River Oaks update: they might be landmarks after all

According to the Greater Houston preservation Alliance, the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission might try to extend its preservation power in a new way: since 1995, the Commission has had the power to designate historic landmarks without owner consent, but has yet to do it. With the endangerment of the River Oaks Theater, River Oaks Shopping Center, and the Alabama Theater by Weingarten Realty Investors, the HAHC will discuss beginning the process of designating these structures as landmarks whether Weingarten likes it or not. If it's a go, the designations would then need to be approved by City Council as well as the Planning Commission.

The preservation ordinance in its current state, however, would still allow Weingarten to demolish the structures, but they must notify the HAHC and then sit through a ninety-day waiting period. Back in July of last year was when we first got word of the River Oaks Theater and Shopping Center being in danger, and in August, official word that Barnes & Noble was planning to vacate the Alabama Theater (and move to the "new and improved" River Oaks Shopping Center).

Photo: Flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor simpletoenchant