It seems to me that some of the most successful team-brands in MLS seem to have something the rest of the league looks at as the "standard" in some way off-the-pitch. For Seattle, it's the largest fanbase. For the LA Galaxy, it's Beckham. For FC Dallas, it's the standard of sucking. Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium location has already turned heads, but something else is happening that I don't think has truly happened around any other stadium in MLS to Houston's level, nor any other stadium in Houston that was built previously. The Houston Dynamo might soon have the first MLS stadium ever to have truly spurred the development renaissance that even NFL stadiums haven't been able to pull off, and it looks like the media is noticing the changes. 'EaDo' Pioneers Hope Rail, Dynamo Stadium Put Area On Track Other teams in MLS might look at Houston development around the stadium and use it as an example for what kind of impact theirs might make with the right planning.
An area that nobody gave two shits about is now considered an up and coming section of Houston because of our team. Even if the Dynamo is never given credit for this; it goes to show you how amazing and beloved our team has become. Either that or people just saw money...I like my reasoning better, though. We actually have a couple of hundred thousand fans around the city. That's if you count casual and hardcores alike. I can guarantee you that if the Dynamo host the MLS Cup this year...we should really be looking at Reliant as a venue. It'll also freaking be a near sell-out if not a sell-out.
The wife and I looked at townhouses behind the stadium last year and they seemed to be fairly reasonably priced. The only problem as I see it is the fact that if you are moving from a single family residence it's a huge difference in lifestyle. Parking, floors on multiple stories, and maintenance fees were the things that kind of ruled it out for us. (although this one looks pretty nice - the only problem being those noisy tailgaters) - http://search.har.com/engine/505-Bastrop-St-510-Houston-TX-77003_HAR13816700.htm
I'm not sure I understand your problem? Especially the multiple stories part? Won't the butler carry your morning cuppa to the second or third floors? Me, if I worked anywhere near town I'd move into the area in a minute! But in my current state of employment, the commute to Cypress every day would sorta suck!
Although the article strains to overdo the impact of the stadium, even the Lucky's Pub guy says he wouldn't open anything else up there. Then we got the guy thinking it will boom because of MetroRail. I know a few on these boards live around there but the reality is the vast, vast majority of people and families in Houston want to live in neighborhoods where vagrancy is not so accepted. If I wanted to live next to plumbing supply and lumber yards it sounds neat but beyond that it will be empty-nesters and other urban hipsters. My buddy in the Heights in a $500K townhome has his car broken into 3 times and the house broken into once in the last year. Lots of folks "floating" around or trying to sell you electronics door-to-door out of a shopping cart (I'm sure just reselling off of eBay or Amazon). Or as another buddy put it, it's fine as long as you "don't mind folks just loitering in front of your house some times for no reason". Urban Houston neighborhoods aren't for everyone. Yes, central Houston is a more desireable location. First Midtown changed then Downtown a bit for residential now it is Washington Avenue. The East End was probably next on the list. What about all of those townhomes that sprung up right around Minute Maid Park? Oh, that's right, they're still parking lots. The stadium has a nice halo effect on the area but that's about that. Economic impact claims and studies are about 90% art and 10% science and are the most worthless things ever (and I know of what I speak, I used to work on these). Yes, I'm Westside Killjoy on this. It helps the area, provides a destination, enhances what outsiders think of the area. All positive. But it is limited in economic impact.
I don't disagree with you on this being a more shallow impact than some would like to portray. At the same time, if we Houstonians could get over our objections to zoning the city could clear out the homeless, the plumbing supply companies and whatever other obstructions to make it a much more attractive residential area. I wish we could have some zoning to clear crappy properties out of my neighborhood that is nowhere near downtown! I know! I know! This is Texas and I can do whatever I want with my damn property! I'm just saying that the whole urban redevelopment thing is a lot harder in Houston than in other American cities. the lack of zoning is a two edged sword.
It doesn't shock me much that someone who owns two bars in an area doesn't think it's a good idea to open another nearby, especially when there's already yet another popular bar down the street. It's also not unusual for empty lots to linger in developing areas. Investors often buy the property hoping that its value will continue to increase and may turn down offers until the value increases to a point they like. While it's in a developed area, the highly-desirable block bordered by One and Two Shell Plaza downtown has been an empty lot for years, including during economic booms. It's been bought by a series of speculators who apparently each hope to hold and sell, rather than develop. It's apparently just how this stuff works sometimes. Anyway, I agree that central Houston isn't for everyone. I'm not sure I recall anyone here ever saying that it was. I'm also not sure anyone ever said that the stadium would immediately deliver a boom to the area. It's certainly helping development in the area, as the article points out. But that's a process that takes time. I've lived all but three years since 1990 in central Houston (I'm not counting some on-campus time before that because that's not really urban living, even if your campus is urban). I've lived most of that time in neighborhoods that some of my family and friends found appalling and thought must be dangerous. Those areas have since come to be viewed as much nicer and property values have increased significantly - but that took time. Not everyone will be comfortable with all aspects of living in a central, urban area. So, don't live there if you can otherwise live somewhere else. There are plenty of people who are perfectly comfortable living in the inner city. Many of us aren't bothered as much by the downsides of urban life as we are by the downsides of suburban life. Both lifestyles have advantages and disadvantages. And there are plenty of people who prefer one over the other.
Lack of zoning is why as areas age and primarily apartment complexes become Section 8 or virtual housing projects, the home values drop due to the overbuilding of the lousy apartments. You can drive around this town and see tomorrow's ghetto today, mainly in unincorporated areas of Harris County where crappy apartments have taken hold with cheaper housing. Harsh, but true. Thus, the reason to move back into town for many. Lack of zoning greatly benefits developers and previous developers. It will only take hold when they can make more money in redevelopment with restrictions (may never happen) than with building junk out in the suburbs.
It's definitely a huge difference, I spent a year and a half in a loft that would almost overlook the stadium now (not quite tall enough) and as a single guy I really enjoyed it. As anyone with kids or a family or a need for space, however, it would be a totally different proposition. And while the area is improving it still isn't particularly safe, I saw a few pretty fascinating HPD escapades out my window (carefully observing from a few floors up). Location wise it's fantastic though, great access to every major freeway within about six blocks.
I actually put a contract in on a unit in that community. I love the unit. When I got my sellers disclosure documents I terminated the contract. That HOA is sick. They have absurd rules. (My experience is that HOA's with absurd rules are run by little groups that don't apply the rules to themselves. ) The HOA was short of cash and the monthly dues are pretty high. Now if enough of us could buy in there to overthrow the current HOA board -- I'd be all in.
I forgot to mention earlier that there's a new "Latin" grill opening up soon in that little strip center across the street from Lucky's - the one that also has Cork Soakers. They had a stand in that shopping center parking lot selling tacos and such before the opening game. I didn't check before the last game. Not sure when the restaurant itself is opening, but their sign read, "coming soon". Cork Soakers was also selling wine by the glass at a stand there. They have an excellent wine list, but only had a couple labels at the stand. Still, it's another option. They had the parking lot roped off, but access was free. It's at the Lucky's end of Orange Avenue.
I think the area's development will ultimately hinge on if EaDo/Sister Cities Promenade & the 2 Convention Center Hotels (Wyndham next to Ballpark Lofts & Dan Nip Chinatown Hotel) come to fruition. If all 3 happen, with BBVACS & MetroRAIL, the immediate EaDo are between Dowling and 59 will see a Midtown-like boom