Houston: The New River City?

[WesternGulf]

I believe what is on top of the bridge was some sort of gala happening at the time. Those are canopies.

[The Great Hizzy!]

The blue lighting actually looks pretty cool, especially from that vantage point.

[belmontdrew]

If you look on buffalobayou.org's website under the tab "Master Plan" you can see how they plan on reinforcing the banks of the bayou which will make the water a more greenish color (the brown is because of the mud and dirt erosions from the sides that constantly mix with the water)...and there will be canals constructed..one north canal connecting White Oak and Buffalo Bayou just upstream from the McKee Street bridge and a south canal connecting the Elysian Viaduct part of the bayou to a more downstream area...all of this will relieve flooding...they are already offering pontoon boat tours for a cheap price along the already developed part of the bayou.

What I think they should do is line the arches of the Main Street Bridge with clear globe lights to make it stand out more and add some patio restaurants and clubs all along the bayou downtown....granted they make the changes to fix the flooding problem...it can be done...who knows...I sure wish Bush Gardens would open a jungle-like amusement park right along the bayou outside of downtown!! Just imagine a huge looping crazy coaster whipping along the banks of the bayou!

[MidtownCoog]

The blue lighting actually looks pretty cool, especially from that vantage point.

Yes, the bums have a neat view to enjoy now.

[belmontdrew]

Anyone have any idea when the blue lights will be turned on for good every night? I've driven down there a lot recently...I've seen the lights that have been installed, but I haven't ever seen them on...

[Houston19514]

Anyone have any idea when the blue lights will be turned on for good every night? I've driven down there a lot recently...I've seen the lights that have been installed, but I haven't ever seen them on...

The article linked above says that "The grand opening is planned for May 20." I'm guessing that might be when the lighting will be turned on for good every night.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

The article linked above says that "The grand opening is planned for May 20." I'm guessing that might be when the lighting will be turned on for good every night.

Here's another view of the lights at night. I can't wait to see how the city will respond to it come May,

[DJ V Lawrence]

Here's another view of the lights at night. I can't wait to see how the city will respond to it come May,

Why can't all of Downtown have that lighting? If not on the skyscrapers, at least on the streets? Wouldn't people feel more safe at night with bright lights like that? Think about how much safer Buffalo Bayou looks with those lights as well.

I also heard Houston wants to deter any homeless from living on Downtown Houston streets, and deter crime. Those lights I think could help deter that. Holla back...

[Houston19514]

Why can't all of Downtown have that lighting? If not on the skyscrapers, at least on the streets? Wouldn't people feel more safe at night with bright lights like that? Think about how much safer Buffalo Bayou looks with those lights as well.

I also heard Houston wants to deter any homeless from living on Downtown Houston streets, and deter crime. Those lights I think could help deter that. Holla back...

I think that is actually part of the overall plan. Not sure if or when it might become reality. Check it out.

Buffalo Bayou Lighting Plan

[RedScare]

Not only is lighting a big part of the Buffalo Bayou Plan, but opening up the Bayou is integral to it's success as well. The long-range plan involves removing or combining several of the bridges that currently obscure or hide the bayou from sight, and restrict the flow of water during heavy rains. The dual bridges at San Jacinto and Fannin would be replaced with one more open structure. Additionally, the conglomeration of bridges at Travis, Milam, Louisana, Smith, and Franklin would be redesigned to reroute the streets into 2 or 3 attractive overpasses that would open up the bayou and integrate it into the streetscape. This will make it more attractive, and, along with the improved lighting, make it feel safer. The connection to the street will encourage development of the riverbank to further highlight the bayou.

Clearly, rebuilding all of these bridges is some of the most expensive work to be done on the bayou, so it will take awhile, but once it is completed, I would expect a big leap in awareness and interest and use of the bayou. Until then, the current projects will show the potential, but probably not dramatically increase the usage of the bayou.

[Highway6]

I thought the lighting ( that they already had in place) was just supposed to be under the Sabine Street bridge.... this second picture looks like another bridge closer into downtown. Are they planning on having lights under every bridge including the freeways in this area ?

Now that I've previewed both pics side by side..... That 2nd bridge with the bridge right behind it looks like the 2 of the freeway overpasses..... actually, that second picture looks like it was taken from ontop the Sabine street bridge.

Okay... I guess I thought wrong.... apparently they have lighting in place on multiple bridges already.

Good Stuff !!

Also.. since we're on the topic of the bridges in the area....

I don't know where I picked up on this rumour...

but its my understanding that one idea they are ( or were ) tossing around for this whole buffalo bayou project is tunneling 45 under the bayou, under the greenbelt, and have it pop back up south of allen parkway at Dallas to connect back into what we have now.

I guess the reasoning behind this was to visually connect Sam Houston Park, and Elenor Tinsley Park so that basically this huge front green lawn going up to downtown doesnt have a few ugly bridges in the way.....

However, seeing the proposed lighting plan on the Partnerships website.. and how extensive it is.. and seeing what can be done with the bridges... I'm guessing they scratched the tunnel idea... if there ever was one.

[Dallasboi]

I thought the lighting ( that they already had in place) was just supposed to be under the Sabine Street bridge.... this second picture looks like another bridge closer into downtown. Are they planning on having lights under every bridge including the freeways in this area ?

Now that I've previewed both pics side by side..... That 2nd bridge with the bridge right behind it looks like the 2 of the freeway overpasses..... actually, that second picture looks like it was taken from ontop the Sabine street bridge.

Okay... I guess I thought wrong.... apparently they have lighting in place on multiple bridges already.

Good Stuff !!

Also.. since we're on the topic of the bridges in the area....

I don't know where I picked up on this rumour...

but its my understanding that one idea they are ( or were ) tossing around for this whole buffalo bayou project is tunneling 45 under the bayou, under the greenbelt, and have it pop back up south of allen parkway at Dallas to connect back into what we have now.

I guess the reasoning behind this was to visually connect Sam Houston Park, and Elenor Tinsley Park so that basically this huge front green lawn going up to downtown doesnt have a few ugly bridges in the way.....

However, seeing the proposed lighting plan on the Partnerships website.. and how extensive it is.. I'm guessign they scratched the tunnel idea... if there ever was one.

Now I like this Idea alot. It looks nice.

[Subdude]

Not only is lighting a big part of the Buffalo Bayou Plan, but opening up the Bayou is integral to it's success as well. The long-range plan involves removing or combining several of the bridges that currently obscure or hide the bayou from sight, and restrict the flow of water during heavy rains. The dual bridges at San Jacinto and Fannin would be replaced with one more open structure. Additionally, the conglomeration of bridges at Travis, Milam, Louisana, Smith, and Franklin would be redesigned to reroute the streets into 2 or 3 attractive overpasses that would open up the bayou and integrate it into the streetscape. This will make it more attractive, and, along with the improved lighting, make it feel safer. The connection to the street will encourage development of the riverbank to further highlight the bayou.

but its my understanding that one idea they are ( or were ) tossing around for this whole buffalo bayou project is tunneling 45 under the bayou, under the greenbelt, and have it pop back up south of allen parkway at Dallas to connect back into what we have now.

Can I ask what the sources for these were? The only thing I ever saw about removing the Pierce Elevated bridges over the bayou was in a rendering from the Buffalo Bayou Plan that they put together to show how nice it would look.

Personally, I think it would be great to see some of the bayou bridges removed. Lighting or not, the bayou isn't going to work as a park area in an area where it is covered by so many bridges.

[Highway6]

Can I ask what the sources for these were? The only thing I ever saw about removing the Pierce Elevated bridges over the bayou was in a rendering from the Buffalo Bayou Plan that they put together to show how nice it would look.

Personally, I think it would be great to see some of the bayou bridges removed. Lighting or not, the bayou isn't going to work as a park area in an area where it is covered by so many bridges.

I think originally I may have heard of the idea from this forum.

However, i googled the idea and this is what I found.

One such proposal is from the

Citizens Transportation Coalition

There is also mention of it on the Buffalo Bayou Partnership's site. However, it sounds like it was a proposal that didnt even survive long enough to be studied.

I-45 Redesign at Sam Houston Park: Redesigning I-45 in the region of Sam

Houston Park offers an opportunity to significantly enhance Houston

[RedScare]

The I-45 tunnel idea gets tossed about every so often, whenever rerouting I-45 is discussed. Hwy 6's link is one example.

As for my quote about removing downtown bridges, it is contained in the Buffalo Bayou Parnership's master plan, which Hwy 6 also linked to. It is located in the section that discusses relocating the Post Office and building some kind of park or amphitheater there. They would redo the grid around the bayou to have fewer crossings.

[Subdude]

I think originally I may have heard of the idea from this forum.

However, i googled the idea and this is what I found.

One such proposal is from the

Citizens Transportation Coalition

There is also mention of it on the Buffalo Bayou Partnership's site.

I-45 Redesign at Sam Houston Park: Redesigning I-45 in the region of Sam

Houston Park offers an opportunity to significantly enhance Houston

[Highway6]

Thanks! That would be beautiful if they would do it.

It is beautiful.. Probably because its so different then what we're used to seeing, it seems even that much more appealing. That rendering really accentuates the Sabine Street Lofts as THE place to live.

Anyways.. even if the tunnel idea is completely dead.. having seen the lighting and bridge proposal spelled out some.. i think if that part of the bayou plan would come to fruition, it could be just as appealing.

[RedScare]

This is a list of bridges to be eliminated, moved or reconstructed, according to the BBP Plan:

B. Consolidated Bridge Crossings

1. Elysian Viaduct crossing of Buffalo Bayou relocated

2. Fannin Bridge eliminated

3. Smith and Louisiana bridge crossings eliminated

4. Bridge crossings at Milam and Travis reconstructed to create new

"Signature Bridge"

5. Franklin, Congress, and Commerce Street bridges eliminated

6. Houston Belt and Terminal railroad bridge near Jensen reconstructed

7. South Pacific railroad bridge rebuilt as new bridge for new Allen

Avenue extension to Runnels along existing railroad ROW

8. San Jacinto and McKee bridge substructure improvements completed

9. Preston Street bridge rebuilt

10. Capitol, Bagby/ Memorial Drive East bridges reconstructed

[Highway6]

This is a list of bridges to be eliminated, moved or reconstructed, according to the BBP Plan:

B. Consolidated Bridge Crossings

1. Elysian Viaduct crossing of Buffalo Bayou relocated

2. Fannin Bridge eliminated

3. Smith and Louisiana bridge crossings eliminated

4. Bridge crossings at Milam and Travis reconstructed to create new

"Signature Bridge"

5. Franklin, Congress, and Commerce Street bridges eliminated

6. Houston Belt and Terminal railroad bridge near Jensen reconstructed

7. South Pacific railroad bridge rebuilt as new bridge for new Allen

Avenue extension to Runnels along existing railroad ROW

8. San Jacinto and McKee bridge substructure improvements completed

9. Preston Street bridge rebuilt

10. Capitol, Bagby/ Memorial Drive East bridges reconstructed

Ok, interesting... almost all on the north & northeast side.

This BBP Plan though.... Aren't the chances of it being followed 100% slim ? I thought of it more as just a guide for mostly developers (surrounding land) and somewhat for the city (bayou proper).

Obviously some work on the bayou is taking place already... but howmuch of the BBPs plan, some of the bigger items, like canals and bridges, has actually been studied and deemed feasible.

I guess my question is.. the BBPs plan is a dream... how are we to determine, and the city to determine, what parts of this dream are going to be realized ?

[Subdude]

This BBP Plan though.... Aren't the chances of it being followed 100% slim ? I thought of it more as just a guide for mostly developers (surrounding land) and somewhat for the city (bayou proper).

Obviously some work on the bayou is taking place already... but howmuch of the BBPs plan, some of the bigger items, like canals and bridges, has actually been studied and deemed feasible.

I guess my question is.. the BBPs plan is a dream... how are we to determine, and the city to determine, what parts of this dream are going to be realized ?

*sound of a nail being hit right on the head*

It is really just a guide. The only way for it to happen would be for the city to come down with some vision and put some legal teeth into it. Beyond that it just gets down to hoping that it will all somehow happen spontaneously.

[Dallasboi]

Here's another view of the lights at night. I can't wait to see how the city will respond to it come May,

I meant this picture.

[Highway6]

*sound of a nail being hit right on the head*

It is really just a guide. The only way for it to happen would be for the city to come down with some vision and put some legal teeth into it. Beyond that it just gets down to hoping that it will all somehow happen spontaneously.

Ok... Well.. but as for the list of bridges coming down or being renovated.... thats not a developer thing, thats a city thing. This BBP proposal has been out for awhile...

When will the city look at it, and decide which big parts, bridges and canals, will be done.

Was the BBP put together at the requst of the city.. is it a city entity ? Can the City choose to just mostly ignore it ? Now that there is this well thought out proposal... what is the next step ? How does the partnership lobby the city to implement it? Or are they already ? How do we know what, if any, the city has already flagged for future go-ahead.

Is there a City website highlighting reaction/decisions/implmentation of such a plan ?

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Was the BBP put together at the requst of the city.. is it a city entity ? Can the City choose to just mostly ignore it ? Now that there is this well thought out proposal... what is the next step ? How does the partnership lobby the city to implement it? Or are they already ? How do we know what, if any, the city has already flagged for future go-ahead.

Is there a City website highlighting reaction/decisions/implmentation of such a plan ?

How about emailing the BBP. I'm sure they'll be able to answer your questions on how far they have progress in fullfilling their plan

[h-townsfinest]

wow i mean who cares what could have been, i mean it didnt happen, but let me say that this looks amazing, a hug improvement since i last went downtown, the bayou looks great, im impressed, i really think the city is getting the idea of how to buil on itself

[Highway6]

For those interested...

There is a free forum tonight at MFA.

Also, since this is a RDA sponsored event, I'm guessing there will be opportunities there to sign up for RDA and to attend the Bayou Home Tour this weekend... for those interested.

Civic Forum

In conjunction with the Houses on the Bayou Tour, Rice Design Alliance presents a civic forum on the history of Buffalo Bayou and the engineering that has and will continue to affect the preservation or destruction of the natural habitat and valuable community resource. Two tour homeowners will describe their experiences of living on the bayou and how they foresee its future.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, March 22, 7 p.m. at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Panelists:

Susan Keeton

Landscape Historian; Chair emeritus of The Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Kevin Shanley

President, SWA Group; past president of the Bayou Preservation Association

Two Tour Homeowners

Brown Auditorium, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

1001 Bissonnet (Enter via the Main Street Door)

Parking at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is available for $3 in the museum garage located at the corner of Binz and Fannin.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Went down to the bayou today.

It appears that the bridge is still being worked on becuase it's still blocked off. I think that those support thingies will have lights in them

It would look nice if they could grow ivy on the concrete surfaces like the freeway pillars

Overall the landscaping is coming along great. Yeah it won't be another river walk like San Antonio which is cool because it's not suppose to be. It does make a great park for walking, biking, just taking it is easey and ejoying the outdoors while still being in the city center.

[h-townsfinest]

wow what an upgrade, i like very very much

[Subdude]

Hmmm. The view from that footbridge is a little scary, heading right into the dark area under the freeway. What were they thinking with that location? Thanks for the pictures though.

[houstonfella]

Hmmm. The view from that footbridge is a little scary, heading right into the dark area under the freeway. What were they thinking with that location? Thanks for the pictures though.

Be not afraid. It crosses the bayou to the other hike/bike trail.

[T 2 THA C]

THATS WHAT THE BLUE LIGHTS ARE FOR TO MAKE IT MORE APPEALING AND SAFE. AND HOPEFULLY THE CITY GETS OFF ITS A** AND DOSE SOMETHING WITH ALL THOSE BRIDGES THAT BLOCK THE BAYOU Y TRAILS.