MAYOR PARKER TO WALMART: START TALKING “This is not yet a done deal. The property has been assembled for a major retail venture. When that moves forward, there will be careful review for impact on traffic, mobility and city infrastructure. I encourage Wal-Mart, or any other retailer interested in the property, to open dialogue with the Greater Heights and Washington Avenue Super Neighborhoods 15 and 22 as well as other neighborhood groups and civic clubs in that area.” [Hair Balls; previously on Swamplot]
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Interesting that she gives the neibghborhoods the power that the City
Charter does not. No doubt we will have another lawsuit the taxpayers have to pay for as a result of “Southampton Syndrome.”
Of course if Wal-Mart were a campaign contributor, well, that would be different…
ie, let me see what rules i can bend/adjust to illegally force wal-mart to bend over to community demands and jeopardise the credibility of the city administration and use of taxpayers money.
but actually, from the look of that comment she’s already on board with this development.
It’s horrifying to think that a business would have to actually have to work with neighbors who will be living with their presence for a long, long time. The next thing you know, people will start thinking that as citizens they have some stake in the city they live in, and a right to participate and influence its future! What kind of crazy society would we be then?
The mayor better be careful. With Target just down the road with a similar traffic scenario as this proposed Wal-Mart, penalizing Wal-Mart would be seen as unfair an unequal application of the rules.
It seems to me that she is simply encouraging them to work with the neighbors. And I think that is an excellent suggestion since they are their potential customers.
How about Annise Parker encouraging a company to take over that site that actually makes something and could use the adjacent rail line to ship American made goods while providing good paying jobs , instead of rolling over for another outpost of Made in China Inc®© selling a bunch of crap that Houstonians can buy at dozens of other locations withing a 5 minute drive?
My hubby and I both took note when Parker gave a big shout out to Walmart after the Pat Green concert and fireworks Monday night. And the local community wasn’t hip on those new feeder roads going in around that new Walmart location. But somehow, the concrete got approved for “flood abatement”. Just your typical itchy scratchy.
Parker is just having to hedge her bets with her Heights-area big dollar contributors. Playing both sides of the field.
Wonder who’ll win this one? I smell lots of money flying through the air.
Oh, here’s an idea – how about we use that land to make some of those wonderful wind turbines that dot the Texas landscape and provide us with clean power instead of importing them from Germany and France, and suckling harder of the teat of Big Oil and fouling our ocean?
Scott, grow up. The Houston region is the leader in the U.S. in producing the wind turbine blades, towers, and infrastructure to link the systems to the grid.
North America has three manufactures with two in the US. Unfortuanately, GE has so much influence on both parties in Washington that it’s really hard for other companies to form and get into business.
For those that oppose this Wal-Mart: let Wal-Mart know about the mayor’s push to make the Heights a Protected Historic District and to create many new ones in the area. It will kill their market research that is justifying this purchase. The inevitable stagnation and degradation of the income base of the area when this Historic District Ordinance change is enacted will surely make them think again about making the investment.
1. Walmart will survive even if vehemently opposed by the Heights residents. (I will keep the survival rate of roaches comment to myself)
2. The opening of the lanes from Shepherd to Taylor was a project that was shovel ready and able to be done due to stimulus funds, not to lure Walmart. HEB considered this property as well.
3. It appears this won’t be a Walmart superstore but a Walmart Grocery store thereby eliminating the nasty traffic the Walmart box stores create.
4. I will never shop at Walmart, and were it north of the freeway, I’d be jumping on the bandwagon to keep them out, but this is not in a historic district or even a historic area not yet designated, unless you consider ugly, poorly-built-in-2009 railroad sided townhouses historic.
@ John
Many people I talked to in the West End are utterly opposed to this Walmart. This development will take away (or increase traffic tremedously) on one of our only ways out of our neighborhoods that connects us to Heights and Washington ave with the closure of many railroad crossings. Besides all the people in the neighborhood are worried about their propoerty values falling because of a major retail development in a mainly residential neighborhood. And no I am not talking about shoddy townhouses next to recycle center and railroad. You should drive around in the neighborhood and talk to people who live there. The hood is not it used to be 6-7 years ago.
@ kjb434
Big difference! Target was not built in the middle or next to a mainly residential neighborhood. This proposed Walmart is being built in the middle of a West End neighborhood!
Irfan,
How do you figure that?
There are MANY homes just east of Target within visible range at the entrance. Many old and new ones.
The Target area is just like the proposed Wal-Mart location of industrial with adjacent residential and the industrial is being removed to add commercial. They are identical.
Are we talking the same location?
This walmart location is across the street from the Art Car Museum, sandwiched between apartments and the railroad tracks which are right before the Antique Depot which is next to a barbecue joint, a pub type bar and a car wash?
And I think the little bungalows may have had a similar complaint 6 or 7 years ago when the townhouses started moving into West End.
@ EMME
There is a West End neighborhood behind the proposed Walmart location which uses Koehler as it’s way out of the neighborhood to the heights & Washington since the closure of railway tracks. The neighborhood is full of townhouses and patio homes and some remaining older houses*. (*Most of old houses that are rentals in the area were bought with cash by developers in the early to mid-90s and are renting them back to former owners ever since. Some get torn down for newer dwellings when the developers are ready.)
@ kjb434
The second part to the above is the other neighborhood can only be access thru Harvard St because of railway tracks. Hence this puts the Walmart smack in the middle of two neighborhoods. Granted there is Yale & Heights in between, but no current development is big and monstrous enough to creat massive problems for the neighborhoods.
This is a pretty big difference to Target which only have one neighborhood meeting up one side.
Oh yeah, the bong shop and the gas station convenience store on either side of the Art Car Museum.
Many people I talked to in the West End are opposed to many people in the West End.
@Irfan
I moved to the West End in 1990 and have lived in the area or nearby since that date. You are correct the neighborhood has changed dramatically. I miss the roosters crowing in the morning. :-)
I agree residents of the West End should be concerned about falling property prices, but not because Wal-Mart built on an empty plot of land that had previously been utilized for industrial purposes.
The “shoddy” townhomes you mention will bring down the property values as they deteriorate from lack of maintenance and turn into rental properties. The poorly constructed townhomes can be found throughout the neighborhood, not just by the railroad tracks.
Emme, how could you forget the bong shop? Oh, never mind.
@EMME – There is pretty much no way this is a WalMart neighborhood market. They are usually about 42K sq ft and this is 152 sq ft. We are also concerned about pad sites here, as they will be part of the plan too. Look forward to a cash advance store! There is a chance they may try one of the new urban cool versions with a few more organics and beige colors, but it would be putting lipstick on a pig. I think the Neighborhood market would have met far less protest, but I don’t think it is going to happen.
Get over it, aside from those apartments (which are well maintained, and homes to a lot of working people) there is almost nothing there but an empty lot. To call that a neighborhood is a mighty big stretch, akin to calling todays rain a monsoon. If traffic is your concern so be it, this thinly veiled neighborhood business is people drawing for straws over what more than likely amounts to nothing more than social stigmas. Coming from a very liberal perspective, let your shopping dollars do your talking…
Oh no! Not the bong shop! Leave my favorite mom and pop businesses alone Walmart!
Anybody got any cheetos?
@EMME
I believe you are talking about the site first mentioned here on Swamplot, the small piece of property across the street from the Art Car Museum.
That was corrected in a later piece here, to indicate the site is one block to the west, on the site of the old steel manufacturer.
@Irfan in fact the Target WAS built in the middle of a residential area. The area around Target was mixed use- some residences, some industrial. Many homes were demolished to make room for the Target.
That said, there are some significant differences: the biggest that I see is that the area surrounding the Target has been redeveloped to support it, the streets have been widened, and also, the Target is right on I10. The proposed Walmart site is NOT right on the freeway, so access will be through the neighborhoods. Big difference.
@ Irfan
I can’t figure out why that comment was addressed to me.
cough cough….gee, if Houston just had zoning?!?!!? :)
priscilla,
Wal-Mart call completely rebuild and widens streets for their stores, the site plan also shows direct access to the new feeder road with a side street being rebuilt an widen.
Gee kjb434, all of us here at Swamplot thank you for your continual brain fount of brilliance.
The point I made was valid, Houstonians should encourage establishing real industry on the site of a former steel foundry, not another Walmart that nobody needs. If not wind turbines than there are other New Energy technologies to explore.
Also,
Zoning wouldn’t have done anything to stop this. This is a commercial/industrial area to begin with being replaced with retail commercial.
No zoning board (unless they have a misplaced anger for Walmart) would deny the development.
Scott,
A wind turbine factory that would employ 100 people or a Wal-Mart that would employ 500+? Which is better for the local economy?
A wind turbine factory that would generate little in sales revenue versus a retail establishment? Especially Walmart which has shown successful every time one is built. Which is better for the local economy?
A wind turbine factory that would have lower property value than a retail commercial establishment? Which is better for the local economy?
The taxing jurisdictions all make out much better in this situation which is better for the citizens.
Distress over architectural continuity, development style, and big box stores have little impact on the community at large.
@ kjb
Traditional zoning would not have stopped it. Form-based zoning would. “Zoning” covers a lot of types of codes, and in intent, our deed restrictions are a form of zoning, although of course we’re not allowed to call them that.
As for the jobs – 100 good jobs at a manufacturing facility vs 500 low-wage no-benefit jobs that may in fact impose a burden on the community? (Think of the ongoing battles between the state of Maryland and Wal-Mart – so many of Wal-Mart’s Maryland employees receive state benefits because their wages are so low that the state correctly figured out that Wal-Mart’s employement practices were a way for the company to get subsidies from the state.)
John, low-wage jobs attract low-skilled persons who otherwise would have had fewer economic opportunities and an excess of time. There are lots of ways in which that works out better for neighborhoods than the alternative.
Also, if Wal-Mart legally exploiting a loophole in Maryland then that only means that Maryland’s statesmen suck at their jobs. It certainly does not follow that a Wal-Mart in Texas will take advantage of Maryland laws to screw Texans.
I have nothing against low wage jobs. I do have a problem with an employer who pays their employees less than a living wage, knowing that the state will pick up the difference because of a general public intolerance of children living in poverty or people dying because of lack of access to health care.
While you’re thinking about the ineptitude of Maryland’s government, you might ask why Texas has a poverty rate more than double that of Maryland. Clearly, it’s the poor performance of that state’s politicians that leads to fewer people being poor there. Maybe if we really strive here in Texas, we can have even more poor people, and congratulate ourselves for our wisdom.
Consider also that other retailers manage to offer low wage jobs that provide those opportunities – jobs that are nearly identical to those offered by Wal-Mart – without becoming a drain on society.
I actually have less of a problem with Wal-Mart than a lot of my neighbors – my bigger complaint is the lost opportunity that putting a faux-suburban bit of crap in an urban neighborhood represents – but it’s hard not to recognize their parasitic relationship with many of the communities where they do business.
There is a lot of interesting info out there about Walmart’s labor practices, as well as their impact on wages and social services in the communities where they are located. On balance, I vote for Scott’s turbine factory, a decent grocery store, or anything but Walmart.
http://wakeupwalmart.com/downloads/factsheets/wmt-and-wages.pdf
NorhillJoe,
I’ve interviewed a few long-time residents from West End and they have all enjoyed the increased quality of life in the area. I haven’t lived in WE for that long, so I cannot comment.
They have told me that gangs, drugs and prostitution were RAMPANT as early as 5 years ago. I’m not going to say those elements don’t exist any more, but have decreased DRAMATICALLY since development has occurred.
Can you concur?
I’d say the westend has improved, but I still find it a pretty seedy area. There is a definite reason there is an HPD patrol always in the center street/patterson area. Until you’ve had someone come up to your car and knock on your window for change while you’re waiting for the train to cross you juust haven’t lived, though I did comply as he was riding a pink girls/childrens bike, turns out he’s a nice guy and always says hello at Vallero to us. But you’ll still see very young children running the streets, that should be at home, you’ll still see the baggy pants thugs, and the chinos and wife beaters, but aside from those stereotypes West End now respresents everything from “my crap doesn’t stink yuppies to I ride a pink barbie girls bike”. I’m all for diversity, but I know it won’t last…
Wal Mart sells bongs?
RE: Comments on the West End
-We moved to WE over two years ago, into a new construction, free standing home
-The quality of ‘main street’ style townhomes (5-6 homes on 2 lots with a shared driveway) is on the whole inexpensive, with nice appointments. They sell in the range of $200K-$250K
-From talking to my neighbors, its a split about 50/50 between those that own, and those that rent. Most owners are either single men, or young couples that want to remain in the city, closer to their jobs. most renters are of a similar background, or are students whose parents are helping them with their rent.
-The rest of the neighborhood can be generally categorized into two groups: home owners who have made their older homes their homestead. They care about the neighborhood, and the condition of their homes. And renters who are of lower income, living in run down homes that have fallen into disrepair. This also includes homes that have numerous migrant workers living there; There has been documented cases of 10+ people living in a 1500 sq. ft home
-The neighborhood has improved dramatically since we moved here, but there is still a very curt and obvious streak of crime; low level street drug dealing and prostitution are still very rampant, as is auto theft, and general thievery. Essentially, anything not bolted down can be stolen
-Additionally, many of the renters that do not have a stake in their properties (students, young adults) are involved in binge partying, which end up disrupting the neighborhood on a weekly basis. On numerous occasions, Police have been called for disruptive behaviour, assault, etc. On numerous occasions, I’ve witnessed vandalized street signs, and trash dumped in streets and in ditches from, and in front of the rental houses.
-Its my opinion that the only way we improve the situation is for people to care about the neighborhood, and in my experience over the last 2.5 years, the only people that care are the people that own their homes. These are the folks that look to their home’s appearance, and partake in the civic club, etc.
-These are also the folks that fear what a WalMart, butted up against our homes, will do to the neighborhood value, and what progress we have begun to make already.
And to my knowledge, WalMart only sells bongs that are made in China … so yes, they can potentially undercut 420 … and the art car museum by selling Chinese imported supplies to make your Hyundai into an art car … they also sell BBQ sauce cheaper as well, so Hickory Hollow is in trouble.
Heights Hickory Hollow can’t hold a candle to the original location near the horse track in NW Houston; apparently they’re content being mediocre. And no Wally world does not sell paraphenalia, unless you consider scales drug related…
Just a few thoughts on all the comments:
Last time I checked Maryland does not share a border w/ Mexico hence fewer poor folks walk into Maryland.
While I agree the area (and the entire USA) could do without Walmart, thinking any manufacturing business would pay retail land prices is just plain silly. You do know that prime freeway frontage land costs a wee bit more than a tract w/ rail access in Pasadena, LaPorte, etc.
“I do have a problem with an employer who pays their employees less than a living wage, knowing that the state will pick up the difference because of a general public intolerance of children living in poverty or people dying because of lack of access to health care.”
This is the reason I would never shop at WalMart and the reason I would protest its presence. But to call it an interloper to an historic district is an insult to real historic districts. Call it what it is, but don’t call it a detriment to the area.
I must be stoned because I agree with kjb on several points above.
I mean don’t call it a detriment to the area based on it’s being a box store. It’s detriment is simply that it is WalMart.
I don’t know cm, how big are the scales?
Just kidding again!
Honest, I really do not do drugs. It would mess up my wine buzz.
I kid, I kid! :-)
EMME I totally agree, except for the stoned part. :)
a Wal-Mart does indeed drain jobs from the area:
http://davisretail.org/Target/articles/Jobs.pdf
The net impact is a loss of 180 jobs.
I worry less about the people/traffic drawn to this new WalMart than most of the detractors. It may become the healthy, busy spot for beach-goers to fill their ice chests with beer and soda before the big day out.
[Certainly it won’t become a hooker-haven or pot depot.]
All I’m concerned about is that once a place is paved, once an exit is upgraded, once commercial growth is a fore-gone conclusion to everybody concerning an area, THERE’S NO GOING BACK. Precedent established.
[Zoning is good.]
Wal-Mart has the highest number and percentage of employees on CHIPs* compared to other large companies – see rest of list here: http://goodjobsfirst.org/pdf/texaschip.pdf
Children’s Health Insurance Program (children’s medicaid)
Gotcha,
The job loss may occur in a smaller populated region, but in Houston it’s likely to have little if any impact at all.
As for having kids on chip: Many of the Wal-Mart opposers appear to be of left mindset which is generally pro-government run healthcare. So isn’t this a plus? Isn’t Wal-Mart supporting the vision of the government providing healthcare.
And the reality is that ALL businesses wouldn’t mind unloading it’s employees from healthcare coverage. From a strictly monetary perspective, it’s a no brainer. Costco and any other retail chain you guys hold above Wal-Mart will drop all it’s employees health coverage as soon as the healthcare legislation comes into effect.
Has anybody checked the Stop Heights WalMart Facebook page.
It’s a big source of comedy among the commenters. The core reason most of them don’t want it has to do with their bigotry and racism. They are making the Heights residents look really stupid right now. And I know many of the Heights residents don’t fall in this category at all.
Also throw on top all the silly claims they are making at how it’ll ruin the community.
It’s quite sad and funny!
From kjb434:
Has anybody checked the Stop Heights WalMart Facebook page…The core reason most of them don’t want it has to do with their bigotry and racism…Also throw on top all the silly claims they are making at how it’ll ruin the community.
It’s quite sad and funny!
_______________________
Actually it’s just quite sad. And Southampton Syndrome continues to spread throughout our community.
There is nothing wrong with some Governmental Health Care, every single country ahead of the US in terms of standard of living has some sort of Government run or Socialized Medicine. The Swiss must really have it bad. Most of my family is in the medical field, and they’re thrilled to know everyone will be getting care, and last I checked the Government will actually pay, unlike these days where 50-75% of medical bills are defaulted on and sold to bill collection agenicies at pennies on the dollar. The peace of mind of knowing there is health care available for everyone as needed, is well worth the cost to the American Taxpayer.
Take care of your own..
Then Wal-Mart shouldn’t be demonized for using a service the government offers. They should be lauded for helping their employees get it.
You’re on a roll, again agreed.
Matt & KJB
What is sad? The group is called ‘Stop the Heights Walmart’ … Dissenters that come into the group can be likened to folks who would walk into a Baptist Church on a Sunday morning, and scream ‘There is no Jesus!’ What do you expect is going to happen? Its 2000+ people that don’t want a Walmart in the community, and suddenly its sad because somehow we feel, because we’ve made an investment of our time, money, and effot, that we have a right to influence what types of business we do and don’t want in our vicinity.
cm your logic is quite flawed. The way the health care scam that is Obamascare has been designed and shoved down the throats of US taxpayers, it will not lead to anything but health care rationing. There is also a big difference in the demographics of a country like Switzerland and the US. Gawd you socialized medicine proponents kill me. Why do people from all around the world come to the US for health care? What does the US government manage well? What makes any of you naive socialists think that government run health care will managed anywhere remotely as good as private industry? The government doesn’t manage ANYTHING as well as private industry. The reason private health care in this country is so expensive is because of the cost shifting due to the segments that are managed by the government routinely don’t pay anything close to the true cost of the care received by those covered under said governmental plans. You may have family members in medicine, but surely none of them understand the funding of medical care. I do. I’ve done it for over 25 years. Obamascare is a disaster that will cause untold harm on the US economy. Did any of you notice that one of the primary requirements of Greece’s bailout is termination of the government funded health care program? The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people’s money.
“The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people’s money”
I always loved Margaret Thatcher!
to Gotcha post #50 about CHIPS
“compared to other large companies”
Except for HEB and one or two other retailers, all the other “large companies” seem to be school districts.
What??
Its 2000+ people that don’t want a Walmart in the community, and suddenly its sad because somehow we feel, because we’ve made an investment of our time, money, and effot, that we have a right to influence what types of business we do and don’t want in our vicinity.
___________________________
According to the City Charter, you have that right if you live in a subdivision where land has been restricted. In the subdivision. But not across from the subdivision. Whether it’s across the street or across the freeway.
Don’t like that? Then change the City Charter instead of opening up the city to lawsuits that the taxpayers have to pay for.
Put zoning back on the ballot although as pointed out by someone else, it is doubtful zoning would prevent Wal-Mart from building on this parcel.
In the meantime, learn what the spoiled little brats in Southampton and at 2520 Robinhood need to learn. Drive around and take a look before you buy. And don’t assume you can just throw a temper tantrum when someone decides to build sometinhgn you don’t like. Particularly if your temper tantrum costs the taxpayers when someone responds to your temper tantrum by filing a lawsuit against the city.
yeah, it’s getting retarded how people think they have some kind of right to restrict what can and can’t be built for the citizens of houston just because they’re going to be living closer to it. you may be part of the nearby community but there’s a few million people that have just as much of a say in the matter and those people have chosen no zoning time and time again.
there’s lots of reasons why the washington corridor is cheaper than the montrose/heights and this is why. there’s lots of redevelopment still to be done.
How you too can be a property rights dolt/bully on Swamplot:
1. Any time anyone expresses an opinion against some development, or suggests that it be different from the way it is being proposed, accuse that person of “trying to restrict” it.
2. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Remember, all expressions of opinion and attempts to influence others inherently carry the full power of governmental authority. If those opinions differ from actual laws on the books, they therefore must be squashed. Be vigilant!
Good grief. People are arguing that Wal-Mart will bring jobs. It’s relevant, I think, to point out that people who get those jobs tend to need public assistance to get by, and conclude that these are crappy jobs and that encouraging their arrival means that you should expect a taxpayer burden to support those employees. This is just an observation of the experience of other communities where Wal-Mart is located.
The “you’re not allowed to criticize” crowd apparently is allergic to public debate, which last time I checked, is the lifeblood of a democratic society. It’s also not unreasonable to conclude that those who complain that the debate is happening, rather than participating in it, are either unable to come up with arguments, or just plain old trolls.
Finally congratulations to Cross for the first “it’s those brown people” comment. I wondered when the inevitable would happen!
Terry,
I have not read the crime statistics for the West End area for the past 5 years, or 10 years. So I do not know if crime has decreased DRAMATICALLY since new development has occurred. I would think it logical that crime would be reduced due to the increase in the population from a higher socio-economic class.
I have noticed the drug dealers are not out 24/7 at the little city park on Patterson. Also, there appears to be less baggy pant thugs wandering the neighborhood.
John (yet another
I have enjoyed the informative posts from both the pro and con Wal-Mart crowd. Which posts qualify as “you’re not allowed to criticize” comments? Presenting information that you might disagree with is not squashing dissent.
Also the comment by Cross pointed out the fact that Texas, like other border states, have a higher population of recent immigrants from South/Central America(both legal and illegal) who generally have little formal education and poor english skills. These factors cause the border states to have higer poverty levels when compared to non-border states. It is an economic reality, not a racist prejudice.
Thanks to all have posted, very entertaining and educational.
NorhillJoe,
While the baggy pants drug dealers are in less number on the streets, I would argue that drug dealing is way up in the Washington Corridor. Just go to any new bar to see this.
The socio-economics of the neighborhood tend to have more of the young successful recreational drug users.
How about a new Swamplot drinking game? One shot every very time the word “Southampton” appears in one of matt mystery’s posts.
LOL! I don’t think Gus can condone alcohol poisoning on his blog.
From Miz Brooke Smith:
How about a new Swamplot drinking game? One shot every very time the word “Southampton†appears in one of matt mystery’s posts.
_________________________
Or at least a beer at Hans Bier Haus given it is one of the victims of Southampton Syndrome…
@Matt Mystery
Is it really the fault of the ‘spoiled little brats’? City noise ordinance restricts anything over 58dBA after 10pm, which is pretty easy to break. Granted, throwing eggs, water (allegedly) is over the line, but both parties need to understand there is a level of respect that we, as decent citizens, should be able to adhere to. Unfortunately, it does not sound as if your subjective commentary, and parallel mindsets of your peers tend to not support such a reasonable requests as mutually beneficil respect.
That said, and concerning my own neighborhood, my commentary is not about the bars, noise, etc, anything that comes with urban living. My opinions are about the plan for the WalMart, which was not in existence when I moved here (The West End) several years ago. There is no reason for me to roll over on this; It is purely about money. WalMart believes they can make money on an investment in my neighborhood, as do I. I believe WalMart will hurt my investment, and thus I will do what is needed to prevent that. There is nothing morally ambiguous about protecting one’s investment. If you doubt the effectiveness of the ‘Southampton Syndrome’ as you seem to have dubbed it, then ask them what their property values look like, unless the shallowness of dollars and sense is not ethically appealing enough to you.
@ NorhillJoe
Cool, that’s what my interviewee concurred as well.
I just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss the crack dealers and prostitutes along with the roosters crowing in the morning in WE.
My opinions are about the plan for the WalMart, which was not in existence when I moved here (The West End) several years ago.
_________________________________
Wal-Mart wasn’t there but it wasn’t a residential area when you moved there. So you should have realized that just about anything might end up in that area that is commercial/industrial and unrestricted land.
But that doesn’t matter to you. All that matters is you don’t want Wal-Mart. Too bad. If Wal-Mart wants to build there and the mayor decides to huff and puff Wal-Mart will probably sue the city and bankrupt the taxpayers in the process. They have really deep pockets.
Ok Matt … you win … based on this alone, I’ll be sure to consult with Miss Cleo before I make a real estate investment … in a neighborhood … where there are other houses. Thanks for that clarity.
At least you got something right … I don’t want WalMart in my neighborhood. Now if you’ll excuse me while I get my hurricane kit prepared for the impending doomsday bankruptcy of all taxpayers in Houston, and the mass hysteria that is sure to follow. I’d consult your nearest ‘Zombie Survival Guide’ if I were you …
Id’ say this is a done deal, judging by WalMarts flooding the TV with their commercials showing downtown…
“Hello Houston” and they’re already playing the race card too, albeit in a inoffensive WalMarty way…
Thatcher and Reagan were both evil; what a hugely sucessful plan to cut the taxes for the wealthy, and expect trickle down?!? You say Obama scares you?!? For shame, you defend greed and the export of the huge manufacturing base the United States once maintained. Because everyone should be in service jobs, those really pay well. Ideally the US is classless society, but if people like you continue to condone greed we’ll easily wind up with the very wealthy and the working poor. See Mexico for reference, 5% owns almost 90% of the country. A basic standard of living for all Americans is not asking too much.
And Obama is taking every step to ruin this country economically. What’s your point?
Here we go. cm and kjb take it to the mud wrestling pit!
From cm:
See Mexico for reference, 5% owns almost 90% of the country.
_________________________
Where did you find that reference? Wikipedia? It’s probably more like .005% owns over 90% of the country. Here it’s probably more like 1% owns over 90% of the country. Ain’t oligarchy grand?
Soon we can say “Welcome to the United States of Mexico.”
Which perhaps will wake everyone up to why we have NATA + CAFTA = SHAFTA and why we have at least 50 million Mexican citizens in the United States who are here illegally.
Obama is just the latest in the puppets serving the very few…
Reagan wasn’t evil. Reagan was, well, not all there. Even when he was awake. Thatcher was evil. All British PMs are evil along with anyone named Bush. I don’t know why they are evil. Perhaps they go to tea with the Baroness and become Manchurian Prime Ministers. All of our presidents since Eisenhower have served their masters. Except the one who refused and was shot in Dealy Plaza. And except for the one who served himself. George HW Bush. Just my opinion of course.
Annise Parker would love to serve her masters. She needs to find some first.
haha!
I don’t think any “masters” want Annise. She can’t move any higher in office in Texas unless a Democrat governor gets elected and appoints her to higher positions in the state. With Democrats like Bill White, that will never happen.
This could be very good for the City of Houston. Parker will be able to serve the city without the constant lure of higher office dangling in front of her.
From kjb434:
…Parker will be able to serve the city without the constant lure of higher office dangling in front of her.
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I learned long ago, in Washington, that those who “serve the public” in the end only serve themselves if they manage to serve their masters and manage to get elected for a second term. And a third. And a fourth…
That’s the thing. I haven’t been able to pinpoint who her “master” is. Unless she has a gig lined up in DC, she isn’t going anywhere. After being Mayor of the 4 largest city in the U.S., many opportunities are a demotion (in political status).
She isn’t necessarily in the pocket of developers. See the push with the historic districts. It doesn’t mean she’ll be beholden to the crazy “central planning” groupies of Peter Brown either.
I’ve met her and her partner a couple of times. She appears to be someone who loves to get into details of governing a city. This is something Houston hasn’t had in a long time. Others have gotten this impression of her too. It’s still early in her potential 6-years of being mayor though.
And now there’s talk of council members’ term limits being raised from 3 two year stints to 2 four year terms. So the city won’t need to hold elections so often.
Bush however did have enough common sense in ’79 to call it voodoo economics, and he was right. But in typical Republican style he folded, and his son was a war monger dead set on finishing what daddy started. I have a hard time being too hard on Bush Senior, shoot Barbara is a registered Democrat. Reagan not all there, amen to that. I’ve always hated Thatchers politics, and her being the lap dog to Ronnie sure didn’t help.