Thursday, July 5, 2012

Giving Up the Ghosts of Hyde Park

For the last 7 or so years, the atomic-ranch-era front of this 1929 bungalow at 1710 Welch St. served as the Scott Childress Studio, a hair salon. If you recognize that name, you likely know at least the outline of the rest of the story that goes with it: Childress was found on the floor of the property one Friday morning this past January, beaten to death with a pipe wrench; his roommate, Reginald Eaglin, was charged with the murder. The home was listed for sale in late February, but there’s a contract pending now. How that ends likely depends on a planning commission hearing scheduled for this afternoon. Up for approval: plans by Carnegie Homes to replace the modern-front house and the 2 apartments behind it — all on 7,500 sq. ft. — with 4 townhome lots along a central drive.

Photo: HAR

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10 Comments

  1. 1
    From Amanda:

    OK so that’s what that huge sign was talking about that was on the fence…..it really is a shame that they want to tear it down. It is a really nice house. I live right by it and I don’t see how our neighborhood could benefit for yet another crammed in town home complex.

  2. 2
    From mek ju:

    First it was a house. Then it was a house with apartments. Then it was apartments with a business. Now it’s going to be townhomes. Seems logical to me.

  3. 3
    From Montrose Traveler:

    Just leave the tree alone..

  4. 4
    From michael:

    Looks like that a fine big old oak that’s gonna hafta go! Gotta make the place development ready! (Sarcasm now, but just you wait (cynicsm))!

  5. 5
    From Patrick:

    I love that huge old tree.But,contrary to what Dr.Gupta the developer and owner of Carnegie Homes & Construction told me in an email I received from him earlier this week that the engineering firm ICMC tweaked the site plan to KEEP the tree,we know it’s a goner. Like I believe a developer. The greedy bastards. And Scott Childress’ spirit lives on. That house has some cool graffiti on the rock inside the front fence and on the fence along the east property.

  6. 6
    From PYEWACKET2:

    Why, they could put a driveway where that tree is!

    “Why” is not a question but rather an expression as in “Y”, they could put a driveway……..

    more sarcasm…but seriously, I do hope they can find a way to save the tree. I’m not a hugger if removal is absolutely necessary, however in this case, it seems that they ~could~ try to keep it.

  7. 7
    From Montroseguys:

    There are city ordinances about cutting down trees over a certain diameter

  8. 8
    From Wyman:

    Makes me miss Houston!

  9. 9
    From northside girl:

    Isn’t that tree on a city easement anyway? The landowner can’t take it down

  10. 10
    From CET:

    Thanks for nothing, Houston developers. Let’s Demo it! Demo it all! Slap some townhouses up, yeah, real nice. The slogan for Houston (re: of the “Keep Austin Weird” variety) should be, “Don’t worry, we demoed it.”

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