Buffalo Bayou Master Plan

[Houston19514]

4 hours ago, Tumbleweed_Tx said:

IIRC, it's being removed to help improve water flow in the area. Nothing will go in it's place. The North Canal would be a better solution than tearing down this building (unless it's crumbling, or the city has something against Rowdy for tagging it)

 

The north canal is going to be built too. We need multiple solutions.  And, yes, I'm pretty sure the building is crumbling. 

[Houston19514]

17 hours ago, hindesky said:

Spaw Glass is the GC of the project but JBT is the actual company doing the demo. I wonder if something is going to be built in its place, Spaw Glass does construction.

 

 

Maybe it's SpawGlass's civil division.  According to the Flood Control District (which owns the property): "Demolishing the building will create room to soften the existing bend in the channel."

[H-Town Man]

10 hours ago, HoustonBoy said:

This is how I see it haha I wish this could be converted into a flood-proof outdoor terrace or walkway. Such a unique structure within Texas I feel.

 

It is pretty unique within Texas, maybe some stuff in San Antonio comes closest. But we can't advocate that a canal be built for flood improvement and then when there's a building constricting the channel say "Oh, this has some character, we'll leave it." And if it's crumbling, that pretty much resolves the issue.

 

There used to be a lot of buildings built against and even over the bayou. Most of them were either destroyed in the two big early 1930's floods or cleared away soon after.

 

I think Spaw Glass has done plenty of demolition downtown over the years. They were involved in some of the middle-of-the-night demos if I'm not mistaken.

 

[JBTX]

Buffalo Bayou Partnership just sent this out regarding an informational session on the Buffalo Bayou East Plans:

I don't know if we are allowed to post links to stuff like that here, but, I'm sure you can find info on their website.

[tigereye]

Work starts on extending trails from Allen’s Landing to McKee St 

 

 

[H-Town Man]

37 minutes ago, tigereye said:

Work starts on extending trails from Allen’s Landing to McKee St 

 

 

 

Great news!!

 

[talltexan83]

Wonderful news!  And I can see how the continuation of the Austin St. dedicated bike plan will tie in well here.  

[CaptainJilliams]

Good to hear, the eastern trails definitely could use some love.

[thedistrict84]

That explains the crew tearing up the parking lot just southeast of the Wilson criminal justice building on Commerce, near where the Austin St. bike path intersects Commerce. Looks like they’re putting a path and green space right through where the parking lot was. Nice!

[H-Town Man]

It's a shame they couldn't acquire that holdout trapezoid parking lot parcel on the north side of Commerce. Guess the owner wouldn't sell at a reasonable price.

 

[Texasota]

The flood mapper shows that trapezoidal parking lot as being relatively low risk (500 year floodplain), so maybe the thought is that a building could actually go there.

Honestly I think that would be ideal. 

[H-Town Man]

1 hour ago, Texasota said:

The flood mapper shows that trapezoidal parking lot as being relatively low risk (500 year floodplain), so maybe the thought is that a building could actually go there.

Honestly I think that would be ideal. 

 

I think it's better to have street frontage for your park and then the land across the street has development pressure. But a couple of downtown parks have done it your way, with a commercial building in the park (Market Square, Jones Plaza, Discovery Green). Those buildings were controlled by the parks, though; if they wanted to do that here, they could have bought the parking lot and then built a commercial building there.

 

[Texasota]

Except the park will have street frontage regardless - Austin will terminate at the park and the block west of Austin will be all parkland. Besides, this isn't really one park; it's part of a network of expanding and contracting park spaces along the bayou.

 

I like the idea of a (residential) building anchoring the corner at Commerce/Elysian/La Branch and, hopefully, helping to instigate development on the surrounding lots. That would help to extend the little bit of a neighborhood further east on Commerce and maybe blunt the impact of Elysian dumping commuters from Kingwood or wherever into the city.

[H-Town Man]

2 hours ago, Texasota said:

Except the park will have street frontage regardless - Austin will terminate at the park and the block west of Austin will be all parkland. Besides, this isn't really one park; it's part of a network of expanding and contracting park spaces along the bayou.

 

I like the idea of a (residential) building anchoring the corner at Commerce/Elysian/La Branch and, hopefully, helping to instigate development on the surrounding lots. That would help to extend the little bit of a neighborhood further east on Commerce and maybe blunt the impact of Elysian dumping commuters from Kingwood or wherever into the city.

 

Wherever the park ends, there you have opportunity for commercial buildings. What this really boils down to is, do you want a narrower park or a wider park along the bayou?

 

I'm also skeptical that you'll get a residential building on that small trapezoidal site, especially with the flooding issues. Most likely this just remains a parking lot.

 

Edited September 3, 2020 by H-Town Man

[Texasota]

I sympathize with your skepticism and also worry that this will remain surface, but I do think there's room for a residential building there and think that would be the ideal use. What would have been better (from my perspective) would be if the Parks Board/BBP had purchased the lot and then put out an RFP for a building on it.

 

But I also don't really agree that "this really boils down to is, do you want a narrower park or a wider park along the bayou".  I want the park to be wide where there's a programmed benefit to that width and narrower where that width makes less sense. Given the wider sections between Caroline and Austin and Fannin and San Jacinto, plus the proximity of Allen's Landing and James Bute Park, I actually thinks it makes for a better, more interesting experience for the park to narrow here to make room for something else. As long as it's still wide enough to be useful and "something else" doesn't just stay a surface parking lot. 

 

I'll of course take a park over a parking lot in a heartbeat, but I think this lot is uniquely positioned to work well for a building (of some sort) despite its relative proximity to the bayou.

[H-Town Man]

15 minutes ago, Texasota said:

I sympathize with your skepticism and also worry that this will remain surface, but I do think there's room for a residential building there and think that would be the ideal use. What would have been better (from my perspective) would be if the Parks Board/BBP had purchased the lot and then put out an RFP for a building on it.

 

But I also don't really agree that "this really boils down to is, do you want a narrower park or a wider park along the bayou".  I want the park to be wide where there's a programmed benefit to that width and narrower where that width makes less sense. Given the wider sections between Caroline and Austin and Fannin and San Jacinto, plus the proximity of Allen's Landing and James Bute Park, I actually thinks it makes for a better, more interesting experience for the park to narrow here to make room for something else. As long as it's still wide enough to be useful and "something else" doesn't just stay a surface parking lot. 

 

I'll of course take a park over a parking lot in a heartbeat, but I think this lot is uniquely positioned to work well for a building (of some sort) despite its relative proximity to the bayou.

 

Shrug. I guess the Riverwalk in San Antonio is an example of where close commercial development makes the experience more interesting. I liked the original vision in the 2002 Master Plan where everything north of Commerce would be cleared out and you'd have a "Commerce Street Promenade," but that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

 

Edited September 3, 2020 by H-Town Man

[JLWM8609]

1 hour ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Shrug. I guess the Riverwalk in San Antonio is an example of where close commercial development makes the experience more interesting. I liked the original vision in the 2002 Master Plan where everything north of Commerce would be cleared out and you'd have a "Commerce Street Promenade," but that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

 

 

That rendering is really throwing me off. The area around UHD looks like it's reversed like it's mirrored, but then Minute Maid Park is in the right place. My head hurts! 😄

[H-Town Man]

7 minutes ago, JLWM8609 said:

 

That rendering is really throwing me off. The area around UHD looks like it's reversed like it's mirrored, but then Minute Maid Park is in the right place. My head hurts! 😄

 

You can't really see UHD in this. Off to the right. 

 

[JLWM8609]

4 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

 

You can't really see UHD in this. Off to the right. 

 

No wonder I was confused! That must be the jail.

[Sunstar]

18 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Shrug. I guess the Riverwalk in San Antonio is an example of where close commercial development makes the experience more interesting. I liked the original vision in the 2002 Master Plan where everything north of Commerce would be cleared out and you'd have a "Commerce Street Promenade," but that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

 

According to the new East Sector Plan, there will be a promenade on the North Canal similar in appearance to what was depicted for the Commerce street promenade in the original Master plan. Interestingly the North Canal would give the warehouse district a riverfront. 

[H-Town Man]

23 minutes ago, Sunstar said:

According to the new East Sector Plan, there will be a promenade on the North Canal similar in appearance to what was depicted for the Commerce street promenade in the original Master plan. Interestingly the North Canal would give the warehouse district a riverfront. 

 

That's good. Both would be better.

 

[j_cuevas713]

Is there a timeline for this? 

[hindesky]

[hindesky]

[hindesky]

@astrohip says his nephew works for "HR &A" and they are involved in the Buffalo Bayou East Sector trails.

 

https://www.hraadvisors.com/portfolio/buffalo-bayou-east-sector-investment-framework-and-master-plan/

Buffalo Bayou East Sector Investment Framework and Master Plan

HR&A developed an investment framework to guide the long-term planning and investment in the East Sector and is managing development of a Conceptual Master Plan.

CHALLENGE

The  Buffalo  Bayou  Partnership  (BBP)  is  the  nationally-recognized  developer  and operator of Houston’s celebrated 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park, which was completed in 2015 and has become one of the country’s great urban green spaces. Building upon this success, BBP seeks to extend the Buffalo Bayou greenway network along four  miles  of  Buffalo  Bayou  waterfront  east  of  Downtown  Houston,  catalyzing broader   neighborhood   revitalization   in   a   predominantly   industrial   and   post-industrial landscape that is disconnected from the surrounding historic communities.

SOLUTION

HR&A’s Investment  Framework  Report assessed existing  conditions  and  defined  a vision, key priorities, and next steps for BBP’s activities in the waterfront areas of Houston’s Second and Fifth Wards, collectively known as the East Sector, consistent with principles of authenticity, connectivity, and inclusiveness. The report identified open  space  and  neighborhood  redevelopment  opportunities  and  strategies  and provided a long-term implementation plan for BBP’s activity and investment in the East  Sector,  including  recommending  the  initiation  of  a  masterplan  for  the  East Sector.

 

IMPACT

Following the investment framework report, HR&A managed the solicitation process that led to the selection of a world-class master planning team led by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. HR&A is managing the 10-month master planning process to guide the creation of an integrated, multidisciplinary blueprint that is positioned for  successful  implementation  and  grounded  in  forward-looking  market  reality.  As part  of  this  work,  HR&A  is  leading  analysis  and  strategy  related  to  real  estate, financing, engagement, and implementation planning.

[hindesky]

3 guys with metal detectors were combing the area for pirate treasure

 

[hindesky]

The USACE Buffalo Bayou & Tributaries Resiliency Study Interim Report Has Been Released  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District, has released an Interim Feasibility Report for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study to identify actions that can be taken to reduce flooding. Since Buffalo Bayou is an essential community asset that cuts through the heart of Houston and has a major impact on parks, it is imperative that you get involved in the process so that the best outcome can result. To access the report, please click here.  Here Is How You Can Help: 1. Please follow the instructions linked here to register and make plans to attend one of the information sessions to learn more:        - Thursday, October 22nd from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM        - Monday, October 26th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2. Please send comments (no later than November 2, 2020) to BBTRS@usace.army.mil or by mail to:  USACE, Galveston District, ATTN: BBTRS P.O. Box 1229 Galveston, TX, 77553 3. Please ask the USACE to extend the public comment period to December 31, 2020. 4. Please ask the USACE to release all models and data that USACE used or relied on to analyze the different alternatives and form the conclusions in the Interim Report.     Thank you for your willingness to engage on an issue that is important to Houston Parks Board and to our broader community!

[j_cuevas713]

15 hours ago, hindesky said:

The USACE Buffalo Bayou & Tributaries Resiliency Study Interim Report Has Been Released  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Galveston District, has released an Interim Feasibility Report for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study to identify actions that can be taken to reduce flooding. Since Buffalo Bayou is an essential community asset that cuts through the heart of Houston and has a major impact on parks, it is imperative that you get involved in the process so that the best outcome can result. To access the report, please click here.  Here Is How You Can Help: 1. Please follow the instructions linked here to register and make plans to attend one of the information sessions to learn more:        - Thursday, October 22nd from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM        - Monday, October 26th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2. Please send comments (no later than November 2, 2020) to BBTRS@usace.army.mil or by mail to:  USACE, Galveston District, ATTN: BBTRS P.O. Box 1229 Galveston, TX, 77553 3. Please ask the USACE to extend the public comment period to December 31, 2020. 4. Please ask the USACE to release all models and data that USACE used or relied on to analyze the different alternatives and form the conclusions in the Interim Report.     Thank you for your willingness to engage on an issue that is important to Houston Parks Board and to our broader community!

Welp here we go. Is the canal finally happening?

[wilcal]

49 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said:

Welp here we go. Is the canal finally happening?

 

Quote

North Canal through Downtown Houston bypass was dropped from consideration due to the City of Houston pursuing this on their own. Cost estimates for diversions ranged from $243,000,000 to $328,000,000.

 

From page 113. Ummm... wat?!? Since when does the city have a quarter billion to do this when the federal government would pay?

 

It's listed in the alternative 6 which is being listed as the "most cost effective structural plan" so it does sound like it's going to happen. 

 

I  may be reading this wrong, but the Alternative 8 Combo Plan which builds a cypress creek dam & reservoir and does the 49 miles of Buffalo Bayou improvements for $5 to $7 billion is the best bang for the buck?

[Houston19514]

59 minutes ago, wilcal said:

 

 

From page 113. Ummm... wat?!? Since when does the city have a quarter billion to do this when the federal government would pay?

 

 

Just because the City is handling the project doesn't mean the federal government is not paying for it.   I'm pretty sure the City is using federal funds for the North Canal project.