Houston19514

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of the Dallas-Plano-Irving Metropolitan Division (containing 8 counties) and the Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Division (containing 4 counties), for a total of 12 counties. The Census Bureau also has the Dallas-Fort Worth Combined Statistical Area ("CSA"), which includes those 12 counties, plus 6 more, for a total of 18 counties. The NTCOG covers 16 counties, but they are not just a subset of the 18 in the CSA. The NTCOG includes 14 of the 18 CSA counties, but adds two that are NOT in the Census Bureau's definitions (Erath and Navarro Counties). Also, the NTCOG numbers have the area growing somewhate faster than the Census estimates. I have no idea how the NTCOG comes up with their estimate, or why it differs from the Census estimates (it is more than just their selection of which counties to include... on a county-by-county basis, the NTCOG numbers estimate higher than does the Census.) According to Census estimates, the 18-county D-FW CSA would have a January 1, 2006 population in the neighborhood of 6,100,000.

Rich's was based in Atlanta and it was re-branded as Macy's a couple of years ago. I believe Macy's already had a regional operation in Atlanta prior to the purchase of May Department Stores Co.

The Foley's name is definitely being done away with. That was decided from the very beginning of the merger transaction. They did not decide on the Marshall Field change until a little later in the process. The plan, at least so far, is to keep all of the current Foley's stores in the Houston area (under the Macy's name of course).

LOL So move on with yourself already. (I guess you're impenetrable to dictionary defintions too.)

Here's another interesting bit of information about Bush IAH. It is the USA's 7th largest international passenger gateway. I believe the only larger international passenger gateways are JFK (NYC), LAX (Los Angeles), Chicago O'Hare, Newark Liberty, Miami, and San Francisco.

I don't remember if this has been posted before. If I'm repeating, I apologize. But here is the link to the brochure describing the Master Plan for expansion of Bush Intercontinental Airport. IAH Master Plan Brochure

Goodness, unhappy and with a temper too. Who woulda thunk it? Speaking of passive-aggressive... (1) Who said anything about bashing? I did not accuse you of bashing. Nor do I think I did any bashing. The reference to your spreading bile was about your negative posts that have nothing to contribute, except to try to spread your unhappiness. You demonstrate you are clearly not attempting to contribute to a mutually beneficial conversation by your statements to the effect that you are impenetrable to facts or argument or reasoning. (And we've seen you say this in other threads as well.) (And you have certainly demonstrated that you are indeed impenetrable.) Why would you waste your time here if you are so insistent on being impenetrable, if not to just spread your unhappiness? Fair presumption, no? (2) You tell us that your statement that "the terminal can be a nightmare" was an "allusion". An allusion to what? That does not even make sense. Perhaps you meant illusion? ;-) A little perspective, please. That's all I'm saying. If a walk from the gate to the shuttle indeed ranks as a "nightmare" in your life, you must have lived one pampered comfortable life indeed. ;-)

You are obviously determined to be unhappy (and I'm not just referring to Terminal E). It's a shame you are intent on spreading your bile.

Yes, indeed you have the right to ASSUME anything you want. But your assumption would be wrong. I do indeed know that business travel can be a nightmare. I just think it's laughable to call a walk from your gate to the shuttle a nightmare (and I think you need to pick up the pace a little there buddy; I cannot imagine it has ever taken me 20 minues to make that walk). Fighting your way to Logan airport in rush hour, yes, that could be a nightmare. Flying on a 100% full flight can be annoying but I'd say less than nightmare status. Not knowing when or if you might make the flight because of weather etc. can certainly be a nightmare. But a walk from your gate? Get a grip, man. Would you really prefer having to change planes at a hub airport so that you can get to a smaller airport or smaller terminal in order to avoid your nightmare stroll? NOW, we're talking a nightmare... changing planes at a hub, especially late on a day when there are snowstorms around the country. The facts of life are such that if you are arriving at a major hub airport (not just IAH), chances are pretty good that you might have a long walk from your gate. You guys living in Houston have the luxury of options. If the greatest nightmare of your life is the dreaded walk to the shuttle, quit yer whinin' and fly into Hobby or Terminal A. And here's another useful tool that many experienced business travelers use... carry-ons with WHEELS ;-) You MIGHT have a reasonable argument that Terminal E should have had its own entrance/exit, but given the property and operational constraints, it's understandable that it does not. For one thing, the primary focus of the design of Terminal E is international arrivals - they of course go through the new FIS building.

Calling me out??? You do live in your own little world there, don't you? One minute you think I work for Mr. Finger and now you think I work for the city... I'm really a double/triple undercover secret agent. I work for both of them AND the CIA. No I do not work for IAH. Why do certain people presume that only those who work for an organization ever defend it or present facts about it? Odd. Very odd. And yes of course you have the the right to your own perceptions. And yes, I've seen before that you can be quite impenetrable to facts. And I also have the right to mock your pereception that a walk from your gate to the shuttle at a major international hub airport (something that is far from an unusual requirement at major international hub airports) is a "nightmare". ;-)

I don't think it's just a matter of having longer range than the currently available aircraft. I think it has more to do with the efficiency and the ultimate cost per available seat. I believe the 787 will be more fuel efficient and generally have a smaller seating capacity than the 777 and thereofore might open up additional international markets for service out of IAH.

Wahh, wahhh, wahhhh. This "nightmare" of yours is entirely within your control. If flying into Terminal E is such a freakin' nightmare then just fly on airlines that fly in and out of Terminal A, or Hobby Airport. Sheesh. I understood that you didn't like the "20 minute walk". With the destinations and flight frequency that living in a big city with a major hub airport affords you, come some inconveniences (relatively minor in this case). And I return to my main point: if this constitutes a "nightmare" at Bush Intercontinental (the 9th busiest airport in America, 17th busiest in the world), then things must be working pretty darned well.

OK, just had to comment on this one.... ;-) And that constitutes a NIGHTMARE to you? Maybe you'd be happier living in a city like Tulsa. ;-)

Well, it's certainly hard to argue with that. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that no business can thrive anywhere in the world without "appropriate" parking. ;-)

Just ran across this update. With the addition of Buenos Aires, IAH now has 73 international destinations.

Correct as to Holy Rosary. 9:30 AM Sunday mass is in Latin. Annunciation has English/Latin at 11:00 AM Sunday and Latin at 8:00 AM Sunday.

I think you exaggerate the speed and the extent of the transformation of Navy Pier. It was originally constructed at least in part as a recreational facility, not as a college. The Navy Pier's own web site only claims 8 million visitors per year. More: In 1927 the pier was renamed Navy Pier in honor of World War I veterans. It would turn out to be a prophetic name change, as the Navy Pier served as a naval training facility during the second World War. After the war it served as the Chicago branch of the University of Illinois. In 1965 the university moved to its new location and the Navy Pier started to decay. Redevelopment The first step in the redevelopment of the Navy Pier was the 1976 restoration by Jerome R. Butler, Jr. of the Auditorium building at the eastern end of the pier. One year later it was designated a Chicago Landmark. Another step to the redevelopment of the Navy Pier was taken in 1989, when the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois installed the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition authority. At the same time they committed 150 million dollar for reconstruction of the pier as a recreational center. The renovation by Benjamin Thompson & associates started in 1992 and was completed in 1994. The result is a very successful recreational center next to Chicago's downtown area. With many attractions and 50 acres of parks and gardens It attracts more than 8 million visitors each year. I love the idea of a water taxi from downtown Houston to Galveston. I have long thought there should be an opportunity for some entrepreneur to connect many of Houston's biggest attractions by water by running a system of water taxis from downtown Houston the San Jacinto Monument, Kemah Boardwalk, a stop somewhere on Clear Lake connecting to NASA via shuttle, and on to Galveston Island. Does anyone have any idea how long it would take to boat from downtown Houston to the island at civilized speeds?

Some hopeful news in today's Chronicle regarding the old cathedral building. It says they are considering possibly using it as a parish hall. So, there may be hope that it won't be torn down after all.

Unbelievable. Really unbelievable. No, I do not work for Mr. Finger. I've never met the man. I don't quite understand what your obsession with Mr. Finger is all about. I just prefer to keep things on the board a little more closely related to FACTS rather than slander, rumor, and stuff that is just plain "made-up."

Is there a commuter rail line running between Austin and San Antonio?

That is not correct. The underground garage was part of the plan from the very beginning. As part of the original agreement when the city conveyed the land to the park conservancy, the city retained an easement to allow it to build the underground parking garage. Wrong again. Finger did not own the land on which the park will be built. You really should try not to engage in slander. I'm a little surprised at all the hand-wringing about the parking garage portion. It is financed totally separately from the park and is most likely self-financing. If anything, it may help pay for the park improvements.

... and your point is?? Oh, I forgot, you just wanted to whine, not contribute anything to the forum.

Jason, the linked chart just shows a sampling of the cities covered by the study. It was a comprehensive nationwide study. I had no idea there were still no HEB stores in D-FW. That's a shame for you guys. If you are looking for low prices, maybe you should try the Tom Thumb in Highland Park Village ;-)

I guess that answers my question...

I'm not buying it on the cost of groceries. Houston is generally considered to be one of the most competitive grocery markets in the country. Every study I've ever seen shows Houston with relatively low grocery prices. For example: Cost of Living Comparison