And Yale will have 75% less tree caliper inches than previously. We're not getting our money's worth. The 380 was publicly announced as making the development better, it's clearly designed to transfer our tax dollars to the developer for the developer to spend as he sees fit. We're not getting thicker trees. We're not.

No matter how many people say that historically, there shouldn't be any trees here, because once it was an underwater dinosaur breeding ground.

We're not getting thicker trees for the 380. Not. Getting. Thicker. Trees. Not.

[JJxvi]

Tree hater? I am the exact opposite of a tree hater. A "tree-lover" you ask? No, I simply don't care one iota at all about these trees.

[barracuda]

The original photos I just looked at had some pine forrested areas but equal amounts of bayou and willows and other small trees. The strip along the boulevard did seem quite wooded, but those were a bunch a pine trees, and as someone who has a large pine tree in their front yard, I can promise you we aren't missing those. Nearly all the beautiful Live Oaks and other aesthetically pleasing trees you see were planted by residents. Nothing historic or original about them...

That being said... the new walmart will have a gardening center right?

I'm not arguing about the fact that these relatively young live oaks were obviously planted, nor am I all that concerned about their removal. But you agree the area wasn't treeless before development.

I must say, I think live oaks are kind of ugly until they mature and really spread out, so I kind of hope they plant something else.

[Leonard]

Barracuda - they aren't planting anything along Yale between Koehler and the bridge.

[RedScare]

Aha haha - yeah, maybe a little bit, RS. But the 380 is supposed to be all wider sidewalks and thicker trees. And Yale will have 75% less tree caliper inches than previously. We're not getting our money's worth. The 380 was publicly announced as making the development better, it's clearly designed to transfer our tax dollars to the developer for the developer to spend as he sees fit. We're not getting thicker trees. We're not.

No matter how many people say that historically, there shouldn't be any trees here, because once it was an underwater dinosaur breeding ground.

We're not getting thicker trees for the 380. Not. Getting. Thicker. Trees. Not.

We've already been through this. The 380...and the $6 million...were not set in stone. The City may change what work it wants done, and that may reduce the total amount spent under the 380. As for what the area will look like once finished, I'll wait until it is finished. I've listened to people complain about construction projects in midstream for years. It is always the same. "That looks terrible! They ruined it!" Construction projects always look bad during the construction. Wait until it is finished.

Let me see if I can explain why none of us is upset at 9 trees being removed. You see, it is the only 9 trees on the entire street. It looked like crap. Once finished, there will likely be trees on both sides of the street. It will look better, and over time will shade more sidewalk. If removing 9 trees gets us 18 trees evenly spaced, or more, most of us have little problem with that. And, you said yourself that we are getting 12 more caliper inches than were removed. Well, if those new trees are thinner, then that means we are getting a whole lot more trees.

Here's the deal. Most of us are fine with that. We. Are. Fine. With. That.

Your gripe is a tempest in a teapot. Tempest. In. A. Teapot. Tempest. Teapot. You.

Hope. That. Helped.

[Leonard]

They are removing a total of 19 trees from Yale. They are adding a total of 13 trees to Yale. Net loss: 6 trees. Net loss in tree caliper inches on Yale: 176.5.

The 12 extra caliper inches will not be on Yale, but on the Heights esplanade.

[RedScare]

We'll see.

[JJxvi]

There are (were) only about 10-12 legit trees along Yale at wildly dispersed locations (the ones right in front of the stone yard are basically the only place where they all survived, possibly because somebody tended those, I dont know). Any others you add to that to get to 19 opr whetever must be scrub trees that just happened to be there around the underpass or something.

[Leonard]

JJxi - at least I found some trees you care less about than the 9 live oaks.

I didn't count the trees, or measure them for that matter. The City and the developer did. The City's rules decide which trees "count" and which ones don't.

[RedScare]

I'm curious, Leonard. Are you waxing hyperbolic about these 9 trees because you actually thought this section of Yale was attractive? Did you previously bounce along the potholed street, gaze lovingly at your trees and the Dirt Bar and think, "This is why I moved here. The dirt lot next to Dirt Bar, juxtaposed across from these 9 trees is probably the most beautiful spot in Houston." I kinda think you are only complaining about those trees because that's all you got left. You've lost every single argument related to this godforsaken stretch of street, so you're going to piss and moan and wax apoplexic about everything that happens. That is certainly your right. And you must know how much I enjoy picking apart your and s3mh's conspiracies. I just wonder why you subject yourself to it.

[JJxvi]

JJxi - at least I found some trees you care less about than the 9 live oaks.

You are wrong. I actually care MORE about the scrub trees, because I would like them to be cut down, and would be mildly pleased if it happened.

Edited June 11, 2012 by JJxvi

[Porchman]

It's regrettable that some medium sized trees were removed from Yale. I have to admit I really had not noticed them. I had to pull them up on Goggle Street View.

It's sort of ironic. Ainbinder preserved a lot of trees and natural scape at the Montrose HEB. They built the store in a counterintuitive way - at the Alabama end of the lot, facing south. Having gone to the hearings for that project, I see the difference. With the HEB, the 'hood was engaged. With this project, the 'hood has been entrenched. The polarized views on this project have prevented real community involvement. That has empowered any negligence or malfeasance of which this project is accused. I am sad for those who so long to be right, but fail to see the neighborhood for the trees.

[Leonard]

RS, I disagree that I've lost every singe argument about this development and the 380. Even you think the developer should plant trees lining both sides of Yale. The issue is that they are not. The issue is that there will be 75% less tree caliper inches (over 150 caliper inches lost) on Yale and 6 fewer trees.

The Mayor pushed the 380 saying the development would be better, specifically in regard to sidewalks and trees. Clearly, Yale will be worse after the development as to trees.

JJxi - some of the scrub trees can probably be removed with out having to offset the caliper inches. Only certain species/sizes have to be offset.

Porchman - I wasn't aware that Ainbinder was involved in the Montrose HEB. It is interesting how different the 2 developments are, especially since HEB got no 380 money for that store.

[SilverJK]

The Mayor pushed the 380 saying the development would be better, specifically in regard to sidewalks and trees. Clearly, Yale will be worse after the development as to trees.

Clearly. Right. Worse than the overgrown, blight lined sidewalk that had a afew decent live oaks. Give me a break. And quick using your recently learned term "tree caliper inches", just say diamater.

[Leonard]

"diamater" - was that quick enough?

[Houston19514]

They are removing a total of 19 trees from Yale. They are adding a total of 13 trees to Yale. Net loss: 6 trees. Net loss in tree caliper inches on Yale: 176.5.

The 12 extra caliper inches will not be on Yale, but on the Heights esplanade.

Not saying you're wrong, but how do you know how many trees they will plant along Yale?

[Leonard]

H19514 - from the landscaping plans approved by the city. It has the caliper inches on them too.

[Houston19514]

H19514 - from the landscaping plans approved by the city. It has the caliper inches on them too.

Thanks. Link?

Edited June 12, 2012 by Houston19514

[RedScare]

Leonard, do you plan on doing anything with this profound evidence of conspiracy that you have found? Do you plan to file a lawsuit to force the number of tree caliper inches to a constitutionally mandated level? Or do you intend to continue posting your caliper inches on this forum, which clearly has no authority to change anything, and whom the majority of posters either do not care, or are willing to see the finished product before complaining?

If we all acknowledge that you were right all along (I don't remember seeing you until the 380 was a done deal), will you then go complain about something else? I really don't get your point here. You haven't asked us to come protest with you. Parker's re-election is already over. The 380 was signed long ago. What is your point? You already read SilverJK's post. Most of us believe that even a treeless Yale is an improvement over what was there previously.

[Leonard]

H19514 I don't have a link.

RS -This forum is about the Heights Walmart - I'm just trying to share some information with those that are interested. I'm on topic.

I understand that you believe that everyone thinks as you and SilverJK do, that the 380 is worth Yale with less trees (both in number and caliper), even though one of the major points selling the 380 was sidewalks and trees.

[mcook2002]

If we all acknowledge that you were right all along (I don't remember seeing you until the 380 was a done deal), will you then go complain about something else? I really don't get your point here. You haven't asked us to come protest with you. Parker's re-election is already over. The 380 was signed long ago. What is your point? You already read SilverJK's post. Most of us believe that even a treeless Yale is an improvement over what was there previously.

No matter what the point, at least Leonard keeps to topic and does not fall to one side or the other of the never ending pissing match....the guy also posts what appear to be facts (crazy around here, right)

[RedScare]

Well, if moping around here makes you feel better, go for it. It just seems to me that you should take your complaints where they might do some good, like to the City. Then you could come back here and brag about your success...and we would applaud your efforts. Instead, our only option is to poke fun at your crying over spilled milk. At least that's the way I see it. Posting here without doing anything about it is simply wasted effort. Even RUDH's misguided effort was an effort of some sort. But, once it was clear that Walmart was coming anyway, they resorted to moping and whining, instead of making lemonade.

Carry on. I enjoy the banter.

[s3mh]

Well, if moping around here makes you feel better, go for it. It just seems to me that you should take your complaints where they might do some good, like to the City. Then you could come back here and brag about your success...and we would applaud your efforts. Instead, our only option is to poke fun at your crying over spilled milk. At least that's the way I see it. Posting here without doing anything about it is simply wasted effort. Even RUDH's misguided effort was an effort of some sort. But, once it was clear that Walmart was coming anyway, they resorted to moping and whining, instead of making lemonade.

Carry on. I enjoy the banter.

Aren't you doing the exact same thing with the historic ordinance? Goose/gander?

[RedScare]

I was actively involved in the efforts to reject the historic ordinance for an entire year. In fact, that involvement is how I know that there was overwhelming opposition to the district. My current activities involve continuing neighborhood awareness, so that once Mayor Parker is out of office, these districts may be dissolved. Reminding neighbors of the hit to property values and the nuisance of getting permission to buy a new door accomplishes that goal.

Walmart, however, is under construction. It IS being built. That fight is forever lost. No amount of complaining will make the store go away. Unlike ordinances, which are only a council vote from disappearing, a Walmart stores remains until Walmart decides to move.

But, again, if Leonard, or you, wish to continue, I am happy to point out your misstatements.

[Jesse]

I would argue the fight isn't over until Walmart opens their doors

I was actively involved in the efforts to reject the historic ordinance for an entire year. In fact, that involvement is how I know that there was overwhelming opposition to the district. My current activities involve continuing neighborhood awareness, so that once Mayor Parker is out of office, these districts may be dissolved. Reminding neighbors of the hit to property values and the nuisance of getting permission to buy a new door accomplishes that goal.

Walmart, however, is under construction. It IS being built. That fight is forever lost. No amount of complaining will make the store go away. Unlike ordinances, which are only a council vote from disappearing, a Walmart stores remains until Walmart decides to move.

But, again, if Leonard, or you, wish to continue, I am happy to point out your misstatements.

[RedScare]

I would argue the fight isn't over until Walmart opens their doors

Eh, if your fight consists of crying about tree size on an internet forum, my bet would be on the "fight is over" crowd.

[Jesse]

Huh? I haven't talked about trees. Please explain.

Eh, if your fight consists of crying about tree size on an internet forum, my bet would be on the "fight is over" crowd.

[TheNiche]

Huh? I haven't talked about trees. Please explain.

Red made a conditional statement, which is preceded by the word if.

If your fight is crying about tree size, then he's probably right but that statement may not apply to you. If you plan to make the Wal-Mart explode (a la King of the Hill, Season 2, Episode 23), then perhaps the fight is not over -- but all bets regarding tree size would be off, that's for sure.

Of course, we don't know what your fight is. You have made no credible or recent statements regarding your fight or an intent to fight. It's entirely possible that Red made a statement that wasn't directed at you.

Edited June 22, 2012 by TheNiche

[JJxvi]

How rudh.