Category Archives: Elsewhere in Houston

I mentioned before the talk Joel Kotkin gave to the Greater Houston Partnership recently, and wondered when we’d hear more about it from Tory Gattis. That answer came in Sunday’s op-ed pages, where Tory wrote one of the longer submitted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This is cool. Under a proposal from the Hermann Park Conservancy and the Houston City Council’s quality-of-life committee, the little train could be getting a $4 million upgrade, with new tracks and trains, a new train station and three new … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Though I had already concluded it was the case that the West 11th Street Park was out of the woods, it was still nice to see this post from Jeff Balke, which I had missed during my enforced home Internet … Continue reading → Continue reading →

To I-10 and Shepherd in the next few months. Beatles statues are now up at Sculpturworx on Summer Street near Sawyer in west Houston and they were created by a man who’s left his mark on other parts of southeast … Continue reading → Continue reading →

If I’d known that stina was going to find all these pictures of the temporary arthouse construction, I might not have bothered to take one myself. Well, okay, I probably would have anyway, since we all know I like taking … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following is a press release from the Houston Area Women’s Center: June 7,2007, Houston – Today State Representative Ellen Cohen announced that she will retire from her role as President and CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center effective … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Back in March, we heard about a proposal before City Council to grant tax abatements to commercial buildings deemed “historic”. Yesterday, Council passed that ordinance. The council approved a permanent, 100 percent tax abatement for commercial structures whose owners accept … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This is very cool. So as I’ve mentioned a few times, one of my best friends is co-owner of a construction company called Numen Development that uses shipping containers as the basis for their structures. Three months ago, they got … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Stories like this just make me shake my head. Linda A. Ballew spent four nights in the Harris County Jail for ignoring court orders related to a long-running dispute about her overgrown lawn before she finally agreed to cut the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Why does this article about Joel Kotkin’s talk to the Greater Houston Partnership give me an after-school special vibe? Just be yourself, Houston. That was the essence of the message delivered to the Greater Houston Partnership on Tuesday by urban … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Happy birthday to one of the best things about Houston. The Menil Collection is a serene gem in the heart of this boisterous city. To see its quiet presence on green lawns and surrounded by large trees, you might not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s harder than you think to get a drink in Brazoria County. Counties, cities or justice-of-the-peace precincts can be, by local-option election, totally wet, totally dry or anywhere in between. It’s all up to local voters. Roy Hale, of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The Astrodome Redevelopment crew, who missed a March 31 deadline to demonstrate that they had private financing lined up, then got an extension till the end of May, managed to put something together this time. “We felt like we complied” … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Just when you thought it was safe to celebrate the salvation of the West 11th Street Park, you find out that there may be another bullet to dodge. About a week ago, I posted a press release from Senator John … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Houstonist reminds us that the deadline for submitting entries for the 600 Sq Mi photo show is tomorrow (Friday), June 1, at 11:59 PM CDT. 600 sq mi is a juried exhibition of photos from Houston. We’re leaving it up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Miya Shay reports that the effort by Sen. Kyle Janek to make the Astrodome redevelopment project eligible for certain tax rebates may not make it through after all. With all that’s happening in the House, if this wasn’t a sure … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Assuming we do eventually get a budget passed, it looks like it will contain a provision to pay off the debt for the West 11th Street Park. Jeff Balke has the details. Major kudos to Sen. John Whitmire for making … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Last week, I noted that State Sen. Kyle Janek had amended HB3694 to qualify the Astrodome hotel redevelopment project for some tax rebates, for the purpose of helping it to get financing, which has proven elusive so far. The amended … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The end is near for the River Oaks Shopping Center. Preservationists gathered at a city hall trying to block the renovation of the historic River Oaks Shopping Center. The shopping center is 70 years-old and for generations it has been … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Back in December, a deal was struck between the Woodlands and the city of Houston to take future annexation off the table in return for financial considerations. That deal depended on the Lege passing bills to make it happen. That … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I like this. As development drives up land prices and neighborhood leaders beg for more green space, city officials are preparing to create Houston’s first dedicated source of public funds to acquire land for parks. An ordinance that would require … Continue reading → Continue reading →

From my Inbox: ATTENTION ANIMAL LOVERS The Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC) and their Chief, Kent Robertson, would like to invite YOU, to a meeting this Sunday, MAY 20TH AT 11 AM in the admin. building meeting room … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I love having an excuse to run this picture: Lisa Gray looks at my favorite development project and wonders if it really will – or even can – be all that. Sonoma itself doesn’t seem concerned about even the shallowest … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Houstonist brings the latest update on the River Oaks Shopping Center redevelopment: Weingarten Realty Investors, which owns all three properties, on Monday began the process to get approval to demolish the curved section of the River Oaks center on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

When last we looked, there was talk of Harris County being the financier for the proposed Astrodome Hotel, as private financing had not come through. Now there may be another public avenue for the project, thanks to the Legislature. Sen. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I took Olivia to her first Art Car Parade yesterday. She really enjoyed it, as did I. It’s a great event, one of the things that really makes Houston what it is. It’s grown phenominally in recent years, and with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

A month ago, Weingarten officially announced its plans for the River Oaks Shopping Center. And now today is the last day there for the Three Brothers Bakery. “We got a phone call from Weingarten (the property owner) that we need … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Only in Houston… In a city with trillions of American cockroaches, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has agreed to pay a quarter per bug — up to 1,000 — as it seeks to populate a new insect exhibit alongside … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Lisa Gray uses her new column space to make a plea for saving the River Oaks Theater, River Oaks Shopping Center, and Alabama Bookstop. Yes, it’s a long shot — but it’s not too late for one of those “win-win” … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This does not sound good. Those who are raising funds to purchase 5 acres of the West 11th Street Park have until August. That’s the time that has been estimated the Houston Parks Board should post the land for sale … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Or, failing that, HAHC preserve us, with the “us” being the River Oaks Shopping Center, the River Oaks theater and Alabama Theater/Bookstop. Betty Chapman, who chairs the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, said Tuesday the commission will vote on whether … Continue reading → Continue reading →

For your perusal, here’s the letter of intent from the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation to the city of Houston concerning their proposal to buy the land on which they now sit and which they now lease. Most of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Just because I never get tired of this picture: Nancy Sarnoff has another update on my current favorite real estate project (see here for the previous installment). The developers of a controversial mixed-use project in Rice Village kicked off an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Now that the situation with the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation has been essentially settled, the question becomes what about other nonprofits with similar leases? What the nonprofits have in common is their lease agreement with the city of … Continue reading → Continue reading →