For Preservation The Newsletter of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
~
Volume 16, No. 2
Fall 2005
Houston City Council amends Preservation Ordinance relocation and unsympathetic alteration for Houston's irreplaceable historic resources. Mayor Bill White demonstrated his public commitment to historic preservation by providing strong leadership in this matter. Council Members Pam Holm and Adrian Garcia successfully crafted a workable amendment that recognizes the unique challenges of preservation in Houston. This is the first time that provisions of the Preservation Ordinance have been changed since Council first enacted the law in 1995. As the proposed amendment was working its way toward approval, GHPA staff members auendeu public sessions of the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission (HAHC), Planning Commission and City Council to speak on behalf of Houston City Council has designated City Hall (1939) a the changes. GHPA Pmtccted Landmar/1 under the newly amended Preservation Ordinance. A complete list of the City-owned Protected members received Landmarks is on page 2 of this news/cUcr. On Wednesday, August 17, Houston City Council unanimously voted to amend the Historic Preservation Ordinance and create a new category of historic designation: Protected Landmark. GHPA strongly supported this measure, which, for the first time, provides real protection from demolition,
regular e-mail updates and were encouraged to contact their Council representatives in suppon of the amendment. During the public discussion before City Council, GHPA Executive Director Ramona Davis said, "This is a real gift to the city. Our staff has carefully studied the amendment and it addresses many preservation concerns. We are very happy to support it." In response, Mayor White made a request of Davis, "We need your help to bring fonh as many people as possible. People who want to enhance their properties and preserve their properties using the provisions of this amendment." Toward that end, GHPA has posted the application form and criteria for City Landmark and Protected Landmark designation on its Web site, wwwghpa.orglupdate.
Amendment Summary Property owners may now elect to permanently protect their historic buildings from relocation, demolition or unsympathetic alteration by having their property designated a Protected Landmark. Protected Landmarks may still be rehabilitated or restored with a Certificate of Appropriateness from the HAHC, as reqUired for all currently designated City
Landmarks. The property owner must request Protected Landmark status; the designation cannot be imposed by any City officials or agencies. Protected Landmark status will travel with the land and remain in place even if the property is sold. Owners of historic propenies that have been previously designated as City Landmarks may apply to HAHC to have their properties designated as Protected Landmarks, thus affording their properties additional protection. To qualify as a Protected Landmark, a historic propeny must: • Meet three of the eight criteria for designation as a City Landmark in the current Municipal Code, or • Have been constructed before 1905,or • Be individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or be a comributing building in a National Register historic district, or • Be an individually designated Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Additional information is available on the City of Houston Planning and Development Department Web site,
http://wwwhoustontx.govlplanning.
GHPA, RHCDC share a vision for the Third Ward Greater Houston Preservation Alliance is assisting Row House Community Development Corp. (RHCDC) in realizing its vision of creating a distinctive, masterplanned neighborhood in the historic Third Ward. Volunteers from GHPA's Historic Neighborhoods Council (HNC) are documenting the historic resources in the 35-block target area and researching properties that may be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The research will be used to create an interactive, online map of the Row House District to teach residents and visitors about the predominantly African-American neighborhood and its rich culture. "This project was a perfect match for us," said HNC Director Thomas McWhorter. "HNC's mission to promote neighborhood preservation and revitalization through cooperation and shared effort dovetails with RHCDC's mission to preserve and protect the cultural legacy and historic character of the Third Ward." RHCDC envisions a diverse
community of households attracted to quality, affordable homes in a planned environment with the unique appeal of history and the arts. The comprehensive community campus will include major institutions, shops and stores, churches, schools, parks and a careful blend of restored historic houses and architecturallycompatible new residences offered affordably for rent and for sale. The community will be woven together with streetscape promenades and pedestrian greenways emphasizing the area's historic and artistic character. "RHCDC deeply appreciates the spirit of collaboration that GHPA brings to this endeavor," said RHCDC Executive Director Deborah Grotfeldt. "We are extremely grateful for the GHPA volunteers who have begun researching the homes in the Row House District." Originally settled by former slaves follOwing the Civil War, the Third Ward was a thriving mixed-income neighborhood with an indigenous arts and music culture. The end of
houses on Bastrop Street are among the historic resources that volunteers from GHPAS Historic Neighborhoods Council are documenting in cooperation with Row House CDC.
housing segregation in the 1960s led to the gradual departure of upper- and middle-income African-American families. Row House CDC is an outgrowth of Project Row Houses, the internationally acclaimed arts and cultural organization. In 1993, Project Row Houses began renovating 22 historic shotgunstyle houses in the Third Ward in a project that connects the work of artists with community revitalization efforts. RHCDC projects are designed to complement the
work of its parent organization by filling a critical gap in local housing needs. RHCDC recently completed construction of eight very-low-income rental units and 25 rental housing units for qualified low-income residents. Anyone interested in volunteering to assist in the research should contact Thomas McWhorter at 713-216-5000 or tmcwhorter@ghpa.org. For additional information on RHCDC, please visit
www.rowhousecdc.org.
From the Executive Director Earlier this year, Mayor Bill White announced a major reorganization of the Planning Commission. The mayor's plan created several committees under the Commission to focus on specific concerns: neighborhood preservation, urban and suburban planning, parking, development impact, and long-range planning. Committee members consider and propose policies that support sound quality of life and sustainable growth for Houston. Where appropriate, committee members may also recommend methods for turning the proposed policies into actionable programs or ordinances. I am very pleased LO be serv ing on the Neighborhood Preservation committee headed by Planning Commission member Kay Crooker. When we began our work in May, the committee members realized we share many common values. We all want appropriate, quality development in safe neighborhoods where people share a sense of community and a sense of pride. We hope to make it easier for residents to protect their neighborhoods' character by using existing tools such as establishing prevailing setback and prevailing lot size. Across the country; the importance of maintaining a distinctive sense of place is being recognized as a vital component for a city's continuing growth and development. Tony Goldman, chairman and CEO of The Goldman Properties Company, has been transforming declining historical districts into popular, thriving destinations for over thirty years. He was the driving force behind the transformations of Soho in New York City, South Beach in Miami, and now Center City in Philadelphia. In The Next American City, Goldman says, "The essence is, you can knock down and do anything to any old place, but then there is no sense of place. If you have no sense of place, you have no differentiation. And without that, you're just a commodity, and you're going to lose out." The work of the Planning Commission committees is meant to ensure that Houston's neighborhoods do not lose out.
~L Ramona Davis Executive Director
Thank you! Al Davis generously donated the postage for this issue of
For Preservation.