In 2013, the trucks and bulldozers arrived “for the good of man kind”…… in front of our buildings. The goal was to provide two new lanes and storm drainage to the Washington-Hempstead thorough fare.
The project was let and managed by TxDot through their “consultant engineers” (IDCUS) thence to the actual contractors (many). The effort achieved a new low in design prowess, planning and execution.
The result was the forced sale of the property and the demise of several design businesses at 8200 Washington and a 13 year nightmare for our shop at 8101 Hempstead trying to stay in business.
For the first 8 years, we dodged orange barrels and open ditches.
In 2020, we were obliged to traverse on going construction, blocked roads, blocked visibility and finally, in February, 2023, we were COMPLETELY BLOCKED FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS TO OUR BUSINESS…. No kidding…. Blocked.
We were never “officially” offered transit through the TxDot parking lot adjoining our building that actually did have ingress and egress about 900 feet south from our business. The entry turn was a kamikaze landing and the exit was a blind carrier shot – if you were lucky !! There was no public access to our building.
Our customers and our employees were obliged to endure this full on blockade for 32 Months….
In mid November 2025 we finally had the direct access from Hempstead Road and Washington Ave restored – just as we had prior to 2013….. never mind that the right turn from Hempstead south is poorly designed and a decreasing radius (illegal as I understand it) …. Never mind that visibility for the egress from Motorcars is limited and crosses merging high speed lanes. I suppose that TxDot deigns that “this is it” as if we are supposed to be thankful for the end of their relentless torture.
The bottom line is that this project almost put us out of business…. despite the best efforts of the irresponsible TxDot and its hired minion “teams” and its effective indifference toward small businesses and their property rights.
And finally note that for the first time in 32 months, our business can actually be found using Google Maps and Waze.
I am grateful for the patience and support our customers, employees, vendors and delivery services that have been offered to us. Thank you all for keeping us in business…
We are still here and finally easily accessible….. Let us know how we can help you with your service needs.
— The History Lesson —
