Results tagged “mentalretardation”

Good morning, Houston. One word for you: Friday. Did you know the day was named for the lovely lady above? She's Frigg, the Norse goddess of beauty, love and fertility. Among Frigg's hobbies: using Orion's Belt to make clouds. Seriously? Lay off a little, Frigg; we need some sun this weekend. >> Fire on the Ship Channel: Thick black smoke rose over the east side shortly after noon yesterday when a tanker truck exploded... more ›

Something we missed over the weekend in the story of the city vs. The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation: On Sunday, the Chronicle published a letter from former City Attorney John Wildenthal about agreements the city had made with social service agencies like The Center. You may remember that the Chron talked with Wildenthal, who served as city attorney from 1964 to 1966 under Mayor Louie Welch, about the situation last week, and... more ›

Another development in the story of The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation's attempts to stay on its West Dallas Avenue land: The Chronicle reports that high-powered law firm Baker Botts has agreed to represent The Center pro bono in its dealings with the city of Houston. As we said yesterday, The Center isn't going quietly. With regard to the city's claim that a 99-year lease The Center negotiated with former Mayor Lewis Cutrer in... more ›

If The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation does end up losing its West Dallas Avenue land, it's clear it won't happen quietly: Yesterday, about 200 of The Center's residents, board members and supporters made the scene at City Hall, holding banners outside the building and packing the City Council chamber to make their side of the story heard. The Center, you'll remember, is concerned over news that the city wants to seize the land... more ›

As most of you have probably heard, The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation is in a battle with the city over their land - which is worth $26 million - on West Dallas. The Center has friends on City Council and has created a Save the Center website, which includes a number of ways citizens can help The Center fight to stay at their location of 44 years. Incidentally, the city intends to help... more ›

More on the story of the city trying to take The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation's land: The Chronicle reports that advocates of The Center seem to have found supporters on City Council. To recap, the issue here centers on an agreement The Center worked out with former Mayor Lewis Cutrer in 1963 to lease the land at West Dallas and Shepherd for 99 years. Under the agreement, The Center would pay the city... more ›

We've often driven past the corner of Allen Parkway and Shepherd and wondered just how that chunk of prime real estate has remained home to a social service agency instead of a high-dollar, high-rise apartment building. Seems the city of Houston has wondered that, too — and now it looks like the city is going to boot the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation and sell the property to the highest bidder. At issue here... more ›

The shot from flickr user and houstonist photo contributor Charles Chopper Chavez. more ›