Category Archives: Elsewhere in Houston

Back in January, we heard that the venerable Arabia Shrine Center on Braeswood near Kirby was on the block. According to Nancy Sarnoff, a deal is in the works. The 144,632-square-foot facility that’s hosted arts galas, roller derbies and other … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Missed this on Friday: Mayor White met with a bunch of the other mayors in the area, following their complaints about his air-cleanup plan. “It’s a really big day in the region,” White said after the closed-door summit with the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Remember this? (See here and here for more.) Via Houstonist, we have an update on the development, where concerns about the proposed closure of one block of Bolsover Street continue. Residents on both sides of the debate surrounding the project … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I suppose this isn’t a surprise. Mayor Bill White has significantly scaled back a controversial plan to make Houston the first place in Texas with health standards for hazardous air pollutants, according to a draft circulated this week. The latest … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The proposed temporary ban on demolition in the Old Sixth Ward has been implemented. The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved a six-month ban on demolitions of historical buildings in the Old Sixth Ward neighborhood west of downtown. Even though … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Mayor White’s plan to take action against some area polluters has caused some noses to get out of joint. The mayors of LaPorte, Baytown, Pasadena and Deer Park say White has no business invading their turf and feel snubbed because … Continue reading → Continue reading →

A lot of good things have happened recently on the preservation front. From the Old Sixth Ward to help for bungalows to tax waivers for historic buildings, there’s been a lot of progress made. Unfortunately, things aren’t looking so good … Continue reading → Continue reading →

There’s a lot of good things that go along with the growth and increased densification of Houston’s inner core. Without going into a list, the short answer is that without growth, you get stagnation and decay. It’s a positive that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ve been hearing about rumors of an Autry Court renovation for so long that it’s a little hard to believe that it’s actually going to happen. Today the last game will be played at the old place, and when it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Following up on an action item first raised in August, there is now a proposal to grant a full property tax waiver to buildings identified as historic as a means of helping to preserve them. The new tax incentive, which … Continue reading → Continue reading →

As promised, the groundbreaking of Houston Pavilions took place yesterday amid much fanfare. Here’s what we have to expect: The developers of the Houston Pavilions say it will open in October of 2008. The $170 million project will have 360,000 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Following up on his announcement to bring out stronger preservation protections for the Old Sixth Ward, Mayor White wants to enact a temporary ban on demolitions in that neighborhood until the details can be worked out. The City Council on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

According to Miya Shay, the Houston Pavilions project, which secured its financing last October, will have its official groundbreaking today, along with the announcement of two new “anchor” tenants. Here’s who they have so far: Tenants that have already been … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Some details on the plan to make the citywide WiFi project available to lower income folks. Under a contract with EarthLink, the company chosen last week to build the network, about 40,000 discount Internet accounts would be available for low-income … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Last week, the This Week/Heights section of the Chron had a big story about some pending changes to the prevailing lot size and setback ordinances, and what effect they may have on historic preservation efforts. The ordinances apply to non-deed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Here’s some more info about the the citywide WiFi initiative, which was on today’s City Council agenda. Houston officials and the contractor they chose last week for the project say they have learned from other cities’ mistakes. “We’re learning some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Marty Hajovsky brings me some good news about my neighborhood pub. Following its inception in the fall of 2002, Onion Creek Coffee House has been an innovator, being the first establishment of its type in the area, and also being … Continue reading → Continue reading →

We know that Earthlink will be the provider for Houston’s Wi-Fi network when it is rolled out in 2009. But what are the details, and how will it work? I refer you to Dwight, the City Hall blog, and WiFiNet … Continue reading → Continue reading →

We have a provider. The city disclosed today that it has chosen Atlanta-based EarthLink Municipal Networks to provide a citywide, wireless Internet network within the next two years. An official announcement was scheduled for a 4 p.m. news conference today, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Also from last week: Preservation Texas lists its most endangered historic places for 2007. As noted by Houstonist, five of them are in and around Houston. Some of these you know about, like the River Oaks Theater and Shopping Center, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Via Houstonist, here’s another update on the West 11th Street Park. On Jan. 8, Houston City Council opted to buy the 20.2 acres for $9.2 million. Of that purchase price, $4 million will come from city funds, $1.7 million from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I occasionally drive down Houston Avenue on my way to or from downtown. Like some other historic thoroughfares in Houston, it is in need of some revitalization. Recently, I’ve started noticing some indicators that this is beginning to happen. That’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Been a little while since my last check on the Robison Warehouse site. There are a few things that are different, but the first thing to notice is that unlike some other recent demolitions, this site seems to have transitioned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Nancy Sarnoff wonders if the imminent demolition and redevelopment of the Allen House apartments will cause a spike in rents around town. The day after the owner announced that the 896-unit complex would be torn down and replaced with an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

From the Orange Show mailing list: CALLING BEER VOLUNTEERS! Our Volunteer Happy Hours at the Beer Can House have been so successful and productive that we’re extending the fun for two more Thursdays (Feb 1st & 8th). So bring your … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Mayor White has taken another step towards real preservation in Houston by outlining an ordinance to help the Old Sixth Ward. He proposed creation of a special district within the neighborhood west of downtown with design guidelines for new construction … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ve blogged before about the impending development in the Rice Village that would close off a block of Bolsover and replace the little strip center there now with a high-rise mixed-use thing. The picture above gives a brief view of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

As noted by commenter KH here and as reported in the Chron, the next well known structure to go on the bulldozer hit list is the Allen House apartment complex on Allen Parkway. On Tuesday, residents there were told that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The preservationist urge has come to River Oaks, whose stately old mansions are slowly being replaced by not-so-stately newer ones. “This community is an historical area, with each of the homes having a history from the owners and residents who … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The Chron’s Nancy Sarnoff has an update on the site where Astroworld used to be and the development group that bought it out. Angel/McIver Interests is seeking the creation of a municipal management district for the site. The special district … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I heard about this last week through a bridge e-newsletter, but didn’t think to go looking for a link at the time: The Arabia Shrine Center on Braeswood near Kirby may soon be history. The Arabia Shrine Center — the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I admit I stayed off the highways as I drove to work this morning, but I didn’t find the roads to be particularly icy; if anything, they were just wet. Not everyone has the option of avoiding the freeways, of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Astroworld is gone, and now Six Flags is dumping Splashtown, though its fate is new ownership rather than the wrecking ball. The company said the sale, which is expected to bring $312 million, is a part of its strategy to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Credit where credit is due. A $100,000 donation from Houston home builder Bob Perry on Wednesday raised boosters’ hopes that they can preserve all 20 acres of the West 11th Street Park. City Councilwoman Toni Lawrence, whose district includes the … Continue reading → Continue reading →