Houston CORE developments thread (Dallas, Austin: middle-class, community college, storage)

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

I think these Malls are considered to be failing because of the attitudes in the retail industry towards the addressable market in these malls and not because some white soccer moms are afraid to go to Greenspoint (if that place is still open) or Willowbrook or whatever.

Maybe it's retailers that are abandoning these areas too soon. They're afraid of being robbed I'm sure, but even robbers need to shop and buy Groceries, so maybe they need to realize they cannot run away from minority crime and crime in general and quit creating these retail deserts that result from their retreating

It’s a mix of a lot of things. Anglos feeling uncomfortable with minorities being comfortable shopping at places they were previously “unwelcome” is definitely among reasons. General mall decline from building way too many. E-commerce. The rise of strip malls (and how much easier they are to get what you need and leave). More entertainment districts lessening the need to go to a mall for “fun”.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

I think these Malls are considered to be failing because of the attitudes in the retail industry towards the addressable market in these malls and not because some white soccer moms are afraid to go to Greenspoint (if that place is still open) or Willowbrook or whatever.

Maybe it's retailers that are abandoning these areas too soon. They're afraid of being robbed I'm sure, but even robbers need to shop and buy Groceries, so maybe they need to realize they cannot run away from minority crime and crime in general and quit creating these retail deserts that result from their retreating

The thing is, I don't think Willowbrook is failing (nor The Galleria). That's mainly an impression stated by certain suburbanites because of a certain clientele patronizing the mall.

Now, West Oaks and Greenspoint, yeah, failing. But they had other issues besides just prejudices of suburban shoppers.

You are perhaps somewhat unintentionally correct in your addressable market point though. Retailers often have a fairly specific profile of the target customer - not just the basics of income, age, ethnicity, etc., but also the "psychographic" profile (if you've ever seen one of these, it can be rather amusing and borderline absurd). When the population of the local market area changes such that it no longer meets those criteria, the retailers start to get concerned - they're less likely to make merchandising decisions, adequate staffing, and buildout reinvestments that keep that location strong, which of course also spurs or reinforces sales decline. Once their lease is up (or before, if they're willing to keep paying rent or do a buyout), they're gone.

Then of course there's the whole narrative of why malls have been enduring such difficult times in general, which I won't recount here, but applies to these malls just like anywhere else.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

I’m sure the Galleria has no problem taking black wealth dollars that the Woodlands Mall would never dream of having (even as they’re establishing a muuuuch smaller luxury wing of their own).

[DaBears02]

Here’s something nice to see. Some newly published plans for road and infrastructure improvements on Lower Westheimer.

https://www.engagehouston.org/westheimer-elgin

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by DaBears02

Here’s something nice to see. Some newly published plans for road and infrastructure improvements on Lower Westheimer.

https://www.engagehouston.org/westheimer-elgin

Geez. About time

[DaBears02]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Geez. About time

For real lol. Riding the 82 on that segment was brutal. The wide sidewalks and road dirt should greatly improve urbanity in this stretch.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

The thing is, I don't think Willowbrook is failing (nor The Galleria). That's mainly an impression stated by certain suburbanites because of a certain clientele patronizing the mall.

Now, West Oaks and Greenspoint, yeah, failing. But they had other issues besides just prejudices of suburban shoppers.

You are perhaps somewhat unintentionally correct in your addressable market point though. Retailers often have a fairly specific profile of the target customer - not just the basics of income, age, ethnicity, etc., but also the "psychographic" profile (if you've ever seen one of these, it can be rather amusing and borderline absurd). When the population of the local market area changes such that it no longer meets those criteria, the retailers start to get concerned - they're less likely to make merchandising decisions, adequate staffing, and buildout reinvestments that keep that location strong, which of course also spurs or reinforces sales decline. Once their lease is up (or before, if they're willing to keep paying rent or do a buyout), they're gone.

Then of course there's the whole narrative of why malls have been enduring such difficult times in general, which I won't recount here, but applies to these malls just like anywhere else.

I love being "unintentionally" correct it's like manna from Heaven.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Geez. About time

Except that these plans were developed years ago - I was getting really excited because as everyone else has noted, it's so badly needed. Then the City decided it didn't have $ for it, the project has been dormant since then. I'm hoping the TIRZ can help pick it back up.

Notice that the cover block says construction "is not programmed at this time."

[DaBears02]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Except that these plans were developed years ago - I was getting really excited because as everyone else has noted, it's so badly needed. Then the City decided it didn't have $ for it, the project has been dormant since then. I'm hoping the TIRZ can help pick it back up.

Notice that the cover block says construction "is not programmed at this time."

Unfortunate but it is a good sign that they’re starting to have community hearings again about Lower Westheimer’s reconstruction. There was one in January and another is happening in March and the page has been updated a few times in 2023 alone. Hopefully it’s a sign that we can see some more movement and some hard dates.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by DaBears02

Unfortunate but it is a good sign that they’re starting to have community hearings again about Lower Westheimer’s reconstruction. There was one in January and another is happening in March and the page has been updated a few times in 2023 alone. Hopefully it’s a sign that we can see some more movement and some hard dates.

One can only hope!