HEIGHTS ALCOHOL ‘DRY ZONE’ NOW MOSTLY WASHED AWAY 
With 2 successful ballot initiatives in successive years, the rules that for more than 100 years restricted alcohol sales within the portion of the Houston Heights that was once a separate city (outlined in the map shown here) have now been whittled down to a single prohibition: Grocery and convenience stores in the area are still not allowed to sell liquor. In yesterday’s election, 1,479 Heights residents voted in favor of Proposition F, allowing the sales of mixed drinks in the district — in effect ending the quirky gotta-join-a-club loophole run through by alcohol-serving restaurants. 960 voted against. [Harris Votes; previously on Swamplot] Map of Heights dry zone: HoustonHeights.org
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I predict that within the next year, all those homeowners within a few blocks of Yale or 19th streets are going to wish they had turned out and voted against Prop F. The Heights Wars just entered a new phase.
Well, Heights Boulevard and Yale should be the next drinking hot spots in Houston. Speaking of the Heights, that Fisher thing on Yale looks like it finally ground to a hault. Does anyone know what the deal is now? The sidewalk continues to be blocked and the trash keeps growing in front.
I worry the most about 19th st. The landlords have been jacking rent up and putting a lot of pressure on all the small business owners. There are a few lots nearby that could be converted into structure parking, allowing the landlord to convert a lot of the storefronts to bars and restaurants. The Waterworks redevelopment will have Hop Doddy, Ascension and at least two more restaurants/bars to round out that development. 19th st could end up looking more like Greenville Ave in Dallas than what it is today.
I don’t know, Stax, but all that refuse propped against and probably killing that tree makes me fighting mad! How can we get them to haul that crap away?
@UG,
There are a total of 19 private club licensees in the dry area. Of these 17 were issued in the last 5 years; 10 since last year, with at least another 5 on the way. There are 9 private club licensees on or bordering 19th St, with another two on 20th, plus the upcoming tenants at the Waterworks site, at least two of which will be serving alcohol.
The dam already broke. The lifting of the alcohol ban is not a cause of bar and restaurant development in the Heights, it’s an effect.
Alcohol is great! Fantastic news.
Time to get together and get some strong deed restrictions to protect the more residential parts of our neighborhood.
The drunks have won the day driven by newer residents too self-absorbed to appreciate the history of where they are living.
Regarding Fisher, last I heard the dude was involved in lots of litigation regarding various loan defaults, shoddy work, not paying vendors, etc.
Re Fisher – couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! But it should be illegal to leave a job site in such deplorable condition and kill a tree while you’re at it.
Well, those who probably voted for it are new to the Heights, less than five years. I live in Montrose, and the Gay Parade used to cause havoc in the streets, now those close to the trendy areas will really see just how ‘great it is’. For those who live close to the streets where clubs will open up, get ready for:
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Strangers parking in front of your home on weekends.
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Bottles, and trash where those people will park.
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If you don’t have a fence, people walking on your property finding shadows in the dark so they can go and take a leak, maybe worse.
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Drunkards hooping and hollering at closing time.
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Damage to your property, or vehicles if you also park on the street.
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Difficulty parking, or getting in and out of your house when there is a special event going on.
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I could go on, but you get the idea…
I find it ironic that people are against alcohol in an area that is famous for hosting some of the biggest open-container block parties in the state.