Houston Planning Commission

HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION

AGENDA

APRIL 15, 2010

COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY HALL ANNEX 2:30 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS Mark A. Kilkenny, Vice Chair Susan Alleman John W. H. Chiang David Collins J.D. Bartell Sonny Garza James R. Jard Linda Porras-Pirtle Robin Reed Richard A. Rice David Robinson Jeff Ross Lee Schlanger Algenita Scott Segars Talmadge Sharp, Sr. Paul R. Nelson Beth Wolff Shaukat Zakaria

The Honorable Grady Prestage, P. E., Fort Bend County The Honorable Ed Emmett, Harris County The Honorable Ed Chance, Montgomery County

ALTERNATE MEMBERS D. Jesse Hegemier, P. E., Fort Bend County Mark J. Mooney, P. E., Montgomery County Jackie L. Freeman, P. E., Harris County

EXOFFICIO MEMBERS M. Marvin Katz Mike Marcotte, P.E. Dawn Ullrich Frank Wilson

SECRETARY Marlene L. Gafrick

Meeting Policies and Regulations that an issue has been sufficiently discussed and additional speakers are repetitive. Order of Agenda 11. The Commission reserves the right to stop Planning Commission may alter the order of the speakers who are unruly or abusive. agenda to consider variances first, followed by replats requiring a public hearing second and consent agenda Limitations on the Authority of the Planning last. Any contested consent item will be moved to the Commission end of the agenda. By law, the Commission is required to approve Public Participation subdivision and development plats that meet the requirements of Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances The public is encouraged to take an active interest in of the City of Houston. The Commission cannot matters that come before the Planning Commission. exercise discretion nor can it set conditions when Anyone wishing to speak before the Commission may granting approvals that are not specifically authorized do so. The Commission has adopted the following by law. If the Commission does not act upon a Sec. I procedural rules on public participation: agenda item within 30 days, the item is automatically approved. The Commission’s authority on platting 1. Anyone wishing to speak before the does not extend to land use. The Commission cannot Commission must sign-up on a designated disapprove a plat because it objects to the use of the form located at the entrance to the Council property. All plats approved by the Commission are Chamber. subject to compliance with applicable requirements, e.g., water, sewer, drainage, or other public agencies. 2. If the speaker wishes to discuss a specific item on the agenda of the Commission, it should be noted on the sign-up form. Contacting the Planning Commission Should you have materials or information that you 3. If the speaker wishes to discuss any subject would like for the Planning Commission members to not otherwise on the agenda of the have pertaining to a particular item on their agenda, Commission, time will be allowed after all contact staff at 713-837-7758. Staff can either agenda items have been completed and incorporate materials within the members Agenda “public comments” are taken. packets, or can forward to the members messages and information. 4. The applicant is given first opportunity to speak and is allowed two minutes for an opening presentation. The applicant is also Contacting the Planning Department allowed a rebuttal after all speakers have been The Planning and Development Department is located heard; two additional minutes will be allowed. at 611 Walker Street on the Sixth Floor. Code Enforcement is located at 3300 Main Street. 5. Speakers will be allowed two minutes for specially called hearing items, replats with The Departments mailing address is: notice, variances, and special exceptions. P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562 6. Speakers will be allowed 1 minute for all consent agenda items. The Departments website is: www.houstonplanning.com 7. Time limits will not apply to elected officials. E-mail us at: 8. No speaker is permitted to accumulate Planning and Development speaking time from another person. [email protected]

9. Time devoted to answering any questions DRC (Planning Commission Agenda) from the Commission is not charged against [email protected] allotted speaking time.

10. The Commission reserves the right to limit speakers if it is the Commission’s judgment Speakers Sign In Form

Instructions: 1. So that the Commission’s Chairperson can call on those wishing to address the Commission, please provide the information below. Make sure the information is legible. If you have questions about the form or a particular item while filling out this form Planning and Development Department staff members are available at the front of the room to answer any questions. Hand the completed form to a staff member prior to the meeting’s Call to Order. 2. It is important to include your “position” so that the Chairperson can group the speakers by position. 3. If you are a part of an organized group of speakers and want to address the Commission in a particular order please let a staff member know prior to the beginning of the meeting. 4. The Chairperson will call each speaker’s name when it is his or her turn to speak. The Chairperson will also call out the speaker to follow. 5. As the called speaker you should move forward to the podium, state your name for the record, and then deliver your comments. 6. If you have materials to distribute to the Commission hand them to a staff member at the beginning of your presentation. Staff will distribute the information to Commission members on both sides of the table as you begin your comments.

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Speakers Sign In Form

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Your Position Regarding the Item (supportive, opposed, undecided): This online document is preliminary and not official. It may not contain all the relevant materials and information that the Planning Commission will consider at its meeting. The official agenda is posted at City Hall 72 hours prior to the Planning Commission meeting. Final detailed packets are available at the Planning Commission meeting.

Houston Planning Commission AGENDA April 15, 2010 Meeting to be held in Council Chamber, City Hall Annex 2:30 p. m.

Call to Order

Director’s Report Announcement Regarding Upcoming Activates or Schedule

Approval of the April 1, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

I. Platting Activity (subdivision and development plats) a. Consent Subdivision Plats (Tenesia Mathews) b. Replats (Tenesia Mathews) c. Replats Requiring Public Hearings with Notification (Suvidha Bandi, Kimberly Bowie, Dorianne Powe-Phlegm) d. Subdivision Plats with Variance Requests (Brian Crimmins, Muxian Fang, Jesse Givens) e. Subdivision Plats with Special Exception Requests f. Reconsiderations of Requirement g. Administrative h. Development Plats with Variance Requests (Brian Crimmins) i. Certificates of Compliance (Mikalla Hodges) j. Extension of Approvals and Name Changes (Mikalla Hodges)

II. Establish a public hearing date of May 13, 2010 for: a. Cinco Ranch Southwest Sec 33 partial replat no 2 b. United Park at Twenty Second Street Subdivision c. West Oaks No 2 partial replat no 1

III. Public Hearing and Consideration of Historic District Application initiated by a majority of the property owners for First Montrose Commons Historic District

IV. Public Hearing and Consideration of Landmark Designation Application initiated by the owner: Playhouse Theater – 4816 Main Street

V. Public Hearing and Consideration of Landmark and Protected Landmark Designation Application initiated by the owner: St John Missionary Baptist Church – 2702 Dowling Street

VI. Public Comment

VII. Adjournment

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

Item No Plat Name Class Staff Recommendation

A-Consent 1 Bavaria Sec 1 C3P 2 Campanile on Eldridge Subdivision C3F 3 Contact Center Subdivision (2DEF) C2 4 Cypress Pointe Commercial Subdivision C2 5 Dominique Gardens Subdivision (DEF) C2 6 Eagle Springs Sec 40 C3P 7 Eagle Springs Sec 43 C3P 8 Fort Bend County Senior Center Subdivision C2 9 Hannover Commercial Park Subdivision C3P 10 HCMUD no 71 Water Well no 4 Subdivision C2 11 Kargar Subdivision C2 12 Katy Creek Ranch Sec 7 C3P 13 Klein ISD Elementary School no 28 Sec 2 (DEF) C2 14 Lancaster Center Subdivision (DEF) C3P 15 Long Meadow Farms Sec 28 C3P 16 Los Tres Ranchos Subdivision C3P North Bridgeland Lake Parkway Sec 5 from Cypress Cove 17 Park Drive to Parkside Haven Drive STD SP 18 Nueva Vida Church Subdivision C2 19 Parkway Lakes Shops Sec 1 C3F 20 Queenston Plaza Subdivision C2 21 Rancho Verde Sec 5 C3F 22 Southgate Addition partial replat no 1 C3F 23 Succeed in Life Center Subdivision C2 24 Summerwood Sec 37 C3F 25 Towne Lake South GP GP 26 Towne Lake Sec 15 C3F 27 Towne Lake Sec 9 partial replat no 1 C3F 28 Water Haven at Bridgeland Sec 2 C3F 29 Water Haven at Bridgeland Sec 8 C3F 30 Werrington Sec 2 C3P 31 Woodlands Village of Creekside Park Sec 26 C3P

B-Replats 32 Houston Heights partial replat no 7 C2R 33 Houston Heights partial replat no 8 C2R 34 JKM Fisher Properties Subdivision C2R 35 Landmark Monroe at Beltway Subdivision C2R 36 Protrust Acres Subdivision C2R 37 Ser Ninos Charter Plaza Subdivision C2R 38 Town of Dyerdale partial replat no 1 C2R 39 Two Tree Park Plaza Subdivision C2R

C-Public Hearings Requiring Notification 40 Bercons Belgravia Residences Subdivision (PH041510) C3N 41 Braeswood Addition partial replat no 1 (PH041510) C3N 42 Clara Vista partial replat no 1 (PH041510) C3N Deerbrook Estates Sec 1 partial replat no 1 and Extension 43 (PH041510) C3N 44 Hyde Park Main replat partial replat no 1 (PH041510) C3N

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

45 Lake Pointe Estates Sec 1 partial replat no 1 (PH041510) C3N 46 Oakcrest North Sec 5 partial replat no 1 (PH041510) C3N

D-Variances 47 Amended Plat of Almeda Place replat no 1 C2R 48 British School of Houston Subdivision C2 49 Brunswick Meadows Sec 16 C3P 50 JRK Estates Subdivision C2 51 Klein ISD High School no 6 Complex GP (DEF) GP 52 Long Meadow Farms Sec 19 C3P 53 National Sport Zone Subdivision C2

F-Reconsideration of Requirements 54 Channelview ISD Early Childhood Center Subdivision C2

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

A – Consent

1 Bavaria Sec 1 Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 416Y City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 34.85 #Lots: 92 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0.68 Applicant Company: Van De Wiele Engineering Inc. Developer: Bavaria CMI, Ltd.

2 Campanile on Eldridge Subdivision Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 528K City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 8.74 #Lots: 0 #Units: 144 Res. Acreage: 2.98 Applicant Company: Arrow Surveying Developer: Blazer Building

3 Contact Center Subdivision (2DEF) Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 329J City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 1.94 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: John G. Thomas & Associates, Inc. Developer: Vaquero Strategy and Entertainment Consulting, LLC

4 Cypress Pointe Commercial Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 329P City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 4.80 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Lentz Engineering, L.C. Developer: Huffsmith Venture, Ltd.

5 Dominique Gardens Subdivision (DEF) Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 575S City/ETJ: City Acreage: 8.97 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: ACCURATE SURVEYS OF TEXAS, INC. Developer: dominique vu

6 Eagle Springs Sec 40 Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 377F City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 11.1 #Lots: 41 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Kerry R. Gilbert & Associates Developer: Terrabrook Eagle Springs, LP

7 Eagle Springs Sec 43 Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 377F City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 10.9 #Lots: 46 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: Applicant Company: Kerry R. Gilbert & Associates Developer: Terrabrook Eagle Springs, LP

8 Fort Bend County Senior Center Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Ft Bend Key Map: 611B City/ETJ: City Acreage:5.97 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. Developer: Fort Bend County

9 Hannover Commercial Park Subdivision Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 291V City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 31.62 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

Applicant Company: Total Surveyors, Inc. Developer: Riverway Development

10 HCMUD no 71 Water Well no 4 Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 445M City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 0.17 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. Developer: Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 71

11 Kargar Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 451L City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 0.89 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: JAG Engineering Developer: Mohammad Kargar

12 Katy Creek Ranch Sec 7 Plat Type: C3P County: Ft Bend Key Map: 484R City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 12.94 #Lots: 70 #Units: Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Van De Wiele Engineering Inc. Developer: Katy Creek Ranch, LP

13 Klein ISD Elementary School no 28 Sec 2 (DEF) Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 289K City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:5.18 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: American-Lupher Land Surveyors, Inc. Developer: Klein ISD

14 Lancaster Center Subdivision (DEF) Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 492V City/ETJ: City Acreage: 7.68 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Bury Partners Developer: Texas Abercrombie Interests, LTD

15 Long Meadow Farms Sec 28 Plat Type: C3P County: Ft Bend Key Map: 566A City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 17.05 #Lots: 43 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Northrup Associates, Inc. Developer: L M DEVELOPMENT LP

16 Los Tres Ranchos Subdivision Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 371G City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 8.02 #Lots: 7 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: PLS Developer: Wilson Alvarado Const.

17 North Bridgeland Lake Parkway Sec 5 from Cypress Cove Park Drive to Parkside Haven Drive STD Plat Type: SP County: Harris Key Map: 366Q City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 5.43 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. Developer: GGP Bridgeland, LP

18 Nueva Vida Church Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 447B City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 2.9

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

#Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Teran Group Developer: Communidad Cristian Internacional

19 Parkway Lakes Shops Sec 1 Plat Type: C3F County: Ft Bend Key Map: 525L City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 3.98 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Weisser Engineering Company Developer: MRPL Retail Partner

20 Queenston Plaza Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 367Y City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 1.29 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: The Interfield Group Developer: CKNM Business, Inc.

21 Rancho Verde Sec 5 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 458T City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 12.24 #Lots: 69 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Huitt-Zollars, Inc. Developer: Pulte Homes of Texas, LP

22 Southgate Addition partial replat no 1 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 532H City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.28 #Lots: 2 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Eic surveying Company Developer: Nancy Boothe

23 Succeed in Life Center Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 491W City/ETJ: City Acreage: 4.65 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: South Texas Platting Developer: Universal Church

24 Summerwood Sec 37 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 377W City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 1 #Lots: 2 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0.34 Applicant Company: costello, inc. Developer: Genstar Summerwood

25 Towne Lake South GP Plat Type: GP County: Harris Key Map: 407A City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 660 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Edminster Hinshaw Russ and Associates Developer: Caldwell Companies

26 Towne Lake Sec 15 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 407A City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 21.22#Lots: 31 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Edminster Hinshaw Russ and Associates Developer: Caldwell Companies

27 Towne Lake Sec 9 partial replat no 1 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 407A City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 1.12 #Lots: 6 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

Applicant Company: Edminster Hinshaw Russ and Associates Developer: Caldwell Companies

28 Water Haven at Bridgeland Sec 2 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 366E City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 31.09 #Lots: 64 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 9.27 Applicant Company: costello, inc. Developer: GGP-Bridgeland, L.P.

29 Water Haven at Bridgeland Sec 8 Plat Type: C3F County: Harris Key Map: 366L City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:16.71 #Lots: 35 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 5.98 Applicant Company: costello, inc. Developer: GGP-Bridgeland, L.P.

30 Werrington Sec 2 Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 333G City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:9.36 9.36#Lots: 54 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0.17 Applicant Company: Van De Wiele Engineering Inc. Developer: Werrington Interests, Ltd.

31 Woodlands Village of Creekside Park Sec 26 Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 250Q City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 11.19 #Lots: 17 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: LJA Engineering & Surveying Developer: The Woodlands Land Development Company, L.P.

B – Replats

32 Houston Heights partial replat no 7 Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 492D City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.13 #Lots: 2 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Momentum Engineering Company Developer: A-1 MINUMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.

33 Houston Heights partial replat no 8 Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 452u City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.70 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Windrose Land Services Developer: Investex Credit Union

34 JKM Fisher Properties Subdivision Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 409Z City/ETJ: City Acreage: 6.45 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Halff Associates, Inc. Developer: Mike Kowalski

35 Landmark Monroe at Beltway Subdivision Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 575Y City/ETJ: City Acreage: 1.60 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Century Engineering Developer: Four Seasons Self Storage

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

36 Protrust Acres Subdivision Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 455M City/ETJ: City Acreage: 1.9 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Gene Carroll and Associates, L.P. Developer: Protrust

37 Ser Ninos Charter Plaza Subdivision Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 531E City/ETJ: City Acreage: 1.85 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: South Texas Platting Developer: Bob Brooks

38 Town of Dyerdale partial replat no 1 Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 415M City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 1.82 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Town and Country Surveyors Developer: Primstone, LLC

39 Two Tree Park Plaza Subdivision Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 492L City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.15 #Lots: 1 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: South Texas Platting Developer: Al Peynado

C – Public Hearings

40 Bercons Belgravia Residences Subdivision (PH041510) Plat Type: C3N County: Harris Key Map: 532E City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.34 #Lots: 8 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Tetra Surveys Developer: Tricon Homes

41 Braeswood Addition partial replat no 1 (PH041510) Plat Type: C3N County: Harris Key Map: 532G City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.43 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: South Texas Platting Developer: Pipeline Realty

42 Clara Vista partial replat no 1 (PH041510) Plat Type: C3N County: Harris Key Map: 535W City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.57 #Lots: 0 #Units: Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: PLS Developer: Rezcom Design Group

43 Deerbrook Estates Sec 1 partial replat no 1 and Extension (PH041510) Plat Type: C3N County: Harris Key Map: 335S City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:11.70 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0.14 Applicant Company: Total Surveyors, Inc. Developer: Appaloosa Land Company, Ltd.

44 Hyde Park Main replat partial replat no 1 (PH041510)

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

Plat Type: C3N County: Harris Key Map: 492V City/ETJ: City Acreage:0.11 #Lots: 2 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Blackstone Homes Developer: Blackstone Homes

45 Lake Pointe Estates Sec 1 partial replat no 1 (PH041510) Plat Type: C3N County: Ft Bend Key Map: 484M City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:2.02 #Lots: 2 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Century Engineering Developer: Mustang Development, Inc.

46 Oakcrest North Sec 5 partial replat no 1 (PH041510) Plat Type: C3N County: Harris Key Map: 328E City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 4.24 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: TBG Partners/ Vernon G Henry & Associates, Inc. Developer: Lennar Homes of Texas Land and Construction Ltd

D – Variances

47 Amended Plat of Almeda Place replat no 1 Plat Type: C2R County: Harris Key Map: 493X City/ETJ: City Acreage: 0.27 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Advance Surveys, Inc. Developer: Red River Contracting

48 British School of Houston Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 451M City/ETJ: City Acreage: 14.6 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Lentz Engineering, L.C. Developer: British School of Houston, L.L.C.

49 Brunswick Meadows Sec 16 Plat Type: C3P County: Harris Key Map: 573T City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 7 #Lots: 49 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Kerry R. Gilbert & Associates Developer: Lennar Homes

50 JRK Estates Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 333J City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:4.55 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Engle Surveying Inc. Developer: Dynamic Structures, Inc.

51 Klein ISD High School no 6 Complex GP (DEF) Plat Type: GP County: Harris Key Map: 289K City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:57.55 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: American-Lupher Land Surveyors, Inc. Developer: Klein ISD

52 Long Meadow Farms Sec 19 Plat Type: C3P County: Ft Bend Key Map: 526W City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage:24.05 #Lots: 84 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Northrup Associates, Inc. Developer: L M DEVELOPMENT LP

Platting Activity Houston Planning Commission PC Date: April 15, 2010

53 National Sport Zone Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 532W City/ETJ: City Acreage: 4.5 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Tri-Tech Surveying Developer: National Sports Zone, LLC

F-Reconsideration of Requirements

54 Channelview ISD Early Childhood Center Subdivision Plat Type: C2 County: Harris Key Map: 498B City/ETJ: ETJ Acreage: 21.34 #Lots: 0 #Units: 0 Res. Acreage: 0 Applicant Company: Cotton Surveying Company Developer: CHANNELVIEW ISD

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 55 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

VARIANCE REQUEST APPLICATION

An applicant seeking a variance and/or special exception to the Planning Standards of Chapter 42 of the City of Houston’s Code of Ordinances must complete the following application and submit an electronic copy of the Microsoft Word document to [email protected] prior to 11:00am on the submittal dates adopted by the Houston Planning Commission. For complete submittal requirements, please visit the City of Houston Planning & Development Department website at www.houstonplanning.com.

APPLICANT COMPANY CONTACT PERSON PHONE NUMBER EMAIL ADDRESS

Urban Area Marcela West (832) 274-2146 [email protected]

PROPERTY ADDRESS FILE NUMBER ZIP CODE LAMBERT KEY MAP DISTRICT

904 E. 23rd Street 10015742 77009 5359 453S H

HCAD ACCOUNT NUMBER(S): 0351090810001

PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LT 1 BLK 81; SUNSET HEIGHTS

PROPERTY OWNER OF RECORD: JEFFREY AND ANGELICA RAMIREZ

ACREAGE (SQUARE FEET): 3,000 SF rd WIDTH OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY: E 23 St (50’); Princeton St (50’) rd EXISTING PAVING SECTION(S): E 23 St (); Princeton St ()

OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENT: None

OFF-STREET PARKING PROVIDED: None

LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS: 1 Tree

EXISTING STRUCTURE(S) [TYPE; SQ. FT.]: None

PROPOSED STRUCTURE(S) [TYPE; SQ. FT.]: Two stories single family residential, 3,122 SF

PURPOSE OF VARIANCE REQUEST: The applicant is requesting a variance to eliminate the 10’ building line along the abandon dead end Princeton St. located at the west side of the property and reduce the garage set back from 17’ to 13’ on the west side of the property in order to get a reasonable use of the property considering the narrow frontage (25.0’) of the lot and the unusual curb that the property present at the west corner. Otherwise the project will be infeasible due to the physical conditions that the building line and the garage setback at the west corner would create.

CHAPTER 42 REFERENCE(S):

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

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Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 55 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

Sec. 42-159. Collector streets and local streets--Urban area. b) The building line requirement for a subdivision or development in an urban area restricted to single-family residential use adjacent to a collector street or a local street shall be:

(1) Ten feet for the principal structure; and

(2) Seventeen feet for any carport or garage facing the collector street or local street unless otherwise required or authorized by this article. A building above the garage or carport may overhang the building line up to seven feet.

APPLICANT’S STATEMENT OF FACTS

SUMMARY OF VARIANCE CONDITIONS (BE AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE): The proposed building setback is 3 feet from Princeton St. The 10’ building line along the abandon dead end Princeton St. located at the west side of the property and the 17’ setback for the garage door at the west side of the property will make impossible get a reasonable use of the property considering the narrow frontage (25.0’) of the lot and the unusual curb at the west corner of the abandon Princeton St.

The applicant must clearly identify how the requested variance meets the criteria in either (1a) or (1b) and ALL items (2) through (5). The information provided will be used to evaluate the merits of the request. An electronic copy of any supporting documentation reference within the “Applicant’s Statement of Facts” should be emailed to the Planning Department at [email protected].

(1a) The imposition of the terms, rules, conditions, policies and standards of this chapter would create an undue hardship by depriving the applicant of the reasonable use of the land; or The 10’ building line along the abandon dead end Princeton St. located at the west side of the property and the 17’ setback for the garage door at the west side of the property will make impossible get a reasonable use of the property considering the narrow frontage (25.0’) of the lot and the unusual curb at the west corner of the abandon Princeton St. (1b) Strict application of the requirements of this chapter would make a project infeasible due to the existence of unusual physical characteristics that affect the property in question, or would create an impractical development or one otherwise contrary to sound public policy;

(2) The circumstances supporting the granting of the variance are not the result of a hardship created or imposed by the applicant; The changes the area has been having since the existing development plat was submitted in 1910 to the City of Houston support the granting of the variation. The propose continuation of Princenton St. according with the existing development is not feasible considering the fact of the presence of residential and commercial business surrounding the now abandon dead end of Princeton St.

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

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Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 55 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

(3) The intent and general purposes of this chapter will be preserved and maintained; The development of the property will be residential only and it will be preserved and maintained.

(4) The granting of the variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety or welfare; Allowing the project to be in the way that is proposed right now (Without the 10’ setback and 13’ for the garage set back at the west side of the property.) will guaranty the reasonable use of the land as residential only without any injury to the public health, safety or welfare.

(5) Economic hardship is not the sole justification of the variance. The desires to bellow to a community in the heart of Houston where residential construction and commercial properties have been built since 1910 and contribute to the recovery of the area are the sole justification of the variance.

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

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Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 55 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

Area Map

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

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Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 55 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

Site Map

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 55 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

STAFF REPORT

Staff Recommendation: Basis of Staff Recommendation:

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:

BASIS OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEE ABOVE STAFF EVALUATION)

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS BY PLANNING COMMISSION:

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 56 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

VARIANCE REQUEST APPLICATION

APPLICANT COMPANY CONTACT PERSON PHONE NUMBER EMAIL ADDRESS

Chelsea Architects Robert M. Taylor (713) 651-5599 [email protected]

PROPERTY ADDRESS FILE NUMBER ZIP CODE LAMBERT KEY MAP DISTRICT

24 Courtlandt Place 10014263 77006 5356 493S D

HCAD ACCOUNT NUMBER(S): 0102490000013

PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 13 & Tracks A B1 & C10, Courtlandt Place

PROPERTY OWNER OF RECORD: Michael A. Heim

ACREAGE (SQUARE FEET): 25,960 SF

WIDTH OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY: Taft Street (50’ - varies along property line)

EXISTING PAVING SECTION(S): Taft Street (28’)

OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENT: 2 spaces

OFF-STREET PARKING PROVIDED: 2+ spaces

LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS: complies

EXISTING STRUCTURE(S) [TYPE; SQ. FT.]: Wood frame with brick veneer, 6,920 SF

PROPOSED STRUCTURE(S) [TYPE; SQ. FT.]:Wood frame with brick veneer, Ground level garage -- 685 SF, 2nd level -- 818 SF (conditioned space)

PURPOSE OF VARIANCE REQUEST: The applicant is requesting two variances. The first variance request is to allow the proposed structure to setback four feet from Taft Street. Chapter 42 requires a minimum 10’ building setback line along Taft, a local street. The second variance is to allow a detached secondary dwelling unit to exceed the 900 SF maximum outlined in Chapter 42.

CHAPTER 42 REFERENCE(S):

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 56 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

Sec. 42-156. - Streets other than major thoroughfares.

(a) The building line requirement for property used or to be used for other than single-family residential purposes adjacent to a street that is not a major thoroughfare shall be ten feet unless otherwise required or authorized by this article.

APPLICANT’S STATEMENT OF FACTS

SUMMARY OF VARIANCE CONDITIONS (BE AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE): The homeowner proposes to construct an attached 2-story garage to be set back 4’-0” from the west property line along Taft Street. A portion of the proposed structure will be built within the 10’-0” side setback line. The construction of the addition will result in a secondary dwelling unit greater than 900 SF. The location of an existing historic carriage house on the east side of the proposed garage determined the need to encroach into the setback. The garage will open to the south (toward Courtlandt Place). There will not be any new fence openings or driveways onto Taft Street.

(1a) The imposition of the terms, rules, conditions, policies and standards of this chapter would create an undue hardship by depriving the applicant of the reasonable use of the land, because: The Jones-Hunt carriage house on this property limits the placement (and the available space) for the proposed garage. The carriage house cannot be replaced, nor moved, because it is an historic landmark structure.

(1b) Strict application of the requirements of this chapter would make a project infeasible due to the existence of unusual physical characteristics that affect the property in question, or would create an impractical development or one otherwise contrary to sound public policy; (see 1a above)

(2) The circumstances supporting the granting of the variance are not the result of a hardship created or imposed by the applicant; No, the hardship was created due to the need to preserve an historic structure.

(3) The intent and general purposes of this chapter will be preserved and maintained; Yes. The new garage will be built entirely within the existing fence which marks the boundaries of the Courtlandt Place Historic District.

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 56 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

(4) The granting of the variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety or welfare; No. There will be no new driveways onto the public right-of-way. The traffic along Taft will not be altered.

(5) Economic hardship is not the sole justification of the variance. No, the hardship was created due to the need to preserve an historic structure.

AREA MAP

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 56 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

SITE PLAN

COURTLANDT

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Houston Planning Commission City of Houston Planning and Development Department ITEM: 56 Meeting Date: 04/15/2010

STAFF REPORT

Staff Recommendation: Basis of Staff Recommendation:

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:

BASIS OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEE ABOVE STAFF EVALUATION)

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS BY PLANNING COMMISSION:

DEVELOPMENT PLAT VARIANCE

DPV_bc September 08, 2009

Planning Commission CITY OF HOUSTON Meeting Date: 4/15/10 HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION ITEM: 57 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Applicant: JERRY P. WINDHAM Contact Person: JERRY P. WINDHAM File Lamb. Key City/ Location No. Zip No. Map ETJ

10-780 77357 5874 258-N ETJ EAST OF: GALAXY. AT: FM 1485.

ADDRESS: 26755 FM1485.

ACREAGE: 5.0114

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: BEING 5.0114 ACRE TRACK (218,294 SQUARE FEET), BEING ALL OF A 5 ACRES TRACK OF LAND CONVEYED UNTO ROY CURE AND ROSIE L. CURE, BY DEED, RECORDED UNDER VOLUME 889, PAGE 825 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS, BEING OUT OF LOTS 16, 17, AND 18 OF H.C. MYERS ADDITION, OUT OF THE SEMORE GARSEE SURVEY, ABSTRACT 229, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS

PURPOSE OF REQUEST: To Build a Storage Building and to Obtain Utilities

STAFF REPORT

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

Planning Commission CITY OF HOUSTON Meeting Date: 4/15/10 HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION ITEM: 58 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Applicant: JOSUE RAUL SALCE Contact Person: DANIEL GOMEZ File Lamb. Key City/ Location No. Zip No. Map ETJ

10-781 77357 5974 295-J ETJ EAST OF: GALAXY. NORTH OF: FM1485.

ADDRESS: 19655 Heather Lane.

ACREAGE: 0.2754

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (1525), SECTION SIX (6) OF PEACH CREEK FOREST, AN UNRECORDED SUBDIVISION OUT OF A 325.74 ACRE TRACT IN THE CHRISTOPHER BRYAN SURVEY, ABSTRACT 75, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS,

PURPOSE OF REQUEST: To Obtain Water and Sewer.

STAFF REPORT

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

Planning Commission CITY OF HOUSTON Meeting Date: 4/15/10 HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION ITEM: 59 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Applicant: MONICA YARIDA AGUILAR DURAN Contact Person: MONICA YARIDA AGUILAR DURAN File Lamb. Key City/ Location No. Zip No. Map ETJ

10-782 77357 5874 257-Q ETJ WEST OF: GALAXY. NORTH OF: FM1485.

ADDRESS: 25753 PINE DRIVE.

ACREAGE:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT THIRTEEN (13), LOT FOURTEEN (14), OF PEACH CREEK PINES, AN UNRECORDED SUBDIVISION IN THE CHRISTOPHER BRYAN SURVEY, ABSTRACT 75, AND THE SEMORE GARSEE SURVEY, ABSTRACT 229.

PURPOSE OF REQUEST: To Obtain Utilities

STAFF REPORT

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

Planning Commission CITY OF HOUSTON Meeting Date: 4/15/10 HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION ITEM: 60 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Applicant: JOSE RUFINO ESTRADA Contact Person: JOSE RUFINO ESTRADA File Lamb. Key City/ Location No. Zip No. Map ETJ

10-783 77357 5974 258-J ETJ WEST OF: GALAXY. NORTH OF: FM1485.

ADDRESS: 27308 ROYAL COACH.

ACREAGE:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY NINE (1559) AND LOT ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE (1561) OF PEACH CREEK FOREST, SECTION SIX (6) AN UNRECORDED SUBDIVISION OUT OF A 325.74 ACRE TRACK IN THE CHRISTOPHER BRYAN SURVEY, ABSTRACT 75, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS.

PURPOSE OF REQUEST: To Obtain Water and Sewer.

STAFF REPORT

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION REPORT

DISTRICT NAME: First Montrose Commons Historic District AGENDA ITEM: III LOCATION: See attached site location map HPO FILE NO: 10HD16 APPLICANT: Jason Ginsburg, property owner DATE ACCEPTED: Mar-4-2010 30-DAY HEARING NOTICE: Mar-8-2010 HAHC HEARING: Apr-8-2010 PC HEARING: Apr-15-2010

SITE INFORMATION: Lockhart Connor Barziza, All of Blocks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19; Block 1, Lots 4-7, 9, 10 & 12; Block 5, Lot 1; Block 6, Lots 1, 2, 9-11; Block 11, Lots 3-8, Lot 12; Block 15, Lots 1-3; Block 16, Lots 1, 2, 8-11; Block 20, Lots 3-8, 12, & 18 Roseland T/H plat; Block 25, Lots 2-3; Bute Addition, All of Blocks 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23; Block 9, Lots 1-3, 6, 8-10; Block 10, Lots 1, 3-12; Block 19, Lots 6-12 & 3818 Bute T/H U/R; Block 20, Lots 1-3, 5; Stratmann Place, Block 1 Lot 1; 402 Branard T/H; Bianchi Homes at Stanford St; Branard Street Residences; Colquitt at Jack T/H; Colquitt Square; Herzco Luxury T/H U/R; School for Young Children; Thirty- Eight Fifteen Montrose; West Alabama Square; City of Houston, Harris County, Texas.

TYPE OF APPROVAL REQUESTED: Historic District Designation

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE SUMMARY

First Montrose Commons is located within the greater Montrose area just west of downtown Houston in an area loosely bounded by West Alabama Street on the north, Richmond Street on the south, Montrose Boulevard on the west and Spur 527 on the east. First Montrose Commons was one of several upscale “suburban” neighborhoods developed in Houston during the first quarter of the 20th century, which included Audubon Place, Courtlandt Place, Avondale, Montrose, and Westmoreland. The proposed historic district consists of two distinct subdivision plats – Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition, platted in 1873, and Bute Addition, platted in 1907. The Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition was named after the real estate partners in the subdivision – Robert Lockhart, John C. Connor, and Philippa Barziza. The adjacent Bute Addition was established by James Bute, the founder of the Bute Paint Company, one of the longest continually operating businesses in Houston’s history. While the proposed First Montrose Commons historic district was originally platted as two different subdivisions, over time these unique sections have formed an individual identity which has become known as the neighborhood of First Montrose Commons.

The neighborhood was first shaped by two railroads, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado (BBB&C) and the Texas Western Narrow Gauge (TWNG), in the 1ate 1800s. The Montrose Streetcar Line also shaped the neighborhood; the intersection at Roseland and West Main was the terminus and turnaround for the Montrose Streetcar Line until service ended in 1937. The neighborhood experienced a period of decline after World War II that led to pockets of unsympathetic redevelopment. The construction of Spur 527 in the early 1960s further impacted the neighborhood, as more than half of the grand houses in the Bute Addition were lost to the freeway development. Today, only three of James Bute’s original ‘quarter-block’ mansions remain. In 1981, the modern High School for the Performing and Visual Arts was built in First Montrose Commons on the former site of Montrose Elementary CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

School. In the last two decades, the neighborhood has once again experienced redevelopment pressures, mostly from new townhouses. Nonetheless, two-thirds of the buildings in the proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District are from its period of historic significance, and many have been restored.

The historic houses and apartment buildings in First Montrose Commons were built in the architectural styles in vogue in the early 20th century. Craftsman and Bungalow are the most prevalent architectural types found in the neighborhood, but the First Montrose Commons also contains eclectic examples of Prairie, Mission Revival, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and Art Deco styles. With a large collection of two-story single-family residences, period apartment buildings, and one-story bungalows, First Montrose Commons retains its special historic identity.

First Montrose Commons Historic District meets Criteria 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for historic district designation.

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE

The neighborhood known as First Montrose Commons is located within the greater Montrose area and contains two distinct subdivision plats – Bute Addition and Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition, which were derived from subsequent replats of the Obedience Smith Survey of 1836. Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition was platted in 1873 by real estate brokers Robert Lockhart, John C. Conner, and Phillipa L. Barziza. The Bute Addition was platted in 1907 by James Bute. While the proposed First Montrose Commons historic district was originally platted as two different subdivisions, over time these unique sections have formed an individual identity which has become known as the neighborhood of First Montrose Commons. In 1994, residents formed the First Montrose Commons Civic Association to preserve the character of their neighborhood. The Civic Association chose its name because the historic houses in the neighborhood were among the first houses built in what is now known as the greater Montrose area, hence the name First Montrose Commons. The boundaries of the jurisdiction of the First Montrose Commons Civic Association are West Alabama Street on the north, Richmond Avenue on the south, Spur 527 on the east, and Montrose Boulevard on the west. The boundaries of the proposed historic district are slightly smaller than that of the Civic Association and reflect the loss of historic structures along Montrose, West Alabama, and Richmond streets.

Area History

Before the two subdivisions that comprise First Montrose Commons were platted, the area was open prairie and pasture. In the early 19th century, as Americans began to settle southeast Texas, grants of land were given to many of the pioneers by the Mexican government. The tracts of land that were awarded to John Richardson Harris and John P. Austin eventually became the City of Houston. John Harris had established a thriving port on Buffalo Bayou by the time of the Texas Revolution, and a town, Harrisburg, had grown around it. Houston was founded in 1836 on the bayou upstream from Harrisburg when John and Augustus Allen acquired most of the Austin League and began promotion of their new town named after Sam Houston. The rapidly growing town served as the capital of the Republic until 1839.

The importance of Houston as a trading center grew rapidly as the movement of Americans westward increased. The population swelled dramatically after the Civil War. The period from 1874 to 1890 also brought tremendous commercial expansion to Houston as Buffalo Bayou was made more navigable and

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the city began to function more and more as a port. The railroad was another mode of transportation that greatly affected the city’s development. By 1890, Houston had grown to be a principal center for the railroads in Texas. As trade and the transportation business grew, and as technology provided new methods of transportation, the need for housing increased for those who participated in this booming commerce.

The city grew as many people from Galveston moved to Houston after the hurricanes of 1900 and 1915. The Great Hurricane of 1900 destroyed most of Galveston and severely limited shipping on Houston’s railroads from the Port of Galveston while it was reconstructed. In 1909, Houston business leaders approved the creation of a deep water port along Buffalo Bayou to reestablish Houston’s prominence as a rail center. President Woodrow Wilson officially opened the Port of Houston on November 10, 1914. After another hurricane hit Galveston Island in 1915, many decided it was wiser to move 60 miles inland from the coast, and suburban neighborhoods like the Lockhart, Conner, & Barziza Addition, and the Bute Addition enjoyed a building boom with the construction of many new houses and apartments.

By the end of World War I in 1918, Houston had developed an economic maturity that had no rival in the South. Its superior transportation system of railroads and the Port of Houston became a pipeline to the world and thus to its vast resources. Although the city had always prospered, it was on the verge of experiencing phenomenal growth in population and a “real estate” boom the likes of which it had not seen before. From 1920 to 1924, Houston’s population increased 46.5 percent, reaching 202,590 people. The demand for new housing is reflected in the building permit activity, which increased 42.7% over the previous year when it reached $20,000,000 in 1923. The phenomenal growth of Houston attracted many investors to Houston.

Greater Montrose

The proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District is located within the greater Montrose neighborhood, situated just west of downtown Houston. Greater Montrose is a four-square-mile area, whose general boundaries are Highway 59 on the south, Allen Parkway to the north, Bagby Street on the east and Shepherd Drive on the west. Montrose was the city’s first large-scale, restricted planned suburban subdivision. The Montrose Addition was platted in September 1911 by the Houston Land Corporation, owned by one of Houston’s most prominent businessman, John Wiley Link. Link named the area “Montrose” after the historic town in Scotland which was mentioned in the writings of Sir Walter Scott. To design his new subdivision, John Link hired the engineering and construction firm of Stone & Webster (which had just finished building the Interurban line between Houston and Galveston).

One of the most important features of the Montrose Addition are the grand boulevards designed with esplanades, including Lovett, Montrose, Yoakum and Audubon Place Boulevards. The intent was for larger mansions of the most prominent citizens of Houston to be built along the beautiful esplanades in Montrose, including Link’s own house on Montrose Boulevard. Edward Teas, Sr., who later founded Teas Nursery, helped plan and landscape Montrose Place, as the area became known. With the City Beautiful movement sweeping the country, the area was commonly referred to as “Beautiful Montrose” which also became the title of the company’s sales brochure. Also in the sales brochure, Link wrote what now seems like a huge understatement: "Houston has to grow. Montrose is going to lead the procession." It did, and the procession eventually continued far beyond the neighborhood to include

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First Montrose Commons. Architectural styles found within greater Montrose include Victorian, Queen Anne, Prairie, American Four Square, Craftsman, Bungalow, Mission, Colonial and Tudor Revival.

Obedience Smith Survey

Obedience Fort Smith, pioneer and businesswoman, was born circa 1774, the daughter of Elias and Sarah Suggs Fort of Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Obedience moved with her parents to Nashville, Tennessee, where she married widower David Smith on November 3, 1791. The Smiths moved to the Red River valley in Christian and Logan counties, Kentucky, on the Tennessee border. During the War of 1812, David Smith raised a company of friends and relatives and served under Col. John Coffee. Obedience bore ten children by 1812. The family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1820s, when David bought land in the new state. David Smith died on December 4, 1835, and was buried at his house near Jackson, Mississippi. Obedience Smith moved to Texas along with her son, John W. N. A. Smith; her eldest daughter, Sarah (Sallie) David; and Sarah's four sons, including Benjamin F. and David S. Terry. Obedience and her family settled in Brazoria County on the plantation belonging to another of her sons, Benjamin Fort Smith.

Obedience and Ben Fort Smith moved to Houston in early 1837, where he built the City Hotel on Franklin Street. In January 1838, Obedience and her son John each applied for and received headrights of 4,606 acres, which were located on the southern and western edges of Houston. The land patent was dated July 23, 1845, and signed by Anson Jones, last President of the Republic of Texas. Obedience Smith died in 1847, leaving her large land grant to several of her ten children.

Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition

The Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition, which comprises the western portion of the proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District, was established in 1873 when Lot 16 of the Obedience Smith Survey was subdivided into 25 blocks of 256 lots by real estate brokers Robert Lockhart, John C. Conner, and Phillipa L. Barziza.

Robert Lockhart

Robert Lockhart was born in Pennsylvania in 1814. He married Anna Bythewood Lubbock (the sister of Francis Richard Lubbock, Governor of Texas, 1861) in Houston on December 31, 1843. He died April 29, 1886, in Houston. Lockhart was a businessman and eventually went into the real estate business with his son, Robert Lockhart, Jr. (1849-1920). A Robert Lockhart was listed in the 1877-78 Houston City Directory as a real estate dealer. Robert Lockhart also had a business where he would essentially sell lottery tickets, with the prize being real estate.

Philippa L. Barziza

Philippa Ludwell Barziza was born in 1820 in Virginia and died in 1898. She never married. Her family was descended from an old Virginia family, the Ludwells. Philippa’s parents died in Houston in 1872 and 1875, and Philippa handled some of her father’s affairs after his death, including selling land in Williamsburg, Virginia. Philippa’s brother, Decimus et Ultimas Barziza, was prominent in Houston, was a Democrat opposed to Reconstruction, and was elected to the State Legislature from Harris County in

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1873. He was reelected in 1875, but resigned in 1876 in the midst of a bitter battle with the opposing party. In 1875, he formed the Houston Land and Trust Company and was chairman of the Board. He was married but had no children and died in 1882.

James Bute Addition

James Bute Addition, which comprises the eastern portion of the proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District, was one of several upscale “suburban” neighborhoods developed during the first quarter of the 20th century, which included Audubon Place, Courtlandt Place, Avondale, Montrose, and Westmoreland. This area attracted Houston’s business and social elite more than a decade before the creation of River Oaks.

The Bute Addition began when James House was deeded Lots 21 and 22 of the Obedience Smith Survey on the wilderness fringe of Houston in 1848. James House, a prominent banker in the bustling town of 2,396 people, was one of the financiers who made possible the construction of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, the second railroad ever built in Texas. At some point prior to 1890, House filed a plat for the James House Addition encompassing Lots 21 and 22 to provide housing for the booming young city. However, the Depression of 1893, the greatest economic downturn in U.S. history to that point, dashed his plans. Following the recovery, Lots 21 and 22 were once again replatted, this time into two highly desirable residential districts – Lot 22 as the Westmoreland Addition (1902) and Lot 21 as the James Bute Addition (1907).

A 1909 advertisement in the Houston Daily Post described the James Bute Addition as follows: The most fashionable district of Houston…between Westmoreland and Main Street, the South End (streetcar) line passing through it. It is fifteen minutes ride from the center of the city. Cars run every seven minutes. It is convenient to two of the best schools in the city…As an exclusive residential community…there is no property that can compare with it. The addition has been equipped with all modern conveniences – including sidewalks, sewerage, gas, water, electric lights, etc. Contracts have been let for curbing and paving the entire addition. The work is now in progress and will be completed as soon as practicable.

From the outset, James Bute planned for his addition to be “The Most Fashionable District of Houston” and sold land there in quarter-blocks for $750 to $1,800 per lot. Original deed restrictions required significant set-backs and restrictions on the construction of fences, and prohibited the construction or operation of businesses within the interior of the neighborhood.

James Bute

James Bute, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, immigrated to Montreal, Quebec, in 1857 and then to New Orleans, arriving in Houston in 1861. Bute gained entree to Houston's established business and social elite through marriage to the daughter of James House. James Bute became a successful businessman in Houston, and in 1869 founded the Bute Paint Company, a retail and wholesale paint business whose warehouse still stands at 711 William Street northeast of downtown Houston and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. By 1887, he was supplying paints and other materials from a retail store on Main Street, and supplying wholesale materials within a 150-mile radius, from a warehouse around the corner on Franklin Avenue. In 1907, the company incorporated, with Bute's son-in-law John F. Garrott

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and sons John Bute Jr. and James House Bute, as the James Bute Company. James Bute died in 1915 at the age of 76. This would have made him 68 years old when Bute Addition was platted. After his death, the Bute Paint Company continued to be family owned and operated until its dissolution in 1990. At the time of its dissolution, it was believed to be the longest continually operating business in the history of Houston. Although James Bute is primarily identified with his paint business, he made investments and applied his skills in other businesses as well, as an officer in a lumber company specializing in millwork production, in the 1890s; by investing, with T.W. House, Jr., in an oil company; and as an officer and director of the city's oldest wholesale pharmaceutical business, the Houston Drug Company Bute furthered his influence on commercial development of Houston.

First Montrose Commons Street Names • Branard: originally named West Main Avenue. Branard was designed to be the main street through the Bute Addition. It was renamed after George A. Branard, the Director of the Houston Water Deptartment, who was killed around 1920 trying to rescue a worker trapped by a cave-in at a sewer/water construction site. • Brandt: originally named House, and renamed after Gus Brandt, the president of the James Bute Paint Company. • Bute: named for James Bute. • Colquitt: named for Oscar Branch Colquitt, Texas state senator, revenue agent, railroad commissioner, governor, newspaper publisher, oilman, and member of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. • Garrott: named for John F. Garrott, resident of the James Bute Addition and general manager of the James Bute Paint Company. • Stanford: originally named ‘Connor’ Street after John Connor, but later renamed after Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. • Sul Ross: named for Lawrence Sullivan Ross, who was a Texas Ranger, organized and led Ross’ Cavalry Brigade in the Civil War, Governor of Texas in 1887, and was named president of Texas A&M University in 1891. • West Main: originally was named Vine Avenue (or Avenue C).

The Influence of Rail Lines on the Neighborhood’s Development

The development of First Montrose Commons, especially that of the Lockhart, Connor, & Barziza Addition, was also shaped by two railroads that formed its northern and eastern boundaries at the end of the 19th century, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado (BBB&C) and the Texas Western Narrow Gauge Railroad (TWNG).

Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado

The BBB&C was constructed from Harrisburg to Stafford, Texas, in 1853. BBB&C was the first railroad to begin operating in the state, the first component of the present Southern Pacific to open for service, and the second railroad west of the Mississippi River. On February 11, 1850, a group that

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included Gen. Sidney Sherman received a charter for the BBB&C. Construction began from Buffalo Bayou at Harrisburg in 1851; the first locomotive, which was named for Sherman, arrived in late 1852; and the first twenty miles of track, from Harrisburg to Stafford's Point, opened in August 1853. By January 1, 1856, the BBB&C, or Harrisburg Railroad, as it was commonly called, had been extended an additional 12½ miles to East Richmond on the bank of the Brazos River across from Richmond. Construction resumed in 1858, and in late 1860 the tracks extended eighty miles to Alleyton, near the east bank of the Colorado River opposite Columbus. BBB&C is now a part of Southern Pacific's transcontinental Sunset Route between New Orleans and Los Angeles and handles heavy freight traffic as well as Amtrak's Sunset Limited west of Houston.

Fearing competition from their neighbors to the east, Houstonians built a 6½ mile railroad in 1856 from south Houston to connect with the BBB&C. This line was extended to the sugar cane plantations around East Columbia, Texas, by 1860; one of the largest of these was owned by Thomas W. Peirce. The Civil War’s economic impacts caused the bankruptcy of the BBB&C, and Col. Pierce was part of a group that acquired it and rechartered it as the Galveston, Harrisburg, & San Antonio Railroad (GH&SA) in 1870. Pierce also dubbed the rechartered line “the Sunset Route” since it ran from New Orleans to San Antonio. (This same route evolved to become the present-day “Sunset Limited” Amtrak Line, run by Union Pacific, which acquired Southern Pacific, of which GH&SA was a part). The GH&SA built its own line into Houston, crossing through the eastern-most parts of the Lockhart, Connor, & Barziza Addition in 1880. In June 1902, the GH&SA filed an official plat of Lot 16 of the Obedience Smith Survey. A dozen freight and passenger trains ran daily along tracks that crossed from West Alabama and Jack to Richmond Avenue and Garrott Street. The Tewena stop was located east of Jack, between Branard & West Main. At the time, the area then consisted of little more than several small dairy farms. The GH&SA crossed the San Antonio and Aransas Pass (SA&AP) Railway just south of the neighborhood (south of what is now the Southwest Freeway).

Texas Western Narrow Gauge Railroad

The second railroad to have molded the history of First Montrose Commons was the Texas Western Narrow Gauge Railroad. Built in 1877, three years before the GH&SA crossed the neighborhood, it ran parallel to the SA&AP, two blocks west of Dowling Street to a point just north of McGowan, where it took a diagonal course before turning west to run along Alabama Street near Milam. The railroad was originally promoted by I. S. Roberts, Thomas W. House, Thomas H. Scanlan, Eugene Pillot and others on August 4, 1870. This company was the first narrow gauge railroad chartered in Texas.

Although ground was broken in 1872, actual construction did not begin until early 1875, and the first locomotive arrived around the first of March. The initial ten miles opened with an excursion on July 3, but it took another year for the second ten miles to be completed, and it was not until April 23, 1877, that the railroad opened for the forty-two miles between Houston and Pattison in Waller County (near Katy, Texas). To handle its traffic, the Texas Western Narrow Gauge had two locomotives, fifteen freight cars, and one passenger car. Within two years, the railroad was in financial trouble and was reorganized as the Texas Western Railway Company. The railroad went into the hands of the court on July 2, 1884, when a receiver was appointed for the company. For many years, the railroad remained in the hands of the court due to a lawsuit in Federal Court to determine the rights of the various alleged owners of the company. The fate of the Texas Western Narrow Gauge was sealed in 1893 when the

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Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company of Texas (Katy) built into Houston along the projected route of the Texas Western. The Katy line between Sealy and Houston paralleled the Texas Western and crossed the narrow gauge three miles south of Pattison. The Texas Western was sold in 1895 to Elijah Smith. It appears that the railroad did not operate after June 30, 1896, although it was not abandoned until 1899. The rail line appears in the 1896 Sanborn Map, but not on the 1907 Sanborn Map. It seems that it was abandoned around 1899, when the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad was granted right-of-way formerly promised to TWNG. The rails were removed by June 30, 1900, and the land at Pattison reverted to the Pattison family.

While independent confirmation of West Alabama Street being located on the Texas Western right-of- way is lacking, it is interesting to note that west of Milam, the path of West Alabama (and eventually, Westheimer, which Alabama converges into near the Galleria) is essentially a perfectly straight line for 16 miles, with only slight deviations that most likely resulted from local road construction issues. Other nearby parallel streets (e.g. Richmond Ave, San Felipe) which meander around quite a bit while generally heading west. For Alabama to not be atop the former Texas Western right-of-way would be truly unusual.

The Texas Western Narrow Gauge Railroad is interesting more for its failure, despite having several prominent investors—among them former President Ulysses S. Grant. The choice to build TWNG as a narrow gauge line (three feet between rails, as opposed to standard gauge, which is four feet between rails) meant that it could not exchange cars with other lines along its route, severely limiting is usefulness to carry long haul freight. Nevertheless, the TWNG has possibly left the lasting legacy of Houston’s straightest 16 miles of roadway from Midtown to well past the Galleria.

The Montrose Streetcar Line

The Montrose line of the Houston Electric Company provided streetcar service between the new First Montrose Commons neighborhood and downtown Houston. With the extension of the South End line, “suburban” neighborhoods, such as First Montrose Commons, were made viable. The intersection at Roseland and West Main was the terminus and turnaround for the Montrose Streetcar Line. The Montrose Car Line went down Roseland, turned east on Hawthorne Street and then north on Taft Street.

On opening day, August 18, 1912, hundreds of Houstonians gathered in bleachers to wait their turn for the inaugural run. A brass band provided the entertainment while Snyder's Ice Cream Company provided free refreshments. Before the expansion of the Houston Electric Street Railway Company’s streetcar service to outlying areas, much of Houston’s development occurred close to downtown's business district. Although streetcar service lasted for nearly 25 years on the Montrose Line, the last car ran on March 13, 1937. By 1940, there were no more streetcars in Houston, which succumbed to newer forms of transportation provided by bus and by automobiles. It was even discovered through Federal court hearings that the bus and automobile manufacturing companies had actually conspired against the streetcar companies all across America, but by then it was too late.

Mrs. Edna Bowman, a First Montrose Commons resident, lived in the bungalow at 809 Sul Ross. She recalled that her husband “came a-courtin’ on the streetcar” that ran down Roseland, and turned around in the intersection at West Main. When reading descriptions of the Houston Electric’s Street Car Routes,

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the southern terminus of the Montrose Line is described as “a wye located at the intersection of Roseland Street and West Main Avenue.”

Conclusion

When the Lockhart Connor & Barziza and Bute Additions were platted, the neighborhood was planned as an entirely residential neighborhood. Over the years, however, commercial and institutional encroachment has been so pervasive that these few blocks, now known as First Montrose Commons, represent one of the last remaining residential enclaves within the area. After World War II, many families moved from this area to the suburbs and the neighborhood entered a prolonged period of substantial change. During this time, the United States experienced a housing crunch as millions of soldiers returned home and started new families. Houston, like many other major metropolitan areas, struggled to meet the housing demands. While several of the original residents remained in First Montrose Commons, and continued to maintain their houses, many of the old houses were either demolished or divided into multiple units, or they were simply allowed to deteriorate, and the fabric of the neighborhood fell into jeopardy.

Like many inner-city neighborhoods, greater Montrose suffered during federal urban renewal in the 1950s and 1960s. The construction of Spur 527, which opened in 1962, required the complete destruction of more than half of the Bute Addition’s housing stock. Nonetheless, a large number of historically contributing houses remain that serve to illustrate Houston’s rich heritage. Incremental improvements initiated by residents, organizations, and alliances began in the 1970s. Change accelerated in the late 1990s when the neighborhood was discovered by new residents moving to Houston as a result of $2.6 billion in downtown revitalization and reinvestment. Many individuals recognized the charm and historical significance of these once neglected buildings and have purchased and restored them, creating a revitalization of the neighborhood. In 1994, concerned residents formed the First Montrose Commons Civic Association, whose mission is to “protect and enrich First Montrose Commons by encouraging neighborhood pride, communication, advocacy, and vigilance.”

Today, only three of the Bute Addition’s original quarter-block mansions remain: the Cochran-Hofheinz House at 3900 Milam (City of Houston Landmark), the Lucia House at 3904 Brandt, and the Milam House at 4100 Milam. Both the Cochran-Hofheinz House and the Milam House have been restored and are currently occupied by businesses sensitive to their histories. The Lucia House, however, has remained vacant and tied up in probate for a number of years following the death of its longtime owner. All three now face a 30-foot high wall of concrete from Spur 527 from their grand front porches.

Many of the nearby, early 20th century neighborhoods, including Avondale, Audubon Place, Courtlandt Place and Westmoreland, have been revitalized too, and residents have succeeded in having their historic neighborhoods being listed in the National Register of Historic Places and/or designated as City of Houston Historic Districts. Greater Montrose is home to five City of Houston Historic Districts: Courtlandt Place (1996), Westmoreland (1997), Avondale East (1999), Avondale West (2007), and Audubon Place (2009); Courtlandt Place and Westmoreland are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Overview

The houses and buildings in the First Montrose Commons neighborhood reflect the architectural styles that were in vogue in Houston and across the country during its period of development. The styles of architecture found in the neighborhood include Bungalow, Prairie, Mission Revival, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and Art Deco, as well as the Craftsman style, which is the most prevalent style. Siding materials utilized for the exterior of the buildings include stucco, brick, and wood cladding.

The earliest house in the neighborhood is thought to be 4104 Greeley, built circa 1900. Of the 234 inventoried structures in the proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District, half were built in the 1910s and 1920s or earlier, and approximately another thirty were built in the 1930s. In the 1970s, the neighborhood saw a burst of redevelopment in which approximately thirty new buildings were built in the neighborhood – many of them apartment complexes and townhouses. The modern High School for the Performing and Visual Arts was built in First Montrose Commons in 1981 on the former site of Montrose Elementary School. In the last two decades, the neighborhood has once again experienced redevelopment pressures, mostly from new townhouses. Nonetheless, two-thirds of the buildings in First Montrose Commons are from its period of historic significance. With a large collection of two-story single-family residences, period apartment buildings, and one-story bungalows, First Montrose Commons retains its special historic identity.

Bungalow and Craftsman styles

Between 1905 and 1925, the Bungalow and Craftsman styles became one of the predominant house forms in Houston’s suburban neighborhoods, especially in Montrose. The rise in popularity of this style in Houston actually reflected a nationwide movement, which started in the Western United States. and moved to the East. The bungalow became the perfect speculative house for the nation’s new suburban cities. Stylistically, the house had an eclectic beginning with influences coming from India, Spain and Japan and flourished by its incorporation of these stylistic elements from other cultures. The house type could be rustic or clean and open in the manner of prairie houses, or the bungalow could be built-up to approximate a cottage form. The style was best known as a low, small house that prototyped informal living, used natural materials and relied on simplified design. Bungalow designers were especially adept at generating floor plan variations and roof forms as well as ornamental variations including changes in gables, window placement and materials. This flexible vocabulary made it possible to build rows of bungalows without having to repeat the same forms on the same block. The plan became one of the most popular in American building history. It was promoted by such popular publications as Ladies’ Home Journal and the Sears Roebuck and Co. Catalog. House plans could be purchased for $8 to $12. Furthermore, the bungalow fit neatly on the standard 50-foot by 100-foot lots and the plans utilized space very efficiently in an open, yet compact manner. More importantly, the bungalow floor plan accommodated Houston’s hot and humid climate by providing natural ventilation with air freely circulating from one room to another. In addition the wide overhanging eaves shaded rooms from the sun while the covered front porch served as additional outdoor living space. By the mid 1920s, the bungalow style had declined in popularity and was built with less frequency. The suburban cottage replaced the bungalow as the prevalent style. The cottage continued the tradition of a small, single

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family, detached house, but gave it a more picturesque image than that of the natural straightforward bungalow.

In the Bungalow floor plan, a single living room replaced the front and rear parlors, entry hall, and library of Victorian houses. The living room had a fireplace, often set in a niche called an “inglenook,” and it opened directly into the dining room. The dividing wall was usually five feet high so that rooms were connected visually. The kitchen connected to the dining room through a swinging door that kept food odors from the rest of the house (later owners usually removed these doors). The Victorian house’s butler’s pantry was replaced by dining room built-ins. Walls were banded with wood, often at several heights. This discouraged hanging pictures because many Craftsman designers felt that the wood was decoration enough, and final plaster often contained sand to discourage Victorian-style wallpaper.

According to “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia and Lee McAlester, the “Craftsman houses were inspired by the work of two California brothers – Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene – who practiced together in Pasadena (California) from 1893 to 1914. About 1903 they began to design simple Craftsman-type bungalows. Several influences – the English Arts and Crafts movement, an interest in oriental wooden architecture, and their early training in the manual arts – appear to have led the Greene Brothers to design and build these intricately detailed buildings. These and similar residences were given extensive publicity in such magazines as the Western Architect, The Architect, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Architectural Record, Country Life in America, and Ladies’ Home Journal, thus familiarizing the rest of the nation with the style. As a result, a flood of pattern books appeared, offering plans for Craftsman bungalows; some even offered completely pre-cut packages of lumber and detailing to be assembled by local labor. Through these vehicles, the one-story Craftsman house quickly became the most popular and fashionable house in the country.”

Typically, the Craftsman-bungalow style had some combination of the following:

o Low-pitched roof, gabled or hipped

o Deep eaves with exposed rafters

o Decorative knee braces

o Open floor plan and 1 to 1 ½ stories

o Built-in cabinetry or colonnades, beamed ceilings, expanded rafter tails, simple wainscot in the living room

o Large fireplace, often with built-in shelves or benches on either side

o Dormers

o Large, covered porches with massive columns under the extension of the main roof

o Windows were typically double-hung with multiples in the upper window and a single pane in the lower, and with simple, wide casings

o Craftsman-designed hardware, lighting, and tile work

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HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SELECT EXAMPLES WITHIN THE PROPOSED HISTORIC DISTRICT

4104 Greeley

The house at 4104 Greeley is likely the oldest house in First Montrose Commons. The two-story Queen Anne style house was the home of Betty Edwards and Frederick Lawrence Kaufhold and their three daughters. Frederick, a native Houstonian of German ancestry, was a building contractor in downtown Houston. Betty was president of her bridge club and of the Oran M. Roberts Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The Kaufholds originally owned a house on the corner of Pease and St. Charles streets, which was one of the prime residential areas in the city in the 1890s. However, due to sharply rising taxes, Frederick elected to move the family outside the city limit to what was at the time considered "way out in the country". In 1899, Frederick purchased six lots in Block 14 of the Lockhart, Connor, & Barziza Addition for $200. He built a house on Lots 4 and 5 (now 4104 Greeley). Kaufhold operated a small dairy farm, selling milk to the local neighbors and to the school children at Montrose School. In addition to dairy farming, Frederick built scaffolding for outlaws who were hanged.

Betty and Frederick had three daughters. When each daughter married, Frederick and Betty built a house next door for them. The house at 4104 Greeley was pivoted east in the 1910s by mule teams to make room for the last daughter's house. The daughters' houses are still standing at 4106-4108 and 4110-4112 Greeley.

Frederick died on December 21, 1925, and was buried in Forest Park Cemetery. After Frederick’s death, Betty went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Preston King, at 4112 Greeley until her death on May 14, 1931. She was buried in Forest Park Cemetery.

After Frederick’s death in 1925, the house at 4104 Greeley was divided into two apartments. At that time the archway was closed off, a kitchen was added upstairs, and upper and lower sunrooms were added. The house is now the Robin’s Nest Bed and Breakfast Inn.

3900 Milam Street (3918 Brandt Street) – the Cochran-Hofheinz House

The Cochran-Hofheinz House, constructed circa 1912 and designated as a City of Houston Landmark in 2005, may be the work of Russell Brown Company. The Russell Brown Company was a prolific builder and designer of new houses in Houston from 1902 until World War II, and constructed numerous houses in the Avondale, Westmoreland, Montrose, Boulevard Oaks, and River Oaks neighborhoods. The Russell Brown Company provided architectural services (although Brown himself was not an architect) in addition to construction services. Brown’s houses were known to be of the finest quality in design and materials.

The house at 3900 Milam was built for Owen L. Cochran, who was president of First National Bank, one of Houston’s largest banks. In 1956, the house was purchased by Roy M. Hofheinz from one of the Cochran heirs. Hofheinz, a lawyer, was the youngest person to be elected to the Texas legislature, and in 1936, he became the youngest person to be elected to this position when he was elected Harris County

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Judge, thus providing him with the moniker, “The Judge.” Hofheinz was elected Mayor of Houston in 1952. Hofheinz became a very prosperous Houston business man and philanthropist. With Robert “Bob” Smith, Hofheinz created the Houston Sports Association for the purpose of obtaining a major league baseball team in Houston. It was in Hofheinz’ office in this house where the idea of a covered sports stadium was first discussed, which resulted in the eventual construction of the Astrodome in 1965.

The Cochran-Hofheinz House exemplifies the type of residential building that is both historically and architecturally significant as part of Houston’s past. It reflects the upwardly-mobile development of the city’s South End that occurred in the first two decades of the 20th century. It lends further historical credence to the city’s urban growth for its role as the setting for major decision-making by Houston leaders at mid-century. From an architectural standpoint, the structure is illustrative of a residential style that was popular in upper middle-class neighborhoods at the time of its construction.

3904 Brandt – the Lucia House

The house at 3904 Brandt was built in 1913 by Julia Baker Carson, widow of Philip Carson. Philip R. Carson was a prominent early Houston business man, with a successful wholesale grocery business. He died in 1906. There are references to Philip Carson and his family in several editions of the Blue Book of Texas, or Society Register of Texas, attesting to their prominence.

In the 1910 city directory Mrs. J.B. Carson is listed as living in the Fourth Ward, James House Addition, at “8 and Milam,” and in the 1910 Census she is listed as living at 909 Webster. In the 1910 Census she is 35 years old and her sons are Robert B., age 10; John R., age 8; Boulds B., age 6; and Philip R., age 2; and her occupation is given as “Income.” In the 1912 city directory, Mrs. Carson is listed as living at “909 Webster Ave (5) [Fifth Ward]), and is listed as a renter. Her phone at the Webster address was Hadley 1349. It was not unusual for wealthy widows at that time to rent rooms or live in a hotel while having a house built. In the 1913-1917 city directories, Mrs. Carson is listed as living at 3904 Brandt Street.

This quarter-block mansion was built in the Neoclassical Colonial Revival style, popular 1890-1940, and is the only example of this style in First Montrose Commons. It is one of three remaining mansions on Milam, now the 59 Freeway feeder road; the rest were torn down in the 1960s to make way for the freeway.

The Neoclassical Colonial Revival style’s characteristics, seen in this property, include Palladian windows, classical porch columns and half-moon porticos, elaborately paneled doors topped with fanlights, galleries of many windows extending out from the sides of the house, bull’s eye window, and entablatures running under the roof. Other interesting features of this three-story house are its basement, unusual for Texas, its original port-cochere with an original service entrance and screen door intact, and its carriage house. It also has a large double-door, estate-style entrance gate and estate-style landscaping, with old trees on the grounds.

610 W. Main

This Craftsman-style house was built circa 1910 by Edwin A. (E.A.) Zurcher. In the 1900 Census, Zurcher was 21 years old and living in Brenham, Washington County, Texas, with his parents. His

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father was from Switzerland and his mother was from Germany. The 1908 city directory shows that Zurcher then lived at 506 Caroline, Apartment #2, and worked as a book proprietor (accountant) for the I and G.N. Company, a railroad. The 1910 Census shows Zurcher living at 610 W. Main. The first entry in the city directory for this house is in 1918. The 1920 Census shows Zurcher still living at 610 W. Main with his wife, Mimie (also spelled Minnie) Wilke.

Mr. Zurcher lived in the house until the 1920s. In the 1930 Census, Zurcher is living at the Texas State Hotel at 1117 Walker with his wife and two roomers, Kathryn B. Hamm and Anna Gaines. The fact that in 1930 he lived in a hotel with two roomers suggests that he might have fallen on hard times.

Emma A. Waterwall bought the house in the 1920s. She had one child, Ada Pemberton, who inherited the house as a life estate. Ada was the first female principal at Durkee Elementary School in the 1950s, and brought innovations to the school. At one point Ada brought her sister and her sister’s three children to live with her in the house. The children went off to college and Ada’s sister remarried and moved to the Valley. Ada Pemberton never had children and married late, in 1975, to Robert Webster, who owned a house in Spring Branch. In 1976, David A. and Joan Leslie Turner purchased the house. They raised two daughters and restored many parts of the house, remaining sensitive to its architecture and original interior footprint while making the house comfortable for their family.

619 Sul Ross – Rosie Kalle Borden House

This house was built in 1918 by the Montrose Land Company. The house is an eclectic Craftsman with Prairie influences. It is believed to have been built on “spec” because the current open staircase and fret work were closed in before the floors were finished. The original owner was Rosie Kalle Borden, widow of Henry L. (H. L.) Borden. In 1900, H. L. was 21 years old and living with his parents in San Patricio County. He became an attorney and was advising director of Gulf of Mexico operations for the Gulf Oil Company. His 1917 passport application lists him as having been born in Sharpsburg, Texas, January 6, 1878, and his father, S. G. Borden, as having been born in Richmond, Texas. His passport application also shows him as departing from Key West, Florida, with the intention of going to Havana, Cuba, for Gulf Oil business for six months. H. L. later owned an investment company, whose office was located in the Union National Bank Building at 220 Main Street, now the Hotel Icon. Rosie Borden’s parents were from Virginia and H. L.’s mother was from New Jersey. The Bordens had two sons, Gail and Henry Jr.

Like many well-to-do early Houston families, the Bordens moved several times. The 1910 census lists them as living at 1015 S. Holman. Interestingly, this census shows H.L. as “in bankruptcy” and as having refused to tell the census taker his profession (though he continued to have a servant, Rose Pryeus). His fortunes must have risen again because by 1917 he was both advising Gulf Oil and had a private investment company. The 1917 city directory lists the Bordens as living at 2911 Main Street. The 1918 city directory lists H.L. Borden as having died January 7, 1918 and Rosie Borden, widow of Henry L., and her son Gail living at 619 Sul Ross. In 1918, Rosie Borden paid $13,000 for 619 Sul Ross; by comparison, the bungalows in the neighborhood were selling in the 1940s for around $9,000.

The 1929-30 city directory shows Henry L. Borden, Jr. living at 4019 Montrose Blvd and working as a salesman for the National Bond and Mortgage Corp., but there is no mention of Rosie or Gail Borden in the 1929-30 city directory.

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In the 1930 Census, Otto Letzerich, an investment broker, is listed as living at 619 Sul Ross with his wife Alice and his son Louie, a stocks and bonds salesman, and Azalie West, a servant. Otto’s father had been born in Germany and his mother was born in Texas.

The house originally had a detached garage and a small apartment above it. In the mid-1960s, the house was divided into three apartments, each with a full kitchen. Access to the two upstairs apartments was through the side doors.

Grady and Marilyn Cayce bought the house in 1993 and moved in after almost seven months of renovations, including restoring it to a single-family house, replacing all the plumbing, wiring, and gas lines and restoring the windows to operating condition. Interesting original features of the house are its hex tile in the entryway and other parts of the house, beautiful door with inlaid glass, built-in benches in the entryway, unusual beveled full-length mirrors built in on closet doors, and basement (the latter a rarity in Houston because of flooding but needed in 1918 because coal was used to heat the house). The house’s staircase, floors, and other areas of the house were restored with sensitivity to the original interior footprint. The cast-iron fence in front of the house was made in Galveston in the 1800s and was installed in the 1940s to keep kids from Montrose Elementary School (now the site of HSPVA) off the grass.

The information and sources for this application provided by residents have been reviewed, verified, edited and supplemented with additional research and sources by Randy Pace, Historic Preservation Officer, and Diana DuCroz and Courtney Spillane, Planning and Development Department, City of Houston.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Avondale West Historic District Designation Report. July 25, 2007, prepared by Thomas McWhorter, Planning and Development Department, City of Houston. Baron, Steven M., Houston Electric: The Street Railways of Houston, Texas, self-published, Lexington, Kentucky, 1996. Coover, Gary. “The First Houses in Audubon Place” and “Architects and Builders in Montrose/Audubon Place” – part of a series that was published in the Audubon Place Civic Association Newsletter. John Wiley Link”. Handbook of Texas Online. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/ Johnston, Marguerite, Houston: The Unknown City 1836-1946, Texas A&M University Press, College Station, 1991. Link-Lee House Landmark Designation Report. May 24, 2001. Prepared by Randy Pace, Planning and Development Department, City of Houston. McAlester, Virginia and Lee, Field Guide to American Houses, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1984. Norhill Historic District Designation Report. January 20, 2000. Prepared by Randy Pace, Planning and Development Department, City of Houston. Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online Volume 066.

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“Stone & Webster” Wikipedia Encyclopedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_&_Webster Texas Almanac for 1910 “Stone & Webster Company.”

APPROVAL CRITERIA

According to Section 33-222 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance:

Application for designation of an historic district shall be initiated by either:

(b)(1) The owners of at least 51 percent of the tracts in the proposed district, which tracts shall constitute 51 percent of the land area within the proposed district exclusive of street, alley and fee simple pipeline or utility rights-of-way and publicly owned land, shall make application for designation of an historic district. In case of a dispute over whether the percentage requirements have been satisfied, it shall be the burden of the challenger to establish by a preponderance of the evidence through the real property records of the county in which the proposed historic district is located or other public records that the applicants have not satisfied the percentage requirements.

There are 212 unique tract owners within the proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District of whom 118 support the designation – thus 55.66% of the tract owners support the designation. The total land area owned by the tract owners in support constitutes 52.72% percent of the total land area within the proposed historic district. First Montrose Commons Total Signed in Support Percentage Total Land Area of Historic District Tract of Total Tract Owner Support Support Statistics s 1,336,785 sq ft land area 212 118 55.66% 704,781 sq ft (52.72%)

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no building, structure, object or site less than 50 years old shall be designated as a landmark or archaeological site, and no area in which the majority of buildings, structures or objects is less than 50 years old shall be designated as an historic district, unless it is found that the buildings, structure, object, site or area is of extraordinary importance to the city, state or nation for reasons not based on age.

There are a total of 234 structures within the proposed First Montrose Commons Historic District. Of the 234 structures, there are 144 or 61.54% of which are classified as “historic” (45 being classified as “contributing” and 99 being classified as “potentially contributing”). Of the 234 structures, there are 90 or 38.46% of which are classified as “non-contributing.” Five properties are classified as “vacant” (includes three that are surface parking lots).

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First Montrose Commons Contributing Potentially Non Contributing / Historic District Historic Contributing Non Historic Structures Inventory Structures Historic Structures Structures

Total = 234 45 99 90

Percent of Total 19.23% 42.31% 38.46%

According to the approval criteria in Section 33-224 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance:

(a) The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission and the Houston Planning Commission, in making recommendations with respect to designation, and the City Council, in making a designation, shall consider one or more of the following criteria, as applicable:

S NA S - satisfies NA - not applicable

; (1) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area possesses character, interest or value as a visible reminder of the development, heritage, and cultural and ethnic diversity of the city, state, or nation; ; (2) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area is the location of a significant local, state or national event; ; (3) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area is identified with a person who, or group or event that, contributed significantly to the cultural or historical development of the city, state, or nation; ; (4) Whether the building or structure or the buildings or structures within the area exemplify a particular architectural style or building type important to the city; ; (5) Whether the building or structure or the buildings or structures within the area are the best remaining examples of an architectural style or building type in a neighborhood; ; (6) Whether the building, structure, object or site or the buildings, structures, objects or sites within the area are identified as the work of a person or group whose work has influenced the heritage of the city, state, or nation; ; (7) Whether specific evidence exists that unique archaeological resources are present; and ; (8) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area has value as a significant element of community sentiment or public pride.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Houston Planning Commission accept the recommendation of the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission and recommend to City Council the Historic District designation of the First Montrose Commons Historic District.

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EXHIBIT A SITE LOCATION MAP FIRST MONTROSE COMMONS HISTORIC DISTRICT

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EXHIBIT B INVENTORY FIRST MONTROSE COMMONS HISTORIC DISTRICT HOUSTON, TEXAS

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LTS 1 & 2 & TRS 3 & 311 BRANARD BUTE 6A BLK 12 1938 NC LTS 1 & 2 & TRS 3 & 315 BRANARD BUTE 6A BLK 12 1938 NC LT 8 & TRS 6C & 9 320 BRANARD BUTE BLK 11 1915 C Prairie/Craftsman

401 BRANARD SEE 4040 MILAM TR 18A BLK 18 402 402 BRANARD BUTE BRANARD T/H U/R 1974 NC TR 18 BLK 18 402 406 BRANARD BUTE BRANARD T/H U/R 1976 NC TR 18B BLK 18 402 410 BRANARD BUTE BRANARD T/H U/R 1976 NC TR 18C BLK 18 402 412 BRANARD BUTE BRANARD T/H U/R 1976 NC

414 BRANARD BUTE TRS 6A 9 & 10 BLK 18 1920 C Craftsman S 97 FT OF LT 8 & TR 418 BRANARD BUTE 9B BLK 18 1920 PC Craftsman

425 BRANARD BUTE TRS 1A & 2A-1 BLK 17 1996 NC TR 5 BLK 21 HERZCO 500 BRANARD BUTE LUXURY T/H U/R 1976 NC

501 BRANARD BUTE TR 1 BLK 22 1959 NC TR 6 BLK 21 HERZCO 502 BRANARD BUTE LUXURY T/H U/R 1976 NC

504 BRANARD BUTE TR 5 BLK 21 1915 PC Craftsman

505 BRANARD BUTE TR 4 BLK 22 1970 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 506 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 2 1920 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR LT 12 & TRS 3C 4A & 508 BRANARD & BARZIZA 5A BLK 2 1962 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1A 2A & 3D BLK 3 509 BRANARD & BARZIZA/BUTE & TR 4A BLK 22 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 513 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 1 2 & 3A BLK 3 1915 PC Craftsman CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR 514 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 6 7 & 8A BLK 2 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR LT 11 & TRS 8B 9 & 10 515 BRANARD & BARZIZA BLK 3 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 519 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 8 9A & 10A BLK 3 1959 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 520 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 6A 7A & 8C BLK 2 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 601 BRANARD & BARZIZA LT 1 BLK 8 1930 PC Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR 601½ BRANARD & BARZIZA LT 1 BLK 8 1920 PC Garage apartment LOCKHART CONNOR 602 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 9 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR LT 12 & TRS 3C 4A 5A 612 BRANARD & BARZIZA 6B 7B & 8D BLK 9 1964 NC LOCKHART CONNOR Colonial Revival – 618 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 6A 7 & 8A BLK 9 1935 PC Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR 620 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 6 7A & 8B BLK 9 1999 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 801 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 1 & 2 BLK 18 1915 PC Queen Anne/Craftsman BIANCHI HOMES AT 802 BRANARD STANFORD STREET LT 1 BLK 1 2007 NC BRANARD STREET 803 BRANARD RESIDENCES LT 4 BLK 1 2007 NC BRANARD STREET 805 BRANARD RESIDENCES LT 3 BLK 1 2007 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 806 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 3 4A & 5A BLK 19 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow BRANARD STREET 807 BRANARD RESIDENCES LT 2 BLK1 2007 NC BRANARD STREET 809 BRANARD RESIDENCES LT 1 BLK1 2007 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 810 BRANARD & BARZIZA LT 12 BLK 19 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 811 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 9A & 10 BLK 18 1920 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 812 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 6 7 & 8C BLK 19 1930 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 813 BRANARD & BARZIZA TRS 9A & 10A BLK 18 1920 PC TRS 3 4A 5A & 7 3804 BRANDT BUTE BLK 10 1947 PC Apartments TRS 7A 11B & 12A 3816 BRANDT BUTE BLK 10 1982 NC

3818 BRANDT BUTE TRS 11A & 12 BLK 10 1930 PC Craftsman

2 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LTS 4 & 5 & TRS 3 & 7 3904 BRANDT BUTE BLK 11 1913 PC Neoclassical SEE 321 WEST 3803 BUTE ALABAMA

3818 BUTE BUTE TRS 7A & 12A BLK 19 1973 NC TR 12B BLK 19 3818 3820 BUTE BUTE BUTE T/H U/R 1973 NC TR 12C BLK 19 3818 3822 BUTE BUTE BUTE T/H U/R 1973 NC

3824 BUTE SEE 402 SUL ROSS

3900 BUTE BUTE TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 18 1920 PC Garage apartment

3903 BUTE BUTE TRS 1 & 2A BLK 11 1960 NC TRS 1A 2B & 6A 3909 BUTE BUTE BLK 11 1925 PC Craftsman bungalow TRS 3B 4A 5A & 7 Renaissance Revival - 3912 BUTE BUTE BLK 18 1930 C Apartment Bldg TRS 7A 10A 11A & 12A 3916 BUTE BUTE BLK 18 1915 PC Craftsman TR 18D BLK 18 402 3920 BUTE BUTE BRANARD T/H U/R 1974 NC LTS 1 & 2 & TRS 3 & 4007 BUTE BUTE 6A BLK 12 1938 NC LTS 8 & 9 & TRS 6 7B Colonial Revival – 420 COLQUITT BUTE 10 & 11 BLK 16 1940 PC Apartment Bldg

504 COLQUITT BUTE TRS 4 & 6A BLK 23 1920 PC Craftsman

508 COLQUITT BUTE TR 6 BLK 23 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 512 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 4 1920 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 516 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 3C 4A & 5A BLK 4 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 520 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TR 12 BLK 4 1930 C Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR 522 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 6 7 & 8A BLK 4 1930 PC Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR TR E BLK 4 COLQUITT 524 COLQUITT & BARZIZA AT JACK T/H 1973 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TR D BLK 4 COLQUITT 526 COLQUITT & BARZIZA AT JACK T/H 1973 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 601 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 1 & 2 BLK 6 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 602 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 3A 4A & 5A BLK 7 1915 C Craftsman

3 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR 603 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 1A & 2A BLK 6 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 606 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 7 1920 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 608 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TR 12 BLK 7 1979 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 609 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 1B 2B & 11 BLK 6 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 610 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TR 12A BLK 7 1979 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 614 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 6A 7A & 8A BLK 7 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 615 COLQUITT & BARZIZA LT 10 BLK 6 1998 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 620 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 6 7 & 8C BLK 7 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 701 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 1 2 & 3A BLK 15 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1A 2A & 3C 705 COLQUITT & BARZIZA BLK 15 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 706 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TR 1A BLK 14 1920 C Craftsman

709 COLQUITT COLQUITT SQUARE LT 6 BLK 1 2004 NC LOCKHART CONNOR LT 12 & TRS 6A & 7A 710 COLQUITT & BARZIZA BLK 14 1965 NC

711 COLQUITT COLQUITT SQUARE LT 5 BLK 1 2004 NC

713 COLQUITT COLQUITT SQUARE LT 4 BLK 1 2004 NC

715 COLQUITT COLQUITT SQUARE LT 3 BLK 1 2004 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 720 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 6 & 7 BLK 14 1920 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 800 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 4 & 5 BLK 17 1915 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 804 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 4A & 5A BLK 17 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow

805 COLQUITT SEE 4202 STANFORD LOCKHART CONNOR 808 COLQUITT & BARZIZA LT 12 BLK 17 1920 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 811 COLQUITT & BARZIZA LT 11 BLK 16 1959 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 813 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 9 & 10 BLK 16 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 814 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 6A & 7A BLK 17 1920 PC Dutch Colonial

4 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR 820 COLQUITT & BARZIZA TRS 6 & 7 BLK 17 1920 PC Prairie/Craftsman

3806 GARROTT BUTE TRS 1 & 2A BLK 20 1930 C Colonial Revival SCHOOL FOR 3808 GARROTT YOUNG CHILDREN RES A BLK 1 2006 NC LTS 8 & 9 & TR 6 BLK 3815 GARROTT BUTE 19 1950 NC

3818 GARROTT BUTE TR 3 BLK 20 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow

3908 GARROTT BUTE LT 2 & TR 1A BLK 21 1920 C Craftsman TR 1 BLK 21 HERZCO 3910 GARROTT BUTE LUXURY T/H U/R 1976 NC TR 2 BLK 21 HERZCO 3912 GARROTT BUTE LUXURY T/H U/R 1976 NC LT 1 & TRS 2A & 6C 3913 GARROTT BUTE BLK 18 1975 NC TR 3 BLK 21 HERZCO 3914 GARROTT BUTE LUXURY T/H U/R 1976 NC N 3 FT OF LT 8 & TRS 3915 GARROTT BUTE 6 & 9A BLK 18 V TR 4 BLK 21 HERZCO 3916 GARROTT BUTE LUXURY T/H U/R 1976 NC

4003 GARROTT BUTE TRS 1B & 2A-2 BLK 17 1996 NC

4008 GARROTT BUTE TRS 1A & 2A BLK 22 1920 C Craftsman

4011 GARROTT BUTE TRS 1C & 2A-3 BLK 17 1999 NC

4014 GARROTT BUTE TRS 2 & 3A BLK 22 1915 C Craftsman

4015 GARROTT BUTE TRS 1 2A & 6A BLK 17 1999 NC Colonial Revival/ 4020 GARROTT BUTE TR 3 BLK 22 1925 C Craftsman duplex TRS 1A 2A & 3A Craftsman/Neoclassical - 4104 GARROTT BUTE BLK 23 1925 C Apartment Bldg LT 1 & TRS 2A & 6A Colonial Revival - 4105 GARROTT BUTE BLK 16 1930 C Apartment Bldg TRS 1A 2A & 3A 4110 GARROTT BUTE BLK 23 1960 NC Neoclassical – 4118 GARROTT BUTE TRS 2 & 4A BLK 23 1930 PC Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR 4001 GREELEY & BARZIZA LTS 9 10 & 11 BLK 8 1961 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 4009 GREELEY & BARZIZA LT 8 BLK 8 1946 NC

5 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR 4103 GREELEY & BARZIZA TRS 8 9 & 10 BLK 7 1940 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 4104 GREELEY & BARZIZA LT 5, 10 & 11 BLK 14 1900 C Victorian/Queen Anne LOCKHART CONNOR 4108 GREELEY & BARZIZA LT 4 BLK 14 1920 PC Craftsman duplex LOCKHART CONNOR 4110 GREELEY & BARZIZA LT 3 BLK 14 1920 PC Craftsman duplex LOCKHART CONNOR 4117 GREELEY & BARZIZA TRS 6 7 & 8C BLK 7 1930 PC Garage apartment LOCKHART CONNOR Colonial Revival/ 4120 GREELEY & BARZIZA LT 2 & TR 1B BLK 14 1920 NC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 4203 GREELEY & BARZIZA N 1/2 OF LT 9 BLK 6 1998 NC

4204 GREELEY SEE 701 COLQUITT LOCKHART CONNOR 4205 GREELEY & BARZIZA S 1/2 OF LT 9 BLK 6 1998 NC LOCKHART CONNOR LTS 9 & 10 & TR 8 Colonial Revival - 4109 JACK & BARZIZA BLK 4 1930 PC Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR TR A BLK 4 COLQUITT 4117 JACK & BARZIZA AT JACK T/H 1973 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TR B BLK 4 COLQUITT 4119 JACK & BARZIZA AT JACK T/H 1973 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TR C BLK 4 COLQUITT 4121 JACK & BARZIZA AT JACK T/H 1973 NC

4204 JACK SEE 601 COLQUITT LOCKHART CONNOR Tudor Revival - Apartment 4205 JACK & BARZIZA LT 1 BLK 5 1920 PC Bldg LT 8 & TRS 6B 9 & 10 3800 MILAM BUTE BLK 9 1960 NC LTS 10 11 & 12 & TRS Colonial Revival/ 3900 MILAM BUTE 6 7A & 9A BLK 11 1912 C Craftsman LTS 3-5, 7, 10- 12 & 4040 MILAM BUTE TRS 2 6 & 9 BLK 17 1965 NC LT 4 & TRS 3 5 & 7A 4100 MILAM BUTE BLK 16 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TR 18A BLK 20 3815 ROSELAND & BARZIZA ROSELAND T/H 1948 PC Townhouse LOCKHART CONNOR TR 18D BLK 20 3819 ROSELAND & BARZIZA ROSELAND T/H 1972 NC THIRTY-EIGHT 3820 ROSELAND FIFTEEN MONTROSE RES B BLK 2 BLVD 1920 C Spanish Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR TR 18E BLK 20 3821 ROSELAND & BARZIZA ROSELAND T/H 1974 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TR 18B BLK 20 3823 ROSELAND & BARZIZA ROSELAND T/H 1976 NC

6 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 7A-2 & 8B 3929 ROSELAND & BARZIZA BLK 19 1997 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 3937 ROSELAND & BARZIZA TR 7A BLK 19 1997 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 6A-1 & 7A-1 3941 ROSELAND & BARZIZA BLK 19 1997 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 3945 ROSELAND & BARZIZA TR 6A BLK 19 1997 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 9A & 10A 4005 ROSELAND & BARZIZA BLK 18 1930 PC Garage Apartment LOCKHART CONNOR LT 8 & TRS 11B & 12B 4009 ROSELAND & BARZIZA BLK 18 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 4011 ROSELAND & BARZIZA TRS 6A & 7A BLK 18 1930 PC Garage Apartment LOCKHART CONNOR 4109 ROSELAND & BARZIZA LT 8 BLK 17 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 4113 ROSELAND & BARZIZA TRS 6 & 7 BLK 17 1960 NC LOCKHARD CONNOR 4201 ROSELAND & BARZIZA R/P TR 10B BLK 16 1998 NC

4202 ROSELAND STRATMANN PLACE LT 1 BLK 1 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHARD CONNOR TRS 9A & 10A 4203 ROSELAND & BARZIZA R/P BLK 16 1998 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 4205 ROSELAND & BARZIZA R/P TR 9B BLK 16 1998 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 4206 ROSELAND & BARZIZA LT 2 BLK 25 1920 C Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 4207 ROSELAND & BARZIZA LT 8 BLK 16 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 4210 ROSELAND & BARZIZA LT 3 BLK 25 1915 PC Craftsman BIANCHI HOMES AT 3930 STANFORD STANFORD STREET LT 1 BLK 1 2007 NC BIANCHI HOMES AT 3934 STANFORD STANFORD STREET LT 2 BLK 1 2007 NC LOCKHART CONNOR LTS 1-12, TR 13 BLK 4001 STANFORD & BARZIZA 12 & LTS 1-12 BLK 13 1981 NC (HSPVA) LOCKHART CONNOR LT 3 & TRS 11A & 12A 4010 STANFORD & BARZIZA BLK 18 1915 C Craftsman bungalow

4012 STANFORD SEE 802 WEST MAIN LOCKHART CONNOR 4107 STANFORD & BARZIZA LOT 9 2004 NC LOCKHART CONNOR LT 3 & TRS 4A-1 & 4B 4110 STANFORD & BARZIZA BLK 17 V Vacant LOCKHART CONNOR 4111 STANFORD & BARZIZA LT 8 BLK 14 1920 PC Bungalow

7 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE

4119 STANFORD SEE 720 COLQUITT LOCKHART CONNOR 4202 STANFORD & BARZIZA LT 1 BLK 16 1965 NC

4203 STANFORD COLQUITT SQUARE LT 2 BLK 1 2004 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 4204 STANFORD & BARZIZA LT 2 BLK 16 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow

4205 STANFORD COLQUITT SQUARE LT 1 BLK 1 2004 NC TRS 7B & 11 & E 1/2 304 SUL ROSS BUTE OF LT 10 BLK 10 1938 PC Prairie LTS 4 & 5 & TRS 3 & 7 305 SUL ROSS BUTE BLK 11 1913 PC Garage Apartment TRS 2 3A & 6B 307 SUL ROSS BUTE BLK 11 1920 C Craftsman TR 6B-1 & E 1/2 LT 9 & 310 SUL ROSS BUTE W 1/2 LT 10 BLK 10 1915 PC Colonial Revival

401 SUL ROSS BUTE TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 18 1920 PC Craftsman TR 12D BLK 19 3818 402 SUL ROSS BUTE BUTE T/H U/R 1973 NC LT 10 TRS 6C 7B & 406 SUL ROSS BUTE 11A BLK 19 1920 PC Colonial Revival

407 SUL ROSS BUTE TRS 2 3A & 6B BLK 18 1920 C Colonial Revival LT 1 & TRS 2A & 6C 409 SUL ROSS BUTE BLK 18 1930 PC Craftsman

410 SUL ROSS SEE 3815 GARROTT 1920 PC Craftsman

501 SUL ROSS BUTE TR 1 BLK 21 1958 NC

503 SUL ROSS BUTE LT 4 BLK 21 1946 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1A 2 3B BLK 2 & 505 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA/BUTE TR 4A BLK 21 BUTE 1930 C Colonial Revival

506 SUL ROSS BUTE LT 5 BLK 20 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 508 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 4 & 5 BLK 1 1995 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 508 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 4C & 5C BLK 1 1995 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1 2A 3A & 11A Colonial Revival/ 509 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 2 1920 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 510 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 4B & 5A BLK 1 1930 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 512 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TR 12 BLK 1 1910 PC Queen Anne

8 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 8B 9A 10A & 11 515 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 2 1920 C Tudor Revival LOCKHART CONNOR E 1/2 OF LTS 6 & 7 516 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 1 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 519 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 8 9 & 10 BLK 2 V parking lot LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 6A 7A 9A 10A BLK 520 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA 1 WEST ALABAMA SQ 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR Colonial Revival/ 603 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 1A 2 & 3B BLK 9 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1 2A 3A & 11A 605 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 9 1920 NC Prairie/Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 8 9 10 & 11 Colonial Revival/ 609 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 9 1920 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 8C 9A & 10A 619 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 9 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR Colonial Revival/ 702 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 11 1921 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 3B 4A 5A & 12A Colonial Revival/ 708 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 11 1930 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR LTS 6 & 7 & TRS 8A & 718 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA 12B BLK 11 1910 C Queen Anne LOCKHART CONNOR 800 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 3 4 & 5 BLK 20 1921 C Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR 805 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 1 2 & 3C BLK 19 V parking lot LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1A 2A & 3A 807 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 19 V parking lot LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 3B 4A 5A & 12 808 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 20 1930 C Art Deco - Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR 809 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA LT 11 BLK 19 1915 C Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 6 7 8A & 12A 810 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 20 1989 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 8A 9A & 10A 811 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA BLK 19 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 815 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA TRS 8 9 & 10 BLK 19 1915 PC Prairie/Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TR 18C BLK 20 818 SUL ROSS & BARZIZA ROSELAND T/H 1972 NC LTS 1 & 2 & TRS 3A 6 Tudor Revival - Apartment 227 W ALABAMA BUTE & 6A BLK 9 1920 PC Bldg LTS 1 & 2 & TRS 3A 6 Tudor Revival - Apartment 231 W ALABAMA BUTE & 6A BLK 9 1920 PC Bldg LT 8 & TRS 1 6A 6B & 321 W ALABAMA BUTE W 1/2 LT 9 BLK 10 1955 NC LT 8 & TRS 6B & 9A Spanish Colonial Revival- 410 WEST MAIN BUTE BLK 17 1920 PC Apartment Bldg

9 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE TRS 2 3A & 6B Colonial Revival - 417 WEST MAIN BUTE BLK 16 1920 PC Apartment Bldg

505 WEST MAIN BUTE TRS 1 3 & 5A BLK 23 1920 PC Craftsman

506 WEST MAIN BUTE TR 5 BLK 22 1915 C Craftsman

507 WEST MAIN BUTE TR 5 BLK 23 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 3B 4 & 5 BLK 3 & 508 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA/BUTE TR 5A BLK 22 1920 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1A 2A & 3A 509 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 4 1955 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 3C 4A & 5A 510 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 3 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 513 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 1 2 & 3B BLK 4 1930 PC Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 3 4B 5B & 12 514 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 3 1915 PC Prairie/Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR LT 11 & TR 12A Colonial Revival/ 515 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 4 1920 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 6 7 8C & 12A 516 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 3 1920 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR LTS 9 & 10 & TR 8 Colonial Revival - 517 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 4 1930 PC Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR LTS 9 & 10 & TR 8 Colonial Revival - 519 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 4 1930 PC Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 6A 7A & 8A 520 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 3 1965 NC LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 1A 2A & 3A 603 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 7 1920 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR LTS 2 3 & TRS 4A & 5 604 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 8 1960 NC LOCKHART CONNOR 607 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 1 2 & 3B BLK 7 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 608 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 4 & 5A BLK 8 1915 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 610 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA LT 12 BLK 8 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 611 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TR 11 BLK 7 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 614 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 6 & 7 BLK 8 1920 PC Craftsman bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR TRS 8B 9A & 10A 615 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 7 1930 PC Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR 619 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 8 9 & 10 BLK 7 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 620 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 6A & 7A BLK 8 1910 PC Queen Anne

10 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

YEAR SITE ADDRESS SUBDIVISION LOT & BLOCK BUILT STATUS STYLE LOCKHART CONNOR 705 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA LT 5, 10 & 11 BLK 14 1920 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 715 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA LT 5, 10 & 11 BLK 14 1930 PC Colonial Revival LOCKHART CONNOR 801 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA LTS 1 & 2 BLK 17 1915 C Prairie/Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR Colonial Revival – 802 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 4A & 5A BLK 18 1940 PC Apartment Bldg LOCKHART CONNOR 804 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 4 & 5 BLK 18 1915 PC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 807 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA LT 11 BLK 17 1915 PC Dutch Colonial LOCKHART CONNOR 808 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TR 12 BLK 18 1915 C Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR 812 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 6 & 7 BLK 18 1915 NC Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR E 32 FT OF LTS 9 & 10 815 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA BLK 17 1915 PC Bungalow LOCKHART CONNOR 816 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA TRS 6A & 7A BLK 18 1915 PC Prairie/Craftsman LOCKHART CONNOR W 68 FT OF LTS 9 & 819 WEST MAIN & BARZIZA 10 BLK 17 1915 PC Craftsman bungalow

11 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

LANDMARK DESIGNATION REPORT

LANDMARK NAME: The Playhouse Theatre AGENDA ITEM: IV OWNERS: John and Gertrude Stone HPO FILE NO: 10L228 APPLICANTS: Same DATE ACCEPTED: Mar-10-2010 LOCATION: 4816 Main Street HAHC HEARING: Apr-8-2010 30-DAY HEARING NOTICE: N/A PC HEARING: Apr-15-20109

SITE INFORMATION Tracts 3 and 4a, Block 1, South End Villa, City of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The site includes a one-story, concrete block, commercial building.

TYPE OF APPROVAL REQUESTED: Landmark Designation

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE SUMMARY The Playhouse Theatre, located at 4816 Main Street, is considered the first permanent structure in the United States built specifically for professional “theatre-in-the-round.” Constructed in August 1950 with an initial investment of $100,000, the theater was the brainchild of William Rozan and Joanna Albus, who hoped to establish a professional Equity theater in Houston.

Architect Benjamin F. Greenwood, Jr. designed the concrete block theater building with a central auditorium of 300 seats surrounding a circular stage. Although the theatre was considered small from a seating standpoint, it was actually the largest venue for a building of its kind in the country. Year-round air-conditioning was a plus.

In its early years, the theater featured first-class, distinguished productions, including Broadway hits, classics, and original plays, as well as lectures, musicals and dance events. Many noted Hollywood and stage actors graced the Playhouse stage, and playwright Tennessee Williams directed a play at the Playhouse in May 1953.

Despite good reviews from the critics, high overhead forced the theater to close within two years. The theater reopened in 1954, but went through a series of managers over the next 15 years. By 1971, the theater had been converted to an adult movie house and renamed the “Academy Theater.” Purchased by the current owners in 1991, the theater has since been used again for live theatrical productions and comedy shows, such as the Hip Hop Comedy Stop and Encore Theater. In 2004, the current owners dedicated the theater as the National African American Museum, a facility for historical documents, events, photos, memorabilia, artifacts, historical newspapers, art pieces, and programs.

The Playhouse earned national recognition and sparked growth in arena type-venues and other theatres in Houston, some which still exist today. The Playhouse’s original marquee on the building and its preservation of the theatre-in-the-round concept is a reminder of its unique

Page 1 of 13 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department

architectural and theatrical legacy in Houston’s history. The Playhouse Theatre at 4816 Main Street meets Criteria 1, 4, 5, and 8 for Landmark designation.

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE

Brief History of Theatre-in-the-Round Productions While living in Houston during the 1930s, young playwright Margo Jones sought to establish permanent resident professional theatres in the United States. She felt the best way to achieve this process was to create “arena theatre” or “theatre-in-the-round” productions. Because building new theatres in desirable locations proved to be extremely expensive if profits could not be realized, her solution was to “stage” or create theatre-in-the-round presentations in existing buildings.1 Jones accomplished this feat while working in Houston in 1939.2 She later moved to Dallas in 1945 and while there received critical acclaim and international fame for her theatre-in- the-round productions.3 Theatre-in-the-round can be defined as any space in which the acting area may be raised or at floor level and is completely surrounded by the audience. The shape of the stage can be round, square or rectangle allowing the actors to enter or exit through the audience from different directions or from below the stage. It has been theorized that the informality of this type of staging creates an increased rapport between the audience and the actors.4

The concept of theatre-in-the-round is not new. Also known as central staging, circus-theatre, arena staging and penthouse style,5 the concept has its roots in rituals such as those performed by the ancient Greeks, which evolved into classical Greek theatre. It was used again in medieval times, especially in England, where it gave way to the open stage of Elizabethan times. During the late 17th century the proscenium stage, which limited audiences to the area directly in front of the stage, came to dominate theatre.6

Before the construction of the Playhouse Theatre in 1950, Houston already had its share of theatrical venues devoted to the arena concept but they were non-professional theatres known as ‘community’ and ‘off-Broadway.’7

Houstonian Nina Vance, an apprentice of Margo Jones, opened her “arena-like” Alley Theatre in 1947 using amateur actors.8 Located on Berry Avenue, the venue was an old fan factory

1 Jones, Margo, Theatre-in-the-Round (New York, New York: Rhinehart, 1951), pp. 4-5. 2 Jones, p. 49. 3 “Margo Jones of Theater ’55 Passes,” Dallas Morning News, 25 July 1955, p. 1. 4 Wikipedia, “Theatre in the Round.” < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_in_the_round > Accessed July 20, 2009. 5 Jones, p. 5. 6 Op cit. 7 Dauphin, Sue, Houston By Stages: A History of Theatre in Houston, (Burnet, Texas: Eakin Press, 1981), p. 123; Jones, pp. 10 –11. 8 “Alley Theater to Fold After Current Show.” Dallas Morning News, 11 November 1950, p. 6. < http://0-infoweb.newsbank.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org > Accessed 23 June 2009.

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converted into a central performance room with 230 seats arranged around an arena.9 The current Alley Theater was constructed in 1966 in downtown Houston.10 It is one of the city’s premiere institutions with a national and international reputation for artistic achievement.

The first building erected for theatre-in-the-round in the United States was the Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre built in 1940 with an elliptical stage. It was housed on the University of Washington campus in Seattle but was not a professional venue.11 It was completely renovated in 1991 when it was moved from its original south campus location.12

History of the Playhouse Theatre at 4816 Main Street The first permanent structure in the United States built specifically for professional “theatre-in- the-round” was the Playhouse Theatre in Houston. Constructed in August 1950 with an initial investment of $100,000, it was the brainchild of William Z. Rozan and Joanna Schreiber Albus. The rectangular building featured an auditorium with a circular stage surrounded by 300 seats. Although the theatre was considered small from a seating standpoint, it was actually the largest venue for a building of its kind in the country. Year-round air-conditioning was a plus.13

William Rozan’s and Joanna Albus’ goal in building the Playhouse Theatre was to establish a professional Equity theatre. They would act as producers and managing directors. Rozan gave up his law practice and became a concert manager for Municipal Concerts Inc., a national concerts bureau headquartered in Houston. His interest in the arena theatre concept probably stemmed from his affiliation with the Alley Theatre, where he later served as vice-president. Albus, a native New Yorker, got her start working as an assistant to Margo Jones, a pioneer of professional regional arena theatre in Houston and Dallas. Albus was later affiliated with the Little Theatre (where she worked with Rozan’s wife) as well as Municipal Concerts, Inc.

The duo’s plan was to operate the theatre year-round with runs tailored to suit public acceptance. There would be six weekly evening performances with Saturday and Sunday matinees.14 Other

9 Holmes, Ann. The Alley Theatre: Four Decades in Three Acts: A History of One of the Nation’s Resident Theaters. Houston, Tex.: Alley Theatre, 1986. 10 AlleyTheatre website. “A Home of Our Own.” Accessed 3 March 2009. 11 “The Legacy of Drama Professor Glenn Hughes.” < http://www.washington.edu/research/showcase/1919a.html > Accessed 23 July 2009. 12 HistoryLink.org “Glen Hughes” Accessed 23 July 2009. 13 Houston ‘Circle’$100,000 Playhouse, Opening Wednesday, Has Many Novel Features, New York Times, 18 February 1951, Proquest Historical Newspapers; “Events of Years Ago Lead To Start of New Playhouse,” Houston Chronicle- Today’s News Today, 5 August 1950, npl. Dauphin, pp. 123-124. 14 Dauphin, p. 125.

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options for the theatre included lectures, musicals and dance events on free evenings.15 “Their eventual goal was a chain of similar theatres.”16

The Felix A. Davison Construction Company was hired to construct the theatre, which would be air-conditioned year round. Architect Benjamin F. Greenwood, Jr., was hired to draw up the plans.17 Greenwood was a former stage technician and actor who previously worked with Albus at the Little Theatre.18 His design for the Playhouse was for a rectangular shaped sixty-five by seventy-five foot building. The interior featured an auditorium, fifty-four feet in diameter with 300 seats, surrounding a twenty-two foot “true” circular stage with a revolving mechanism.

During the construction, local newspapers printed headlines that read: “Houston Theater Has Unique Plan,”19 “Now Arena Style for Houston,”20 “Playhouse to Be Ready for Feb. 21 First Night”21 and “Houston to Get Arena Theater.”22

The new theatre opened as scheduled on February 21, 1951, premiering the comedy, “Candlelight.” Many prominent Houstonians dressed in black and white attire attended the opening as well as the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “They oohed and aahed”23 over interior designer Edward Perrault’s choice of gray paint for the walls and mauve for the carpet. The lobby and promenade walls were painted in terra cotta. The theatre featured an autograph wall for performing actors and directors, which would later include E.G. Marshall, Arthur Treacher, Mildred Dunnock, and playwrights Tennessee Williams and William Inge.24

In the theatre’s bill, Albus and Rozan stated, “Our aim is to produce legitimate plays continuously the year ‘round featuring the appearances in person, of established and well-known actors, supported by all-professional casts, in the good Broadway hits, the classics and new plays. …The Playhouse was established for you … your enjoyment, pleasure and comfort.” 25

The next day local newspapers hailed the theatre as “A crowning event that is very apt to change the theatre-going habits of Houstonians,”26 “Arena Drama in New Dimension: Playhouse Off

15 “New Houston Arena Theater Seeks Ferrer,” Dallas Morning News. 30 August 1950. Accessed 23 June 2009. 16 “Houston ‘Circle.’ ” 17 Dauphin, p. 124. 18 “Events.” 19 “Houston Theater Has Unique Plan,” Dallas Morning News, 18 February 1951, p. 3. Accessed June 23, 2009. 20 “Now Arena Style for Houston,” New York Times. 18 January 1951, p. 30, Proquest Historical Newspapers. Accessed June 23, 2009. 21 Untitled Newspaper, courtesy of the HMRC. 7 February 2009. 22 “Houston to Get Arena Theater,” Dallas Morning News, 18 August 1950, p. 6. Accessed 23 June 2009. 23 “Glittering New Playhouse Delights First-Night Crowd,” The Houston Chronicle, 21 February 1951, p. 23A. 24 Dauphin, p. 124. 25 Gala Opening of the Playhouse Program courtesy of Woodson Library files. 26 “Curtain Goes Up: New Playhouse Opens in Houston.” Dallas Morning News, 22 February 1951.

Page 4 of 13 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department with Candlelight”27 and “Glittering New Playhouse Delights First Night Crowd.”28 Other reviews ran from intense interest to antagonism.29

For the next three years, the theatre would hold up to its promise of using professional actors in legitimate productions. Distinguished American stage director and playwright Tennessee Williams directed the “Airless Air” in 1953.30

Despite good reviews from the critics, two years of high overhead began to eat up box office profits forcing Rozan and Albus to close the theatre. Before doing so, they even made public appeals for donations while struggling to stay afloat but to no avail.31 In October 1954, Tamblyn Spiva, a 22-year-old native of Minden, Louisiana, stepped in and paid the theatre’s back taxes.32 Spiva, a former drama student, took over the lease and attempted to put on productions equivalent to his predecessors but with a smaller audience. The high costs to maintain the theatre and declining interest of the public resulted in the theatre’s second closure in 1955.33

For the next 15 years the theatre had several managers, starting with “flamboyant showman” Austrian-born Herbert Kramer (1955-1958), who usually gave himself lead roles in each production. 34 One theater critic wrote, “business varied between fair and horrible.”35

When Mitzi Wayne (Hurwitz) and Jim Mendenhall assumed management of the theatre (1958- 1961), they fixed it up and painted its interior “hoping to recapture some of the festive atmosphere it had in the early 50s, along with the respect and status of Joanna Albus and William Rozan.” For the next three years, the pair experienced success with their production of popular plays until Wayne had to move to the East Coast to care for her son in 1960. A few

27 “Arena Drama in New Dimension: Playhouse Off with Candlelight” Houston Post, 22 February 1951, p. 8. 28 “Glittering.” 29 Dauphin, p. 125. 30 “Williams Adding Direction to Fame as Playwright.” Dallas Morning News, 30 April 1954, p. 9. Last accessed 20 July 2009. “Houston Paper Calls One-Man Visit ‘Pilgrimage of Celebrities’ for Drama.” Dallas Morning News, 16 May 1953. Last accessed 20 July 2009. “Campaign Opened to Keep Houston Playhouse Alive.” Dallas Morning News, p. 7. Last accessed 20 July 2009. 31 “All Hands to Rally ‘Round.’ ” Dallas Morning News, 10 June 1954, p. 8. “Playhouse Arena to Close Saturday” Dallas Morning News, 9 June 1954, p. 4. Accessed 20 June 2009. “Campaign Opened to Keep Playhouse Alive.” Dallas Morning News, 14 June 1954, p. 8. Accessed 20 June 2009. Dauphin, p. 127. 32 “‘Angel’ Solves Fund Riddle for Theater,” Dallas Morning News, 7 October 1954, p. 22. Accessed 20 June 2009. 33 “Chatterbox” Dallas Morning News, 1 March 1955, pg. 9. Last accessed 2 August 2009. Dauphin, pp. 127-128. 34 “‘Hamlet’ Opening in Houston Theater,” Dallas Morning New,. 7 November 1955, p. 18. Accessed 2 August 2009. Dauphin, pp. 128-132. 35 “Houston Theatricals Taking on Pattern,” Dallas Morning News, 14 April 1956, p. 5. Last accessed, 6 October 2009.

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months later she sold her share of the business to Mendenhall. He changed the name of the theatre to the Houston Theatre Center with plans to enlarge it. During his three year tenure, he didn’t experience the commercial successes he’d hoped for and had to close the theatre.36

Marietta Marich, the theatre’s next artistic director and producer (1963-1968), managed it longer than any of her predecessors. The theatre had a successful run for awhile and so did the Alley Theatre and Theatre Inc, located a few blocks away. For a time, the three venues formed an un- official theatre community for its actors.37 About 1971, the theatre was converted to an adult movie house and renamed the “Academy Theater.”38 In 1975, Marich and her husband formed a partnership with two local actors and opened a dinner theatre at Dunfey’s Royal Coach Inn in another part of town. 39

During its existence, the Playhouse Theatre earned national and international recognition and sparked an evolution of arena-type venues and other theatres in Houston, some of which still exist today.

Houstonians Dr. and Mrs. John S. Stone acquired the Playhouse Theatre in 1991.40 Its subsequent use has included live theatrical productions, comedic entertainment, and dinner parties. From 1994-1995, Houstonian Rushion McDonald used the theatre (then known as the Hip Hop Comedy Stop) as a venue for his comedy routine before heading to Los Angeles.41

On June 30, 1997, Encore Theatre moved into the Playhouse Theatre building. Under the direction of Encore Theatre’s artistic director and founder, the theatre entered into yet another era. The seating configuration was re-designed as a modified thrust with a pseudo proscenium arch resulting in a seating capacity of 210 seats. The lobby was re-decorated in maroon and gold, with white marble floors and a gold metallic ceiling. Encore Theatre closed its operation at 4816 Main about 2005 when they moved to their new location farther north on Main Street.42

On November 4, 2004, the Stones held an opening and renamed the building the National African American Museum. The site is dedicated as a facility for historical documents, events, photos, memorabilia, artifacts, historical newspapers, art pieces, and programs.

36 Dauphin, pp. 132- 136. 37 “Marietta to Head Playhouse,” Houston Chronicle, 3 October 1963; Dauphin,” pp. 137-138. 38 David Welling. Cinema Houston: From Nickelodeon to Megaplex, (Austin, Texas: UT Press) First Edition, 2007, p. 243; 1969 and 1971Houston City Directories. 39 “Acting is Family Tradition for COM’s Marietta Marich.” Galveston Daily News, 27 July 1981, p. 1. Accessed 6 October 2009. 40 Gertrude Holliday Stone, interview by author, February 12, 2009. 41 “A Comic Farewell.” Houston Chronicle, 10 June 1994: Houston Section, 2 Star Edition p. 5. McDaniel, Mike. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_120739, Last accessed 6 October 2009 “Houstonian's Series Axed by Network.” Houston Chronicle, 17 May 1995: Houston Section, 2Star Edition p. 6. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1274406. Last accessed 6 October 2009 42 James Ford, interview by author, August 28, 2009. E-mail.

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Architectural Description and Restoration History The Playhouse Theatre was constructed in August 1950 with an initial investment of $100,000. Architect Benjamin F. Greenwood, Jr. designed the rectangular shaped sixty-five by seventy-five foot building. The interior featured an auditorium, fifty-four feet in diameter with 300 seats, surrounding a twenty-two foot “true” circular stage with a revolving mechanism.

In 1997, Encore Theatre moved into the Playhouse Theatre building. The seating configuration was re-designed as a modified thrust with a pseudo proscenium arch resulting in a seating capacity of 210 seats. The lobby was re-decorated in maroon and gold, with white marble floors and a gold metallic ceiling.

Most of the original features of the building remain, including exterior and interior tickets windows with their original glass, a refreshment area off the lobby, and the exterior marquee sign for the theater.

The information and sources provided by the applicant for this application have been reviewed, verified, edited and supplemented with additional research and sources by Courtney Spillane and Diana DuCroz, Planning and Development Department, City of Houston.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Jones, Margo, Theatre-in-the-Round (New York, New York: Rhinehart, 1951), pp. 4-5. “Margo Jones of Theater ’55 Passes,” Dallas Morning News, 25 July 1955, p. 1. Wikipedia, “Theatre in the Round.” < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_in_the_round > Accessed July 20, 2009. Dauphin, Sue, Houston By Stages: A History of Theatre in Houston, (Burnet, Texas: Eakin Press, 1981), p. 123; Jones, pp. 10 –11. “Alley Theater to Fold After Current Show.” Dallas Morning News, 11 November 1950, p. 6. < http://0-infoweb.newsbank.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org > Accessed 23 June 2009. Holmes, Ann. The Alley Theatre: Four Decades in Three Acts: A History of One of the Nation’s Resident Theaters. Houston, Tex.: Alley Theatre, 1986. AlleyTheatre website. “A Home of Our Own.” Accessed 3 March 2009. “The Legacy of Drama Professor Glenn Hughes.” < http://www.washington.edu/research/showcase/1919a.html > Accessed 23 July 2009. HistoryLink.org “Glen Hughes” Accessed 23 July 2009. Houston ‘Circle’$100,000 Playhouse, Opening Wednesday, Has Many Novel Features, New York Times, 18 February 1951, Proquest Historical Newspapers; “Events of Years Ago Lead To Start of New Playhouse,” Houston Chronicle- Today’s News Today, 5 August 1950, npl. Dauphin, pp. 123-124. Dauphin, p. 125. “New Houston Arena Theater Seeks Ferrer,” Dallas Morning News. 30 August 1950. Accessed 23 June 2009. “Houston ‘Circle.’ ” Dauphin, p. 124. “Events.” “Houston Theater Has Unique Plan,” Dallas Morning News, 18 February 1951, p. 3. Accessed June 23, 2009. “Now Arena Style for Houston,” New York Times. 18 January 1951, p. 30, Proquest Historical Newspapers. Accessed June 23, 2009. Untitled Newspaper, courtesy of the HMRC. 7 February 2009.

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“Houston to Get Arena Theater,” Dallas Morning News, 18 August 1950, p. 6. Accessed 23 June 2009. “Glittering New Playhouse Delights First-Night Crowd,” The Houston Chronicle, 21 February 1951, p. 23A. Gala Opening of the Playhouse Program courtesy of Woodson Library files. “Curtain Goes Up: New Playhouse Opens in Houston.” Dallas Morning News, 22 February 1951. “Arena Drama in New Dimension: Playhouse Off with Candlelight” Houston Post, 22 February 1951, p. 8. “Williams Adding Direction to Fame as Playwright.” Dallas Morning News, 30 April 1954, p. 9. Last accessed 20 July 2009. “Houston Paper Calls One-Man Visit ‘Pilgrimage of Celebrities’ for Drama.” Dallas Morning News, 16 May 1953. Last accessed 20 July 2009. “Campaign Opened to Keep Houston Playhouse Alive.” Dallas Morning News, p. 7. Last accessed 20 July 2009. “All Hands to Rally ‘Round.’ ” Dallas Morning News, 10 June 1954, p. 8. “Playhouse Arena to Close Saturday” Dallas Morning News, 9 June 1954, p. 4. Accessed 20 June 2009. “Campaign Opened to Keep Playhouse Alive.” Dallas Morning News, 14 June 1954, p. 8. Accessed 20 June 2009. “‘Angel’ Solves Fund Riddle for Theater,” Dallas Morning News, 7 October 1954, p. 22. Accessed 20 June 2009. “Chatterbox” Dallas Morning News, 1 March 1955, pg. 9. Last accessed 2 August 2009. Dauphin, pp. 127-128. “‘Hamlet’ Opening in Houston Theater,” Dallas Morning New,. 7 November 1955, p. 18. Accessed 2 August 2009. Dauphin, pp. 128-132. “Houston Theatricals Taking on Pattern,” Dallas Morning News, 14 April 1956, p. 5. Last accessed, 6 October 2009. “Marietta to Head Playhouse,” Houston Chronicle, 3 October 1963; Dauphin,” pp. 137-138. David Welling. Cinema Houston: From Nickelodeon to Megaplex, (Austin, Texas: UT Press) First Edition, 2007, p. 243; 1969 and 1971Houston City Directories. “Acting is Family Tradition for COM’s Marietta Marich.” Galveston Daily News, 27 July 1981, p. 1. Accessed 6 October 2009.

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Gertrude Holliday Stone, interview by author, February 12, 2009. “A Comic Farewell.” Houston Chronicle, 10 June 1994: Houston Section, 2 Star Edition p. 5. McDaniel, Mike. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_120739, Last accessed 6 October 2009 “Houstonian's Series Axed by Network.” Houston Chronicle, 17 May 1995: Houston Section, 2Star Edition p. 6. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1274406. Last accessed 6 October 2009 James Ford, interview by author, August 28, 2009. E-mail.

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APPROVAL CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION

Sec. 33-224. Criteria for designation of a Landmark.

(a) The HAHC and the commission, in making recommendations with respect to designation, and the city council, in making a designation, shall consider one or more of the following criteria, as appropriate for the type of designation:

S NA S - satisfies D - does not satisfy NA - not applicable (1) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area possesses character, interest or value as a visible reminder of the development, heritage, and cultural and ethnic diversity of the city, state, or nation;

(2) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area is the location of a significant local, state or national event;

(3) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area is identified with a person who, or group or event that, contributed significantly to the cultural or historical development of the city, state, or nation;

(4) Whether the building or structure or the buildings or structures within the area exemplify a particular architectural style or building type important to the city;

(5) Whether the building or structure or the buildings or structures within the area are the best remaining examples of an architectural style or building type in a neighborhood;

(6) Whether the building, structure, object or site or the buildings, structures, objects or sites within the area are identified as the work of a person or group whose work has influenced the heritage of the city, state, or nation;

(7) Whether specific evidence exists that unique archaeological resources are present;

(8) Whether the building, structure, object or site has value as a significant element of community sentiment or public pride.

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EXHIBIT A

Playhouse Theatre 4816 Main Street

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EXHIBIT B SITE LOCATION MAP

Playhouse Theatre 4816 Main Street

NOT TO SCALE

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PROTECTED LANDMARK DESIGNATION REPORT

LANDMARK NAME: St. John Missionary Baptist Church AGENDA ITEM: V OWNER: St. John Missionary Baptist Church HPO FILE NO: 10PL088 APPLICANT: Dr. Terrance D. Grant-Malone, Pastor DATE ACCEPTED: Mar-15-2010 LOCATION: 2702 Dowling Street HAHC HEARING: Apr-8-2010 30-DAY HEARING NOTICE: N/A PC HEARING: Apr-15-2010

SITE INFORMATION

Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 through 16, Block A, Holman Outlot 15, City of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The site includes a three-story, brick and cast stone trimmed, church building, and a non- historic one-story, glass-walled pyramid roofed pavilion which is not included in the Protected Landmark designation.

TYPE OF APPROVAL REQUESTED: Landmark and Protected Landmark Designation

HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE SUMMARY

St. John Missionary Baptist Church was founded in Houston’s Third Ward in 1899 by Rev. Hilliard Reuben Johnson. Today, with a congregation dating back 110 years, the church has a long history as an influential African-American institution in the community. Over the years, at least three different church buildings have been built to house the growing congregation. The current three- story brick neoclassical temple-type church building was constructed in 1950 under the leadership of Dr. Rev. S.A. Pleasants, Jr., who was the distinguished pastor of St. John for 27 years. The church made history by hosting the 85th National Baptist Convention of America in 1965 at the Houston Astrodome. This was the first religious event at the Astrodome hosted by a black congregation.

St. John Missionary Baptist Church’s current church building was constructed in 1950 by African- American contractor and builder, W.C. White, from San Antonio. In the 1960s, White became the first black to serve on San Antonio’s City Planning Board and Housing Authority.

The church’s Ionic temple facade is considered the grandest of the Dowling Street churches. Its prominent architectural design of colossal concrete columns was symbolic of the church’s spiritual strength in the community. Today, St. John Missionary Baptist Church remains a highly visible landmark in its location on Dowling near McGowen Street.

The St. John Missionary Baptist Church building meets Criteria 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 for Protected Landmark designation.

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HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE

Brief History of the Greater Third Ward

After the end of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865, Houston experienced a heavy influx of formerly enslaved blacks moving into the city. The Fourth and Third Wards came to have the largest populace of blacks, who gradually began to purchase land to build their homes, businesses and churches. Because of Jim Crow laws mandating racial segregation in public places, the black church functioned as the backbone of the community and served as a venue for educational, social, and political activities.

In 1872, Rev. Jack Yates of Antioch Baptist Church and Rev. Elias Dibble of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church spearheaded the purchase of land for the purpose of celebrating Juneteenth, marking the abolition of slavery in Texas. Known as Emancipation Park and located on Dowling Street, it is the first park established for blacks and until 1940, was the only public park in Houston open to blacks. It became a facility for social, political, recreational and educational purposes. Dowling Street, the main artery of the Third Ward community, later became the site of black residences, businesses, restaurants, offices, theaters and nightclubs. Riverside Hospital, Houston College for Negroes (now Texas Southern University), Jack Yates High School, the El Dorado Ballroom, Grand Court of Calanthe and several prominent historic churches were the most significant and influential institutions in the community. Historically, the greater Third Ward is considered one of Houston’s residential, commercial, and cultural centers for its African-American population.

History of St. John Missionary Baptist Church

Throughout its existence, St. John Missionary Baptist Church has been an influential institution in Houston. The first social institutions fully controlled by African-Americans in the United States were the black churches, of which the Baptist denomination was the largest. The black church has been, and continues to be, a strong force in the life of the community.

On August 11, 1899, Reverend Gilbert Green, then pastor of the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Velasco Street, met with Reverend H. R. (Hilliard Reuben) Johnson to assist him in organizing a new church. Also in attendance were James Bullock and wife Terry Bullock, Henry Stocklin, Nettie Johnson, Frances Ford and her daughter, Amanda Foster, Phoebe Perkins, Eliza Bozeman and family, Tom Willis, Sister Evan, Callie Elcober [sic] and Paul Taylor. James Bullock and Paul Taylor are credited with naming the new church St. John Missionary Baptist Church. The church had many struggles and grew slowly. The first meeting place was in a small building near the corner of Live Oak Street and Calhoun Avenue, facing Calhoun. (The Houston City Directory for that year lists the church at Live Oak Street and Pierce.)

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Reverend H. R. Johnson remained pastor for a short while before being called to Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Canal Street in the Second Ward. Reverend James B. Bouldin [sic] was selected as St. John Baptist Church’s next pastor. In November 1901, he solely purchased property in the 2100 block of Broadway Street (now known as Bastrop Street) between Gray Avenue and Webster Avenue. The congregation later erected a small frame building on this property.

In October 1906, Rev. Bouldin sold the church property back to St. John trustees. (Rev. H. R. Johnson, who had recently returned from Rockdale, Texas was listed in this transaction.) Pastor Bouldin resigned from St. John sometime around 1907 and assumed the helm of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the Fifth Ward. Pastor Johnson resumed the pastorate of St. John Baptist Church.

As fate would have it, a storm demolished the church building. Throughout the difficulties, the congregation remained steadfast. Until the new sanctuary was completed, a tent was erected in the middle of the block for conducting worship services. Reverend H. R. Johnson resumed his work in preaching and organizing St. John Missionary Baptist Church. The church experienced rapid growth while housed in the tent and during its early years in the new sanctuary. In the meantime negotiations were made to construct a new church for St. John’s congregation.

Not only was there reorganization within the church, but also worshipers included large numbers of blacks as well as whites. St. John Missionary Baptist Church was the first Baptist church in Houston to have morning and eleven o’clock services. Rev. Johnson started this morning hour of worship among black churches in the city.

Since there were no available facilities for conducting baptismal services until the new sanctuary was completed, arrangements were made to use the pool of Brady Brick Yard by Buffalo Bayou in the Second Ward. Baptismal services were held on Sunday afternoon following eleven o’clock services. Rev. Johnson would order enough streetcars to take the congregation to Brady Brick Yard.

The congregation would walk one block north to Pierce Avenue to the streetcars. As many as one hundred people were baptized at one time. When the number grew so large that Brady Brick Yard could no longer accommodate the group, arrangements were then made to conduct baptismal services in Brays Bayou, at the present site of North MacGregor Way and Ennis Street. On May 15, 1915, Rev. Johnson and Rev. Williams baptized more than one hundred candidates in Brays Bayou. Upon completion on the new white framed, stained glass window sanctuary with its front entrance on Bastrop Street, a baptismal pool was located beneath the surface of the pulpit. When the baptismal pool was open for use, a reflection mirror permitted the congregation to observe the activities in the pool.

In addition to the baptismal pool in the new sanctuary, there was a main auditorium, partial balcony, elevated choir stand, room for pastor’s study, and additional room for other official activities. In the left tower was a bell that continues to be used today. This original bell was moved to the right tower in 1946, when the current structure was built. Over the years, the bell has tolled to signal the start of Sunday school and church services, and when funeral processions depart the church.

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The deacon board and other officers of the church were influential in the growth of the church and served in dual capacities. Some of the deacons and officers who can be credited with continuous efforts for maintaining the church were Hal Judkins, Paul Taylor, James Bullock, Austin Burney, Clem Bolden, John Bonner Sr., O. B. Stinson, Marion Stinson, Nat Black, Reverend Griffin, and George James.

The order of Sunday services in the past was quite similar to that of the present day. Annual church activities included the church picnic held in Dickinson, Texas, Easter exercises, and a Christmas tree presentation with gifts, fruits, and toys given to the children. December 31st was known as Watch Meeting Night and the fifth Sunday was ‘General Mission Day.’ Weekly activities included prayer meeting held on Tuesday nights; choir practice every Friday night; Sunday school; eleven o’clock worship services; and an evening service. In addition, there were other services, such as BYPU, Star Light Band and scheduled church meetings to keep the congregation informed of church affairs, revivals, and church rallies. The minister received approximately eighty dollars per month for “shepherding the flock.”

Sometime between 1916 and 1917, the church decided to split, due to various misunderstandings. Despite the efforts of Rev. H. M. Williams, Moderator of the Lincoln District Association to settle the differences, several hundred members followed Rev. H. R. Johnson to a location on McGowen Avenue at Dowling Avenue to a small building owned by the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, there are two St. John Baptist churches, one on Dowling Street and the other on Gray Street. St John Missionary Baptist Church at 2222 Gray was designated as a City of Houston landmark on September 2, 2009.

Rev. Johnson held worship services at the McGowen Avenue site for at while. Eventually the building became too small to house the congregation and members started to raise money to purchase property on Dowling Street for a new church building. In January 1920, St. John trustees purchased property in the 2600 block of Dowling Street between McGowen Avenue and Tuam Avenue, known as Lots 3 and 4 in Block A of Holman’s Outlot #15. The church hired H. E. Curtley as architect and J. E. Nesby as contractor, to “build a church house in six months.”

Rev. H. R. Johnson left St. John and organized Progressive New Hope Baptist Church, also located in the greater Third Ward. On August 3, 1926, Rev. S.A. Pleasants, Jr. began his 27-year tenure as pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling Street. At that time, the membership rolls listed 280 congregants, the church was in debt for $21,115.62, and the building had structural problems. Under Pleasants’ leadership, the church significantly increased its membership, gained financial empowerment, and implemented many organizations, systematic order and religious doctrines that set the standard for churches in the city, state and across the country. St. John Missionary Baptist Church practiced an accountability system called “Divisions.” This system divided church members into small structured groups allowing the pastor to keep abreast with the needs of the congregation (prayer needs, financial concerns, death notification, etc.). The church established a home mission department which ministered to members who were sick in the hospital or confined to their home. A prison ministry was involved in ministering to members and individuals from the community who were incarcerated. Implemented in the late 1930s-early 40s, the church established a silent department deaf ministry to accommodate hearing-impaired members during worship service. The National Brotherhood Union, an auxiliary of the National

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Baptist Convention of America, Inc., was organized in 1941 by Ira L. Clark, a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. He was the first president of this organization and structured its doctrine which trained men to be spiritual leaders.

During the 1940s, St. John Missionary Baptist Church financially supported foreign missionary outreach programs in Africa. The church financed the education of three African women, which enabled them to go to school in their homeland. By 1941, St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling boasted the largest African-American congregation in the city of Houston. With the church’s growing membership and financial increase, Rev. S.A. Pleasants, Jr. purchased several lots in close proximity to the church. In 1950, W.C. White, a pioneer African-American builder of this era from San Antonio, was hired to build an edifice to accommodate St. John Missionary Baptist Church’s recorded membership of over five thousand. A new sanctuary located at 2702 Dowling Street was built at a cost of approximately one-half million dollars. Its prominent architectural design of colossal concrete columns was symbolic of the church’s spiritual strength in the community.

Rev. S. A. Pleasants, Jr., made great strides in increasing the membership of the church, and creating a financial empowerment which served the needs of the congregation and the Third Ward community. Rev. S. A. Pleasants, Jr., passed away in April 1953. Thousands gathered at the church and lined the streets to pay last respects to this great spiritual leader.

In 1953, Rev. M.M. Malone was elected to succeed the late Rev. S.A. Pleasants, Jr. During the days of segregation and the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement, St. John Missionary Baptist Church was a spiritual force in the turbulent, political and social climate of that era. At this time, the church was known as being one of the largest black churches in the country. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once made an appearance at the church. In the early 1960’s, St. John Missionary Baptist Church’s early morning Sunday school broadcast was aired on KYOK, the local African-American radio station. The late Deacon F.D. Dinkins served as teacher and the late Rev. James Gentry, Jr. was the announcer. Throughout its history, St. John’s has had an array of choirs and orchestras that offered renditions of religious music to enhance the spirit of the worship service. A church band was formed in the 1930s under the direction of D. C. Chapman. The D. C. Chapman Band was one of the first bands to become a constant musical element in African-American churches.

St. John Missionary Baptist Church had an official communication newspaper called “The Register.” This publication began in 1960 and chronicled important church events of the greater Third Ward community and also advertised community outreach programs offered by the church. The church made history by hosting the 85th National Baptist Convention of America in 1965 at the Houston Astrodome. This was the first religious event at the Astrodome hosted by a black congregation. Another accomplishment achieved under the leadership of Rev. M. M. Malone was the construction of the educational building which is identified today as the Malone Chapel. This building was designed by prominent Houston African-American architect, John S. Chase A.I.A. Chase was the first African American licensed to practice architecture in the state of Texas and later was the first African American admitted to the Texas Society of Architects and the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

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Rev. M. M. Malone served as pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church from 1953-1983. He was known for being a gentle, God-fearing minister who demonstrated a steadfast love for the church, and left a legacy of being a faithful servant unto God. He passed away July 24, 1983. A scholarship named in his honor is given yearly to deserving high school graduates in pursuit of a higher education.

Continuing to serve the needs of its congregation, the following men served as an interim minister of St. John Missionary Baptist Church: the late Rev. Jess E. Baker, the late Dr. Lewis R. Morris, Rev. T.C. Collins, Rev. Vernus Swisher, Rev. Gerry L. Baldwin, and Rev. Richard Chambers. On May 15, 2005, Dr. Terrance D. Grant-Malone was called to pastor St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Reverend S.A. Pleasants, Jr. Reverend Sanderson Alexander Pleasants was born in Cuero, Dewitt County, Texas, on December 4, 1879 to Joseph and Virginia Pleasants. Rev. Pleasants attended public school in Cuero and at an early age accepted the Baptist faith while a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cuero under Rev. M. Harrison’s administration. He was called to preach at an early age and was ordained in 1904. He received his college training at Guadalupe College in Seguin, Texas, earning a Doctor of Divinity degree and later enrolled in responding colleges. He served as moderator of the Mt. Zion Association for several years and during his administration the organization gained financial and spiritual prosperity. He also served as pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Seguin, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Macedonia Baptist Church in Cuero.

Reverend Pleasants moved to Houston around 1926 and succeeded Rev. H. R. Johnson as minister of St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling Street. He rebuilt the church he found in disarray, significantly increasing its membership and financial stature. He also implemented many organizations, systematic order and religious doctrines that set the standard for churches in city, state and around the country. According to the church’s history, under Dr. Pleasants’ administration the St. John congregation donated more money for education to foreign missions than any other black Baptist church in America. Before his death in 1953, he taught at Conroe College for several years. In 1967, Pleasants Elementary School (Houston Independent School District) at 1305 Benson Street was named in his honor. It closed as of June 1991.

W. (Wright) C. (Cuney) White St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling Street was built in 1950 by W.C. White, a black contractor who specialized in building churches. A native of Gonzales, Texas, he was born November 1, 1892, to Mr. and Mrs. P.S. White. The family moved to San Antonio, Texas in the early 1920s and White attended the local schools there. He was born into a family of builders. His grandfather was a shipbuilder; his father was a mechanic, and his stepfather taught him carpentry skills.

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By 1917, White was working as an apprentice for the J. T. Walton Realty and Construction Company. He moved up the ranks as foreman, general superintendant and eventually as part owner of the company after five years. He later formed his own company, W.C. White, Inc., employing an average of 30 employees. Many G.I. veterans became skilled craftsmen under his tutelage.

In the 1960s, White became the first black to serve on the City Planning Board and the Housing Authority in San Antonio. He was a Mason, board member of the Ella Austin Children’s Home, Alamo City Chamber of Commerce, N.A.A.C.P., Y. M.C.A., treasurer of the Colored Laborers and other community organizations. For many years White was considered one of the country’s outstanding black builders and developers. He died October 15, 1976.

White began building residential structures and churches in the San Antonio area in the 1940s. At the time of his retirement, he had built over 50 churches. The following churches are attributed to him and are all located in San Antonio:  Bethel AME (1942)  Church of God in Christ (1943)  Corinth Baptist Church (1948)  East End Church of God in Christ (1951)  Friendship Baptist Church (1952)  Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church (1953)  New Light Baptist Church (1954)  Antioch Baptist Church (1956)  Mt. Siniah Baptist Church (1956)  New Hope Baptist Church (1957)  Zion Star Baptist Church (1957)  Union Baptist Church (1958)  Mt. Zion Baptist Church (1960)  St. James AME Church (1961)  Coliseum Park Baptist Church (1961)  Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (1962)

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION AND RESTORATION HISTORY

St. John Missionary Baptist Church is the most monumental church building in Houston's Third Ward. The current church building was designed by San Antonio architects Beckmann, Williams and Williams and constructed by African-American contractor W.C. White, also from San Antonio. The architecture is a neoclassical temple-type church faced with a hex style [six-columned] Ionic portico elevated a full story above sidewalk level. The portico is approached by a monumental flight of stairs, and capped with a pediment superimposed on the building's blind attic level.

Three symmetrically organized portals, framed with Ionic architraves, give access from the portico into the church's narthex. Symmetrical wings containing three stories of community, classroom, and office spaces project from the long north and south side elevations of the church. The church is

Page 7 of 13 CITY OF HOUSTON Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department faced with light-colored buff brick and cast stone trim. To the north of the church is a separate, one-story, glass-walled pyramid roofed pavilion which, in its lightness and transparency, contrasts with the solidity and opacity of the church. The pavilion is linked to the ground floor of the church by a canopy-covered sidewalk. A palm tree planted in front of the pavilion is a distinctive landscape element.

The information and sources provided by the applicant for this application have been reviewed, verified, edited and supplemented with additional research and sources by Courtney Spillane, Planning and Development Department, City of Houston.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Bexar County Online Public Records. City of Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission Planning and Development Department. nd Fox, Stephen, Houston Architectural Guide, 2 Ed., Houston AIA, pp. 140, 180-181. Jackson, Andrew Webster, “A Sure Foundation." Houston, Tex. [Privately pub., 1939]. Harris County Historical Commission Marker Application for St. John Baptist Church. 1950 Houston and Texas Informer Newspaper. Houston City Directories. John S. Chase- www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex. Obit of Wright Cuney Wright, Courtesy of the San Antonio Public Library, Texana Files. Office of the Secretary of State of Texas Files 1967. Red Book of Houston; A Compendium of Social, Professional, Religious, Educational and Industrial. Interest of Houston's Colored Population. Houston, Tex.: Sotex Pub., [1915]. San Antonio Register Newspaper, October 26, 1976. St. John Missionary Baptist Church Landmark Designation Report. Super Neighborhood #67 website: http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/nbhd_svces/TechCntrInfo/SN_67.htm 1948 Worley’s San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas Directory.

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APPROVAL CRITERIA FOR PROTECTED LANDMARK DESIGNATION The HAHC shall review each application for designation of a protected landmark that is included in an application for designation of a landmark at the same time and in the same manner as it reviews and considers the application for a landmark. The HAHC and the Planning Commission, in making recommendations with respect to a protected landmark designation, and the City Council, in making a designation, shall consider whether the building, structure, site, or area meets at least three of the criteria in Section 33-224, or one of the criteria in Section 33-229, as follows:

S NA S - satisfies D - does not satisfy NA - not applicable Meets at least three of the following (Sec. 33-229(a)(1): (1) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area possesses character, interest or value as a visible reminder of the development, heritage, and cultural and ethnic diversity of the city, state, or nation;

(2) Whether the building, structure, object, site or area is the location of a significant local, state or national event;

(4) Whether the building or structure or the buildings or structures within the area exemplify a particular architectural style or building type important to the city;

(5) Whether the building or structure or the buildings or structures within the area are the best remaining examples of an architectural style or building type in a neighborhood;

(7) Whether specific evidence exists that unique archaeological resources are present;

(8) Whether the building, structure, object or site has value as a significant element of community sentiment or public pride.

AND (9) If less than 50 years old, or proposed historic district containing a majority of buildings, structures, or objects that are less than 50 years old, whether the building, structure, object, site, or area is of extraordinary importance to the city, state or nation for reasons not based on age (Sec. 33-224(b). OR The property was constructed before 1905 (Sec. 33-229(a)(2);

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OR The property is listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places or designated as a “contributing structure” in an historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places (Sec. 33-229(a)(3); OR The property is recognized by the State of Texas as a Recorded State Historical Landmark (Sec. 33-229(a)(4).

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EXHIBIT A St. John Missionary Baptist Church Building 2702 Dowling Street

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EXHIBIT B

SITE LOCATION MAP St. John Missionary Baptist Church Building 2702 Dowling Street NOT TO SCALE

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