Summer/Fall 2011 GHPA Newsletter

For Preservation the newsletter of

Volume 21, No. 3

www.ghpa.org

n

greater houston preservation alliance

Houston’s local partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Summer/Fall 2011

Restored 1910 courthouse to host GHPA Annual Meeting the 2012 Good Brick Awards for excellence in historic preservation when the winners are announced during the Annual Meeting. The awards will be presented at the Cornerstone Dinner on February 17, 2012.

Harris County rededicated the historic courthouse on August 23. The project began in 2003, when Commissioners Court authorized a preservation master plan that proposed restoring the building’s exterior and the public spaces inside to their original appearance. The work included rebuilding massive granite Please see Meeting, Page 2

2011 Annual Meeting GHPA’s Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the 1910 Harris County Courthouse.

The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.

Admission is free. E-mail dbush@ghpa.org or call (713) 216-5000 with the number of those attending.

jim parsons

GHPA members will get an inside look at the newly restored 1910 Harris County Courthouse when the 2011 Annual Meeting is held in the historic building at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 20. The evening’s speakers will be Jeffrey P. Gerber, AIA, president and CEO of PGAL, architect for the courthouse restoration, and Ruben Martinez, senior associate and project manager for PGAL. GHPA’s Board of Directors and officers for 2011-2012 will also be introduced during the meeting.

In addition, GHPA members will be the first to learn the names of the recipients of

The restored 1910 Harris County Courthouse will host GHPA’s Annual Meeting on Thursday evening, Oct. 20.

The courthouse is located in the 300 block of Fannin Street.

Street parking is free downtown after 6 p.m. weekdays.

Paid parking is available in nearby surface lots. The courthouse is a short walk from MetroRail’s Preston Station.

neighborhoods

Changes ahead for the Alabama? Houston

david bush

jim parsons

On September 22, Houston Archeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) approved proposed exterior alterations to the former Alabama Theater (1939), 2922 S. Shepherd.

The building’s owner, Weingarten Realty, requested the changes for a potential tenant: Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocer. HAHC’s consent was required because the Alabama is a City of Houston landmark.

HAHC OK’d freestanding letters atop the marquee spelling out “Trader Joe’s.” Similar signs were in place when the theater opened and when Bookstop renovated the building.

The approved plan also includes moving the South Shepherd entrance forward and removing some original enameled panels and poster frames.

More problematic is the planned removal of the terrazzo at the theater’s entrance. Houston Planning Director Marlene Gafrick explained that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the slope at entrances be no more than 2 percent; the slope of the terrazzo is 2.5 percent.

HAHC members Doug Elliot and

Maverick Welsh questioned the loss of historic design elements and Welsh asked about re-installing or replicating the terrazzo. Kenny Simmons with Weingarten Realty said plans called for replacing the terrazzo with concrete, but that could be reconsidered.

Welsh also asked about changes to

Proposed alterations to the 1939 Alabama Theater building for a possible tenant, specialty grocer Trader Joe’s, include the removal of original terrazzo at the building’s entrance (above) and one of a pair of murals flanking the stage in the auditorium (left). Project planners said they would work to address concerns about both proposed changes.

the interior. The answers were both encouraging and disappointing.

The mezzanine and lighting would remain, but one of the murals would be removed. Simmons and architect Don Sopranzi said they would try Please see Alabama, Page 2

HISD plans adaptive re-use of Settegast Building

david bush

Settegast Estate Building (1938, Moore & Lloyd)

Houston Independent School District trustees have voted to fund the renovation of the Settegast Estate Building (1938) as part of the new Carnegie Vanguard High School.

According Peggy Sue Gay, president of the school’s PTO, the historic building will serve as the high school’s art annex and include a 130-seat theater, art room and photo lab.

Architects Moore & Lloyd designed the building at 242256 West Gray Avenue as an investment property for the Settegast Estate. The structure’s large stepped turret anchors a pivot point on West Gray and is visible from Montrose Boulevard. Houston’s Orange Crush bottling plant occupied part of the building through the 1950s.

Members of the Carnegie Vanguard PTO worked diligently to prevent the building’s demolition. They were supported in their efforts by HISD trustees Carol Mims Galloway, Larry Marshall and Juliet Stipeche.

gains new historic districts At the end of June, Houston City Council designated three new City of Houston historic districts: Glenbrook Valley, Heights South and Woodland Heights. A majority of homeowners in each of these neighborhoods signed and submitted petitions requesting historic district designation. These were the first new districts designated under the amended historic preservation ordinance with its expanded historic district protections.

Glenbrook Valley becomes the only City of Houston historic district outside Loop 610. The southeast Houston neighborhood is on the west side of the Gulf Freeway and contains an extensive collection of mid-century modern homes, including distinctive houses built for the 1956 Parade of Homes.

Heights Historic District South is south of 11th Street and east of Yale Street in Houston Heights. Woodland Heights Historic District is on the north and south sides of Bayland Avenue on the west side of Houston Avenue. Historic houses in these two new districts date primarily from the first decades of the 20th century and include a variety of traditional styles.

GHPA congratulates the homeowners who worked diligently so that their neighborhoods could share the benefits and protections of historic district designation. Thanks to the members of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance as well as the members of Houston Please see Districts, Page 2

For Preservation

2 | Summer/Fall 2011 fr o m t h e ex e c u t i v e d i r e c to r: R A MONA DAVIS

GHPA’s

South MacGregor Way, which was designed by Hayes & Orem and built in 1931. The first two Riverside Terrace landmark applications have been submitted and are making their way through the designation process.

The Susan Vaughan Foundation is funding the second year of GHPA’s cooperative program with Preservation River Oaks. Through this initiative, property owners who want to have their historic houses designated as City of Houston landmarks receive assistance from the HNR director. The program met its first-year goal by guiding the

HISD sells historic Sunset Heights school

continued from Page 1 exterior staircases, re-opening the rotunda, recreating the stained glass dome and ornate plasterwork, and reconstructing two original courtrooms.

The renovation reversed alterations made in the 1950s and the effects of a century of almost daily use. The restoration is meticulous in its details.

“We went back to the same quarry and same vein for the marble — I dare you to tell what is old and what is new,” said Tom Vaughn, general contractor for the restoration.

In addition to Harris County’s expenditures, the project

owners of 20 significant River Oaks houses through the landmark designation process.

HNR’s assistance is offered

at no cost to homeowners. For more information, contact Courtney Tardy at (713) 2165000 or cktardy@ghpa.org.

2012 GOOD BRICK AWA RDS

Cornerstone Dinner chairs announced

Alamo Elementary School (1912)

Commission has determined the buildings are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Alamo School was included on Preservation Texas’ 2009 list of the state’s most endangered historic places.

“We went back to the same quarry and same vein for the marble — I dare you to tell what is old and what is new.” ­— Tom Vaughn, general contractor for the courthouse restoration

received partial funding from the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program administered by Texas Historical Commission (THC). Gov. George W. Bush proposed the program in 1997 and the Texas Legislature first allocated funding in 1999. Since then, THC staff members have assisted in the preservation of 82 Texas county courthouses.

Districts

continued from Page 1

courtney tardy

A home in the Idylwood National Register Historic District, located southeast of downtown.

This historic house on South MacGregor Way is on its way to becoming the first designated City of Houston landmark in Riverside Terrace.

Houston ISD has sold the former Alamo Elementary School, 201 East 27th Street, to Lovett Homes. The property includes the original Sunset Heights School (1912) and a later addition (1929).

GHPA has contacted the new owner, Frank Liu, to encourage him to incorporate the historic buildings into any new development and has offered to meet with him to explain the preservation incentives available if the buildings are rehabilitated to high standards.

At GHPA’s request, Texas Historical

Meeting

courtney tardy

Historic Neighborhood Resources (HNR) program has begun an initiative assisting Riverside Terrace homeowners who want to have their historic houses designated as City of Houston landmarks.

During the summer, HNR Director Courtney Tardy and intern Sarah Shackleford from Texas A&M University identified significant houses in the neighborhood, located on Brays Bayou near Hermann Park.

Bob Conwell was the first homeowner to request assistance from GHPA. He has applied for landmark designation for his restored house on

david bush

GHPA is lucky to have an active, engaged Board of Directors. The volunteers on GHPA’s board serve as informed ambassadors for historic preservation. Their love of history and concern for the built environment helps them speak knowledgeably about the importance of preservation and its benefits to Houston.

At the Annual Meeting on October 20, Patty Porter will succeed Larry Whaley as GHPA’s president. We are fortunate to have them both as active volunteers.

Larry has provided strong leadership and support. He is always available to advise the staff and share his knowledge of the building industry. I am happy to report that Larry will remain on the board as past president.

Please join me in welcoming Patty as she begins her term as president. She has been an active member of GHPA’s board of directors and is a dedicated community volunteer.

Several new directors have been elected to the board: Ann Bookout, Neal Carlson, John Cryer III, Louise Girard, Benito Guerrier, Elizabeth Husseini, Penny Jones, Nancy McGregor Manne and Kate McCormick. I look forward to working with all of them.

I would also like to thank our retiring board members for their years of service and support: Michelle Barnes, Minnette Boesel, Rosario Boling, Carlo Di Nunzio, Karen Henry, Susan Hill and Bob Wakefield. Everyone at GHPA appreciates your contributions and your commitment to the organization.

We will introduce the new board members during GHPA’s Annual Meeting at the 1910 Harris County Courthouse. I hope you will all come to meet GHPA’s new, returning and retiring directors and see our beautifully restored courthouse.

HNR program assists Riverside, River Oaks homeowners with landmark designations

Mod, Houston Historic Districts Coalition and local members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Texas who contacted their Council members in support of the new historic districts.

GHPA appreciates the support of Mayor Annise Parker, District H Council Member Ed Gonzalez and District I Council Member James Rodriguez, who represent the three new historic districts, and all of the City

Three of Houston’s leading interior designers will chair the 2012 Cornerstone Dinner, GHPA’s largest fundraising event. Jane-Page Crump and Bill Stubbs will serve as dinner co-chairs. Janita Lo is auction chair. All three are also members of GHPA’s Board of Directors.

The Cornerstone Dinner will be held Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at River Oaks Country Club. During the event, GHPA will present the 2012 Good Brick Awards for excellence in historic preservation. GHPA members will receive invitations to the dinner after the first of the year.

“Historic preservation is more labor intensive, creates more jobs, especially more skilled jobs. It has more economic impact than building a new building,” THC Executive Director Mark Wolfe said.

“We are proud to have a piece of [this project].”

The building will provide space for the 1st and 14th Texas Courts of Civil Appeals.

GHPA is grateful to Chief Justice Adele O. Hedges for allowing us to hold the Annual Meeting in her courtroom and to Art Storey, executive director of the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department, for facilitating GHPA’s use of the courthouse.

Council members who voted to accept the homeowners’ requests and designate the new districts.

Idylwood National Register District The U.S. Department of the Interior has listed Houston’s Idylwood neighborhood in the National Register of Historic Places. Located southeast of downtown Houston along Brays Bayou, Idylwood is an intact example of an early automobile suburb.

The subdivision was developed in 1928 and is known for its curving streets and gently rolling site. Deed re-

Alabama

continued from Page 1 to address concerns about the mural. Houston’s preservation ordinance does not regulate changes to interiors of local landmarks, so HAHC does not have to OK those changes.

Simmons and Sopranzi emphasized that the project is still being planned. Trader Joe’s has not yet signed a lease.

GHPA, Texas Historical Commission and Preservation Texas have contacted Trader Joe’s thanking the company for working to preserve the Alabama and encouraging the firm to retain the theater’s interior and exterior detailing.

strictions have been in place from the beginning, so there have been few significant alterations to the traditional middle-class houses.

The National Register district is bounded roughly by Lawndale Avenue, Sylvan Road, South Wayside Drive and North MacGregor Way. National Register historic districts are distinct from City of Houston historic districts. National Register districts do not benefit from the protections afforded city-designated historic districts under Houston’s historic preservation ordinance.

For Preservation

Summer/Fall 2011 | 3

2011 National Preservation Month Luncheon

GHPA President-elect Patty Porter and Bill Porter

Jan DeVault and Larry Faulkner

Bill Hobby, George Mitchell, Ann Hamilton

Charles Maynard, Margaret Lawler, GHPA Board Member Louis H. Skidmore, Jr.

Jim and Betty Key

GHPA Board Member Phoebe Tudor and Yvonne Cormier

Susan Deison, Janet Spencer, GHPA Board Member Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins

all: pete baatz / formula one photography

GHPA President Larry E. Whaley, Charlotte Whaley, luncheon speaker Dr. Tom Staley

For Preservation

4 | Summer/Fall 2011

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 2011-2012 Board of Directors Officers Patty Porter President

Larry E. Whaley Past President

Nancy Ames VP/Special Events Jane-Page Crump VP at Large

Lynne Bentsen Treasurer

Al Calloway VP/Communication

Eileen Hricik VP at Large

Madeleine Hamm Secretary

Bill Franks VP/Development

Patricia Laurent VP at Large

Rick Walton VP/Museum of Houston, Parliamentarian

d i r e c to r s Ann Bookout Neal D. Carlson Lucky Chopra David Cottrell III

John Cryer III Diane Gendel Louise Girard

Benito Guerrier Elizabeth Husseini Penny Jones Janita Lo

Nancy McGregor Manne Kate McCormick Louis H. Skidmore, Jr.

William W. Stubbs Phoebe Tudor Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins

ex officio Charles D. Maynard, Jr. Legal Counsel

Marlene Gafrick Director, Houston Department of Planning and Development

Bart Truxillo Director Emeritus

b u s i n e s s a n d n ot - f o r - p r o f i t m e m b e r s 1940 Air Terminal Museum Adept Word Management AGC Houston AIA Houston Amilee Wendt, ASID / Wendt Design Group Bailey Architects, Inc. Baker Botts LLP Bering’s Bill Fisher Benefits Specialists Boulevard Oaks Ladies Club Bridgeway Capital Management Canyonlands Corp.

Central Houston / Houston Downtown Management District Cisneros Design Studio Coat & Evans, PC Colquitt Court Civic Club Cooke + Skidmore Consulting Corp.

David Cottrell Investments FRAMEwork design LLC Fretz Construction Company Gabriel Architects, Inc. Gensler

Gilbane Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. and Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation Madeleine M. Hamm / Design Communications HarrisonKornberg Architects HawesHillCalderon, LLP Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. The Heritage Society Jerry Hernandez / Russo Services, Inc. Hines HistoryConsultants.net Houston Mod Houston House & Home Peggy Hull, ASID / Creative Touch Interiors Jane-Page Crump / Jane Page Design Group JD Miner Systems, LLC JPMorgan Chase & Co. Kirksey Architecture The Lancaster Hotel Landmark Houston Hospitality Group Charles W. Ligon, AIA, Architects Martha Turner Properties Matrix Spencer Architects

PageSoutherlandPage REHKA Engineering, Inc. Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. Daphne Scarbrough / The Brass Maiden Schenk and Company Sibley Kopmeier Appraisal Associates Silver Eagle Distributors, LP Silvestri Investments / SILCO, Inc. Smith and Company Architects, Inc. South MacGregor Civic Club Stern and Bucek Architects Stewart Title Stone Construction, Inc. Studio RED Architects SWCA Environmental Consultants Tellepsen W.S. Bellows Construction Ward & Ames Special Events William W. Stubbs & Associates Winlow Place Civic Club Woodland Heights Civic Association Wulfe & Co. Ziegler Cooper Architects

About GHPA The mission of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (GHPA) is to promote the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s architectural and cultural historic resources through education, advocacy and committed action, thereby creating economic value and developing a stronger sense of community. GHPA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

GHPA is funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

GHPA is a member of Preservation Texas and Partners for Sacred Places.

GHPA online www.ghpa.org www.houstondeco.org

For Preservation David Bush, editor Jim Parsons, designer Copyright 2011, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.

All rights reserved.

2011 GHPA Annual Meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20 at the restored 1910 Harris County Courthouse RSVP to (713) 216-5000 or dbush@ghpa.org

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 712 Main Street, Suite 110 Houston, Texas 77002-3207 Return service requested

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Houston, Texas Permit No. 712