Rweil

Drew Alexander is actaully a member of the Weingarten family, as his father, Stanford Alexander, is the grandson of Harris Weingarten and the nephew of Joe Weingarten. Stanford Alexander is the Chairman of Weingarten Realty Advisors. Drew Alexander is more than just an "employee".

I lived in Westbury from 1960 (year I was born) until 1971 when we moved to Meyerland. Went to Anderson through part of 3rd grade, and then to Kolter...Anyhow, in the center where Weingarten's was, there was a barber shop where i got my haircut by Gene. Frankie was my Mom's favorite checker at Weingarten's. There was also a Madding's drugstore, which became an Eckerd's. A women's clothing store - Tyser's, and a shoe repair place. But the best was Britian's Broiler Burger, with the horse carousel that you could eat at. I went to the Little Red School House, and my favorite teacher was Mrs. Martin - we would take field trips to Rumpleheimer's and Britian's Broiler Burger....Great memories.

I agree..it was more than just the lack of A/C. But that was one contributing factor according the person interviewed in the film....i actually brought the DVD with me to work today and am watching again intervals.

Well, I am not sure that many people's statements in the film would be considered rational by today's standards. But, if you were paying attention during the film, you would not that what I said was a direct statement by one of the residents who was being interviewed in the film. IMO - I actually think their concern was a valid one. Think about it; what if the same scenario happened in your neighborhood?

You know, I don't post here too often, but this film is one that I had wanted to see for some time. I had hoped that with my comments, we could engage in some rational and intelligent dialog regarding a subject that has been around for generations, and one that is a part of Houston's rich history. Instead, you remark cynically about one aspect of why the residents of the neighborhood made the decision to leave, and another poster simply wants to point out a mistake I made in the name of the Bayou. Not very engaging.

Um, yes, I stand corrected. I apologize for the error. I meant Braes Bayou...

Evidently, yes it did.

I don't believe so. In my opinion, the climate during this time period was a very segregated one all over the area - not just in Riverside Terrace, and not just the Jewish residents of that area. If you look at what was happeing, this upper middle class area was changing - the bigger changes of course when developers came in and subdivided large mansions into apartments, leading to property value decreases, along with the tearing down of these grand homes, and building lower end apartment complexes without A/C, which drove the families outside at night, to keep cooler during the summer months, and then scurrying around the neighborhood causing unrest, vandalism, etc. Most people would be angry at this situation, and would want to leave the area, as it was certainly deteriorating. I don't think this had anything to do with Jewish people "wanting to be white". I am Jewish - this is my faith. My race is white. One has nothing to do with the other.

If you want to see a true example of the change that occurred in Riverside, head back down N. MacGregor Way toward 288. On your left (west), there will be a street called Bayou Bend -a cul-de-sac. This was a circle of grand homes (possibly including the Sakowitz home, which burned and was subsequently torn down), and look what was built in this place. The mansions had a prime view of Buffalo Bayou. Now there is a low income apartment complex, next to an abandoned and boarded up mansion.

I was at the film, and I, too, had been trying to find a way to see this for years. My Mother grew up in and was friends with many of the wealthy families of Riverside. I am Jewish, and the film had an important message for me and those who are not of my faith. I observed several things - as Jews, we had always been snubbed and pushed aside - cast offs. Yet, and this is not the first time I have noticed this with those of my faith, the Jews of Riverside were guilty of the very same thing. How ironic - and I noticed that this then occurred with the residents of Riverside Terrace after the tide began to turn and other minorities were moving in. I think all of us want to create a place and a living enviornment where we can feel safe and live with those similar to us, but the best part is that this neighborhood now welcomes many diverse groups. I find the history of this area to be fascinating and rich - I find the homes to be magnificant - and I find the fact that many of these "palaces", that remain standing yet abandoned, to be truly tragic.

I purchased the film, and I would welcome the opportunity to screen it for anyone who was not able to come see the film on Sunday. The good thing is that the film is on two DVD's, so the viewing can be broken up. Although the movie was very long, it held my interest almost the entire length of the film.

Nancy is far from perfect, but my experiences in dealing with her have been far better than with her collegues. It's the difference between a small specific error or lack of grammatical clarity and having what you've said torn apart, words reconfigured, meanings butchered, all within what was supposed to be the safety of quotation marks.

In an email that I received from Nancy Sarnoff today:

Ed Wulfe says they have not pulled out. But I haven

If by "retailers across the street" you mean retailers at Post Oak Plaza -- haven't the owners of that location been trying to compete with BLVD Place for some time now? I think I remember something in the Chronicle a while back about competing for tenants. Could this be a deliberate misinformation effort? If a prospective tenant was choosing between signing a lease now in Post Oak Plaza and waiting a year or two for BLVD place, they might swing towards Post Oak Plaza if they heard the anchor was about to pull out of BLVD Place.

(I'm not suggesting that the rumor is right or wrong -- I'm utterly clueless -- just thinking about the source though)

I was thinking the exact same thing.

that is absolutely mind-blowing if true.... how could something like that fall through? it almost seems like wulfe would have to go out of his way to lose whole foods. the scope of this project, along with the location and the fact that houston doesn't yet have a flagship WF practically makes BLVD Place a lock to land one.

this is a HUGE blow if true.

I looked on the Whole Foods website, under store development, and this location on Post Oak and San Felipe is still there. I am including the link to that page.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/newstores.html#tx

Sorry if this is the wrong thread. I heard yesterday that the Westcreek Project is effectively "on hold" for at least three years while the developers rethink their plan. Westcreek Village are continuing to lease apartments, and have told their tennants they are safe for three years. Another development disappointment. I have noticed that the tarp-like fencing is down from where the car dealership was that is the proposed High Street development site.

Does anyone have any new/additional information on these projects?

I agree. I do think it's funny that all these great urban projects, like the ones already so successful in Dallas, are popping up everywhere EXCEPT in Midtown and along the rail, which was supposed to be a boom for this type of development. So typical of Houston.

Actually, this is not BS. I know the owners very well, and the wife is very ill and has been ill for sometime. Her Dr. told her that she must take it easy and have surgery, and her husband will run the new BoConcept franchise. He is the one who wanted to try something more of his interests, as hers was the concept for Surprises. Surprises was highly successful, as was their first venture in Dallas, "Confetti", which she sold to her partner when she and her husband wanted to return to their hometown of Houston in the mid 90's, at which time they opened Surprises in the current "Waterworks" location in Highland Village.

So, we all benefit. Houston gets a new store with a great new concept, and Leora gets the medical attention that she has put off for too long.