Jump to content

The Great Hizzy!

Full Member
  • Content Count

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by The Great Hizzy!

  1. The project's turned out nicely, IMO. I realize there was some consternation over the lack of retail included (or the complete absence of it) but given the retail opportunities near by, I don't think it's a big deal. If anyone would ever develop the superblock, that would be one of the more desired areas of Midtown, especially when you consider the proximity to the McGowen rail stop.

  2. They've done a good job of including the existing greenspaces in the lot designs, IMO. Granted, this is a heavily forested area of the city and you'd be a pure moron not to be able to maintain some level of greenspeace but the site infringement seems minimal, considering that we're talking about suburban-style campuses.

  3. I had a suspicion that Houston wouldn't qualify and for the very reasons the White House outlined. That said, given Houston's lingering staffing problem (one of many possible negative consequence related to strong population growth), it would have been nice to have had more money to broaden the search for qualified and conscientious candidates.

    I wonder about cities like Portland, Seattle and San Diego, which already have pretty low crime rates as well. Granted, I realize the unemployment rates in those places are a lot worse than here in Houston but still...

  4. In my ten-plus years of living in Houston, I've seen about a two dozen gators, and roughly half of them have been in or along the banks of Buffalo Bayou. I have a co-worker who saw one crawling into White Oak Bayou just as you're past the I-10 heading into Woodland Heights. Doesn't seem like the concrete basin would be appealing to them but that's their story.

    But back on topic: part of me agrees with Subdude in that I would like to see more of the original construction and design incorporated into the renovation but the new design isn't unattractive to me either. My bigger issue is with the pace of the bayou's restoration going east towards the Ship Channel. The bayou would be more of a draw if the city would make longer stretches of it approachable.

  5. The Neoplan buses are old and worn out. They've aged TERRIBLY. Even the 4400 series buses used on the Park and Ride routes are really showing their age. A number of the artics have already been retired and look for more to go as the (B)Orion VII Hybrids arrive later in the year. A Metro manager told me that they want to have only two types of buses; a 40 foot bus for local routes and 45 foot buses for Express/Park and Ride. Hence the reason the slow, cold, and annoying New Flyer 4200 series minis are leaving en masse.

    This is basically spot on. Not only are the artics showing their age, but the parts for the models METRO uses are difficult to find when they break down (which is quite often, actually).

    Some of the biggest issues with the suburban artics:

    1) Compressors for the AC units often go out

    2) Transmission has become very unreliable in its old age

    3) Overheating

    The local fleet is a bit newer so the vehicles are likely to stick around a little longer.

  6. I perspire easily but I still don't mind walking 2 or 3 blocks at lunch time. The only thing that discourages me from walking is when my breathing is out of whack.

    But different strokes...

    In any case, having a larger pool of potential customers even closer is a win for all parties.

  7. I really wish they'd bring this one back.



    Who would want to be inundated by yet another tall, sleak and beautiful skyscraper that would be iconic in almost any skyline?


    All jokes aside, I'm not sure that I'd want BoTSW Tower to be built in the same location. I'm not sure you could enjoy the full impact of it as you approach downtown in that location. Then again, maybe I'm wrong about that.

  8. Excellent news, especially in this economy.

    We still need about 5,000 more rooms downtown though. Here's to hoping the La Quinta breaks ground soon too as well as the other larger convention center hotel project.

    If I'm not mistaken, didn't the original image of La Quinta's design have a bit of a Mediterranean theme to it? It was actually more impressive than anyone expected when the news first came out.

    Of course, I might be confusing projects.

  9. Sounds like she's following Cheryle Keck's path (although, I hope she doesn't have a fatal illness like Cheryle). Good luck to her. I remember when she first started with ABC 13 and how she would be a little nervous at times. She improved a great deal over time, though.

  10. Im pretty sure the tax incentive, the actual project has been approved for maybe a year now.

    Exactly. While there may, in fact, be revisions and redesigns of the project requiring city approval, this is dealing more with the financial incentives.


    Not that I'm trying to belittle the project (believe me, I think it's very exciting), I can't help but think of the opening to Mister Roger's Neighborhood when I see this image.


  11. I have to admit that the intersection turned out very well (Long Point @ Wirt).

    I saw this the other day. It looked really out of place.

    Usually the neigborhood elevates first, then 10 years later the street gets a face lift.

    This is definately a different approach.

    I suppose a similar phenomena is taking place at Belaire and Fondren in Sharpstown--although, from what I've heard, many of the MCMs of the neighborhoods nearest to that intersection are being bought and refurbished and the surrounding neighborhoods are seeing a rise in property values.

  • Create New...