Category Archives: Elsewhere in Houston

KHOU was the first to report on the story of the Crowne Plaza implosion mystery, in which a shadow in video taken just before the big boom have led to questions about whether a person might have entered the place. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Did you miss the Crowne Plaza implosion this weekend? Well, have no fear. Swamplot is there for you, with pictures, videos, reader reports, and links to more pictures. And if that isn’t enough for you, HouStoned has more. It would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Almost two years after the last days of Kaplan’s-Ben Hur, the site of the onetime historic department store is being turned into an apartment complex. A $30 million apartment complex under construction on a century-old commercial site in the Heights … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Couple points of interest regarding this story about the quandary county officials find themselves in with the Astrodome Redevelopment/Texans and Rodeo dispute: The court will wait until January before voting on whether to allow Astrodome Redevelopment Corp. to go forward … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Previously, we learned that the Harris County Attorney was researching whether or not Commissioners Court could approve the Astrodome Redevelopment plans over the objections of the Texans and the Rodeo. Now we have the answer to that question. The Houston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

That sound you hear is another nail being hammered into the coffin of the Astrodome Hotel/Convention Center plan. Texans owner Bob McNair opposes the most recent plan to redevelop the Astrodome because it conflicts with the team’s lease that gives … Continue reading → Continue reading →

According to Matt Stiles, the Anti-Bissonnet High-Rise ordinance was on the agenda for City Council today. Well, sort of. As the council convenes today, though, it seems likely that the measure could be delayed for as long as three months. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Wanna see a building implode? Sure you do – who wouldn’t? Well, you’re in luck, because one is going to meet its maker this weekend in such a fashion. Swamplot has the details. At 7:10 on November 11th, the Crowne … Continue reading → Continue reading →

We knew that the Saint Arnold brewery was looking for new digs, and that they had their eye on a place north of downtown. Now Nancy Sarnoff informs us that they may have been successful in their pursuit of that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Tory sees three possible ways that the Reliant and Rodeo versus Astrodome Redevelopment battle can be won by the Dome folks. 1. ARC finds a way to throw enough money at them they drop their opposition 2. Public outrage at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The Chron editorialized yesterday in favor of the proposed anti-Bissonnet High Rise ordinance, echoing some familiar themes along the way. If the public works director determines that the development would excessively impact traffic in the area, city officials could force … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following is from State Rep. Jessica Farrar: Please Support the Naming of the Joe Moreno Community Center On May 6, 2005, I lost a great friend and Texas lost a hero. When Representative Joe Moreno passed away, he left … Continue reading → Continue reading →

You won’t see this again any time soon: That’s because according to Houstonist, the old building on Bolsover where that sign was has now been torn down. I did a driveby yesterday and confirmed it, as well as the fact … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Following up on yesterday’s announcement that the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo had come out against the Astrodome Redevelopment plan, here’s today’s Chron story, with more details. Scott Hanson, president of Astrodome Redevelopment, held out hope that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Here’s an obstacle that the Astrodome Redevelopment folks may not be able to clear: The Texans and Houston rodeo officials came out today in opposition of plans to turn the iconic Reliant Astrodome into an upscale hotel and convention center … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following is from an email sent out by State Rep. Jessica Farrar: Halloween is right around the corner. That means kids of all ages will be dressing up and looking to have fun with family and friends this Wednesday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Via Swamplot, I learn about two big construction projects going on near where I work. First, at OST and Kirby, a short walk from my office: On Old Spanish Trail at Kirby, where Target and Garden Ridge used to be, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

In a sense, this is surprising, and in a sense, it’s not. Mayor Bill White’s administration has proposed an ordinance that could require developers to reduce the size of a planned high-rise building that’s ignited a bitter dispute over what’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This is the best comment I’ve seen on the Bissonnet high rise situation: If you’ve seen one of the ubiquitous yard signs in the area, you’ll get the joke. This sign was on a telephone pole at Shepherd and Bissonnet. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The good news. After three years of hard work by members of the Avondale Historic Committee, Houston City Council has approved Avondale West as the city’s ninth historic district. It is the second historic for Montrose. The Avondale East Historic … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following is via email from Leigh Hollins of the Old Sixth Ward Neighborhood Association: The Old Sixth Ward’s Annual Victorian Houston Home Tour is THIS SUNDAY, Oct 21, from 12:30 – 5:30 pm. Tickets are available the day of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Here’s some more info about the Kirby widening compromise that was reached recently. Trees for Houston, the city of Houston and two Upper Kirby District groups outlined a plan leaders from each group said would save as many trees and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following comment was left in this entry about a West U Examiner story claiming that the Bissonnet high rise was about by members of the Southampton Civic Club in 2005: Contrary to claims by a neighborhood paper, the Southampton … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Very interesting…according to the West U Examiner, the much-derided Bissonnet high rise has been known about (by some people, anyway) since 2005. The Examiner has obtained e-mails to members of the [Southampton] Civic Club legal committee — dating back as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Missed this on Friday – the Upper Kirby dispute has been resolved with a compromise that appears to be acceptable to everyone involved. A compromise plan for the Kirby Drive drainage and redevelopment project received a generally positive response from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

My kudos to the headline writer for coming up with “Faulty tower”. Showing appropriate leadership, Mayor Bill White supports opponents of the tower. The mayor recognizes the desire of many Houstonians to move closer to their work, which will add … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ve been writing a lot about various demolitions going on around town lately, so here’s a change of pace for you. Almost two years ago, in January of 2006, the old Ed Sacks Waste Paper company at 440 Studemont, right … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I took that picture on Tuesday afternoon (an earlier version, before the wreckers made it to the Allen Parkway side of things, is here). When I drove past Allen House yesterday, it and everything else in the block bounded by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Remember the bullet that was fired into the KPFT studio a few weeks back? If you know anything about who did it, you can collect a reward. An anonymous donor has enabled Crime Stoppers to double the possible reward for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s not a “media event” without the media, so here’s Miya’s coverage of the neighborhood protest against the Bissonnet high rise. They certainly succeeded in their mission to draw attention to their cause. They’ve also succeeded in the more important … Continue reading → Continue reading →

How serious are the opponents of the Bissonnet high rise? Serious enough to hire a high-powered attorney. Residents of Southampton and Boulevard Oaks have hired trial lawyer Rusty Hardin to help them oppose a 23-story high-rise proposed for the corner … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Recently, I said that demolition was imminent for Allen House. Last week, the imminent arrived: That’s a view from the rear of the section that faces Dunlavy. Click on and you’ll see that at least between Dunlavy and Tirrell on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Apparently the recent uproar over the Bissonnet high rise has led to some talk involving a certain forbidden word in Houston. “We’re not going to have zoning,” City Controller Annise Parker said flatly. “But we need to realistically look at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Mayor White has weighed in on the Bissonnet high rise that’s got residents up in arms. The city of Houston will use “any appropriate power under law” to alter a planned 23-story building that would tower over single-family homes in … Continue reading → Continue reading →