Comments on: Wilshire Village Apartments: Actual Tenants Actually Being Evicted

By: M. Martin

M. Martin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:10:03 +0000

Actually, it seems that efforts *may* be taken to spare at least some of the trees on the Wilshire Village property. From my vantage point across the street, I can see orange plastic fencing surrounding a number of trees…I can also see at least two bulldozers on the property, as well as a lot of broken-up pavement in the parking lots behind the apartments.

I fear that the end is near and that I am soon bidding farewell to an old friend–but if we *do* see some of trees spared, that is at least some solace.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:32:17 +0000

You have to wonder how long the live oak and magnolia trees and gardenia bushes will last. The trees of course take up valuable land that can be redeveloped. And the gardenia bushes of course no longer define any courtyards since the courtyards no longer exist.

Life is fair. Unfortunately it’s filled with schmucks.

Most of them developers who never saw an open space filled with trees they wouldn’t rather replace with rent-producing units.

By: Dallas Townsend

Dallas Townsend — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:25:36 +0000

Aw yes it would take the soulless eyes of an engineer not to see the intrinsic beauty of the place. Beauty can be found in the large green park like open spaces filled with mature live oaks, magnolia trees, and gardenias. Even though antiquated, the apartments themselves were light filled and very spacious with hardwood floors and quality period details. Any one who has lived there knows it beauty.
I live there for many years from the late 80’s to the mid 90’s. Most of the occupants were the elderly and students who appreciated the very low rents smack dab in the heart of the city. A small group of architect students, myself included, treasured our apartments. There was always a waiting list to rent a place there.
I no long live in Houston and my friend who works for the City of Houston informed me of Wilshires fate. It is sad to hear that it will be gone the next time I visit Houston, it will be missed by me and I would think anyone who lived there.

By: sludger

sludger — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:40:30 +0000

well the city came by today to slap up notices that the slumlords haven’t complied with their “safety” requests, so they’ll start barricading up the stairwells.
“Help! I’m trapped in here and can’t get out!” LOL

By: Frank Davis

Frank Davis — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:30:49 +0000

I’ve lived here for 8 wonderful years. It’s home. I have never seen gang members, crackheads, or homeless people in here. It’s been most wonderfully quiet. It’s been almost like living in the country with the sound of birds in the mornings, with squirrels climbing the oak and magnolia trees, and the sound of the wind rustling through the branches. Imagine your favorite home as your roots and they are severed. Do that and you’ll realize how we, that live here, feel about the impending eviction. No, I don’t have central air and heat. No, I don’t have an automatic dishwasher, a garbage disposal, trash compactor, or washer/dryer connections. However, I do have airy cross-breezes that help cool the apartment without running the window units. I have trees where the grandkids have climbed and fought the pirates at sea. I have space to walk in, hardwood floors that require no upkeep, no vacuuming. It’s a shame, but if you notice the comments, you’ll see that those of us who live here or have enjoyed this residence in the past, are the ones who don’t want to see it go. The ones who have NO connection with living here, want it demolished. Just remember, what you get may be worse than what you have. Imagine the traffic congestion, the strain on the utility lines, and the further flooding that will happen with a higher concentration of population on the same 8 acres. Eight acres will house a HELL of lot of people. Do you honestly think that the neighborhood can stand much more? I think Alaska is looking better and better as a place to live. Good bye to Wilshire Village and the kind heart of the owner, and good luck to the people who live around here and have to deal with the further onslaught of “progress.”

By: JT

JT — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:25:31 +0000

M Martin

I realize that we are talking about the same developer. His approval of Barfbag on the Bend’s polyglot of architectural elements proves he has no taste. Of course,the architect or firm that designed the place should have their license revoked. Here’s a cry out to all you developers–for chrissakes just get in your car and drive to Dallas and see that life exists beyond Hardiplank and spray on stucco.

By: NorhillJoe

NorhillJoe — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:31:55 +0000

Emme - Zoning is not the magical cure for unpopular development or “predatory developers”. Whatever that means. One of my departments as a budget analyst for the City of Austin in the 80’s was Planning and Zoning. Even then Austin had zoning and ordinances galore. There is a thing called variances and sitting in many P&Z commission meetings I saw very few that were not granted. Money talks and bull$$$t walks. BTW, I think Wilshire Village looks very cool and I too wish it could be restored.

By: EMME

EMME — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:59:59 +0000

M.Martin, your post has me crying and laughing at the same time.

By: M. Martin

M. Martin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:40:19 +0000

JT-

I don’t know how to break this to you gently, so I won’t even try……IT’S THE SAME DEVELOPER.

His name is Matt Dilick. He got his start working for Landry’s Restaurants. If you want a handle on his architectural sensibilities, take a good look at the aforementioned ‘Bayou on the Bend’…..or at the Kemah boardwalk.

In other interesting news, a city council member has expressed serious doubt that the eviction notices and threats of electrical service termination issuing from Mr. Dilick’s office are even legal. If this is true, Mr. Dilick’s name would appear to suffer from a surplus consonant and a surplus vowel.

By: JT

JT — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:23:58 +0000

Just pray to God that the developer does not contact the architect (or psycho) who designed the godawful Bayou on the Bend midrise.

I hate to see these go.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:29:47 +0000

Movocelot, I don’t know if Wilshire Village is on the National Register or not, but National Register listing doesn’t carry any protections with it. A lot of people don’t realize that. Remember that Freedmen’s Town was also a NR-listed area, and most of it has been destroyed.

By: EMME

EMME — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:47:02 +0000

Houstonians are not the ones promoting tear downs. I am a fifth generation Houstonian, and I am for restoration. The problem is we have no (I’m going to use the Z word) zoning. We are a city that attracts the quick buck developers (aka predatory developers) for that very reason. It is very sad. Think Shamrock Hotel. If the Alamo had been in Houston it would be a condo complex.