dbigtex56

Canadian cities certainly seem to support this theory. Toronto and Montreal are both astonishingly clean compared to US cities. The contrast between Niagara Falls NY and Niagara Falls ONT is disheartening; how come the US has such a high 'slob' quotient?

People who think buses are the equivalent of light rail have spent very little time riding either.

In addition, buses run less frequently (and on some lines, not at all) on Saturdays.

Thanks for the clarification, ssullivan. As an aside, the situation you describe (two riders in wheelchairs), while rare, does happen. Even one rider in a wheelchair can slow things down considerably. We are morally and legally obligated to provide access to the wheelchair bound, which is another reason the rail system has an advantage over buses. Riders in wheelchairs can just roll on in, without it becoming a big production number; saves the person's dignity, and everyone elses' time.

The Golden Room on Montrose (between W Gray & W Dallas) has charming decor, great food, attentive service and very reasonable prices. That they've been in the same location for approximately twenty years indicates that they're doing something right in Houston's highly competitive market. Haven't been there recently, but the Thai Palace (I think) on Westheimer in the strip center just east of Commonwealth is under new management, and from all reports has excellent food.

Disheartening. I regularly ride the 82 Westheimer, because even though the 78 Alabama is closer, it runs so infrequently that walking a 1/2 mile usually ends up saving time. And now they're cutting service on the 82, too? Do these people (METRO) never ride the bus? How can a route where overcrowded buses frequently have to pass up people waiting at bus stops be considered 'low ridership'? I believe a great deal of the success of the light rail can be attributed to its frequency of operation (every 6 minutes during the week, every 12 on weekends). Six minutes isn't much longer than one would expect to wait for an elevator in a tall building. Contrast that with 40 or even 50 minute waits for some bus lines ((I've come to the conclusion that bus drivers view schedules as mere suggestions). More than once, I've waited on Westheimer for long periods of time, and then two, or even three buses will show up one after the other. Say what you will about Bob Lanier, but when he headed METRO he ran a tight ship. If we expect to merely retain the ridership we already have, let alone attract new riders, METRO needs to supply frequent, dependable service.

Great article! And how refreshing to see a reference to Houston that portrays us as a progressive city (at least in this respect).

Things change. Five or six years ago, who would build a house east of Taft? or east of Main St.? Or in Midtown? And now those neighborhoods are booming. Freeman's Town in the Fourth Ward has nearly disappeared under Perry homes, and residents of the Third Ward are getting nervous. As has been seen in Midtown, the time to buy parkland is when the opportunity presents itself. If only the city had bought the Superblock ten years ago!

You are correct, sir. While the Orion may very well be within walking distance of Eleanor Tinsley Park, it's from the opposite direction, being a couple miles from downtown.

debmartin, I absolutely agree. Another trick the jerks on local buses perform is to take the sideways seat facing the rear door, and put their feet up, blocking 2 empty seats. I'm afraid someday I'm gonna cuss someone out... It's my understanding that NYC passed a law, and it's now a ticketable offense to take up more than one seat on the subway. METRO needs to do the same.

Comes as no surprise that Michael Berry accepts large campaign donations from Yellow Cab; it confirms and fortifies my opinion that's he's a political whore. But something that wasn't mentioned in the article (if I missed it, please bring it to my attention): there's a shuttle from the Hyatt Regency to both Intercontinental and Hobby, which costs about half of what a cab fare would be. I've heard the argument made that by forcing visitors to use cabs that it helps Houston to maintain a large fleet, providing better service than if cabs were to rely solely on local trips. As an aside, I'm no fan of Yellow Cab. In the 1970's they had a reputation for providing poor service (and a nasty attitude) to Montrose residents. It became a matter of principle to call United Cab instead, and I do, to this day.

Whether he's an activist or an opportunist remains to be seen. Because I am not among those who believe that newer, more 'upscale' housing is always an improvement, I agree with his goals. This is a functional neighborhood, and many of the problems there can be attributed to neglect from the city. By the way, Ms Jenalia Moreno, what's so wrong about blue-collar workers browsing at used-car lots, or people who eat at taco stands? Isn't this part of the lively streetscape that we'd like to see more of? I hope Mr. (Senor) Benitez, in addition to taking people's money and acting as an advocate for the neighborhood to METRO, will pressure the city to provide basic services, AND urge the residents themselves to take a more pro-active role in cleaning up their neighborhood. Litter and graffiti are within the control of the residents. Tell 'em to get off their asses and get busy!

If I understand this correctly, our city taxes pay for a police department which serves only the City of Houston, and our county taxes pay for the sheriff's department, which covers all of Harris County. So if the sheriff's department is kept busy with crimes outside of the jurisdiction of HPD, is this another example of the city subsidizing the suburbs?

Any updates on this project? They were going great guns for a while - concrete for the slab and the parking lot has been poured - but the only thing I've seen happening on that corner in the past month+ is some digging by the street (storm sewers, perhaps?) Seems to be taking a while for the structure to go up.

Practically anything having to do with cell phones. The most obvious example is people who drive while talking on their cell phone. This includes you. People think it doesn't impair their ability to drive. Maybe these are the same people who swear they're OK to drive after six cocktails, too. Other states have made driving while using cell phones illegal. It's time Texas followed suit. People who bring cell phones to lectures, concerts, movies, the theater, church, etc. and leave their ringers on should be flogged. Those who answer and talk should be shot. Why do people think that shouting into their cell phones somehow makes their connection better? The other day I could not hear the clerk in a convenience store because the woman behind me was screaming inane remarks into her damn phone. It used to be if you were walking down the street, and someone spoke, it meant either: (a) they're talking to you, or ( they're crazy. Now, with these hands-free devices, people prattle away, oblivious to their surroundings and totally indifferent to how distracting it may be to those around them. On a very serious note, talking while going about your business can have tragic consequences. Twice in the past year, there have been news reports about young women who were abducted while chatting away on their cell phones. Their abductors doubtlessly noticed that they weren't paying attention to their surroundings. They were killed. How many more have been raped or mugged? People who try to operate those tiny keypads while driving, jogging, eating, making love or whatever seem to dial an awful lot of wrong numbers. I used to get maybe one wrong number a month; now it's practically a daily occurance. Hey, thanks for wasting my time! Cell phones are much like going to the bathroom. Take a moment to be considerate, and don't do it in public.

Excellent post, danax. I lived in a neighborhood of early to mid 19th century buildings (some quite elegant) in Rochester, some 25 years ago. People thought I was crazy. Much of the neighborhood had been leveled by 'urban renewal', some of the houses were burned out and abandoned, and there had been a terrible riot there in the 60's. White people were very much a minority. Yet, there was a feeling of optimism and community that was infectious. It changed from edgy to trendy to desirable in a few short years. Corn Hill is some high-priced real estate these days. Same thing here in Houston. When I moved to the Montrose in '81, radio DJs made sarcastic jokes about "the Crime-Free Montrose", and 'respectable' people avoided the place like the plague (how I miss those days!) In the mid 80s, houses were being sold at HUD auction. But perceptions change. Oddly enough I think Montrose is a more dangerous place now than before it attained its trendy status. Eventually I'll be priced out of the neighborhood - and the East Side seems like the best alternative for me.

That's nearly a postcard view of downtown, except a billboard obstructs the Bank of America building. Like a small turd floating in a punchbowl, somehow it ruins the whole effect.

Since you bring up the subject of black people voting, doesn't it bother you that Bush stole the Florida vote in the last election by throwing out the votes of African-Americans? and that the Republican party is still using filthy techniques,including intimidation, to prevent black people from voting? It makes me sick to think that people - both black and white - fought and died in the 50s and 60s to get the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed (ever hear of it?), only to have the next generation fall down so badly. You're going to vote for the guy who oppresses your own people? You might feel a bit differently if Texas was a swing state (if you know what that means). You may have faced a lot more problems casting your ballot. Talk to people in Florida. I feel sorry for you. And a bit disgusted. topic moved to Way Off Topic (where it belonged to begin with )

houstonsemipro, I know you want to see the Shamrock Towers built; I think most people on this forum do, too. But the reality is that real estate deals can - and do - fall through. A construction (sales?) trailer, a fence, architectural renderings, some signs and a smooth-talking sales team are all very nice, but plans can fall apart at any stage in the development of a new building. A couple of examples: on Montrose Blvd (just south of W. Dallas) a developer started construction of several townhome units in the early 90s. The foundation was laid, the lower masonry was completed, and the majority of the framing went up. Then the developer went broke. The building sat there, half finished and rotting, for more than five years. Eventually, someone else bought the property (I hate to think of the legal messes involved), tore down what was unsalvageable, and completed the project, about ten years after they first broke ground. The Westheimer was to be a mid-rise condo project with 70+ units (on Westheimer, east of Dunlavy). They went quite a lot further than the Shamrock developers have gone, tearing down existing buildings, putting up a fence, erecting the obligatory sign with rendering of the completed structure, etc. At one time they boasted that 30% of the units had already been 'pre-sold'. They even went so far as to pour the footings. That was quite a few years ago. You can see them for yourself, because there's still no building on top of them to obstruct the view. They have, however, taken down the sign. I'd like to believe that The Shamrock will be built, but it's been my observation that the longer the delay, the less likely that it's going to happen. Other projects (now including the old Day's Inn) are competing for buyers, and construction costs are going up. Lenders and investors have had ample opportunity to kick this project into gear. I imagine that people who have put up money to reserve units are becoming impatient; I wonder if any have asked for their money back. Somehow I doubt if the sales staff will tell you if they have.

I've watched this show a couple of times; it's pretty good. Wonder if some people, seeing TV cameras, will unleash their inner Drama Queen? There are those who will do anything to be on TV, no matter how humiliating i.e. Springer Guests...

Any mention of how many tons of air pollution this equates to...?

Sounds like a sure cure for constipation...

Huang, welcome to the Houston Architectural Information Forum. I don't know much about China, so I found this site about Chongqing. Do you intend to study architecture?

And that was after the June groundbreaking failed to materialize.

Can't find the whole article, but found a reference on the Dow Corning Implant Info site: Swartz, M. Silicone city: How Houston created the implant. How the implant recreated Houston. A tale of big breasts and big money. Texas Monthly p.65-69, 92-100, August 1995.