Houston's Rate Sheet

Residents of the Freedmen's District not happy about new development

The Chronicle reports that forth ward residents are not happy about proposed street closings by the city.

In the shadow of downtown skyscrapers, the Rev. Samuel Smith vowed Sunday to fight proposed street closings he says will shut off the remnants of the historic black Fourth Ward from new high rises developing in Midtown.

"We stand as a testament that we mean business," said Smith, with 30 members of his Mount Horeb Missionary Baptist Church standing behind him. "If you close these streets, it would be like cutting a main artery to the heart of the streets feeding the interior of the Fourth Ward." His brick church on West Gray is located across from two vacant lots destined to be the site of new high rises similar to the upscale rojects, bistros and shops adjacent to it. The developer of the two lots wants the city to close the block of Cushing Street that bisects his property as well as a section of O'Neil that cuts through another corner, records show.

In 1999, the same closures were requested by Post Uptown LLC, and tentatively approved by the City Council if the developer met certain conditions, including rerouting waterlines and constructing curbs and a barricade across the closed street.

I'm afraid this kind of issue is going to grow more and more prevalent as re-gentrification moves into the 3rd ward. Many townhomes are being redeveloped in that area, and its historically black roots are even deeper than that of the Freedmen's District. I can't say I blame these communities for their concern and disdain, but it is not in the nature of Houston to impede progress.

posted by Vincent Biondillo @ 4:57 PM