The Houston Public Central Library in downtown was always a wonderful modern facility with great windows and views in a modern multi-story brick building with escalators. That is a long way from the one where I grew up. But time past and it needed to be updated–particularly to serve the internet connected world. Along with the inside improvements the outside plaza area was overhauled. (more…)
Bridges have a way of attracting an element of society that is unfortunately something we must deal with — the homeless. This post is not to propose making their lives harder but rather to share a solution for controlling public space under bridges.
I came across a solution that seems to be almost perfect as it is cheap, no one will steal it, you cannot sleep on it and it should age and discolor evenly and look like other aging concrete structures that are not considered unsightly. (more…)
Root Memorial Square – commonly call Root Park – is in downtown Houston across LaBranch Street from the Toyota Center; home of the Rockets Basketball team. The square was rebuilt in 2004 into a park that commemorated the history of the area and the fans of the basketball team across the street. Originally the block contained the mansion of Alexander Porter Root and his wife, Laura Shepherd Root. The land was donated in their memory by their descendants in 1923. (more…)
The contractor’s fence came down as the last minute touches were made getting ready for the opening Saturday. But, for those looking for a place to eat lunch, walk the dog or curious to see the changes the park was “open”.
The concept of the new park, as opposed to the previous concept of an art and historic park, is leading to far more usage. There are the usual benches and stone walkways, fountains, color flower beds, great lighting at night and, in a couple of weeks, a local favorite eatery selling Greek fast food. There was unfettered green space for the dogs but they made that space unappealing to the non-dogs. The new park has a great dog area-the best I have seen-with plastic bag dispensers. (more…)
Market Square Park’s 2nd reincarnation was to the traditional style of being a place to sit and relax when rushing on to the next meeting or for a quiet stroll with your dog-and hopefully a plastic bag. The park included several significant art pieces, two great fountains, interesting historic pieces and numerous oak trees. But it had various issues that did not let it be an asset to the neighborhood. The new park is being constructed at the time of this post and will be complete in June, 2010. (more…)
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