H-Town Man Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Pretty cool link. It appears that virtually everything hinges on how the I-45 reconstruction/rerouting will be handled, if the right opportunities are seized at the right time, with available funds and good design. The Justice Center complex is another big factor, as is the Post Office, although that seems to be in good hands. One small idea that could have a big impact is the redesign of McKinney Street with a row of trees, encouraging GFR. Also intrigued by the thought of redeveloping Sam Houston and Tranquility Parks. Tranquility is an obvious redo, it was virtually empty during the Astros parade, with 100,000 people crammed across the street, but Sam Houston is deep Houston tradition. Where would all those houses go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timoric Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) - Edited July 11, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 WOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Really cool vision. It gives you a good feel for what downtown would be like if it were all "done" like around DG/GRB. I guess it would take everything going right to have it all happen, but having the visual is a nice tool to use to encourage the investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 1 hour ago, H-Town Man said: Pretty cool link. It appears that virtually everything hinges on how the I-45 reconstruction/rerouting will be handled, if the right opportunities are seized at the right time, with available funds and good design. The Justice Center complex is another big factor, as is the Post Office, although that seems to be in good hands. One small idea that could have a big impact is the redesign of McKinney Street with a row of trees, encouraging GFR. Also intrigued by the thought of redeveloping Sam Houston and Tranquility Parks. Tranquility is an obvious redo, it was virtually empty during the Astros parade, with 100,000 people crammed across the street, but Sam Houston is deep Houston tradition. Where would all those houses go? I'm probably the only person that likes Tranquility park more or less as is. I would like to see it updated to include some food options. I bet it could support 3 different things like what Niko Niko's has on Market Square Park. As far as the parade, there may not have been many there, but during the presentation as I was walking back to my office I went through Tranquility park, there were lots of people sitting on the various hill sides. I think that's what I like most about the current configuration, its topography. 1 hour ago, Timoric said: I think tearing down the redo of the old convention center near the Theater district could be a good thing too, make it a better public space and tie into the water and Post Office site better. That whole area could be huge, visible, popular and change the way downtown connects much better - saw that mentioned before and it made tons of sense since Discover Green is the gold standard of what draws Houstonians. Why couldn't this be even better? While I like the convenience of the Sundance, errr, AMC theater, that space could definitely be redesigned to be more open, and make the whole theater district feel bigger. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed_Tx Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 they see residential buildings on top of the Allen Center Garage, but no 5 Allen Center... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 23 hours ago, H-Town Man said: Pretty cool link. It appears that virtually everything hinges on how the I-45 reconstruction/rerouting will be handled, if the right opportunities are seized at the right time, with available funds and good design. The Justice Center complex is another big factor, as is the Post Office, although that seems to be in good hands. One small idea that could have a big impact is the redesign of McKinney Street with a row of trees, encouraging GFR. Also intrigued by the thought of redeveloping Sam Houston and Tranquility Parks. Tranquility is an obvious redo, it was virtually empty during the Astros parade, with 100,000 people crammed across the street, but Sam Houston is deep Houston tradition. Where would all those houses go? I seriously doubt anyone has in mind moving all of the historical structures in Sam Houston Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Eh, with exactly one exception they've all been moved before. I don't want to see them torn down, but I wouldn't object to them being relocated to a more traditional, street-fronting location. Maybe even Bagby itself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 (edited) On 11/9/2017 at 2:26 PM, samagon said: I'm probably the only person that likes Tranquility park more or less as is. I would like to see it updated to include some food options. I bet it could support 3 different things like what Niko Niko's has on Market Square Park. It it needs the drug addicts and dealers cleared out. I used to walk past it every day. I quite often saw drug deals being made and saw bags on the ground. Edited November 15, 2017 by jgriff 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Complain, complain. Where exactly do you expect people to deal their drugs then? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 12 hours ago, Texasota said: Complain, complain. Where exactly do you expect people to deal their drugs then? My personal vote would be the parking lot in front of 1400 Lubbock street. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Anazon post moved to existing topic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted March 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2018 http://swamplot.com/funding-for-downtown-houstons-new-island/2018-03-20/ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Houston-s-sprawling-drainage-project-would-help-12759536.php#photo-15263028 Quote Houston’s flood czar Steve Costello tells the Chronicle’s Mike Morris that the city plans to apply for FEMA resiliency grants in order to build the North Canal Bypass — the long-whispered diversion channel that would relink White Oak and Buffalo bayousbetween Main and Elysian streets. The waterway concept bubbled up last year in Plan Downtown where its course formed an island northwest of Allen’s Landing indicated in the imagined map above. By bypassing the bayou’s oxbow, the channel is expected not only to reduce flooding downtown — it could also “help lower the water level in White Oak Bayouall the way to the 610 Loop and in Buffalo Bayou as far west as Gessner,” according to a county study. The result: “A little more than half of the 854 structures in the 100-year floodplain along White Oak and an adjacent tributary, Turkey Gully, would be removed from the floodplain. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 That is huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Agreed, massive massive step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Another canal is being proposed by TxDot along with the 45 re-route, according to the Chronicle article. Quote The Texas Department of Transportation has included the channel in drawings connected to its planned Interstate 45 reconstruction, along with another new channel and detention basin less than a half-mile to the east, where the Houston Housing Authority’s Clayton Homes project sits. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 If I'm looking at the map right, the North Canal would more or less follow the railroad right-of-way, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 The article says they'd have to reroute the train, but the info page on the Harris County Flood Control District website says there isn't a final alignment. https://www.hcfcd.org/projects-studies/buffalo-bayou/north-canal-bypass-channel/ Quote The Flood Control District is in the process of investigating the concept for flood damage reduction benefits, feasibility and cost. In coordination with Harris County and other governmental entities, the Flood Control District has acquired several pieces of property that preserve the opportunity for a future North Canal project and may also support other worthwhile county projects. Design and construction phases are not yet fully funded. A final alignment (path) for the channelhas not been selected. Discussion of the North Canal Bypass Channel concept has taken place over many years, and has inspired various visions for the eventual project design. The concept is included, for example, in the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 2002 report “Buffalo Bayou and Beyond.” It is also included in the vision plans of other groups supporting bayou restoration, downtown revitalization and economic development. If implementation is feasible, there will be opportunities for the Flood Control District to work with interested community members on design of the project. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 This all seems to follow the Dutch way of not just keeping water out but finding a place for it to go when it comes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Didn't we just rebuild the Yale street bridge though?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 7 minutes ago, Triton said: Didn't we just rebuild the Yale street bridge though?? Yep. Don't know if how old that map is of bridges they'd want to replace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenOlenska Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 During Harvey, the 11th Street Bridge didn't so much become a dam. I know, I was there. I'm not fully sure how high it should get. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 I'm curious about some of the old buildings just east of Allen's landing downtown. Now please forgive me if Im wrong, but don't some of them come right to the banks of the bayou and don't they impede the flow of water through the bayou when the waters rises to a flood level. It seems that maybe a couple of those building would need to be removed if they create a bottleneck. I know I hate the thought of tearing any old building down but if they do cause water to back up and rise higher and add to the flooding issues shouldn't it be addressed. Can anyone provide photos of the buildings on the bayou side that shows what I seem to remember or maybe my mind is playing tricks with me.The ones that form the southern bank of the bayou probably at Fannin and maybe San Jacinto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 38 minutes ago, bobruss said: I'm curious about some of the old buildings just east of Allen's landing downtown. Now please forgive me if Im wrong, but don't some of them come right to the banks of the bayou and don't they impede the flow of water through the bayou when the waters rises to a flood level. It seems that maybe a couple of those building would need to be removed if they create a bottleneck. I know I hate the thought of tearing any old building down but if they do cause water to back up and rise higher and add to the flooding issues shouldn't it be addressed. Can anyone provide photos of the buildings on the bayou side that shows what I seem to remember or maybe my mind is playing tricks with me.The ones that form the southern bank of the bayou probably at Fannin and maybe San Jacinto. I'm pretty sure the building at 1119 Commerce is slated for demolition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Thanks Houston19514. I just looked on map quest and there are two buildings that seem to create the bottleneck I was suggesting. I don't know which of the two is 1119. One is situated between Fannin and San Jacinto, which I believe was purchased by the AIA for their new headquarters and the other one is just north of the Courthouse on Franklin. Both of those need to go. The AIA should have realized that this building exacerbated flooding west of it by impeding the flow of water. I'm not a hydrologist but I did read something somewhere about how much a building that sits in a flood plain slows the flow and raises the water behind the object so I say adios to those two unless they can approve the alternate White Oak bypass. There are some great renderings in the Buffalo Bayou 25 year plan of the island that they proposed maybe five years ago. It shows the development of housing offices and recreational projects along the new canal. I think it would run roughly through the Metro bus barn close to Mother Dog studios off San Jacinto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 6 minutes ago, bobruss said: Thanks Houston19514. I just looked on map quest and there are two buildings that seem to create the bottleneck I was suggesting. I don't know which of the two is 1119. One is situated between Fannin and San Jacinto, which I believe was purchased by the AIA for their new headquarters and the other one is just north of the Courthouse on Franklin. Both of those need to go. The AIA should have realized that this building exacerbated flooding west of it by impeding the flow of water. I'm not a hydrologist but I did read something somewhere about how much a building that sits in a flood plain slows the flow and raises the water behind the object so I say adios to those two unless they can approve the alternate White Oak bypass. There are some great renderings in the Buffalo Bayou 25 year plan of the island that they proposed maybe five years ago. It shows the development of housing offices and recreational projects along the new canal. I think it would run roughly through the Metro bus barn close to Mother Dog studios off San Jacinto. The AIA is on the other (south) side of Commerce Street. (900 Commerce Street). They are not one of the buildings you are referencing. The building between Fannin and San Jacinto is 1119 Commerce and is slated for demolition. The building just north of the courthouse (the criminal courthouse) is actually two buildings. 1201 Commerce Street is the current Harris County Inmate Processing Center. They will be moving to the new facility north of the bayou very soon. I have not been able to find definitive plans for the building. The other is the Wilson Building (Harris County Annex 21) at 49 San Jacinto. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 The renderings of the bypass seem to me to indicate (or hope) that the Spaghetti Warehouse building will also go. It and the surface lots on 3 sides of it seem to be nice green grass fields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Spaghetti Warehouse isn't reopening there anyway and is planning on moving. I think Harvey determined that building's fate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 19 hours ago, Houston19514 said: The AIA is on the other (south) side of Commerce Street. (900 Commerce Street). They are not one of the buildings you are referencing. The building between Fannin and San Jacinto is 1119 Commerce and is slated for demolition. The building just north of the courthouse (the criminal courthouse) is actually two buildings. 1201 Commerce Street is the current Harris County Inmate Processing Center. They will be moving to the new facility north of the bayou very soon. I have not been able to find definitive plans for the building. The other is the Wilson Building (Harris County Annex 21) at 49 San Jacinto. I'm glad to hear that the AIA is not going in one of those buildings. The one thats farthest west houses some bail bondsmen offices doesn't it. When we lived on Franklin and Crawford back in the late 90's early 2000's I'd walk past those buildings regularly and was always intrigued by them. I always thought a serious bar in the building directly behind the courthouse building would be a great location for all of those attorneys watering hole. I was going to call it the Docket.I also always wondered what the status of that building was with its basement literally in the water. Have you ever been in the building. I think there was some kind of a sandwich shop in there at one time. Like a Subway. I hate to see any of these building torn down but when they exacerbate flooding maybe they should go. I really hope this bayou bypass which would create the island happens. The only frustrating thing is most of the counties criminal detention properties are located on what would become the island. So we could be talking about a Rykers Island kind of situation, but If carried out like the bayou preservation plans renderings show residential and recreational settings maybe they can get the county to move those facilities again for a much more beneficial and beautiful addition to our downtown. I realize they need to be close to the courts but Im sure they can find some alternative space for their incarceration. It would be a shame to have the opportunity to actually create an island with a canal would have so much potential. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downtownian Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 1 hour ago, cspwal said: Spaghetti Warehouse isn't reopening there anyway and is planning on moving. I think Harvey determined that building's fate The building is listed for $1.2 million on loopnet if anyone is interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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