VelvetJ

At the corner of 59 The Southwest Freeway and W. Bellfort across from Fry's Electronics, is by far the best Soul Food Joint in the city IMO. Mickie's Soulfood will have you licking your chop's. It is however starting to become EXTREMELY popular, so the crowds are a little insane at times. But there is a 50/50 chance you will see a celebrity in there, so it becomes worth it.

Oh my goodness, Dominique Sasche is by far THE most overrated anchor in all of Houston news. I remember when she first arrived at KPRC in the early 90's and she did traffic in the mornings. Now she is practically the lead anchor for the station. Over the years I have not seen anything to warrant such a quick move. Personally, I think her appearance (which I also find terribly overrated) had a lot to do with it. Favorite male- Jerome Gray and Dave Ward (tie) Favorite female- Stephanie Guardian and possibly Linda Lorrell Just a little tidbit on the Weather Front, Orelan Sydney, Gene Norman, Carl Parker, and Paul Goodlowe, who were all in Houston, are now in Atlanta.

Citykid09, I understand from where you are coming. We may not agree on every single thing but I do understand your standpoint. You want the best for Houston as do I. You want people to DESIRE to move to Houston instead of coming here soley because there job transferred them here. You want Houston to have urban styled development first, or at least along with other cities it's size instead of being light years behind. You want the majority of buildings going up in the city to have some sort of architectural merrit instead of so many of them barely meeting the mediocre standard. You want the fantastic skyline of the largest city in Texas to at LEAST look better than Austin's at night. You don't understand why the largest city in Texas is also the least tourist friendly out of the large cities in the state. But your biggest frustation is why it seems Houston always seem to be a step behind on so many issues? Things that are on the drawing board here, are either done or being finished in our counterpart cities (this does not include places like Corpus, El Paso, Knoxville, and Jacksonville, so please no one bring up how far ahead we are of those places). I have been to Atlanta and in terms of feeling bigger and overall urbanity, I would say Houston has it beat. But they have so many great projects going on, and seem to be progressing so very quickly in so many areas, it causes some to wonder why Houston isn't progressing as fast. Houston's version of a Atlantic Station project is still a concept. Houston's version of a Victory Plaza type of development like in Dallas, is still at least a year from even breaking ground. A TOD was announced this week for the Medical Center, which is a wonderful thing, but I suppose the timing isn't bad since the rail itself is new. What I found interesting about this thread is how passionately some seem to have attacked Atlantic Station, something Houston doesn't even have. This development is going to help Atlanta more than it will hurt it and for the most part they are proud of it, as well they should be. The residents of that development can reasonably walk to the movies, a comedy club, a grocery store, a Target, a Dillards, a ton of restaurants and clothing stores, etc., and they all do it from their homes. Where in Houston can you do the same? Yet we attack them. We attack their rail system, although I admit it is dated but they are upgrading the trains and a couple of stations now, but do we really have room to criticize? Our rail system will expand, we will get more urban styled development, we will improve the appearance of our freeways, we will start to raise the bar in architecture in this city, we will begin to develope more pedestrian styled areas, and we will begin to become a competitive tourist destination, but it will be some years from now. Citykid09, I think you and I may need to try to get a understanding of the fact that maybe Houston belong in a position of being a step behind. Just maybe that is our place. Our citizens for the most part are pretty comfortable in the position, so why fight it. I've said this before, but maybe we just want a little more for Houston than it want's for itself. Despite the way some may have taken it, I know you are not saying Houston should build replica's of The Eiffel Tower, The Golden Gate Bridge, The Statue of Libery, The Gateway Arch, or the Space Needle. I understand this is not about building something JUST because another city has it. This is about Houston living up to it's potential and being the best it can be, plain and simple. And if that takes looking to world class cities to see what they have done correctly to make their cities the best they can be, then coming back home and implementing something similar that fit's Houston, then great. Or EVEN BETTER, Houstonians thinking outside of the box themselves and setting the standard for others like we once did, would be the best. I would hope all on this board want the best for the city, but Citykid09 you and I just want the ideas to come sooner instead of so many after everyone else, and for Houston to "stay on top of things". I get ya dude.

When I typed that sentence I knew someone would take it and run, and within a matter of moments.......... IMO, the Hilton America's is "complicated" and you can have that. So Midtown, you do not have my number.

Ah what the heck, I lied. IMO, Reliant FUNCTIONS very well. Probably the best in the NFL right now. But the actual exterior design of it is blah, IMO. Is it an attractive facility, yes, but there is nothing complicated about it at all. I think a lot of people were a little taken because it was so new and clean and the roof moved, but it really doesn't get any design awards from me.

This thread tickled me. I Like Midtown but if they were going to change the name I would much prefer SouthTown over SoDo. Calling it SoDo would REALLY be like we are trying to be another city. So how about SouthTown folks? The inhabitants would be SouthTowners. Wait, I just realized SouthTown wouldn't make sense. One would leave Downtown, hit SouthTown, and THEN Midtown? Um, nevermind.

I know I said my last post was my last but I will just say this: MidtownCoog, I actually was being sarcastic. And I never once said Houston is dead.

(in a sweet calm voice) I am not concerned about whether buildings are going up or not in Houston. That is not my issue, so there is no need to explain why other cities have more buildings going up than Houston. I couldn't care less that Atlanta has more buildings going up than Houston at this time. My thing in this particular thread is the quality and design of the things that ARE going up in Houston. I will accept that Dallas, Atlanta, San Diego, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami, etc., all have stronger economy's than Houston right now and that is why the architectural designs of the new structures in those places are superior to those in Houston, and has been for some years now. I suppose because of our economy we shouldn't expect that The Mercer, The Mark, The Treasury on Allen Parkway, Toyota Center, Reliant Stadium, The building going up in the Medical Center (which by the way will be the tallest buiilding in the Medical Center), the recent announcements in the Medical Center, the Beck Musueum building, The Hobby Center, the new condo that's going up off of Woodway near the Houstonian, etc., couldn't have been done any better in terms of design. How could I even consider Houston having a building built beyond a mediocre standard since the oil bust of the 80's? I mean, thank goodness the new condo proposed on Upper Kirby, and the Enron II buildings were all designed in the late 70's and early 80's during the oil boom and was just put on hold to be built in current times, otherwise we wouldn't have anything worth looking at today;). I also certainly hope our economy picks up by the time the intermodal transit facility comes around because otherwise, I think we will be looking at a gigantic beige box with a couple of windows and some doors. And if we are lucky, maybe a bean bag combination chicken processing company will open across from the front entrance of the transit hub so we can show the world how Houston is a place that supports free-enterprise, and to prove how much we are not like the rest of the world. Guys I'm not asking that anyone spin gold out of straw in this city, but come on. Would they place the new treasury building in the heart of Manhattan? Would a design like the Mercer even be considered if it were known to be placed in the heart of Buckhead? If a new tallest were being built in the heart of Century City in L.A., do you think a simple tall off-white box would be chosen for the design in 2005? This is my last post on this thread.

Not that this is something solid that a new park is coming to the area, but the interest is obviously out there, which is why I think Houston will see something sooner rather than later. Not in terms of a new park opening next year, but I think it will be sooner than some realize.

So midtowncoog, why not just build something that looks great and function on the inside as well? You don't think I understand the importance of acoustics in a symphany hall? That isn't even the issue here. I digress. *note*- Again, coming up with defenses on things where there shouldn't be any. You mentioned a lot of those ornamentals are just for looks...... you d*mn skippy. Midtowncoog, I'm not trying to pick on you, but you see folks, this is what I'm talking about. Too many in Houston don't GET IT! We are the 4th largest city in this country, and we don't act like it. People here have said I sound like I'm in high school, but I think that is what it is going to take for our citizens to get the BASIC ideas about certain things. My goodness! I'm sorry, now I'M starting to rant. I will end it here.

What exactly constitutes riffraff? MidtownCoog, you just have no idea about yourself do you?

I know you've already decided against Sugarland, however don't forget that if you are looking to buy and are concerned about the commute, know that Sugarland is first in line to get commuter rail in a few years, if that is something you may be interested in in the future.

I follow you arch 757 and I agree with you. I actually had a extremely similar rant here not long ago about recent buildings going up in the city, but I'm not sure if anyone noticed. Yes, I've too often seen what's been going up in other cities and wondered what is going on here. Have you seen the new Symphony Hall that is going up in Atlanta. It blows our "new" Hobby Center out of the water. I even love the new one going up in Dallas because it is so different and "wild". I am not trying to change the subject arch 757, but again, IMO it boils down to what I said earlier about a "Conservative Element" that has taken over this city, and how it seems to be affecting everything right down to building design. I'm not blind to the progress the city is making, (albeit literally years after our counter-parts), but I'm not going to ignore things that I think are hindering the city's progress because a few think I'm insecure. I want Houston to have a little more edge to make it more dynamic. So enough of defending why Houston shouldn't have more rail, enough of defending why we shouldn't have more dramatic architectural designs, enough of defending why there shouldn't be more urban designs in midtown, enough of defending why so many of our freeways look the way they do. We've got to stop somehow finding defenses for things that could have been, and could be done better in this city. The tallest building going up in Houston right now is a big ol' bland box in the medical center. In the meantime, I see buildings going up in Atlanta and wonder how is it that designers and those having buildings built there seem to have soooooo much more money than those in Houston to where they can build such sparking buildings? I'm jealous: Below is their new Symphony Center. If given the choice in design, I would choose it over our Hobby Center design. And these are just 3 projects that are either under construction or about to break ground. There are many more, including the nearly completed Sympony Tower in Midtown with it's dramatic Fins. Again, I just want Houston to step it up a bit in every way, including architecture.

WestWood was at the corner of Bissonet and 59 South (Southwest Freeway). Sears is the only store that is left there. I actually really enjoyed the mall because it was never too crowded. I also LOVED the black and white interior along with the 2 story carousel.

So Arch, what is your question exactly? How can we change the minds of the people holding the money in this city? If so, then I don't know. IMO, in the minds of some, Houston is simply a place to make money. Nothing more and nothing less. So if that is the mindset of some with money, then I suppose they are wondering why even consider a project with any sort of architectural significance in a place where making money is it's modus operandi.

I've always considered October to be the beginning of humane period of living in Houston. I've always considered it to be quite tolerable now through May, and this is coming from someone who despises the heat. (By the way, I have just discovered your blog bruce and am enjoying it.)

Actually I would say this is pretty typical for October in terms of temps ( maybe it has been a degree or two warmer than normal). I would expect a major cold front either the second or third week in November to REALLY cool things off, where we are talking highs in the 50's-60's average. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I have also seen the "count down" traffic signals and thought they were a great idea. They ARE, from what I understand however, a bit more pricey, which may be a deterrent for Houston.

arch_757, I will answer your question with regard to how I see Houston and what I want it to be shortly, but I think your above statement was key to a lot of things. You said, "We LACK the CREATIVE FORCES of LA, Chicago, New York". For current day, I would also add Atlanta, Miami, San Diego, and even Dallas to that list. I know you said you weren't sure why Houston didn't have it, but that leads me to my own questions. What can Houston do to make itself attractive to those creative minds that create creative forces in a city? What types of city characteristics attract those with creative minds on a significant level? How do we keep native creative minds in the city? (Before I go on, just let me say, I am NOT NOT NOT NOT saying there isn't a single creative mind in the city of Houston, so please no one take it that way). How do we get our citizens to even understand or care about the importance and need for a large city to have a significant creative force? If Houston had a significant creative force in the past, what killed it, or what was the reason it diminished? Someone please answer. Now, what is Houston? What image do I want it to have? How do I describe it? I will answer soon but not now . Seriously, I will answer later.

Yeah, I heard about this today and I am not pleased........but when am I ever? I just hope Sam Malone doesn't turn the radio show into a Tom Delay/Dan Patrick support group.

Ah, that's sweet that you have done all of that to improve Houston's image. Let me get in on some of that hand action on your back. You deserve it. I mean, I knew you had your business downtown (basically on Main Street, correct?), but I hand no idea you had actually fixed up a old home. Boy I tell you, if I had the resources you have, I would do the exact same things. Poor me. I can only keepa hopin' anda prayin'. And for what I do and have done to help improve Houston's image, let's just say I have done and do my part. There is a reason why I tend to harp on this particular subject, and it's not to simply express displeasure with Houston on the internet for fun to a bunch of people I don't know and who don't know me. Lastly, who is badmouthing Williams Tower? You totally took my words out of context. Read it again.... a different way to get the point and make a couple of connections to what I was responding to. The Williams Tower added to the reputation we once had of being on the cutting edge. yourself. By the way, despite your expressions in the past, I probably should have gone with, "you just don't get it", instead of labeling you as someone who "don't care". arch_757, I apologize for taking the subject someplace else. With regard to architcture, unlike yourself, I am not in the profession of architecture and am just a simple armchair fan of it along with a few other friends. You have brought up some very good points that even myself as a casual fan have noticed. I've even stated on this site how Houston seems to have "lost it" in a number of areas, including in the design of buildings that are going up in the city. I recall at least two stories in the Chronicle over the past couple of years about Houston's lack of "umph" in architectural design lately. I have read a number of reasons as to why, including a shortage of natural materials, to financial struggles since 9/11. However in Houston I think it's bigger than just that, and ironically enough, IMO it is connected to what I have been preaching on this site about things in general in Houston nowadays. There seems to be a conservative element that is taking over the city, stunting it's potential and affecting it's ability to stay in step with the rest of the world. Even with the factors given for what's going on today in architecture, other cities in the U.S as well as abroad, seem to be cranking out absolute beauties. Many of the same issues Houston is facing, they are as well. So there is more going on here IMO. Since you are in the business arch_757 and are in the trenches, I have some questions for you. You have obviously stated your personal opinion, but are your colleagues aware of Houston's lack of quality and modern designs lately? Are they aware that the world has taken note of it as well? Or do they not care as we as Houstonians have a tendency to do now? For those of you that have noticed, and have quality modern current designs available, what has generally been the response from those interested/have the ability to build buildings in the city to your designs? I'm sure some would say finances is the reason they don't bring in outside well known names for designs here anymore, but I'm also sure those outside of Houston aren't the only one's with great designs...........or are they?

Well I can only speak from my experience and that is exactly what I did. And I find it interesting that since a certain family from Texas has been in "power" Austin's popularity has grown incredibly. Austin and San Antonio seem to have been spared these terrible images. Why? I am aware of the biases of the media nd am very much aware of the fact that some is due in part to that family, but please, if you are suggesting that is the main reason for the negative images of Houston, you are fooling yourself. Maybe I can connect you with the crazy number of smart talented people that have left this city since moving here because other cities offered more of what they wanted and needed. And all of this so called money we are spending on advertising has gotten us nowhere and someone should be fired. And lastly, can you honestly say that most people from New York, Boston, Frisco, Seattle, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego, Philly, DC, and most cities in Europe, finally visit Houston and fall in love with the place? I can't because that has not been my experience. Redscare you have expressed on many occassion how much you don't care, so it may benefit everyone if you just keep it at that.

Well, to answer your first question about the buildings, I will say first and foremost Pennzoil Place. MidtownCoog did you not know that Pennzoil Place changed the face of the entire world? It was then that the world realized there could be more to modern architecture besides a big box. The world saw that building(s) and marveled. Second, I would say Republic Bank ( the Brown/reddish Gothic 3 tiered giant downtown). Believe it or not, that building is one of the most famous in the entire world. In fact many recognize our skyline soley based upon that building. Third, I would say Williams Tower. Who in their right mind would build a building like that 7 miles outside of a CBD? And further more, what city would allow that? Houston was one of the first cities to truly appear to have two significant seperate downtowns and the Williams Tower single handedly gave us that title. Trust me, I could go on. Now with regard to who we are trying to impress and why? Well, who were we trying to impress with the AstroDome? Who were we trying to impress with a port 50 miles inland from the ocean? Who were we trying to impress when Houston was chosen for the locations of the VERY first river rapids ride (Thunder River) in the world, and the first suspended coaster (XLR8). Who were we trying to impress with our infamous Galleria, and by allowing a 901ft office tower to be built next to it. MidtownCoog it's not so much as trying to impress the world as much as it is about Houston being a great place by being the best it can be. We as actual citizens will benefit from it by default, but the world will then see and be impressed by us, when will only make the city a better place. People begin to WANT to come here instead of only coming because of a job transfer. People begin to WANT to go to school here BECAUSE it is in Houston instead of despite it. People will WANT to come here for leisure instead of passing through on their way to San Antonio. Houston is a place that has over 5 million people in it's metro. Any large city would, or at least should care about it's image. Houston is not Tyler Texas and it shouldn't act like it is.

arche 757, thank you for that post. You are totally correct. It is such a shame that both Houston and Dallas don't get the respect they should have considering they are the largest cities in Texas. I will expound on your post very soon but I have to keep it short for now. MidtownCoog and kjb434, truly with all due respect, the attitude of your posts are exactly what has retarded this city. I have said this before on a number of occassions here, but it is great not caring what others think of you.......to a degree. Quite frankly, I find it foolish for a city to totally void itself of how the world views it. For example, it's nice for us to think we have the cleanest air in the country, but if everyone else is waving red flags telling us our air is dirty, it would be wise to at least ask the question of WHY EVERYONE is continuously telling us that. Could it be possible our air actually is dirty? The world can be unfair but I think both cities should ask some questions. Why are the cities viewed the way they are? Why is Austin considered the apple of Texas' eye to so many people. Why do so many people outside of Houston have such a negative view of our city? For anyone that loves Houston, it would be irresponsible simply to not care. Being smug, defensive and ignorant of certain things isn't going to get either city any brownie points.

When I first moved to Houston, the Westheimer Arts Festival was one of the things that made me fall in love. The two best things about it were the fact that no one was a "freak" because everyone there was a "freak". And of course I loved that Westheimer was shut off from cars and people were able to walk the street like at what I call a "real" festival (gosh I miss those days in Houston). Now it's confined only to the sidewalks, which has taken away some of it's appeal. However, I am greatful it is no longer on Allen Parkway. This thing is truly a gem that the city of Houston should really cherish. I don't think some in Houston realize how attractive these sorts of things can make a city. Long live the West Fest/Westheimer Street Festival/Westheimer Arts Festival!