The encampment under Louisiana St. (shown above) was dismantled earlier today; a reader sends both now-you-see-it and now-you-don’t shots. The camp was previously tucked above the south bank of Buffalo Bayou, about halfway between Sesquicentennial Park and Allen’s Landing.
The removal appears to have been carried out by workers for Houston First, responsible for maintenance of public venues such as Miller Outdoor Theater and the George R. Brown Convention Center, along with a list of downtown parks that includes Sesquicentennial and the Sabine Promenade. Houston First also works on marketing and branding for the venues (and more generally for “the Houston product”) in partnership with the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Here’s what the spot looked like after today’s clear-out:
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A truck at the scene laden with belongings bears the Houston First logo in the photo below:
A west-facing shot from the nearby Smith St. bridge, with the Bayou Lofts building on Franklin St. in the background:
- Previously on Swamplot:Â The Secret Homeless Caves Under Downtown
Photos: Christine Wilson via Swamplot inbox
Without a careful reading, it’s easy to miss that what they did was to kick out homeless people living (not camping) under the bridge. One photo shows their meager belongings in trash bags. Were they thrown away? And what happened to the people?
Living denotes some sort of ownership (outright or through rental agreement). Sleeping outside on public land is pretty much the exact definition of ‘camping’.
I’m not losing much sleep that the homeless got the boot from under that bridge – they will be back. Like the Borg, resistance is futile. They can out-wait the Houston First crews.
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Plus, that newly scrubbed area under the bridge may as well hang a sign that says: “Welcome to New Homeless Housing! No lease required!”
If these “Houston First” folks remove Houstonians’ belongings without their permission, they may start to feel unwelcome, and move elsewhere. Does part of promoting the “Houston Brand” entail making Houstonians uncomfortable in their homes? What is the ultimate goal of Houston First? Promote tourism? Increase population? More jobs? More mattress stores?
bummer, always enjoyed the interesting change and urban feel that occurred as you approached this end of the bank. was always the kids favorite with the random cats, but I know they won’t go far.
There are other options in Houston for the homeless beside setting up camp under a park bridge. That being said, it is still a sad scene for “progress”.
Good. If they could continue on to Westheimer, that would be awesome.
These are not homeless families down on their luck (those people have chosen better options), these are vagrants, professional panhandlers, and criminals. When the society provides numerous ways out of the situation and they still CHOOSE to be the varmint, then the only option left for society is punishment and isolation.
Not too long ago, I had to study the “homeless migration patterns” downtown for work , when we were looking at purchasing a downtown property, by the bayou. I was informed that we have 3 kinds of homeless in Houston. The ones in the shelters that refrain from drugs and alcohol and try to get back on their feet. The ones that panhandle to get money for drugs and booze and live on their own. And last, the near feral ones that live down by the bayou. They are said to be nocturnal and more animal than man. Like a centaur, but they smell worse.
“@sylvester If these “Houston First†folks remove Houstonians’ belongings without their permission, they may start to feel unwelcome, and move elsewhere. Does part of promoting the “Houston Brand†entail making Houstonians uncomfortable in their homes? What is the ultimate goal of Houston First? Promote tourism? Increase population? More jobs? More mattress stores?”
an overpass is not a home, and the city needs to address this issue citywide, along with the bums (yes , I said bums, homeless people have many options for help in this city, but bums would rather panhandle on the street corner) , it has been getting out of hand for sometime, families should not have to witness taking a dump next to a tree in a city owned park…..
GOOD! This area is not for camping and keeps trail users from exploring beyond.
The old coffee building at Allen’s Landing is getting close to completion. Once it is done, a lot more people will be using the trail between the new improvements at Sabine and the coffee building. It is simply a matter of public safety to keep homeless from camping out in this area. It is too easy to attack someone under the bridge without anyone seeing the attack or hearing cries for help.
I worked immediately next tot hat intersection for 4 years. No love lost for CONSTANTLY being hit up for money, stepping over human waste and witnessing drugged out behavior.
@commonsense spewing some common sense! So many of these folks hang out in Main Street Square during the day. Anything to get them out of downtown is a good decision! Feb. 2017 can’t come soon enough.
@texmex01 “families should not have to witness taking a dump next to a tree in a city owned park…..”.
So now you are against organic fertilizer too…geeeze- some people…
I rode my bike along the bayou on Christmas Day, as I drove by that encampment, the smell of urine, filled the air.
I’m torn about this. As a bike rider, I get a little frightened when I stumble upon some people who have disconnected so thoroughly from polite society. They lack many of the usual constraints that stop us from doing unspeakable things to each other.
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On the other hand, peeking into their lives as I ride by always provided a bit of a thrill, not to mention a kind of warning about letting myself disconnect further from polite society. It added flavor to otherwise boring multi-use paths.
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To have my cake and eat it too, Houston First should replace the real hobos with animatronic simulacra. Sort of a Bayou City version of “Pirates of the Caribbean”. They could be seen defecating, shooting up, threatening, etc., but all without the smell.
@memebag; hehehe! Ohh you crack me up on here sometimes. Thx.