Blake Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Howdy all, This is my second post here, been lurking for a while. So, if this is a double post please forgive, I searched a bit but nothing turned up Houston Community College Central is constructing a few new buildings in the midtown area, and performing a much-needed renovation of the San Jacinto Memorial Building among others on the campus. 1300 Holman Street. The renovation seems to be throwing out parking space in exchange for a nice green space in front of SJAC. The most prominent new construction is the Learning Hub, which will house their technology and science classes. http://learning.cc.hccs.edu/future/ http://learning.cc.hccs.edu/future/future.swf In my opinion, the Learning Hub resembles an ice cube sitting on the historic SJAC building's front lawn. I have mixed feelings about it, and am questioning whether it fits in with the area. What are your thoughts and opinions on the construction? Are our bonds going to good use? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 welcome to the forum blake. i enjoyed perusing the links you provided. although the renderings are from november 2005, the update page let me know that things are moving along.the new greenspace in front of SJMB will offer a "front" to HCC, something it severely lacks. for years, i've driven past HCC, through HCC, and never known where exactly HCC is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 welcome to the forum blake. i enjoyed perusing the links you provided. although the renderings are from november 2005, the update page let me know that things are moving along.the new greenspace in front of SJMB will offer a "front" to HCC, something it severely lacks. for years, i've driven past HCC, through HCC, and never known where exactly HCC is.if you were driving on caroline from downtown that lead you right to the front, the old SJHS. the area was surrounded by buildings. their renderings look like they want to open up that area more so they are demolishing the building that used to block the view to san jacinto street. maybe that'll allow at least a partial skyline view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I was driving on 59 and noticed a crane! I was stunned, a couple of days later I happened to be in the area and it turns out that HCC had torn down a significant portion of it's campus and appears to be putting up a building, but I wasn't able to get an upclose look at the rendering.This is a substantial looking crane and it appears as if it's going to be a substantial building. Anyone have any info on this? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 There are two cranes; one across the street from the main buildings (next to the art building or whatever, the one with murals) and another crane in front of the main building, which was a parking lot until now.They are building a ~4 story (trying to recall from rendering) new main building in front of the old main building and between its two 'eaves' on the former front parking lot. I don't know what the other building is.Anyway, it's in my neighborhood, maybe I'll go take some pics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 They are building a ~4 story (trying to recall from rendering) new main building in front of the old main building and between its two 'eaves' on the former front parking lot. I don't know what the other building is.For us story "whores" what does that mean as far as the previous building; taller, shorter or the same? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 (edited) Last night HCC had a community forum about improvements that are going to be made in the near future. It was very informative, and there are some really cool things in the works. Here are some of the highlights:1. Star Plaza: HCC is going to turn that parking lot in front (and tear down the building at Hollman and San Jacinto) into a park type setting called Star Plaza. You can see renderings here: http://www.theldnet.com/details.php?project=HCC%20Central They are also going to be adding various types of gardens, trees, etc. around the campus. Demo should begin around Winter so they don't disturb classes.2. The building on the corner of Hollman and San Jacinto (on the other side of Hollman) will be renovated into a Barnes and Noble and coffee shop soon! The Barnes and Noble will be open during student hours at first (public can still come), but the coffee shop will be open later for anyone in the community to come get coffee. The really exciting thing that they said is that the ultimate goal (although they aren't promising it, but it is "in planning" and is still a couple years off) is to build an 8-10 story building on this lot and put a Super Barnes and Noble and Starbucks on the ground floor.3. Austin Street (that cuts between the campus and is cut off right now) is going to be opened up for bikes and walking through. They are going to make it similar to the wide dirt road @ Discovery Green where all the trees overhang it (between the restaurant and sports field).4. Midtown is going to do street improvements on Caroline from Hollman to Elgin that will look like Elgin's (and now McGowen's) renovations. In a couple years, Midtown is going to continue renovations on Caroline all the way to Pierce elevated. Midtown is also going start the same types of street improvements on Alabama from Main to Chenevert.The HCC staff talked about how HCC is the largest land holder in Midtown, and that they plan on making the campus one of the larger college landmarks in Houston and want the Midtown campus to be their flagship. Needless to say, I left very impressed and excited knowing that HCC really cares about Midtown and wants to start developing the area more. Edited June 12, 2009 by brian0123 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 yeah i actually got wind of this from 002|houston magazine of all places... very, very exciting for that part of town. creating a very urbane campus will greatly increase pedestrian traffic and should help spur a lot of pedestrian-friendly development. the street improvements will only help solidify that.great news. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I saw that they have fenced off the Staff parking under the Business building on campus. I heard that they fenced it off because they were going to be working on moving the police office and book store under the business building. It looks like this summer could be a busy one for construction and demo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Oh wow... this is indeed good news. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Llewelyn-Davies Sahni to Lead Two Major Redevelopment Projects in Houston’s Midtown District Projects will make area around HCC Central Campus an urban focal point HOUSTON, TX (May 25, 2011) – Llewelyn-Davies Sahni (LDS), a leading architecture and urban design firm in Houston continues to lead two redevelopment / upgrade projects for Midtown TIRZ and Houston Community College in Houston’s historic Midtown District. The projects will include approximately 90 block fronts in and around the HCC Central Campus, major open space redevelopment program in and around the existing campus and construction of a major plaza in the foreground of the campus’s San Jacinto Building. “The work to be done is a significant part of the revitalization of Houston’s Midtown, and it will dramatically change the campus ambience at HCC Central campus,” said Randhir Sahni, president of Llewelyn-Davies Sahni. “The new look and new features will provide a sense of place with a sense of arrival, and become a destination for visitors and residents.” The Star Plaza, a magnificent outdoor area and perhaps the crown jewel of this redevelopment project, will be located on the HCC Central Campus adjacent to the San Jacinto Building currently under renovation. It represents Houston’s commitment to education, as the San Jacinto Building was the birthplace of the University of Houston, HISD and HCC. The new Plaza will include a replica of the San Jacinto Monument as the visual focus of a planned Star of Texas. In January 2011, HCC Board funded the redevelopment of the historic San Jacinto Building. The Star Plaza improvements will complement 90 block-front improvements on blocks adjacent to the campus and will visually reinforce the focal architecture qualities of the San Jacinto Building. The Central College campus of the HCC System is the largest landholding entity in Midtown Houston and has the largest international student enrollment of any community college system in the nation. The Central Campus—the first in the HCC System—spans 16 city blocks in the physical core of Midtown. These improvements will enhance as well as provide for the needed community open space and should stimulate neighborhood redevelopment. Establishing a destination for Houstonians may also bolster commerce in Midtown, and help revitalize the area while serving the needs of the HCC District and the students. Inspiration for this redevelopment concept was drawn from various world-renowned urban spaces which served as examples of how best to exploit street amenities and manage ground plane treatment while providing a superior educational experience. The Plaza will be the “lung” of Midtown and potentially inspire quality private physical redevelopment. Improvement plans to be implemented along Caroline, Holman and Alabama Streets will be funded by Midtown TIRZ by use of tax dollars. Improvements include upgrading the area from the back of the street curbs to the ROW line with features such as new trees, ground cover, new hardscape, signage, lighting and street amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, banners, and other support infrastructure. Work on the $20 million project is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2011. Major improvements are targeted to be completed by 2014. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 i agree i am more interested in this area than others because I live near it, but midtown seems to have some excellent projects in the pipe line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Just got a map in the e-mail. It helps put the project in perspective: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Here are some renderings, a video, and more information on the project http://www.theldnet.com/details.php?project=HCC Central Just got a map in the e-mail. It helps put the project in perspective: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Editor, I started a thread on this awhile back (not sure if they should be merged)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 (edited) More information on the project from Bisnow...http://www.bisnow.co...ory.php?p=15180"Change is a comin' to Midtown, and we think you’ll like it. Work is expected to launch this quarter on a $20M project involving HCC’s Central Campus and surrounding streets." Edited May 26, 2011 by DrLan34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 For some reason when I first read the title, I thought it said "Star Pizza" Must have been hungry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intencity77 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 For some reason when I first read the title, I thought it said "Star Pizza" Must have been hungry... Hilarious! I initially thought I saw Star Pizza too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 (edited) Hilarious! I initially thought I saw Star Pizza too!I'm glad people are fessing up to this, for a bit I thought star pizza was REALLY hering ambitious.Edit: feeding > fessingDamn autocorrect. Edited May 26, 2011 by ricco67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I'll admit it. I didn't even realize it wasn't Star Pizza until Jax wrote that. I guess my mind filled in the chasm between reality and imagination by creating some educational alliance between community college and beer with pizza. I actually didn't give it a second thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I admit, it took me a few re-reads before I realized it was a plaza and not a pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) http://www.ultimatemontrose.com/stories/247518-revitalization-projects-set-near-hcc Edited June 28, 2011 by DrLan34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerryM Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 The old HCC building at the corner of Holman and San Jacinto has been demolished, so this project is definitely progressing. The campus already looks tremendously better now that the plaza has an opening to the sky, with sight lines to the main buildings cleared aside from the graceful, mature oaks lining Holman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerryM Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 An earlier post in this thread included a link to the architectural renderings. The link didn't work any more, but here's an updated one…http://www.theldnet.com/details.php?project=HCC%20Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 ya, i also noticed the parking lots to the east of the campus (and in front of Luigi's Pizza) are being redone as well, i'm assuming they will include some new sidewalks too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 So... it's basically a new park. No towers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 So... it's basically a new park. No towers... Yes, it's a new park for HCC's plaza. HCC has said in a past public meeting that they've had talks about building a tower on the lot across the street. I have no clue if they are still talking about it though. They have plenty of land to build on though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photohunts Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 ya, i also noticed the parking lots to the east of the campus (and in front of Luigi's Pizza) are being redone as well, i'm assuming they will include some new sidewalks too.They are renovating this lot 50% at a time. Estimated completion is summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photohunts Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 The surface parking lot to the east is pretty much completed. I'm glad they actually lined it with trees and greenery. Also, there were some hardhats in the plaza-to-be site this morning. Construction trailers have been there as well for the past few weeks, but it's the first time I've actually seen workers around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 I live in the area, so Star Pizza will be a welcomed addition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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