Gable Street Power Plant At 511 McKee St.

[telwink]

http://flickr.com/photos/telwink/2163130953/

aka:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2163130953_1cf4b4f12e_b.jpg">

Anyone have any idea about this old electic company building? If you get up close to it, its actually pretty neat looking. Huge sprawling windows, ghost doors (filled in with brick), very old-looking equipment. I'd love to know what it was and how old it is. Thanks!

b

[Vertigo58]

http://flickr.com/photos/telwink/2163130953/

aka:

">

Anyone have any idea about this old electic company building? If you get up close to it, its actually pretty neat looking. Huge sprawling windows, ghost doors (filled in with brick), very old-looking equipment. I'd love to know what it was and how old it is. Thanks!

b

Looks like NEAR Northside right? Should have been more specific on location. Seems near the bayou and water treatment plant? Must be very very old. I have no clue, sorry. Miracle that old bridge is still there!

Someone here should clear the mystery soon.

[sevfiv]

I don't have enough time to double check, but is it the Gable Street plant?

http://www.hal-pc.org/~lfa/BB45.html

[RedScare]

Yes, it is. It sits to the west of McKee Street. That is the Elysian Viaduct going behind it.

[tomv]

James Bute Park is right across McKee Street from it. If that old building could be restored, that would be a neat area, with the park, the McKee Street bridge, and the bayou all close by. As I recall, there are unsightly power lines that pass right in front of the building, so that would be a problem.

[FilioScotia]

I don't have enough time to double check, but is it the Gable Street plant?

http://www.hal-pc.org/~lfa/BB45.html

This should be another project for the University of Houston Downtown. You recall UHD bought another old and decaying downtown facility a few years ago and turned it into a conference center. It's the old Willow Street Pump Station across White Oak Bayou from UHD, and right behind the County Jail. Check out what UHD has done with it.

http://www.uhd.edu/about/reservations/rooms/wsps.htm

[telwink]

I don't have enough time to double check, but is it the Gable Street plant?

http://www.hal-pc.org/~lfa/BB45.html

Sevfiv, thank you so much! You're a wealth of information. I really appreciate it!!! Very interesting resource you've provided. I always wondered what this building was, because I drive past it every day on my way in from work, and it looks like it could tell a million Houston stories if it could talk.

As for restoring it, that would be a tough one. Not only are there unsightly power lines running infront of the building, there's an entire power grid thingy (real technical term there), but the same type of thing that you see on the right if you are coming into downtown off the I-10 HOV. It is a mess of electrical equipment, as far as aesthetics are concerned. Also, that park is bum-central at night. Apparently cops let the homeless sleep there at night, as long as they scatter in the AM. Don't get me wrong - I completely agree that part of downtown would be a great restoration project. In fact I'd go as far as to say it will be at some point in the future, as long as the building isn't knocked down in the meantime. The question is, how far into the future?

Thanks again for the information & comments guys!

b

[tmariar]

I took a whole bunch of photos over there one day and posted some of them here.

[tomv]

Great photos! Once again, the best resource for responding to an HAIF topic is...HAIF! That abandoned raliroad bridge has "pedestrian walkway" written all over it. And yes, James Bute Park is "bum central" and the last time I drove through there, there didn't appear to be much "scattering" during the daytime.

Too bad we can't just have an area exclusively for the homeless and/or camping enthusiasts, since they're gonna find one anyway. But I guess this sort of thing has to be kept low key and informal, and designating an official area would generate more problems, including a lot of bad publicity.

Thanks for posting that link to the Willow Street Pump Station, Filo. It looks like UH did a really nice job. I'd like to go to a function there sometime.

[telwink]

Great photos! Once again, the best resource for responding to an HAIF topic is...HAIF! That abandoned raliroad bridge has "pedestrian walkway" written all over it. And yes, James Bute Park is "bum central" and the last time I drove through there, there didn't appear to be much "scattering" during the daytime.

Too bad we can't just have an area exclusively for the homeless and/or camping enthusiasts, since they're gonna find one anyway. But I guess this sort of thing has to be kept low key and informal, and designating an official area would generate more problems, including a lot of bad publicity.

Thanks for posting that link to the Willow Street Pump Station, Filo. It looks like UH did a really nice job. I'd like to go to a function there sometime.

Its a thin line between homelessness and camping enthusiasm.

I appreciate everyone's posting info about this area -- very interesting stuff!

[memebag]

Its a thin line between homelessness and camping enthusiasm.

Funniest line I've read all day.

[liammclaren]

that's a really cool old building. I've driven over the viaduct many times, but i've never quite had the nerve to go down there on foot-- it seems quite deserted. Of course for all I know it could be entirely safe. I love the old railroad bridge. Is it dangerous down there?

[FilioScotia]

http://flickr.com/photos/telwink/2163130953/

If I'm not mistaken, that old power plant is right on the edge of the area once known as Frost Town.

There are major moves afoot to turn as much of that area as possible into a public park. That job is made very difficult by the fact that most of the old Frost Town area along Buffalo Bayou is now directly under U-S 59 and some of the 59/I-10 interchange.

See this photo: http://www.frosttownhistoricsite.org/aerials.htm

Along with development of the park, several historical study groups are doing some archaelogical digging in that area because a lot of Houston history is under a few feet of that soil.

Check out this link: http://www.frosttownhistoricsite.org/

[tmariar]

It is the same area - there was some discussion of Frostown (I've seen it spelled three different ways - not sure that any is most correct) in the photos thread.

[telwink]

Is it dangerous down there?

I wouldn't say its dangerous. Homeless people loiter in the park across the street from the electric plant, but I've never been hassled by them on the couple instances I've backed my truck up to the train bridge and walked around the old electric power building. There's a rocky path you can back your vehicle down, that leads right up to the train bridge. The path is a good 80 yards long, and gives you a direct line of sight to see anyone else coming down it. Neither police or homeless have ever paid attention to me, much less messed with me, on the couple instances I've been down there.

If I'm not mistaken, that old power plant is right on the edge of the area once known as Frost Town.

There are major moves afoot to turn as much of that area as possible into a public park. That job is made very difficult by the fact that most of the old Frost Town area along Buffalo Bayou is now directly under U-S 59 and some of the 59/I-10 interchange.

See this photo: http://www.frosttownhistoricsite.org/aerials.htm

Along with development of the park, several historical study groups are doing some archaelogical digging in that area because a lot of Houston history is under a few feet of that soil.

Check out this link: http://www.frosttownhistoricsite.org/

Fascinating!!!! I had no idea Frost Town existed until this thread. HAIF is awesome for this sort of thing. I really apprecaite your providing those links.

It is the same area - there was some discussion of Frostown (I've seen it spelled three different ways - not sure that any is most correct) in the photos thread.

Cool. Thanks a lot for the links, guys. This has been a very informative thread thanks to you guys. Very much appreciated.

[MeltedPlastic]

Of course just to the east of all this there is another railbridge that is under 59 and is actually a drawbridge that HAS been turned into a pedestrian walkway (well it has grating on it). It seems that homeless people live inside the metal box works though. The round pillar is approximately 40' wide to give you an idea of the scale of this bridge. You either get to it from 1919 Runnels (if you are truly daring) or you get to it from the north side walkway under 59. It really is a nice piece of architecture.

You can also get to it from the park across the street that benigann is talking about....

I wouldn't say its dangerous. Homeless people loiter in the park across the street from the electric plant, but I've never been hassled by them on the couple instances I've backed my truck up to the train bridge and walked around the old electric power building. There's a rocky path you can back your vehicle down, that leads right up to the train bridge. The path is a good 80 yards long, and gives you a direct line of sight to see anyone else coming down it. Neither police or homeless have ever paid attention to me, much less messed with me, on the couple instances I've been down there.

I think the last picture is some type of massive concrete counterweight for the drawbridge but for the life of me I cannot see how they were connected.

Now if someone just knows what this dock down the bayou from the drawbridge was used for?

To get to it, you have to go down these stairs. I was surprised though, they are all railroad ties and telephone poles. Very sturdy, but some of the deck was gone.

I think perhaps the whole thing was used for barges or something like that especially with the pipe outlet down there. Anyone know?

MP

[musicman]

even though you're so close to town, being on that trail makes you feel very isolated. thanks for those shots.

fyi i think the counterweight was removed from the left side of your first pic

[editor]

I got this e-mail last week:

Gable Street Station is being demolished without public comment as I speak to thee.

Has anyone had a chance to swing by and grab some photos? Somehow I managed to live three blocks from this place for two years, and never noticed it.

Here's a map:

[dbigtex56]

Wow. I thought it was supposed to be integrated into the Buffalo Bayou renewal.

This is truly an historic structure; I don't have documentation to back this up, but I believe it was still in service in the early 80's, when I first started working for Houston Light & Power. My understanding is that it supplied DC power for a few downtown buildings which still had DC powered elevators.

edit: will do some research

[houstonartstudent]

Are you sure it's demolition? When I drove by it looked like the window areas were being sealed off, like perhaps reno work? I was coming down Elysian so might have missed any demolition signs.

I got this e-mail last week:

Has anyone had a chance to swing by and grab some photos? Somehow I managed to live three blocks from this place for two years, and never noticed it.

Here's a map:

[bulldog]

http://blogs.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2011/03/lights_out_for_centerpoints_gable_street_facility.html

http://swamplot.com/daily-demolition-report-and-thats-where-tile-roofs-come-from/2011-03-07/

[bachanon]

are the window frames iron or wood? either way....i like!

[Texasepies]

"Has anyone had a chance to swing by and grab some photos? Somehow I managed to live three blocks from this place for two years, and never noticed it."

I took these in Oct. 09

[dbigtex56]

http://blogs.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2011/03/lights_out_for_centerpoints_gable_street_facility.html

From the article:

CenterPoint cited four reasons for tearing down the facility, much of it focusing on the safety risks.

1. The facility has not been used in more than 25 years and over the years, the facility has become more and more structurally unsound and sustained quite a bit of damage from Hurricane Ike. Currently, it is in danger of collapsing and poses a safety hazard to the public that uses the hike and bike trail alongside the facility,

2. This facility is also located about 25 feet from one of two CenterPoint Energy's electrical substations which feeds power to a large part of downtown Houston. If the building were to collapse, it would impact reliability to this major metropolitan area,

3. The abandoned facility has become a place for the homeless and vagrants to gather and congregate, which is unsafe for them and the surrounding community, and

4. The building cannot be used safely or economically by CenterPoint Energy for future activities.[end quote]

This does not appear to be a building in danger of imminent collapse. Admittedly I am not a structural engineer; but I've seen buildings which appeared to be of less sturdy construction with more evident damage which were salvaged. I was of the impression that some sort of deal had already been struck with Centerpoint; perhaps I was wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

So good. An historic, highly adaptable building of some architectural interest will be replaced with a weed and rubble filled vacant lot. That seems like a doubtful scenic addition to a hike and bike trail.

[TheNiche]

From the article:

CenterPoint cited four reasons for tearing down the facility, much of it focusing on the safety risks.

1. The facility has not been used in more than 25 years and over the years, the facility has become more and more structurally unsound and sustained quite a bit of damage from Hurricane Ike. Currently, it is in danger of collapsing and poses a safety hazard to the public that uses the hike and bike trail alongside the facility,

2. This facility is also located about 25 feet from one of two CenterPoint Energy's electrical substations which feeds power to a large part of downtown Houston. If the building were to collapse, it would impact reliability to this major metropolitan area,

3. The abandoned facility has become a place for the homeless and vagrants to gather and congregate, which is unsafe for them and the surrounding community, and

4. The building cannot be used safely or economically by CenterPoint Energy for future activities.[end quote]

This does not appear to be a building in danger of imminent collapse. Admittedly I am not a structural engineer; but I've seen buildings which appeared to be of less sturdy construction with more evident damage which were salvaged. I was of the impression that some sort of deal had already been struck with Centerpoint; perhaps I was wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

So good. An historic, highly adaptable building of some architectural interest will be replaced with a weed and rubble filled vacant lot. That seems like a doubtful scenic addition to a hike and bike trail.

I was tending to agree with you, up until the following except: "Additionally, she said, there is no access into the facility without going through an adjacent electrical substation, which presents a huge safety risk." If accurate, then I don't see how the building would have much of a future except to rot. And admittedly, the aerial photos would seem to indicate that visibility, access, or parking could be a challenge.

Even still, I can't help but think that this was just an unfortunate confluence of the legal and actuarial professions. I do smell a rat.

[ricco67]

Since I had some more extra time on my hands (unfortunately), I took the opportunity to satisfy some more demo-porn for you guys:

Obviously, the end of the bike trail on this side...

I guess they figured it was tough to do a wide turn on a bike....or some of the more obese walkers.

I have to agree, there was nothing that could have been done with this building because of it's inaccessibility. Notice the equipment within the building.

From a distance, I admired this small building...

But as I got closer, I could see this poor thing was doomed as well.

The only thing i can think that it could be used as is a relief station for patrolling officers, or even a remote station with cameras to maintain a watch over this secluded station, the homeless people in the park across the street, and the safety of any of the more adventurous joggers/walkers using this stretch.

[Urban Commando]

Went down the Elysian Street Viaduct this weekend and noticed something wrong...the old Gable Street Power Plant is gone! When and who tore it down? I figured this was a protected landmark.

[Ross]

It's been gone a while: http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2011/03/lights-out-for-centerpoints-gable-street-facility/

There aren't any real protected landmarks in Houston.

[NenaE]

There aren't any real protected landmarks in Houston.

What a profound statement...so true.

Those arched windows were beautiful.

[DMac]

 

 

Patrick Feller

 

 

Houston Lighting & Power Gable Street Power Plant, McKee St., Houston, Texas 0925101234BW