River Oaks threat creates huge outcry and growing support

Houstonians are banding together in what seems like an unprecedented collaboration for historic preservation. In actuality, many of us have always cared, but this time we have some notice. A sketch from Hermes Architects shows clear plans to demolish the current location of Black-eyed Pea restaurant with an anchor (Barnes & Noble), and the implementation of a three-level parking garage that would run along the back side of the center.

According to the Chronicle:

"They're scheduled to take us down," said Fredericka Hunter, owner of Texas Gallery, in the same building as the theater.

Hunter said her leasing agent offered her replacement space on the third floor of the new building whose anchor tenant, she was told, would be Barnes & Noble.

Other tenants say the leasing agent has described similar plans. They say the building at the corner of Shepherd and West Gray is slated to be razed at the end of this year, and the building containing the theater could be demolished in early 2008.

The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission has a meeting at the end of August, and on the agenda could be the possibility of designating a portion or more of the buildings as historic landmarks. Unfortunately, the City of Houston has never seen property designated as such without consent (or against) the property owners. Of course, Weingarten has been behind closed doors concerning this issue so far.

So, you ask: What can I do to help?

• First, visit the petition, read information provided there, and sign.
• Visit a few sites to gather more information, such as names and emails of people to voice concerns:

• riveroaks.arch-ive.org
• Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
• Historic Houston

Even though no one in the city can get hold of Weingarten, Drew Alexander and his pops Stanford Alexander sounded happy to report that they have 95.2% retail occupancy (the highest percentage in the last twenty years), and gazillions of dollars in profits at the 2006 Second Quarter Earnings conference call meeting.

Of course, demolition or not, we all know what these recent happenings spell out: a public relations nightmare for Weingarten Realty Investors.