Rustling Pines Civic Association

I am new to Houston and live prett close - just north of Sharptowns Mall.

 I find to hard to believe that mall in a relatively prime location (right off Highway 59), is in such neglect. That property has so much potential. I think the whole thing needs to be knocked down or totally renovated.

 Maybe it's close proximity to the south end where disposable income is less a reason. But it is still close enough to it northern neighbors and highway to attract business.

 However, I read home properties have double in that area since 2000. Signs of the future. Sure hope so..there is so much potential there.

I JUST MOVED INTO THE AREA BEFCASUE THE COST OF LIVING WAS EFFICEINT ENOUGH FOR ME TO LIVE ON MY OWN WHILE SAVING UP TO PURCHASE A HOUSE. THE FIRST THING I DID WAS DRIVE AROUND TO SEE WHAT WAS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I NOTICED ALOT OF PEOPEL WALKING AROUND, FAMILIES WITH KIDS AND EVEN YOU YOUNG KIDS SO I AUTOMATICALLY FELT SAFE.

THEN I MADE A LIST OF  ALL THE MAJOR STORES IN THE AREA AND WAS EXCITED TO SEE A MALL. THIS MEANS THAT THE COMMUNTIY IS THRIVING WHICH WAS GOOD TO KNOW.

I REMBERED THE MALL USED TO BE SHARPSTOWN MALL AND NOW IT IS PLAZAMERICAS. I DECIDED TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE NOW BECAUSE I REMEMBER SHARPSTOWN MALL NOT BEING THAT SAFE.

MY DAD TOLD ME WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP IT WAS A TRENDY AREA AND IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS HEADING THAT WAY AGAIN.

I LIKE WAHT THEY HAVE DONE TO THE MALL, IN LARGE PART, GIVING LIFE TO A "DEAD" MALL AND ATTRACTING FAMILIES TO SHOP AGAIN.

I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE NEW CHANGES I SAW IN THE AREA AND FEEL THAT I HAVE MADE A GOOD CHOICE IN MOVING HERE AT THIS TIME.

I HOPE THE MALL CONTINUES TO THRIVE AND BRING MORE FAMILIES INTO THE MALL. I LIKE TO KNOW THAT I AM SAFE WHEN I COME HOME

THE NEW SHARPSTOWN MALL- NOW CALLED PLAZAMERICAS HAS THE MARKS OF A NEW BEGINNING FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ONCE STRICKEN WITH GANG VIOLENCE AND SAFETY ISSUES. THIS MALL HAS BEEN TARGETED TO REMAIN THE SAME AS IN THE PAST BUT I HAVE NOTICED THE CHANGE AND IT IS FOR THE BETTER. THERE ARE MORE FAMLIES THAT ARE IN THE MALL NOW AND IT SAFE AGAIN TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN. THE MALL IS NOW UNDERGOING ALOT OF CONSTRUCTION WHIHC ALSO LOOKS NICE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.IT IS NICE TO SEE BRIGHTER COLORS. THE ATMOSHPERE OF THE MALL IS MORE PLEASANT AS WELL. I AM SAD TO SEE THIS REMARK ABOVE THAT THIS MALL SHOULD BE CLOSED. THERE ARE ALOT OF GOOD THINGS THAT COME TO HAVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SUCH AS MORE POLICE AND MORE FAMILY ACTIVITIES. I THINK THIS IS POSTIVE FOR  THE COMMUNITY.

You are not allowed to have certain items that are black or white there.  I was going to go to Macys to pick up a watch I called about it was made of rhodium (a metal similiar to platinum) the reason I wanted it is because it is extremely hard and I work in a machine shop.  2 security people told me that I was dressed like a gang member then they told me I was in southwest cholos and told me that black is a gang color.  They called the police to investigate aparantly there is someone in that gang that looks a lot like me and is the same height except that I weigh about 100 lbs more that is the 3rd time something like that happened.