Tag Archives: construction

University Line FEIS filed

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Again via Swamplot, here’s another Examiner story about the current state of light rail construction, in this case the University line. The light rail alignment for Metro’s University route will require the acquisition of about 23 acres of land, much … Continue reading →

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A hippie bohemian flashback

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Remember this? Those were the days, my friends, those were the days. These days? Not so much. Three years ago, developers got the city to shut down Bolsover Street so they could build the seven-story complex, but those plans stopped … Continue reading →

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Public meeting for proposed IH-10 frontage roads on January 6

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from the most recent Citizens’ Transportation Coalition (CTC) email newsletter. Recognition that segment E of the proposed Grand Parkway is not “shovel ready” freed up more than $180 million of federal stimulus funding for other mobility projects. … Continue reading →

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Metro does historic preservation

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I was sent this press release about Metro workers getting some interesting training as they prepare to build the new light rail lines, and thought it was worth sharing. ‘Hardhat and blue collar’ was the dress code for training classes … Continue reading →

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More on Market Square

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back in October, we heard that the historic Market Square Park downtown was set to get a facelift. Now Nancy Sarnoff has a few details. The renovation will include an area for pets, art installations, a 9/11 Memorial garden and … Continue reading →

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A preview of the Uptown line

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot has a preview of the Uptown line as currently envisioned by Metro. The main focus of the Examiner story that Swamplot cites is the potential effect on vehicular traffic. Following the construction of the Uptown light rail line, Post … Continue reading →

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The new Saint Arnold brewery

Posted on October 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Opening today just north of downtown. [T]he 15-year-old craft brewery will debut to the public a new plant in a converted warehouse with fabulous views of downtown and easy freeway access. It’s the result of a $7.5 million renovation and … Continue reading →

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School construction update

Posted on October 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As I read this story about the progress of school construction authorized by the 2007 bond referendum, it strikes me that we picked a heck of a good time to do this. Piney Point is one of about 160 campuses … Continue reading →

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Once and again with the Ashby Highrise

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

There was a town hall meeting on Wednesday night on the status of the Ashby Highrise at Poe Elementary School just as there had been back in 2007 when the project first came up. Given that the developers have finally … Continue reading →

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Kirby storm drain construction update

Posted on September 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Times are tough all over for retailers. They’re especially tough when the street you’re on is all torn up. The four-phase project to install new storm drainage along Kirby Drive started in 2004. The latest round peeled back the asphalt … Continue reading →

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UTMB’s comeback

Posted on September 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is great to see. A bigger and better University of Texas Medical Branch is rising from the debris of Hurricane Ike, with more than $1 billion in repair, refurbishing and new construction under way or being planned. The UT … Continue reading →

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New light rail line begins service in Dallas

Posted on September 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I so look forward to the day when this story can be written for Houston. When the trains begin running today on the opening segment of DART’s new Green Line, the transit agency will unveil the longest expansion of light … Continue reading →

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Parents get their vote on HISD school construction projects

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The battle between a parents group and some HISD trustees had been waging with HISD Board President Larry Marshall over getting a vote for some school construction projects that the parents said had been promised during the 2007 bond referendum … Continue reading →

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Bonding Metro

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It wouldn’t be Metro if there weren’t drama. Metro has not obtained performance or payment bonds to cover all the planned construction of four new light rail lines, and some officials say that could put taxpayer dollars at risk. Metro … Continue reading →

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No vote from HISD on several school upgrades

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last week, I noted that a parents group and some HISD trustees were complaining about there not being a vote on three school construction projects that were promised as part of the 2007 bond referendum. Even though we now have … Continue reading →

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Ashby highrise approved

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you just heard was a massive freakout in the Southampton area. More than two years after they first applied, the developers of the Ashby high-rise will receive permits for a project that generated protests and a renewed debate … Continue reading →

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Crabb River Road and FM762

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Fort Bend County Commissioner Richard Morrison emailed me the following link from his blog: I am seeking the support of my neighbors in Greatwood, Tara, Canyon Gate, Bridlewood Estates, Brazos Lakes and Brazos Gardens to widen Crabb River Road and … Continue reading →

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Metro light rail groundbreaking

Posted on July 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Asa we know, today was groundbreaking day for Metro on the North and Southeast lines. Here’s the coverage I could find: an oddly negative story from KTRK, stories from Fox and KHOU, and a story from Texas Cable News that … Continue reading →

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Metro to break ground on North and Southeast lines

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Woo hoo! The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will be breaking ground July 13 on the next phase of the MetroRail. Metro will begin construction on the North rail corridor which will connect to the Red Line at the … Continue reading →

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Midtown not feeling the recession

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good to know some parts of town are still thriving. The recession seems to have forgotten about Midtown. A drive around the neighborhood reveals forgotten buildings undergoing restoration and new apartments being framed. This area between the Central Business District … Continue reading →

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Get ready to say good-bye to Wilshire Village

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot brings the sad but totally expected news. As noted in today’s Daily Demolition Report below, 20 structures of the Wilshire Village garden apartments at the corner of Alabama and Dunlavy received demolition permits yesterday. Aren’t there only 17 buildings … Continue reading →

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Intermodal Transit Center update

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot has a spiffy picture of the proposed Intermodal Transit Center on North Main, which last we checked may or may not actually get built. But we’ll always have the pretty pictures, whatever else may happen. Check it out.

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The squiggle

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So now we know that the new soccer stadium is likely to happen, even though Commissioners Court continues to take its sweet time about it. We know that the new light rail lines, including the Southeast and Harrisburg lines, are … Continue reading →

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More on Metro’s costs

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The West U Examiner ran a similar story to the one about Metro’s costs and critics last week, in which the same questions about the cost estimates were raised by the same critic. The basic points are identical, so there’s … Continue reading →

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Metro’s costs and critics

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I have two things to say about this story regarding different cost estimates for the construction of the four remaining light rail lines. The price tag for the city’s four new light rail lines will be: A) $1.46 billion; B) … Continue reading →

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Dynamo moving forward

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Dynamo Stadium has been in the works for a long time, but depending on how things go this month, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. [T]he Dynamo view this month as pivotal in their quest … Continue reading →

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Build it here, flood it there

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We can argue and debate all we want about where development should occur, and what responsibilities developers and governments have to protect flood plains and abate flooding and whatnot, but at the end of the day there’s a simple truth … Continue reading →

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The Freeland Historic District

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I drive down White Oak every day to take the girls to preschool, so I’ve been going past a bunch of houses that have signs with “save our bungalow” messages on them, but I wasn’t sure what all the fuss … Continue reading →

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From the “Silver Linings” department

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The economic downturn plus the housing market crash means there’s never been a better time for local governments to bid out construction projects, with more contractors than usual getting involved and competing on price. The increased competition has cut costs … Continue reading →

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Council OKs TIRZ deal for Regent Square

Posted on April 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The deal to jumpstart Regent Square, the idle development on Allen Parkway, was approved by City Council yesterday. The program, approved unanimously by City Council, will reimburse the developer of Regent Square — a 4-million-square-foot community that will abut Allen … Continue reading →

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Dynamo Stadium funding almost secured

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Another step forward for Dynamo Stadium. Dynamo ownership has all but secured all of the financing needed for the construction of an $80-million soccer stadium just east of downtown and plans to break ground on the project as early as … Continue reading →

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A better idea for the Grand Parkway

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

If we must build the Grand Parkway Segment E, then this would be a far more preferable way to do it. Probably less expensive, too.

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For the money, I sure hope so

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

News flash: Travel times on the newly-expanded Katy Freeway have improved. The expansion of 23 miles of roadway along the Katy was completed in October. The $2.8 billion project took five years to complete and added 18 lanes between the … Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court OKs Grand Parkway Segment E work

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an agreement to build and maintain a segment of the Grand Parkway connecting the Katy Freeway and U.S. 290, but questions over what would happen if the county ultimately decided the … Continue reading →

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