For Preservation The Newsletter of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
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Volume 15, No.2
Summer 2004
Bright Lights, Big City
Houston recognizes the attractions of ur1an living More than 200 preservation supporters were the first to hear the unexpected results of the latest Houston Area Survey when Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg spoke at GHP1% National Preservation Week Luncheon on May 6 at The Houston Club . The Rice University sociology professor said interest in urban living has increased among suburban residents for the first time since he began conducting the comprehensive community attitudes survey in 1982. The results show that 38% of Harris County suburban residents said they were interested in moving into the city, a 27% increase over last years results. ''This is a dramatic reversal from all the past years," said Klineberg. "For the first time ever, there is as great an interest in moving into the city as there is in moving out to the suburbs." Houstons efforts to attract economic development must reflect these changing alliludes toward urban living. "The strategies for Houstons economic success in the 20th century will have to be radically different in the 21st century;" said Klineberg. ''The city was built with a 19th-century, business-oriented philosophy Quality-of-life issues were never much of a concern in Houston." "Now there is an economic case for addressing quality-of-life issues, like historic preservation,
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Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg oj Rice University discussed Houstonians' changing attitudes toward quality-oj-life issues at GHPA"s Preservation Week Luncheon.
if the city is to attract and keep creative people who can choose to live anywhere they want," he said. As evidence of the citys growing awareness of the importance of maintaining
authenticity and a unique sense of place, the luncheon featured a display of preservation projects in progress throughout Houston. Nine firms exhibited plans and renderings under the auspices of the American Institute of
Architects, Houston-Historic Resources Committee. A list of the participants is included on page 3 of this newsletter. The exhibited projects were very well-received by luncheon attendees. "I am proud that two of the projects are in my district," City Council Member Adrian Garcia, District H, told the audience. "We are committed to doing what we can to enhance historic architecture in Houston" Garcia and Council Member Pam Holm, District G, presented a Preservation Week proclamation from Mayor Bill White. GHPA board member Dr. Mary Ann Reynolds of Stewart Title chaired the event. She introduced public officials attending the luncheon, including City of Houston Historical Preservation Officer Randy Pace, Harris County Historical Commission Chairman Al Davis and a representative of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Former City Council Member Eleanor Tinsley received a warm round of applause on her introduction. The National Trust for Historic Preservation created National Preservation Week in 1971 to celebrate and encourage grassroots preservation efforts. The theme of Preservation Week 2004 was, "New Frontiers in Preservation."
1910 Blessed Sacrament School Faces Demolition The Diocese of Galveston-Houston has halted plans to renovate the former Blessed Sacrament School, 4015 Sherman, in the East End. GHPA has reported on the local parishs efforts to stabilize and mothball this historic building while money was being raised to renovate the structure as a community center and build additional facilities. Parish leaders had succeeded in raising $650,000 for the project, which included restoring the second-floor auditorium and its original pressed metal ceiling. The Diocese has now informed the parish that it will no longer support preserving the historic building. The Diocese is also shelving an architectural plan for the renovation created at no charge by the University of Houston's College of Architecture, which found the 94-year-old building to be structurally sound. When GHP1% Preservation Alert about Blessed Sacrament was e-mailed to members in May,
it inspired the Houston Chronicle to cover the story GHPA followed with its own op-ed piece in the Chronicle. The Diocese has hired an architect to design a new building and will pay for demolition and abatement of the historic structure and to build a replacement. The project is expected to
begin within three months and will result in a modern intrusion adjacent to Blessed Sacrament's historic sanctuary and rectory. The Brady family, prominent Houstonians for whom Brady's Island is named, donated the land and bricks for the building, which was constructed in 1910. Architects Lewis Sterling Green
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The Jormer Blessed Sacrament School could be demolished by the end of summer if the Diocese oj Galveston-Houston carries out its current plans. The East End landmark was designed by prominent architect Birdsall P. Briscoe and completed in 1910.
and Birdsall P. Briscoe designed the structure with Romanesque detailing. According to architectural historian Stephen Fox, Blessed Sacrament is believed to be the only religious structure deSigned by Briscoe, one of Houston's most prominent architects of the early 20th century Worship services were held in the building until the present sanctuary was completed in 1924. Blessed Sacrament School occupied the building until 1991. GHPA members are encouraged to express their concerns about this project by writing the Diocese of GalvestonHouston. Please address separate letters to the bishop, Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, and coadjutor bishop, Most Reverend Daniel N . DiNardo, at the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, 2700 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77001-0907. It is particularly important for members of Roman Catholic parishes to identify themselves when contacting the bishop.
From the Executive Director It is often difficult to explain GHPP6 role as an advocacy group, but a threat to a local landmark illustrates the relevance and importance of our mission. In mid June, GHPA staff received a call that the Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez Casino Hall was to be auctioned for back taxes. Casino Hall was built in 1928 by a MexicanAmerican mutual aid society and remained an important center for the Hispanic community. After confirming the information, we sent an e-mail alert to our members, who forwarded the message to a wider audience . We also contacted interested organizations, including Houston Hispanic Forum and Tejano Association for Historic Preservation, who spread the word among their members. GHPA sent out a media alert, which resulted in news coverage by television stations and the Houston Chronicle, and generated interest in the larger community People not usually concerned with preservation began to call our office. The media attention encouraged the owners family to pay the taxes and remove the building from the auction. Although the family is proud of the building, they do not have the resources to preserve it. GHPA was able to put the owner in touch with members of the Hispanic community who have expressed an interest in renovating the property. The Tejano Association is also working to have a Texas historical marker placed at Casino Hall. GHPA cannot save enough individual buildings to make an impact on the city As advocates, we can educate the public and create interest that will empower people to take action. As a GHPA member, your role is to make us aware of historic buildings that are coming on the market or are threatened by demolition or neglect. When you receive a Preservation Alert, pass it on to others who might be interested and contact the appropriate officials or organizations. If you aren't currently receiving our alerts, please send you e-mail address to
info@ghpa.org. Together we can create a preservation ethic for Houston.
~L Ramona Davis Executive Director