Are there any areas of Houston that appear to be sure-fire bets for real estate investors today?
I think I would start at the center of Houston and work outward. Inside the Loop is in an exciting phase. Look for redevelopment opportunities there. The CBD has become vibrant with young people moving in there and a 24/7 environment. And that is crucial — having a vibrant downtown. If the core of the city dies, the entire city withers. Q: Some people criticize the results of the Minute Maid baseball stadium saying it did not produce enough new development. What are your feelings on that? A: The stadiums have generated activity and a rebirth of downtown. Look at the lofts, all the people living downtown. Look at the redevelopment of the Rice Hotel. It’s a happening. It’s in process and it is in full swing. We can thank Mayor Bob Lanier for revitalizing our inner city. When Lanier was first elected you could buy downtown buildings for $20 psf. Q: What is happening with the widening of the Katy Freeway? The state highway department has been taking ownership of a lot of freeway frontage l
