Midtown Homeless Situation

[htownproud]

yes, the rail has spurred the wonderful skid row we have between downtown and the museum district.   admittedly 15 years after it was built some things are in the works outside of downtown along the rail, but it is almost as if all other areas in the city have been bombing but the areas immediately next to the rail.  

Edited April 8, 2014 by htownproud

[Purdueenginerd]

Today I learned, I apparently live in Skid Row.

 

[bobruss]

I'm not sure I understand labeling whats going on in Midtown skid row. It did take a while for development along the rail line but lets face it when land owners along the rail got wind of the rail they jacked their prices up and then we got hit with the recession.

There is plenty of progress being made along the rail from downtown through midtown and now in the southern parts. I have noticed signs along the northern extension and some new development already starting to fill some of those spaces.

[KinkaidAlum]

I've seen some stupid posts on here, but calling Midtown a skid row due to the rail is the winner. 

 

I used to bike through Midtown daily during the mid 1990s. Comparing the Midtown of then to the Midtown of now is mind boggling. 10+ large apartment complexes. 100s of new bars and restaurants. Large condo/townhome communities all over the place. New buildings at HCC. Even Spec's and Mai's are new. Sure, there are vacant blocks still left, but nothing compared to what it used to look like.

[htownproud]

I think Midtown is great, but the areas around the Wheeler station and Greyhound are horrible. And there is not a single new, completed building along the rail line between the museum district and downtown other than a CVS (and only one new building in the museum district). This is especially curious because so much of the land along the rail is open lots and dilapidated buildings. If the rail wasn't built, I don't think this would be the case based on the outstanding growth elsewhere inside the loop.

[H-Town Man]

I think Midtown is great, but the areas around the Wheeler station and Greyhound are horrible. And there is not a single new, completed building along the rail line between the museum district and downtown other than a CVS (and only one new building in the museum district). This is especially curious because so much of the land along the rail is open lots and dilapidated buildings. If the rail wasn't built, I don't think this would be the case based on the outstanding growth elsewhere inside the loop.

Because speculators jacked up land prices along Main, as bobruss pointed out. Buildings are set to start going up along there within months though, so get your comments in while you can.

[Moore713]

I think Midtown is great, but the areas around the Wheeler station and Greyhound are horrible. And there is not a single new, completed building along the rail line between the museum district and downtown other than a CVS (and only one new building in the museum district). This is especially curious because so much of the land along the rail is open lots and dilapidated buildings. If the rail wasn't built, I don't think this would be the case based on the outstanding growth elsewhere inside the loop.

ude you dont have a clue to what you are talking about , lived in what is now midtown between the 80,s and mid 90,s and had to transerve it everyday going to work... That era was can not even be called skid row since it was vacate lots and empty apts... Your talking about the rail made it skid row to someone who remembers the drug infested , waste land it use to be.. makes your whole statement absurb to me..

yea along the line there was no growth( then again along Houston as a whole alot of projects died on the vine thanks to a economic down turn some of those projects even where planned along the line. Many of those projects are just now coming back on line in the last two years

Edited April 10, 2014 by Moore713

[totheskies]

I think Midtown is great, but the areas around the Wheeler station and Greyhound are horrible. And there is not a single new, completed building along the rail line between the museum district and downtown other than a CVS (and only one new building in the museum district). This is especially curious because so much of the land along the rail is open lots and dilapidated buildings. If the rail wasn't built, I don't think this would be the case based on the outstanding growth elsewhere inside the loop.

 

So the 5 new apt complexes don't count as new buildings?  I'm confused by your comments here.  Venue Museum District is still quite new, the complex going up across from The Breakfast Klub is obviously new and obviously on the rail line.  And there are several structures within one block of Main street. 

[livincinco]

What does this conversation have to do with a supertall for the Galleria area?

[Subdude]

What does this conversation have to do with a supertall for the Galleria area?

 

No worries, split into a new topic.

[HoustonIsHome]

You kidding me? Just the life in midtown alone os a drastic change.

It feels so much different.

That and I haven't been accosted and propositioned by a 13 year old male runaway prostitute in midtown in almost ten years.

Midtown has changed a lot. The northwest area is unrecognizable and the central area is becoming that way too. Joining the Calais, Ventana, 203 Alabama, 2222 Smith and others will be a bunch of new complexes

[Purdueenginerd]

Decided to look at the map.

 

 

Along the rail.  We have Post Rail developments of:

 

Camden Travis St (Complete)

Camden Superblock (Scheduled to start later this year)

Alexan (Under Construction, located @ Hadley and Main)
Resturaunt Reef

Proof Bar
HCC expansion

Apartment building at Alabama and Main (under Construction)
The apartments at Oakdale/Fannin (Complete)
A *ton* of town homes within 3-4 blocks

Ventana Apartments (complete)
oh, And the CVS.
 

Note: Confined to only ''''skid''' row

Edited April 10, 2014 by Purdueenginerd

[DrLan34]

Cafe Helene across from HCC on Main

[bobruss]

You can also add Mid main and Match to that lists of projects to be started in the near future. Both of these projects are being built because of the rail. Along with all of the other exciting things that have happened in Midtown I really think the skid row comment was a little out of line. Also concerning the rail and for whatever reason people choose to ride, which I do when possible, it is one of the most heavily used rail lines in America on a rider  per mile ratio.

[htownproud]

None of the "completed" projects mentioned above are directly along the rail between the museum district and downtown (please read my post; the Venue Museum District is shockingly in the museum district).  I counted them as I rode the train in this morning -- the CVS is it (admittedly there is a West Gray cleaners just south of 59 that could be in new building--I couldn't tell).  And as noted in my original email, things are finally getting built along the rail line--no one is denying that (please read my post), so please refrain from personal attacks.  The point is that it has taken nearly 15 years.  And I really don't think it can be disputed that without the rail these lots along Main would have been developed long before this past year (all of the new projects noted by others in the surrounding area confirm this).  I don't doubt that speculators are the reason for the lack of building along Main, but they are speculating because of the rail; therefore, the rail stunted development along Main.    

 

And as one of the first occupants in Post Midtown when it opened, I fully understand and appreciate how the area has changed.  The change is truly remarkable, and one of the reasons why I stated that midtown is great.  It is the area along that rail that is embarrassing.  If you really think the area between the museum district and downtown along the rail is aesthetically pleasing and markets Houston well when visitors ride the train, then I don't think you have ridden the rail before.  

 

And finally, I'm sorry if I was unclear in my original post.  I don't think the rail is the reason the trip from downtown to the museum district is like riding through skid row.  Those fine folks were there before the rail.  My original message was in response to the statement "If you like light rail or not, this spurs development," and my point was simply that the rail has not spurred development directly along the rail as demonstrated by the skid row that still exists along main.  

 

You can now carry on telling me why I'm wrong   

 

Edited April 10, 2014 by htownproud

[htownproud]

You can also add Mid main and Match to that lists of projects to be started in the near future. Both of these projects are being built because of the rail. Along with all of the other exciting things that have happened in Midtown I really think the skid row comment was a little out of line. Also concerning the rail and for whatever reason people choose to ride, which I do when possible, it is one of the most heavily used rail lines in America on a rider  per mile ratio.

As someone that rides the train more often than not to work, I will say that statistic--which is often trotted out--is wildly misleading.  It is one of the most heavily used light rails because of medical center parking.  It is packed between that parking lot and the stops in the medical center.  After the medical center stops there are always open seats (going towards downtown), and very few other business men/women ride it to get to work.  

[HoustonIsHome]

Projects don't have to front the rail to be along it. Done developers market their business as being a few blocks from the rail. I remember back in the day landlords on Montrose would do that.

So it doesn't have to be on Main to be along the rail. Just has to be within a few blocks of a train stop. HCC isnt on the line like UHD is but you would have to be dense as less to think HCC distance is not along the rail.

[KinkaidAlum]

Yes, the rail line has completely destroyed Midtown. If we had never built it, things would have been so much better. Midtown in 1996 was a hotbed of development. New towers were planned for every block and Baldwin Park was set to become Houston's version of Central Park. Then the rail was announced and everything dried up. Even the best haunted houses are gone. Stupid rail ruins everything.

[Houston19514]

^  LOL   :-)

[htownproud]

Yes, the rail line has completely destroyed Midtown. If we had never built it, things would have been so much better. Midtown in 1996 was a hotbed of development. New towers were planned for every block and Baldwin Park was set to become Houston's version of Central Park. Then the rail was announced and everything dried up. Even the best haunted houses are gone. Stupid rail ruins everything.

In 1996 Washington Ave and the Heights were very attractive and hotbeds as well. If only those areas had the rail then they would have improved. . . .

[Ross]

Yes, the rail line has completely destroyed Midtown. If we had never built it, things would have been so much better. Midtown in 1996 was a hotbed of development. New towers were planned for every block and Baldwin Park was set to become Houston's version of Central Park. Then the rail was announced and everything dried up. Even the best haunted houses are gone. Stupid rail ruins everything.

 

Rail construction did nothing to help Midtown at the time. It was disruptive and generally a pain, and in conjunction with the poorly planned street work in Downtown, put a lot of places out of business.

 

[KinkaidAlum]

In 1996 Washington Ave and the Heights were very attractive and hotbeds as well. If only those areas had the rail then they would have improved. . . .

 

Ha. I really have a hard time taking you seriously but I'll give it a go...

 

1) The Heights shouldn't even be in this comparison. The Heights was starting to stabilize by the late 1970s. In the 1980s, it started improving. By the 1990s, it had become safe enough for the developers to come in and in the 2000s, many would argue that The Heights started to be ruined and the mass exodus of the pioneers began. The Heights and Midtown had NOTHING in common when the rail came along. One was a wasteland, the other a stable neighborhood with historic homes.

 

2) The Washington Corridor and Midtown were much more alike but the vacancy in Midtown was much greater. Did you ever visit Midtown in the 1970s-1990s? It was flat out depressing outside of Little Saigon. Additionally, it didn't have geography in its favor (Washington Corridor is WEST of downtown and much closer to neighborhoods that were seen as desirable like Arlington Court, Camp Logan, River Oaks, and the Heights). Washington Avenue would have been a safer bet but something tilted in Midtown's favor. Hmmmm.... what could that have been? 

 

3) Compare the first apartments that were built along the Washington corridor with those in Midtown. Post Midtown Square was the pioneer and it is going strong. So strong that there have been two additions. Meanwhile, the Archstone along Washington is being torn down already and being replaced. Why? Because it was built to be a suburban style gated community

[KinkaidAlum]

Rail construction did nothing to help Midtown at the time. It was disruptive and generally a pain, and in conjunction with the poorly planned street work in Downtown, put a lot of places out of business.

 

 

Yes, and you know what else is highly disruptive and causes businesses to sometimes vanish? Road construction. Freeway expansion. Utility construction. Sewer replacement. Basically any and all infrastructure improvements. Also, many of the bars and restaurants that went under downtown might have done so because of bad food, bad clientele, and the nature of the business itself (night clubs) but it was easy for the owners to claim "the big, bad rail did it" while seeking hand outs to compensate for their losses. Funny how the long-time institutions survived and the places with staying power did as well.

 

However, you do realize that both downtown and midtown are MUCH healthier now than they were before rail? I don't even have to argue that the improvements were due to rail. The gleaming new office towers, happening new bars, opulent new restaurants, thousands of new residential units, and new parks clearly show that rail DID NOT HURT over the long term. When Hines uses the rail to tout his new offices and apartments use it to appeal to prospective tenants, then it just seems silly to claim the rail somehow stopped Midtown from becoming better than what it is today.

[IronTiger]

1) The Heights shouldn't even be in this comparison. The Heights was starting to stabilize by the late 1970s. In the 1980s, it started improving. By the 1990s, it had become safe enough for the developers to come in and in the 2000s, many would argue that The Heights started to be ruined and the mass exodus of the pioneers began. The Heights and Midtown had NOTHING in common when the rail came along. One was a wasteland, the other a stable neighborhood with historic homes.

I could probably argue that the Heights did improve a bit more when the rail (freight rail, of course) was removed in the late 1990s (1997?)

[livincinco]

Not sure why no one has brought up the Midtown Redevelopment Authority. Hard to not give them at least some degree of credit for the development that has occurred.

[samagon]

Light rail is listed as an amenity to any and all housing in midtown. whether it is 1 block away from a station, right next to it, or as far away from a station as you can be and still be considered midtown.

 

Every listing I see in the east end heralds the expansion of light rail as an amenity. Why then, if it is not doing anything, is it being used as a carrot for people to buy/rent property in the areas?

[htownproud]

Not sure how to respond to the suggestion that the Heights was rapidly developing and safe in 1996, when parts of it are still not safe today.  That's certainly not how I remember the Heights in the 1990's or how the old Heights residents tell stories, so we'll just have to agree to disagree.  

 

And I suppose if people think that Main Street has developed from the Museum District to Downtown as a result of the rail and that this stretch is a good face for the City of Houston when visitors come to our city, then again, we'll just have to agree to disagree (and I would urge you to actually ride the rail).  

[Ross]

Yes, and you know what else is highly disruptive and causes businesses to sometimes vanish? Road construction. Freeway expansion. Utility construction. Sewer replacement. Basically any and all infrastructure improvements. Also, many of the bars and restaurants that went under downtown might have done so because of bad food, bad clientele, and the nature of the business itself (night clubs) but it was easy for the owners to claim "the big, bad rail did it" while seeking hand outs to compensate for their losses. Funny how the long-time institutions survived and the places with staying power did as well.

 

However, you do realize that both downtown and midtown are MUCH healthier now than they were before rail? I don't even have to argue that the improvements were due to rail. The gleaming new office towers, happening new bars, opulent new restaurants, thousands of new residential units, and new parks clearly show that rail DID NOT HURT over the long term. When Hines uses the rail to tout his new offices and apartments use it to appeal to prospective tenants, then it just seems silly to claim the rail somehow stopped Midtown from becoming better than what it is today.

 

My point is that the rail line is not the panacea that lots of folks think it is. Construction was painful and disruptive, and I have seen no evidence that Midtown between 45 and Elgin in particular has benefited to any great extent, especially East of Main. I know about the rail construction firsthand, we lived East of Main at the time, having moved to Midtown in December 1998.

[samagon]

My point is that the rail line is not the panacea that lots of folks think it is. Construction was painful and disruptive, and I have seen no evidence that Midtown between 45 and Elgin in particular has benefited to any great extent, especially East of Main. I know about the rail construction firsthand, we lived East of Main at the time, having moved to Midtown in December 1998.

 

Panacea or not, it's an amenity, just as a freeway is. You can move about from Katy prairie into town without a freeway, but the 2 football field wide I-10 is an amenity to Katyvillians who commute into town, it makes the area more valuable. So too does light rail, we're only just starting to really see that value being realized, but to deny that the value is there, is just as silly as saying there is no value in freeways.

[DrLan34]

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Houston-s-Midtown-among-best-places-in-country-5406506.php