A reader sends in this photo of the corner of Sul Ross and Woodhead, just west of the Wilshire Village Apartments, showing what appears to be work on wastewater lines connecting to the complex. Sul Ross dead-ends into a parking lot at the garden apartments at the end of the block.
The utility work was mentioned in this reader comment on Swamplot’s original story on Wilshire Village. Two weeks ago, tenants at the 70-year-old complex received mysterious notices demanding they vacate the property by the end of this month.
- Wilshire Village Update: “A Nice Mess†[Swamplot]
- Wilshire Village Apartments: Actual Tenants Actually Being Evicted [Swamplot]
Photo: Swamplot inbox
Well, doubts that the developer may not be able to finance a project should be put to rest now.
The primary payer for the utility work to serve a private site such as this is the future developer. The city may have thrown some money in if it was planning to do rehab anyway.
What this tells my civil engineer mind is that the current utilities serving the apartment complex site are quite inadequate. Also, this means if the the developer is going to commit money to install these utilities then they are ready to move on the main project.
Of course, the Ashby Highrise developers paid a lot for utility rehab on Bissonet that the same neighbors who stopped the project are now utilizing to their benefit.
So, I guess we might as well speculate on what is getting built here. My guess with the light rail only a couple of blocks away is a 5-7 story apartment complex with internal parking garage.
Anybody have found drawings of the proposed project? I’m sure Gus would like them.
I remember HAIF had something, but it was very conceptual and I don’t think that plan is viable. Apartment construction is going to hit a boom with the recession setting in since people are more likely to rent.
There seems to be utility work going on all over the place in this part of town. I don’t think it is necessarily related to Wilshire Village . . .
yes, i like the conspiracy theory angle, but there is the same work going on Lexingon street a few blocks away.
“Well, doubts that the developer may not be able to finance a project should be put to rest now… Also, this means if the the developer is going to commit money to install these utilities then they are ready to move on the main project.”
uh, that’s not the case at all. doesnt mean matt is or isnt moving forward on a redevelopment; you are only making an assumption and its your opinion. hanover’s post oak / san felipe project recently had w/s placed and they arent moving forward anytime soon. however, using your logic, guess we should see construction shortly, huh?