The Texas Supreme Court has affirmed a First District Court of Appeals judgment that Houston’s preservation ordinance does not constitute zoning and therefore does not violate the City Charter or Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code. The city’s position supporting historic preservation in Houston has now been upheld at every level of the Texas court system. Preservation Houston was among the local, state and national organizations that signed on to an amicus brief supporting the city’s position.
New owner to rehab former Spaghetti Warehouse building
A new owner has purchased the Desel-Boettcher Building (1912) at 901 Commerce Avenue in the Main Street/Market Square Historic District and plans to rehabilitate the building, which was damaged last year in the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. The property was the home of the Old Spaghetti Warehouse for more than four decades.
Continuing threats to historic River Oaks Shopping Center
Weingarten Realty Investors has submitted requests for certificates of appropriateness to demolish one portion and significantly alter another section of the historic River Oaks Shopping Center. The Art Deco complex is a designated City of Houston Landmark, so proposed changes to the buildings must go before the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission (HAHC). The affected buildings at 1964 and 1973 West Gray Avenue (1948, Raymond H. Brogniez) were constructed during a post-World War II expansion and complemented the modernistic design of the original shopping center (1937, Nunn & McGinty).
Anticipated buyer of historic Heights waterworks to outline development proposals during public meeting
Alliance Residential Group, the anticipated buyer of the historic Heights waterworks, is holding a public meeting on Tuesday evening, November 29, to give interested individuals the opportunity to hear advance proposals for the site's development. Alliance submitted the highest cash offer out of 19 bids received by the City of Houston, which, by statute, much accept the highest offer.