June 1986 GHPA Newsletter

FOR PRESERVATION NEWSLETTER OF THE GREATER HOUSTON PRESERVATION ALLIANCE

Volume 2 Number 2

June 1986

PILLOT BUILDING UPDATE Preservationists and other interested citizens are eagerly awaiting the groundbreaking of the Pillot Building, Houston's oldest three story commercial building, this summer.

According to Doug Crosson of The City Partnership, Ltd., and Project Manager for the Pillot Building, rehabilitation work should begin this summer.

The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance was the driving force behind the saving of the Pillot Building when county officials wanted to raze the structure. The City Partnership has leased the building for fifty years with the stipulation that the rehabilitation adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation."

The Pillot Building is individually listed on the National Register of His-

Architectural model of the Pillot Building upon restoration.

toric Places, U.s. Department of the Interior, and is part of the Main Streett Market Square Historic District.

We will keep you posted on groundbreaking ceremonies. The Phoenix rises!

SABINE STUDY UNVEILED Preservation Services, a local historic preservation consulting firm, has completed a planning analysis of the Old Sixth Ward/Sabine Historic District. The study was requested by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (GHPA) and funded by grants from the City of Houston through the Cultural Arts Council, the Sabine Association, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The goal of the analysis was to identify methods to preserve the late 1800's housing stock within the historic district, which is bounded by Washington Avenue, Houston Avenue, Glenwood Cemetery, and North Memorial Way.

The resulting report presents approximately 25 recommendations in the areas of historic preservation, civic action, city services and incentives.

Examples ofthe report's recommendations are: dedicating facade easements on historic structures; educating residents about the historical significance of the district; capitalizing a home repair fund; and, promoting voluntary exterior paint guidelines.

Potential funding sources and participants have been identified for each of the recommendations.

The analysis represents a comprehensive approach to addressing preservation issues and other con-

cerns voiced by residents, property owners, and preservationists. The findings of this preservation assessment can serve as a guide to service providers to Sabine residents as well as to preservationists.

The Sabine report was recently presented to Sabine residents and property owners for their imput and to prioritize the recommendations.

Organization has already begun on three of the recommended activities: a clean-up campaign; development of a neighborhood park; and, initiation of a paint-up program.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Mrs. Mae Jean Canion Mr. & Mrs. William Cassin Mrs. Bill Chapman Dr. & Mrs. (Merle ) Victor Carlson Ms. Polly R. Daniel Mr. Mike Davis Ms. Anita Doyle Ms. Margie C. Elliot Mr. William Evans Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Flamenco Mr. Stephen Fox Mr. Bill Gay Dr. & Mrs. John E. Graham Ms. Ruth Harlow Ms. Barbara Sue Harris Mr. Charles W. Hazelgrove Mr. John Hannah Mr. & Mrs. Ed Hilla Mrs. Richard Hirshberg Mr. & Mrs. Carter Hixon Mr. J. H. Hollyfield Mr. Lenwood Howell Ms. Ruth Harlow Mr. Larry D. Jones Mr. Richard G. Knight Dr. Thomas Kreneck Ms. Yonni Leor Ms. Ann Lindemann Mr. Jeff W. Lindemann Mr. William C. Lipscomb Mr. Graham B. Luhn Ms. Virginia King Mayo Ms. Faith Medlin

We are pleased to present this list of current GHPA members for 1986.

Some of these are new members who we are delighted to have join us, and some are renewals from last year, whose continued support is greatly appreciated . To echo our President's message: our strength is in our fine membership, so our thanks go to each of you. We hope to be able to publish the names of many more new members in future issues of this newsletter.

Mrs. Rita Anderson Ms. Texas Anderson Mr. Jerry Baiamonte Mr. Hines H. Baker, Jr. Mr. Joe H. Baker, Jr. Mr. Forrest Benson Ms. Mary Boehm Ms. Minnette Boesel Mr. Jerald Burkhardt Ms. Jane Ellen Cable

Mr. Patrick L. Moore Ms. Carol K. Moseley Mr. W. O. Neuhaus Mr. G. Randle Pace Ms. Louise Parker Ms. Pam Parker Ms. Beverly Pennington Ms. Cynthia Rowan Ms. Beverly Rudy Russell & Kathy Rudy Mrs. James T. Rutherford Mr. Neil Sackheim Ms. Velma B. Sanford Mr. & Mrs. Carroll Shaddock Miss Trula Sharpe Mr. Ted Siaweleski Mr. David M . Simms Jaime Sosh Mr. Stan Steele Mr. & Mrs. David Stotler Ms. Andrea Szabo Ms. Kelly Thompson Dr. Taffi S. Tippip Mr. Toby Topek Mr. Bart Truxillo Ms. Bethea Ward Hon. Ralph R. Wallace III Mrs. T. H. Weed Mrs. Marshall Wells Mr. Jim Weston Miss Nell Willman Ms. Lorene Windle Mr. Michael E. Wilson

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 1986 Membership Form Membership Categories

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Non-voting student membership Regular membership

$ 5.00

City

State __ Zip _ _ _ __

10.00 Amount enclosed _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Contributing membership

25.00

Benefactors' membership

50.00

Make checks payable and mail to: Greater Houston Preservation Alliance

Patrons' membership

100.00

1100 Bagby Street Houston, Texas 77002

Corporate membership

500.00

713/223-8367

Good Brick Award recipients (left) Ben Hill, Architect; (second left) Philip Noons, Project Manager -Mainland Building and Development; and, (right) Paul Campbell accept award for the

GHPA ANNUAL MEETING The GHPA annual meeting was held January 29,1986 at the Kirby Mansion.

Guests at the meeting enjoyed tours of the building after hearing of the progress of the GHPA during 1985.

Outgoing President Beverly Pennington reviewed last year's accomplishments, including the rescue of the Pillot Building, initiation oftheSabine Study, and the first issue of FOR PRESERVATION, among many others.

Star Engraving Project from Bart Truxillo, GHPA Vice-President.

The Book Stop, Inc. received a Good Brick Award for the restoration of the Alabama Theatre Center from GHPA Vice-President, Bart Truxillo at the 1986 annual meeting.

The highlight of the annual meeting was the presentation of two Good Brick Awards. Bart Truxillo presented awards to representatives of Mainland Building and Development for the Star Engraving Project and to representatives of Book Stop, Inc. for the Alabama Theatre/Shepherd Center Project.

is completed, we need to find our own space.

PRESIDENT'S LETTER Dear Member:

Pat Burris, who serves as Treasurer and Board Member of the Alliance, updated members on the financial status of the GHPA. Copies of the financial statement prepared by Mr. Burris are available upon request from the GHPA. Ms. Pennington then passed the gavel to Minnette Boesel, newly elected President of the GHPA. Ms. Pennington was praised for her work over the past four years and was presented a plaque commemorating the progress of the organization during her tenure.

Ms. Pennington currently serves on the GHPA Board of Directors as Immediate Past President and as Chairman of the Membership Committee.

1986 promises to be an exciting year for the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. Thank you for your vote of confidence in electing me your President at our annual meeting held in January. Much appreciation and thanks is owed Beverly Pennington who tirelessly served as your President the last four years.

One primary goal this year is to attain a permanent and visable headquarters. The Harris County Heritage Society has generously provided meeting space for us since the inception of the GHPA. Now that their administration offices are relocating temporarily until their new museum

A major project under completion by the GHPA is a neighborhood revitalization study for the Old Sixth Ward/ Sabine Historic District. Funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the City of Houston through the Cultural Arts Council, and the Sabine Association has enabled us to undertake this significant study of Houston's first historic district to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The recommendations in this study will directly influence projects undertaken by the GHPA in the future.

Our Program Committee chaired by Michael Wilson promises several exciting events this year. The Publications Committee chaired by Mike Davis will provide you with issues of this newsletter and keep you abreast of preservation activities in our city.

Your input, suggestions and support are most appreciated. Why not encourage a friend to join? The more people we have interested and committed to historic preservation, the more we can accomplish for our city.

'TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION LOSES 13 STAFF MEMBERS President Reagan's budget package has proposed a 79 percent recision of the $24.8 million 1986 appropriation for the National Historic Preservation Fund. The Texas Historical Commission and other corresponding agencies in other states receive a pro rata share of this amount to defray a portion of their federally mandated responsibilities such as the National Register of Historic Places Program for Texas.

Because of Reagan's proposal and Governor White's mandate to reduce the state agency budgets by 13 percent, the Commission has found it necessary to eliminate 13 staff posi-

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 1100 Bagby Street " Houston, Texas 77002

tions. More cuts could come in the future which could have severe impacts upon preservation projects around the state.

The House version provides for a 20 percent investment tax credit on the rehabilitation costs of certified historic structures and a 10 percent investment tax credit on the rehabilitation costs of non-historic structures built before 1935.

REHAB TAX CREDITS THREATENED

The Senate approved the Senate Finance Committee Bill on June 23 which calls for revisions similar to those included in the House proposal.

The Senate, or Packwood proposal, calls for retention of the tax credits at 10 and 20 percent for nonhistoric commercial and historic commercial and certified historic properties, respectively. Additional provisions limit use of losses and credits and increases the depreciation period.

The House of Representatives version of the Gramm-Rudman Bill proposes a reduction of the 25 percent investment tax credit now avai!able on the rehabilitation costs of income producing structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and whose rehabilitation work is certified by the Department of the Interior through the Texas Historical Commission.

BULK RATE POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT # 1621

FOR PRESERVA TlON is published as a membership service of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, Editor - Mike Davis, Contributors Minnette Boesel, Mike Davis, Beverly Pennington, and Phoebie Tudor,