Houstonist: Houstonist Flickr Group Photo of the Day - Houston Metro

A Richmond homeowner

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:30:36 -0600

Jackson--my compliments to your skill as a photographer. The key word in your post is, indeed, "compromise". There is a very obvious compromise here: build the light rail on Westpark as the voters decided in 2003. The referendum authorizing METRO to go forward with expanded rail called the proposed east-west connection the "Westpark Line". No mention was made of Richmond anywhere on the ballot. It barely passed as it was, but now METRO is trying to pull an end-run around the ballot language by placing the line on Richmond instead. For those of us who own houses on Richmond, the consequences would be devastating. Our homes are our biggest investment, and a light rail line in our backyard will destroy their value. Just about every inch of Richmond is developed with either homes or business (mostly mom-and-pop stores once you get west of Greenway Plaza). For the kind of development shown in your photograph to be done, those homes will have to be bulldozed. Westpark, on the other hand, has vast swaths of emptiness crying for development. Here, the "compromise" is really the best choice: Westpark. It is better suited for rail, and it was what the city voted for in 2003.

lauren

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 13:37:34 -0600

it is such a shame that rail has been met with such opposition here (and no thanks to the already-there rail dismantling in 1940, increased cars, and bob lanier!).

Jackson

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 18:45:56 -0600

I'm the photographer and I think that having a good public transit system would rock. My girlfriend and I are new Houstonians and we're coming from a city with really good metro system (Montreal). Believe me, taking the bus here is no fun. I can't help but think that the people who oppose the metro expansion don't have to rely on public transit and therefore don't understand. Believe it or not, there are people out there who don't have cars! Every other major city in the world has a good metro system, so why can't Houston? There HAS to be a way to preserve your homes and also expand public transit. Come on people, compromise!

A Richmond homeowner

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 15:51:46 -0600

"Look, it could be like this" That is EXACTLY what we residents are afraid of. Forgive us if we don't find the prospect of sacrificing our homes for the sake of someone's idea of a hip urban tableau to be particularly enticing. But it is a good photo, no doubt.

Jenn

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:59:22 -0600

Haha! The comment about showing it to people on Richmond made me giggle. :) What ever happened with that? Is Metro just going to do it despite the local uproad/unrest? And I like that you're choosing photos which have been digitally altered in some way or were taken in a special way -- I not only get to enjoy the photo but learn a little something about photography as well! -Jenn