Many of us take for granted that when sidewalks are being rebuilt, or the adjacent street is missing and part of the sidewalk is blocked, we see the sidewalk closure ahead and go to the other side or around the block. We grumble about the detour but it is not a big deal.
For someone with limited or no sight, or someone in a hand-powered wheel chair, the detour is more significant.
Downtown Houston since 1998 has rebuilt, revitalized, rehabilitated an
d reshaped over half its streets at no small cost in dollars and some inconvenience to the businesses and residents. There was occasionally great outcries and regularly grumbling and whining. There was also those who urged us to keep going and get it done quickly. This article is to relate the things that I believe helped get us through the process and those that made it worse for everyone.
I think the most frequently asked question was “why did they dig up that part of the street last week, filled it in, then dig it up again and again and again. Wouldn’t it be faster to dig it one time, do all the work then put the street back?”
Historic street brick have been reused in the newly re-programed, re-built and opened Market Square Park. The history and art in the previous incarnation was preserved and expanded while adding a lot more to do. Read the rest of this entry →
Sidewalk cafes do “activate” the street by providing a reason for people to stay on the sidewalk; to see those driving by and be seen. In a city where smoking is prohibited inside–like Houston–the cafes are a place for the smokers. In small restaurants they provide additional floor space to sell meals. For larger restaurants they provide the same advantage. i.e. a space to increase earnings–all provided by the tax payers, Houston does have a permit fee cover the administrative expense of the permit. Read the rest of this entry →
Houston is well known for pickup trucks and I think one of the things that made some decide to drive one was our “Truck Loading Zones”. The zones were conveniently placed to serve the businesses nearby. But, any truck could park for free. So, the zone were often used by non-delivery trucks and hence did not serve the purpose for deliveries. A control scheme had to be found that provided for deliveries to the businesses in the CBD. Read the rest of this entry →
In my opinion the key to a long-life concrete or brick unit paver surface–assuming the foundation structure is properly built–is re-sanding. As discussed in other articles at this blog the sand is the “glue” that “locks” the individual pavers together. Read the rest of this entry →
