bachanon

i'm ashamed, but not surprised. i wonder what the percentage of park space is inside the loop? if we were to have a new parks initiative, i would move that the areas nearest the light rail extensions, outside of the loop be priority. there are empty lots and, possibly, neglected and tax burdened properties the city could "obtain".

There is a wine bar called "cru" opening in market street this summer. Also, i "heard" awhile back that the owner of the mercury room and boaka bar (same owner?) had a concept in the works for the woodlands.

i had two uncles who worked for budweiser/busch through retirement. busch gardens also had exotic bird shows. it was a small facility within the busch complex at i-10 and the east loop. i believe busch still had sea-arama marine world in galveston at the time.

yes, indeed, that was enjoyable. thanks.

yes, thank you esteemed editor. i felt an immediate vacancy when i tried to logon. keep up the good work.

(not copywritten) Houston Grand Opera Presents Madame Butterfly by The Woodlands Development Company The world

(note to moderator: not copywritten) Three New Parks in The Woodlands by The WoodlandsDevelopment Company Terramont Park, located off of Terramont Drive in the Village of Sterling Ridge, opened on Friday, May 13. The 16-are park includes playground equipment, skateboard park, pavilion and lighted tennis and basketball courts. Construction is still underway on a slide encased in the hill at Terramont Park. The Woodlands Community Association will officially open Tallowberry Park in the Village of Panther Creek on Tuesday, May 24 at a grand opening celebration from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The new park, located at 7 Tallowberry Drive, will feature two separate play areas for toddlers and younger children, pavilion and picnic tables. The Mel Killian Park at 187 North Tranquil Path in the Village of Grogan

lmao at the direction of this thread. i read that za za was pronounced "tza tza", a hard z. sort of like pizza (peetza). come to think of it, that is even more foo foo if it's true.

this is the first i've seen the letter. perhaps i missed it in the other, earlier thread. i'm excited about this corridor being used for mass transit (read possible trolley line).

if there are no noise complaints or destruction of property, rent is paid on time and the owner has checked for a clean criminal and credit record, i would think that there is nothing to worry about with the exception of a meth lab on the property (in which, as kjb434 said, you'd smell a foul odor). one issue, the DEA has been known to confiscate/hold hostage rental property leased/rented by drug dealers. you would have to foot the bill for mortgage, taxes, damage, etc. until the investigation and possibly the case was over. also, if the government should feel that you "looked the other way" they can seize your property and sell it.

it is perspective like this that makes HAIF so great. thanks great hizzy for a clearer picture on this subject. i truly enjoy your posts.

can we assume that houston has more single family homes with yards and more retail with parking lots than these other cities? these type of numbers stress to me the importance of "town centers" such as sugarland and the woodlands, and the future success of downtown/midtown/medical center/uptown as urban centers of activity connected by mass transit (not only buses). if/when we see success from the main street line and the next two extensions, if density patterns begin to emerge that denote more efficient land use, it is imperative that we not only connect more areas of activity but consider parallel or non-stop mass transit between the higher density centers. those numbers are incredible.

i'm glad to hear that there are investors and plans that would make such a restoration possible. i based my opinion of a necessary lower, longer return on investment from an article i read in metropolis (i think, or maybe architectural record). this particular article discussed an area of downtown albuquerque where investors, architects and urban planners had put together a business plan that would allow for a longer, smaller return on their investment with the hopes of turning around an particular area (read, increase property values) by restoring and reusing older buildings for various purposes. some of these investors also owned other nearby properties that would appreciate if the project succeeded (it appeared that it was beginning to succeed). outside of that article, i've not read about financing plans for successful reuse projects. i have witnessed the apparent success of the hogg palace lofts, the rice and other historic downtown buildings, but nothing of 1940s to 1950s era apartments i appreciate your input on this subject. apparently, we need some cynicism in this area.

welcome to the forum jasons, and welcome to the woodlands area.

unfortunately, jtmbin, the people with money to invest are not necessarily the same people with an interest in redeveloping properties like this. investment groups and private investors require a certain increase on their monies in a short amount of time. restoring a property like this would require patience, conviction, and less return on the initial investment. unfortunate, but true.

same thoughts crossed my mind.

(note to moderater: not copywritten material) Development Co. Recognized For Community Partnership by The Woodlands Development Company The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) has recently been named the Humanitarian of the Year for its Good Neighbors Community Partnership Program, according to Debra Staley, director of public affairs for TWDC. The Greater Houston Builder

midtown coog's suggestion for initial greenspace would be cost conscious and smart. phase one: establish a lawn and perimeter elements (preserving existing vegetation and elements). see how people use it, what paths (if any) do they take, etc? do events come up in which organizations or festivals desire to use the space? phase two: use information from usage patterns to build a better park/public space.

i don't see a mid-rise/hi-rise a problem in this location as long as it addresses the lower height buildings in the area. simply sticking a tower in the center of the property with a fence and parking around it would be unacceptable. mixed use, if designed with respect to the existing neighborhood, can create a catalyst for similar development in the area. i'm still sad to see this property to have deteriorated to the place that nothing is worth restoring. ideally the new development could incorporate some restored buildings and design elements of the existing buildings into the newer structure(s). i had hoped that someone would restore this property for student housing.

a constant on foot (or bicycle) police presence would be nice. ditto dj v lawrence's last post. guests at the hilton americas and people visiting the grb should be drawn to and feel safe in this space, even after 10PM.

the entire park should have a misting system with nozzles built into any and every lamp post, fence post, or architectural feature. HELLO august!

i prefer the term "organic" rather than "incongruous".

Noise wall update. link to story

although the significance of this building may be lacking, it's renovation will provide added interest to the main street "streetscape", as well as increased activity in the area. i'm happy about it.

i have some sort of invitation or announcement for the rice hotel designed like an oversized big dimension dollar bill. we came across it going through my grandmother's things after she died. i'm not sure if is for the original grand opening or an event there. i'll have to find it.