April 1985 GHPA Newsletter

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FOR PRESERVATION NEWSLETTER OF THE GREATER HOUSTON PRESERVATION ALLIANCE

Old Sixth Ward/Sabine Historic District As reported at November1s general meeting, the GHPA has proposed a neighborhood/historic preservation study for the Sabine neighborhood.

The area is bounded by Washington Avenue, Houston Avenue, Memorial Drive, and Glenwood Cemetery.

The proposed study will examine housing values, property ownership, and neighborhood demographics.

The findings reported will provide the necessary verification for this area to compete for major housing rehabilitation funding.

Funding for the study has been received from the National Trust for Historic Preservation ($1,000) and the Old Additional matching Sixth Ward/Sabine Association ($1,000). funds are currently being sought.

GHPA members interested in volunteering for team should contact Mike Davis, at 222-4851.

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Pillot Building The GHPA remains involved in the preservation of the Pillot Building.

Beverly Pennington addressed the December hearing of the Texas Antiquities Committee to protest the request to demolish the building.

At that time, Beverly Pennington presented the GHPA1s proposal, including architectural plans, for the restoration of the building for office and retail use.

The Texas Antiquities Committee in a delayed decision, has alloted sixty days for a developer to be located for the building.

The Committee created an ad hoc panel to oversee the search for a developer.

The panel is composed of representatives from Harris County, the Texas Historic Commission, and the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.

GHPA Board Member Barry Moore has worked diligently with County representatives to develop a lease agreement for which developers will be asked to bid.

Barry Moore reports that work is proceeding and that several developers have expressed interest in the project.

Mr. Moore is currently preparing a request for proposal (RFP) to distribute to interested developers.

The RFP outlines the lease requirements and technical information pretaining to the restoration of the building.

If you have suggestions as to developers who should receive copies of the RFP, please notify the GHPA, at 223-8367.

April 1985

Fourth Ward Historic District Houston can now boast of six National Register of Historic Places Districts.

A forty-one block district, bounded by West Dallas, Arthur, Victor, and Gennessee streets, was listed on the National Register in 3anuary 1985.

Houston's other historic districts are the Old Sixth Ward/Sabine, Courtlandt Place, Broadacres, the Houston Heights Multiple Resource Area and Main Street/Old Market Square.

President's Message Before I discuss my agenda for 1985, let me take just a moment to look back over the Alliance's accomplishments in 1984.

I think we can pronounce the year an unqualified success.

The Alliance, through the hard work of its members and friends, has become an increasingly effective and activist preservation force.

We have advanced our profile in the community and have assumed the role of preservation advocate for Houstonians.

I am proud of our efforts to become more responsive to the needs of our local historic districts.

These efforts are exemplified by the Old Sixth Ward/Sabine study and our work to establish a Facade Easement program within the Alliance.

The Alliance's commitment to preserve significant buildings has been exemplified by the continuing efforts to save the Pillot Building.

I can't begin to sum the hours which Preservation Alliance members have spent pursuing this cause.

Our fight has been aided by the generous donations which the GHPA Pillot Fund has received from local preservationists.

Another success during the past year has been the increasing professionalism with which our organization has conducted business.

Credit for this accomplishment goes to the Board of Directors, who continue to provide expert guidance to the Alliance.

In the coming year, you will see a continuation of our past successes. The goals which I am establishing for our new year are straightforward.

We will push for enactment of the Facade Easement program locally, complete the Old Sixth Ward/Sabine study, negotiate the restoration of the Pillot Building and other endangered build'ings, and continue to expand our role as an alliance of preservation-oriented individuals and organizations.

To this end, I am depending heavily upon a committee structure within the Alliance. I urge each member to consider becoming involved in one of these committees.

Thank you for your efforts in 1984.

I look forward to working with you for an even more successful 1985.

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Christaas on Market Square The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance is planning Christmas in the Market Square Historic District to complement the candlelight festivities in Sam Houston Park.

The 1985 phase will be to outline in white lights as many of the historic buildings in the district as possible.

This would create a major Christmas attraction for the historic district, highlighting the rare and beautiful buildings it contains. We need ideas and help to make this happen.

If you are interested in joining the IIChristmas on Market Square ll group, please contact Bart Truxillo, at 223-8361 or 223-8508.

Historic Rehab Tax Incentives Threatened The U.S. Treasury Department has, as part of a major tax simplification package, proposed complete elimination of the 15%, 20%, and 25% investment tax credits for rehabilitation of older and historic income producing buildings.

Since tax incentives for the rehabilitation of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places began in 1916, approximately $6.94 billion has been leveraged in private investment on rehabilitation expenditures.

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for every $100,000 spent on the rehabilitation of historic buildings, $253,000 in retail sales, $14,600 in increased wage earnings, and four new jobs are generated.

Let your Senator and Congressman know your views on the Treasury Department's proposal.

Rational Main Street Center The City of Houston, Department of Planning and Development (DPD), has submitted an application to the National Trust's Main Street Center.

Houston will be competing with approximately 150 other applicants for participation in the 'Urban Demonstration Program.

Only eight districts will be chosen for the program.

The Urban Demonstration Program is an attempt to translate the successful Main Street Program from smaller towns to urban commercial districts.

The district designated by the City of Houston is a thirty-six block corridor along Almeda Road from Cleburne Street to N. MacGregor Way. This corridor lies within the Third Ward planning area for which the DPD is preparing a neighborhood revitalization plan.

Announcement of the eight districts to be included in the program is expected in mid-May. For information about the City's Main Street application, call Melody Green, Department of Planning and Development, at 222-4851.

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Call for Committees

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GHPA committees provide an opportunity for members to be directly involved in local preservation action.

Three committees need volunteers currently.

The Houston Festival Events Planning Committee will manage the GHPA's participation in the 1986 Houston Festival.

This includes organizing special walking tours, staffing the GHPA booth, and coordinating with Festival officials.

If you are interested, call Bart Truxillo, at 223-8367 or 223-8508.

The Slide Show/Tours Committee has been assigned the tasks of developing a GHPA presentation about Houston's historic resources and managing the GHPA's walking tours of the Main Street/Market Square Historic District.

Working on this committee is a great way to acquaint yourself with the city's significant buildings.

Again, for more information, call Bart Truxillo.

The Endangered Buildings Committee also needs members.

If you're interested in monitoring Houston's threatened buildings and would like to shape the GHPA's tactics to save endangered buildings, call Beverly Pennington, at 623-2491.

Beverly Pennington, President Minnette Boesel, Vice President Mike Davis, Secretary Pat Burris, Treasurer Mike Davis, Newsletter Editor

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 1100 Bagby Street Houston, Texas 77002 223-8367

The RADOFF Building 1896 - 1985

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