Search the Community

University Breaks Ground on $3M Arts Center By Jennifer D. Duell HOUSTON-Cultural art lovers today will celebrate the groundbreaking of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, a $3-million undertaking tied into the $4.5-million expansion and renovation of the Wortham Theater Complex. An official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today in the Fine Arts Quadrangle at entrance 16 off Cullen Boulevard. The center, which will be housed in the Wortham Theater Complex, will include exterior and interior work to enhance the lobby space of the existing facility, provide office area for the Mitchell Center and add new rehearsal space. "It will be a nice addition to the campus," says John Dennis, project manager for Dallas-based Cadence McShane Corp., which is in charge of the expansion and renovation. San Antonio, TX-based Lake/Flato Architects Inc. is providing architectural services for the center's demolition, renovation and construction. Dennis tells GlobeSt.com that the project will take about nine months to finish and will require 35 to 50 construction professionals to complete. Cadence McShane will initially demolish the interior of the existing performing arts center and reconstruct 15,000 sf on two floors. The area will house classrooms plus ballet practice and rehearsal rooms. "There's a lot of wood paneling, acoustical plasters, stainless steel window frames, metal panels and cut stone," Dennis describes. "[The renovations] really complement the existing building." While the theater itself will retain the name Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre, the building as a whole will be renamed to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. The project was funded primarily by a $20-million gift from George and Cynthia Mitchell, along with a grant from the Wortham Foundation and Allen Becker. The center will create a collaborative alliance of the university's premier academic and arts departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The alliance weds the art department, Blaffer Gallery, creative writing program, Moores School of Music and the theater school.

New 2-story pharmacy and medical building.

I found a rare Alfred C. Finn drawing! Maybe it's kind of rare due to the offensive name? I never knew HCFN turned into Texas Southern University. Cool history! Beautiful campus master plan drawing. Found this drawing on the UH Digital Collections. Houston College for Negros Lamar Q. Cato, Architect A.C. Finn, Consultant Photograph of architectural drawing, Houston College for Negroes. The Houston College for Negroes was initially established in 1935 and functioned at a temporary location at Jack Yates High School for eleven years. The campus was moved to its permanent location southeast of downtown in 1946. The 53 acres of land were donated by Hugh Roy Cullen. The college changed its name to Texas Southern University in 1951.

Proposed residential near the U of H. Homes on the site were demolished sometime between April and December of last year. SubdivisionPlatPDF_MATRIX.pdf https://www.google.com/maps/@29.726179,-95.3512149,3a,75y,341.07h,86.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl4IY7774w4wrXrb7O5mRlQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2018/03/13/273001/harris-county-will-buy-riverside-turn-it-into-mental-health-facility/

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2020/12/23/what-architects-are-doing-to-offset-rising-costs.html

For the past 25 years Texas Southern University has been a joke. The school has no real admission standards (no ACT or SAT required for entry), its administrators are constantly caught up in verifiable scandal, and the school is constantly in financial trouble. The article below id further evidence of this. The alumni who have gone on to succeed after graduation have probably done so IN SPITE OF, rather than because of the value of a Texas Southern University Degree. Barbara Jordan would be outraged and probably hanging her head low right now. I challenge all TSU alumni, administrators, faculty, students, and Houstonians in general to show some pride and demand better from this institution, otherwise I'm all for a "hostile takeover" by U of H or another state school. Drastic times call for drastic measures. ______________________________________________________________________________ Jan. 26, 2007, 12:58AM Perry orders regents to fix TSU finances 'Not happy' with the officials, governor gives them up to 45 days to plan By POLLY ROSS HUGHES AND MATTHEW TRESAUGUE Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle AUSTIN — Startled by the depth of Texas Southern University's multimillion-dollar financial woes, Gov. Rick Perry has ordered its board of regents to start making "tough decisions" to fix the problems or resign. "It can't be a Mickey Mouse deal," Perry spokesman Robert Black told the Houston Chronicle on Thursday. "It can't be a Band-Aid." In private meetings last week, Perry demanded that TSU's regents come up with a concrete plan within 30-45 days to start fixing problems plaguing the university's finances this year. Next week, the terms of three of TSU's nine regents expire, giving Perry the opportunity to name new members. Perry also plans to announce a blue-ribbon panel that will develop a long-term plan for TSU, including defining its academic mission. One fear, which the governor's office said it hopes to avoid, is that TSU would be merged into another university. Houston Democrats Sen. Rodney Ellis and Rep. Garnet Coleman underscored the importance of protecting the historically black university and keeping it independent. They noted its long history in shaping Houston's black middle class. "TSU is in the neighborhood where I grew up. It isn't just an institution I represent," Coleman said. "It's more than that. TSU represents some of the best of black Texas and black Houston." Ellis said he is a graduate of the university, along with political notables including the late U.S. Reps. Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland and lawyer and former U.S. Congressman Craig Washington. Ellis, complaining that Texas' two historically black universities have been underfunded since their inception, said he hopes Perry's actions will prove positive for TSU. "I'm glad he's stepping up to the plate," he said. "Let's hope he's correcting that historical wrong." Yet, with TSU asking the Legislature for millions in emergency funds and financial help while its money matters are "in shambles," Black said, lawmakers are apt to lose patience. "It can't be the same old, same old. They're going to have to make the hard decisions to correct these issues," he said. . . Read the rest of the article here.

wow!! A Jos. F. Meyer location in Third Ward on Calhoun Road? Never seen that before! I wonder if this was the last location before the (enterprise) shut down? This advertisement and location is incredibly rare. Cool find! Found this in the Rice University yearbook The Campanile dated 1966. Jos. F. Meyer Co. Wholesale Distributors Automotive Parts and Equipment Tools, Hardware and Industrial Supplies 4701 Calhoun / Houston, Texas "Serving Transportation Since 1876"

Never seen this mentioned on HAIF so I thought I would contribute. After Googling, it appears the name of the church has since changed. The church is now called River Side United Methodist Church. Looks like the original buildings still stand! Awesome!! Does anyone know the architect? Riverside Methodist Church, located in one of the beautiful residential sections of Houston at the North MacGregor Way and Cullen Boulevard, is just off the campus of the University of Houston. Organized in 1939, it is now one of the leading and fast growing churches of Houston, and is making a splendid contribution to the spiritual life in the city. Its present membership is over 1200. Dear Friend: We are happy that you came to worship in our church recently. You are cordially invited to come again. Sincerely yours, A. Grady Hallowguist Minister

I thought the Houston Negro Hospital was located at 3204 Ennis Street? Was this a new, or older, location? Very cool find! From a newspaper dated July 23, 1943: Harris County War Chest To prepare Negro nurses for local and war duty, a school of nursing opened this week at the Houston Negro Hospital, 2900 Elgin. The Harris County War Chest of the Houston Community Chest and Council recently gave the hospital a supplementary allotment of 6,122 for the operation for the school during the remainder of 1943. The Chest allotment to the hospital for the current year was $10,000. The school will be affiliated with Jefferson Davis Hospital and with the Houston College and with the Houston College for Negroes, and will follow the accelerated wartime plan outlined by the government. Josephine N. Post, educational director of Methodist Hospital, acted as consulted for the Houston Negro Hospital board of directors in working out plans for the establishment of the school, John R. Young, board president, said. Opening of the school will do much to relieve the acute need for nurses--

Came across this rare matchbook but I can't put a date to it. It must be the 1950s? Anyone recall this place? Rainbow Room Restaurant 3711 Old Spanish Trail Houston, Texas JA. 8-8000 JA. 6-1708

I found this cool old post card recently and thought I would share. I searched HAIF and couldn't find anything about it. Looks like this one is considered rare! The post card is stamped 1954. Mission Motel U.S. Highway 59 and 90-A (South Side) Houston, Texas Mission Motel 4110 Old Spanish Trail – Milby 9114 U.S. Highways No. 59 and 90-A (South Side) Houston, Texas Ten Minutes From Business Center. Air Conditioned – 72 degrees – Vented Heat in Winter – City *** Ways – Limousine – Theatre – Post Office – Foods – All Within One Block. Box Springs – Innerspring Mattresses – Bell Boy Service 24 Hours – Time Baths Approved AAA

https://communityimpact.com/houston/bellaire-meyerland-west-university/transportation/2023/07/03/free-electric-on-demand-shuttle-launches-in-houstons-third-ward/ "RYDE partnered with nonprofit Evolve Houston and District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz to bring the free, 100% electric and on-demand local shuttle to residents. The initiative, according to the news release, is a three-month pilot program that provides residents free rides to any destination within the coverage area. RYDE is actively seeking additional funding partners to support the expansion of the project."

Possibly a thread about this already? I recognize the developer. Change Happens in Third Ward. https://www.changehappenstx.org/

Proposed multifamily at the corner of Southmore & Sampson St SubdivisionPlatPDF_SOUTHMORE ENCLAVE.pdf

Noticed this permit the other day. Looks like new apartments. OST at Calhoun. Loopnet is listing 0.42 Acres. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/4722-Old-Spanish-Trl-Houston-TX/14762393/

MENTAL HEALTH SERIES Love Yourself Workshop THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 9TH Location: South Park Church of God 6310 Weston St. 6pm - 7pm This event is geared toward promoting practical tools that will engage one in self-care. There will be Food prizes, games, and specialized guests. COVID & Grief Mental Health MONDAY. MARCH 13TH Z0OM Link to Register: https: //bit.ly/HSOHIP3

This thread was originally created June 6, 2019. I'm reposting / reupping this because this post and other content from me are no longer available on the forum. An archive link to this thread is coming soon. 4311 Emancipation Ave in Third Ward, Houston. It's on the corner of Wheeler Ave. Street View 2015 Google Street View from 2017 Google Maps photos from 2017 of Universal Typewriter Shop at 4311 Emancipation Ave.

From the planning commission. This school is looking to expand. Seems they are asking the city if they (COH) will allow for the abandonment of a large part of Hadley St. Anyone know if there are any renders for this one? Glad to see a school in this area get some upgraded facilities. Seems like some recreational facilities will be added to this campus as well.

I live across the bayou from these apartments located at 3200 N. MacGregor and Sampson and noticed a few nights ago that it was completely dark at night. No lights whatsoever. I thought it was a power outage until I drove by and saw the parking lot was empty except for 2 cars. I guess they've been abandoned. Did they get bought out or are they undergoing renovations or what?

I never thought that I would join a nimby group, but after it was recently learned that a lot had been cleared on Calhoun between two existing homes in the most eastern edge of Riverside Terrace something had to be done. This is in between McGregor and OST. I'm usually in favor of growth and density but this is ridiculous. I can't show you an image of the property but I hope that either Hindesky or CityLiving or Highrise would get some images so you can understand the true situation. This is an extremely deep home sized lot, There are homes on all sides of this property front and back. We have an injunction right now while it is being studied. The lot is cleared. They are putting up a 10 or 12 foot high wooden fence on either side of the front yards of the neighbors homes. The developer is going to run a street down the center of the lot and construct 17 townhouses on both sides of the street. Not only will this be a horrible eye sore, an unnatural neighbor for all of these existing homes, but it will create a run off nightmare for an area that has already suffered flooding on Brays Bayou from Hurricane Harvey. It was originally approved before our neighborhood group went to court. This neighborhood has seen an incredible amount of new homes and remodels in the last 5 years and home prices have gone up exponentially. It is a wonderful demographic mix and an incredibly quiet beautiful neighborhood. This neighborhood has been here for over 80 years, and it's really sad to see this kind of attack by a very shoddy developer, who obviously cares little about what he does to a neighborhood.

I was searching for a forum for postings on 3 rd Ward — guess it’s still in works? Anyway I was wondering if there was any information on new construction at NW corner of Rosewood at Emancipation?

I was browsing the newspaper The Rice Thresher dated February 12, 1964 and came across this business ad for Monarch Bowling Alley located Old Spanish Trail & Scott Street. Given it was in the 1960s, did anyone ever go here and bowl? Are there any pictures of this place, or postcards? I'd love to hear some memories! Coming Saturday... the one... the only.. Grundelet presented by The Rally Club and featuring the hairy navel contest between the following distinguished John "Jelly Roll" Mims, Bart "Hirsute" Huemmer, Gibson "Umbilicus" Anderson. Saturday, Feb. 15. 9 till 1. T.J. McWright's Combo. Free Beer. $3.50 Couple.