Swamplot Archives by Tag: Oak-Forest

Thursday, January 14, 2010

More of the Story of Those Disappearing Oak Forest Oaks

January 14, 2010 – 12:10 pm
   

“My neighbor lived in what you would consider a ‘tear down.’ For several years she struggled with selling and moving or rebuilding on the lot. A big factor in the decision was finding a builder that would keep the integrity of the lot and not cut down the gem - a 100 year old tree that is 4′ in diameter. She thought that she found the builder that respected the tree and had the same vision while simultaneous[ly] she found her dream home over in Garden Oaks. . . . Shortly after the transition, a family bought the lot and are ready to build . . . I have 2 neighbors including myself that would take this tree. I have till Friday to find an association that would underwrite this project and be interested in saving this tree.” [Kat Alan Madison + Austin; previously on Swamplot] Photo: HAR

12:10 pm | 12 Comments | Read more about Buying and Selling, Demolitions, Homebuilders, Landscape, Neighborhood Disputes, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Quicklink, Redevelopment, Trees
Read more about: , , , , , , ,

Comment of the Day: Oak Forest Oak Seeks Help with Move

January 14, 2010 – 11:25 am
   

“A neighbor of the Woodcrest demo is seeking help relocating a 100-year old red oak that is scheduled to be part of that demo. If anyone has the resources and/or machinery to do so email me or post here and I will put you in touch with her. mmatt_chew at h0tmail d0t c0m.” [mek ju, commenting on Daily Demolition Report: Memorial Plaza]

11:25 am | 3 Comments | Read more about Comments, Demolitions, Landscape, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Quicklink, Trees
Read more about: , , , , ,
Monday, November 9, 2009

That New Thick-Skinned FBI Operative Moving in Next to Oak Forest

November 9, 2009 – 5:06 pm

What fancy high-tech firm just moved into that shimmering new green building off 290 at 43rd St.?

It’s your FBI. And hiding behind those dark shades in the new Houston Field Office:

The building includes a crisis management operations center, room for several crime and gang task forces, an arrest processing area where suspects are brought in, polygraphed, interviewed, booked and fingerprinted.

There’s a “complaint duty” office where anyone can walk in and lodge their concern with an officer on duty.

It also features a heavily equipped exercise room, a clinic headed by fulltime occupational health nurse Tisha Millard and the annual Citizens Academy led by Ronnie Cutlip, outreach coordinator.

The building includes the requisite extra-long-walkway anti-porte-cochere, specially designed to thwart vehicular attacks. But its real innovation is the external green-glass skin, hung away from the building on a lightweight metal frame, and specially formulated so the agents inside will be able to keep their cool when that Texas heat is on:

Continue Reading This Story >

5:06 pm | 8 Comments | Read more about Green Design and Development, Houston Architects, Institutional Buildings, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, New Construction
Read more about: , , , , ,
Friday, November 6, 2009

Friday Group Photo Feature: The Corner of West 43rd and Ella

November 6, 2009 – 11:56 pm

What’s going on at the corner of West 43rd St. and Ella in Oak Forest? A team of Swamplot photographers went to find out.

This is their report. It’s also known as Swamplot’s 3rd group photo feature. How’s it looking?

Continue Reading This Story >

11:56 pm | 7 Comments | Read more about Friday Group Photo Features, Neighborhoods: Garden Oaks, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Neighborhoods: Shepherd Park Plaza
Read more about: , , , , , ,
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Weingarten’s Selloff Continues

October 28, 2009 – 2:33 pm
   

The 283,841-sq.-ft. Central Park Northwest off Dacoma St. and the 100,600-sq.-ft. Jester Plaza near Oak Forest are the latest industrial properties to leave the Weingarten Realty fold. And there’s more to jettison: “The company’s vice president/director — industrial properties Kelly Landwermeyer told GlobeSt.com the disposition of the industrial service center on 3500-3582 W. T.C. Jester Blvd. is part of Weingarten’s overall disposition strategy of non-core industrial asset, which includes service centers and flex properties. He says another asset is under contract and scheduled to close within the next few weeks. ‘There are another half-dozen on various pre-contract stages in the pipeline,’ he explains, adding that there are no set deadlines for closings by the end of 2009.” [Globe St.; previously on Swamplot]

2:33 pm | 1 Comment | Read more about Buying and Selling, Industrial Properties, Neighborhoods: Dacoma, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Quicklink
Read more about: , , , , , , ,
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Comment of the Day: Modern Library Edition

March 11, 2009 – 4:54 pm
   

“The mid-century Oak Forest Library IS NOT being demolished. Houston Public Library is working very diligently to save, restore, renovate and add-on to the existing building. The rendering that you show is of the addition to the west side of the original building facing the newish elementary school across the street. When the work is complete, the “new” Oak Forest will have dedicated areas for Children, Teens, and Adults, a new Meeting Room, Conference Room, and expanded services. It will be fully ADA compliant and should also acquire L.E.E.D certification.” [John, commenting on The New Oak Forest Neighborhood Library]

4:54 pm | Add a Comment | Read more about Comments, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Proposed Developments, Public Buildings, Quicklink
Read more about: , , , , , ,
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The New Oak Forest Neighborhood Library

March 10, 2009 – 2:51 pm

Thanks to the reader who sent Swamplot this image, showing what the new west wing of the Oak Forest Neighborhood Library is supposed to look like when construction is complete. The addition provides an updated reading of the library’s current Mod entrance, which sits quietly at the back of the shopping center on 43rd St., a block west of Ella:

Continue Reading This Story >

2:51 pm | 7 Comments | Read more about Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Proposed Developments, Public Buildings
Read more about: , , , , ,
Thursday, May 15, 2008

Neighborhood Guessing Game Over: Front Door on the Side

May 15, 2008 – 11:52 pm

Neighborhood Guessing Game 7: Den

This week’s puzzle prompted some terrific efforts again from our photo-detective readers. With four votes each, Timbergrove and Oak Forest were the most popular guesses. Next came Garden Oaks (with 3 votes), followed by Tanglewood, Meyerland, Willow Meadows, Willowbend, Knollwood Village, and Shepherd Forest, with 2 votes each. Other guesses were Bellaire, Norhill, Timberside, “Mandell/Montrose on Banks or Milford,” Highland Village, Mangum Manor, Lazybrook, Sharpstown, Stella Link/Med Center area, Woodside, Woodshire, Ayrshire, Braes Heights, Afton Oaks, Piney Point, Hedwig Village, Bunker Hill Village, and Briargrove.

This week’s winner is Starkeshia, a guessing-game regular who was the first to name . . . Oak Forest!

The house looks like nearly a total redo, but there also appear to be some original features left such as the front windows, and the front door, hardwoods everywhere, sliding closet doors…I’d say this is a mid century home. Looks too small to be in Meyerland or Bellaire, however.

Our honorable mention goes to margo, for identifying an entertaining but perhaps not especially useful clue: there appear to be burglar bars on the bathroom windows!

Karen also had some comments that helped build the Oak Forest-area consensus:

I see aluminum windows and molding that say early 50s. Small kitchen w/o breakfast area says small house. Ceilings are too low for a bungalow. Wood floors are all new, so could be an Alison redo, but the kitchen base cabinets look original to me, so odds are there was no flood here, just a nice updating job.

Stay with us for the scoop!

Continue Reading This Story >

11:52 pm | 4 Comments | Read more about Homes for Sale, Interiors, Neighborhood Guessing Game, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest
Read more about: , , , ,
Friday, March 7, 2008

Weekend Open House Tour: Oak Forest

March 7, 2008 – 11:55 pm

What will you find in Oak Forest? Big lots with variously updated 1950s-era ranch homes, tall oaks and pines . . . and granite countertops! Below are five homes in the neighborhood open this weekend:

1411 Candlelight Ln., Oak Forest, Houston

Location: 1411 Candlelight Ln.
Details: 4 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths; 1,700 sq. ft.
Price: $237,000
The Scoop: 1955 ranch with kiddie playground, back patio, and carport. Bunk bed in 4th bedroom is available! New tile, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, fresh mulch, and much more. Listed just a week and a half ago.
Open House: Sunday, noon-4 pm

There’s more in our tour . . .

Continue Reading This Story >

11:55 pm | Read more about Homes for Sale, Neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Open Houses
Read more about: , , , , ,
Friday, June 15, 2007

Daily Demolition Report: Pushovers

June 15, 2007 – 8:25 am

On today’s knock-down docket: Portions of four businesses and six houses. Read ’em and weep—after the jump.

Continue Reading This Story >

8:25 am | Read more about Daily Demolition Report, Demolitions
Read more about: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,