Saturday, April 1, 2017 • Page 1B
Senior living - new Heights By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Everything we see in this world today is the fruits of someone’s labor--someone who came before us and made a way. Seeing as today’s elderly generation were a part of the fabric of this city, it only seems right to pay them back in any small manner, and 223 residents of a local senior living community now have a facility best-suited for their needs. On Thursday, March 23, Mayor Sylvester Turner joined the Heights community as the Houston Heights Tower celebrated completion of a $12 million facelift and renovation two years in the making in the heart of the Heights at 330 W. 19th Street. “Forty years went by, and the building needed work,” said Tom Forrester Lord, president of the Housing Corporation of Greater Houston, of the midrise built in 1975. “We were seeing pipes leak and the roof leak, and we didn’t really have the money we needed if we wanted to fix it up and continue serving seniors for another 40 years.” Enter the folks with the city of Houston. When Lord first
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Mayor Sylvester Turner presents Tom Forrester Lord with a declaration of support of the Houston Heights Tower renovation. Though the city-funded portion was large, Turner said it seems only right to give back to the elderly community.
approached the Housing Department, he simply requested $2 million to fix the plumbing—but the follow-up made his jaw drop. “The head of the department said ‘why don’t you just fix it all?’” he said. The offer was one he wasted no time in accepting. Hence, the city dug into its pockets and funded $10 million of the $12 million cost, with Community Bank chipping in the final $2 million to help keep the vision of four area
churches (Heights Presbyterian, St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Heights Christian Church and All Saints Catholic) alive and well. “Everything you see here is brand new, so it will all be around here to serve the community for at least another 40 years,” Lord said. Refurbishment on the venue included installing all-new plumbing, transforming the former cafeteria into a 2,000square-foot community room for activities, resurfacing and
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painting the exterior, adding four feet of insulation and a computer room, and giving all apartments an interior facelift. While the $10 million required of the city is no small chunk of change, Mayor Sylvester Turner believes the cost to be well worth the investment. “In building complete communities in Houston, we must consider the needs of our older adults and we must support development which provides for those in need, and that is why we support the Housing Corporation of Greater Houston and the Houston Heights Tower,” he said. “It sounds like a lot of money, and it is, but it is an investment in our seniors, those who have paved the way and those who have made it possible to be where we are today.”
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Not too far or close—just right As residents of the independent living facility have come and gone, Lord said one thing has remained the same through all its days, and remains a vital part of the facility’s service to the community’s older population.
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New ideas for old Chase location By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Contributed Photo Beer, wings and giant pretzels aren’t the only things offered at BierHaus - there’s also live music and an adult playground.
King’s BierHaus to bring their best By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Neighborhood reaction to the opening of King’s BierHaus this month at 2044 E. T.C. Jester has been very enthusiastic, which is just what Philipp Sitter hoped for when he and his father Hans chose the location. The Austrian father and son already operate King’s Biergarten in Pearland. “We believed that specific community would embrace our concept and brand with open arms,” said Sitter. “It just felt like King’s belonged there.” The Sitters are finishing up ambitious renovations to the site. The 9,000 squarefoot outdoor beer garden will feature a small river cutting through the middle. There are seven dining spaces, including a full-service inside bar, small tables and booths inside, indoor communal tables with TVs, outdoor bar dining, additional private outdoor dining with personal awnings, the outdoor communal Biergarten dining, and what is described in press materials as the “adult playground.” “Our landlord, Neil Martin from Ancorian, really gave us free reign to design the building and garden like an Austrian Ski Haus and Biergarten mashup,” said Sitter. “It’s super difficult to find a landlord that shares your visions and supports it.” The access to parking was also key to Sitter. “We have access to over
800 parking lots so we can have large festivals like Oktoberfest, Beerfest, and our Christmas Market with ease of access to the entire community,” he said. Sitter also understands that he’s moving into an area with a lot of families and says that the BierHaus will be a restaurant venue more than a bar venue. “We have a kids menu, outdoor seating, and dogfriendly patio,” he said. “Just the atmosphere will naturally contribute to [a family friendly vibe]. Late night, after 10 p.m., will be a different story, but overall it will be a place for all to enjoy.” He said they are calling the playground an adult one because they thought it was the best way to describe it. The playground features bar games like corn hole, pingpong, and a giant Jenga. Long-time residents might remember the spot as the location of Pecos Grill which was there for a number of years. Those who have been here even longer say it was an establishment called Texas Tumbleweed. “I remember watching a western shootout in the middle of dinner in grade school at Tumbleweed and two-stepping at Pecos,” said Lisa Buss. The newest incarnation of the space will be open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
When the Chase Bank vacated the spot in front of the Oak Forest library in December, the speculation began as to what would take its place. Now Edge Realty Partners has a sign out in front of the library and is taking offers. On Edge’s website, the bank is listed as available for lease. However, Edge’s Culver Stedman said that the owner would consider a sale for the right price. The price for lease is under wraps, except for serious inquiry. Edge associate Travis Waltmon said that the building’s owner recently purchased it from Chase, although HCAD still lists the bank as owner. The space is being marketed for office, retail or medical use, but Walton said the use is unrestricted. “It’s a freestanding building,” he said. “It could be used for just about anything if someone can make it work.” It is across the street from Oak Forest Elementary so it would seem beer and wine sales would be prohibited. Leader readers Carolina Chavez and Laura Tilley said that they hoped the building might become an expansion of the library. “They could offer more interactive things for kids to do, like a Lego center,” said Tilley. The marketing flyer lists the building at 3,603 square feet and the land at 19,325 square feet. There are 16 parking spaces. The total population within five miles is 378,559 and the average household income is $83,523. There is no shortage of reader ideas of what someone might do with the property. A coffee shop, a small boutique or gift shop, a kid friendly spot like a Mad Potter and a community center all got votes. Lucy Cain wants an Oak Forest Cafe that serves an old fashioned breakfast. “I wish we could do a co-op cafe for the neighborhood,” she said. “Other cities have been successful, I think it could work in ours too.” “I think it would be great to have an afterschool place for kids from Black Middle School to walk to,” said Jason Holcombe. “One of my dreams is a place
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where elderly could hang out during the day and children and pets could visit so that children have some exposure to the amazing patience and life experience of mature folks and so that elderly can enjoy the bursts of life giving laughter and joy that come from spending time with young children,” said Elizabeth Villarreal.
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