Seven Buildings (and Neighborhoods) That Would Never Fly in Any City But Houston

[lockmat]

The title speaks for itself. It's the kind of piece that makes you laugh at yourself, at the same time puffing your chest out in pride.

http://nextcity.org/theworks/entry/six-buildings-neighborhoods-that-would-never-fly-in-any-city-but-houston

[citykid09]

 

This article is a bit misleading in that it implies you can build whatever you want in Houston, because there's no zoning. There are very high minimum parking standards in Houston. If you want to build a restaurant or barbershop without building a parking lot, it's illegal in most (all?) of the city.

I've been by some of these buildings and they are not pleasant to walk by. They may add density, but the lack of zoning certainly doesn't help with Houston's lack-of-texture problem. If you want to build a 12-story building in a parking lot in Houston, it's fine, but if you want to build a development that looks like Georgetown or Lincoln Park, if would be illegal.

This reply is very true. Houston may be feeling in the inner city, but at street level it sucks big time.

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

the author of the article is a little fixated on rail, which won't work outside the loop here. (the east end rail line is a boondoggle)