The fight goes on

Stop Ashby High Rise group stages "park-in" to show traffic problems aroundproposed tower

The "park-in" took place along Bissonnet on Monday
Photo by Karen Burd
Around 70 cars parked on Bissonnet between Mandell and Hazard streets to showwhat traffic will look like during construction of the Ashby high rise andafterwards.
Photo by Karen Burd
Cars were parked in front of the Maryland Manor, the site of the proposed Ashbyhigh rise.
Photo by Karen Burd

Residents near the site of the Ashby high rise have vowed to do everything legally possible to stop construction of the proposed 23-story tower. On Monday, in the first of a number of actions to illustrate the impact on surrounding neighborhoods, they parked their cars along several blocks of Bissonnet, at the site of the planned development.

They organized the "creative direct action," with around 70 cars parked between Mandell and Hazard streets at or near the 1700 block of Bissonnet, to show what traffic will look like during construction and afterwards.

The protest was aimed at convincing investors to think twice before funding the proposed tower. "There are better places," Justus said. "It's just a bad choice."

"It's a legal 'park-in'," said Margaret Justus, spokesperson for the Stop Ashby High Rise Task Force. "Instead of civil disobedience, it's civil obedience."

Justus said the protest was aimed at convincing investors to think twice before funding the proposed tower. "There are better places," she said. "It's just a bad choice."

Resident David Thomas said all of the cars came from homes within walking distance of the protest. He pointed out that the proximity of the proposed tower to Poe Elementary School is a particular safety concern.

"It's really going to be difficult to construct such a big building in such a small space," he said.

With a new Museum of Fine Arts, Houston building planned to the east on Bissonnet and a midrise going up to the west, at Greenbriar near Bissonnet, residents are calling for a new traffic study, calling a three-year-old study that the city of Houston relied upon to approve construction of the tower outdated.

Justus said the group will continue to organize "creative, effective, visual and legal" protests to convince investors that it won't make sense to put the tower in the proposed location. "We're not going to give up," she said.

She noted that the Southampton and Boulevard Oaks neighborhoods surrounding the proposed tower recently renewed their deed restrictions for another 50 years to ward off any future high rise development. And while some critics say the affluent neighbors are blocking progress, Justus noted that the Stop Ashby High Rise group has received strong backing from other neighborhood groups throughout Houston.

"We're sending a message that it's time for the city to start thinking about how Houston protects its neighborhoods," she said.

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HAUTE PROPERTIES

675-acre Hill Country ranch where George Strait rehearsed lists for $19.5M

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

Lone Woman Ranch, the Hill Country estate where country stars like George Strait, George Jones, and Ace in the Hole Band rehearsed, is up for sale for $19.5 million.

Located 65 miles from San Antonio in Hays County on 675 acres, the secluded ranch once served as an artistic getaway for emerging Texas artists. The property, listed by Olmos Park firm Republic Ranches. is named after the nearby Lone Woman Mountain, and its elevation gives an incredible view of the county. On a clear day, you can see downtown Austin.

The land comes with two residences, both built near the entrance gate. The primary stone house has original hardwood floors, a recently remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system. The secondary residence was used as a rehearsal space. Both have had long-term residents who made improvements, and both have their own septic systems, wells, and electric meters.

The real appeal of Lone Woman Ranch, however, is the extensive woods, creeks, and natural setting. It is next to 6,000 acres of conservation land, including Storm Ranch. The entire mountain is also included in the property, making it a veritable mini-kingdom for the owner with unobstructed privacy on three sides.

Two ponds are on the site — a 4-acre and a 1-acre — both fully stocked. Runoff from the larger pond creates picturesque seasonal limestone waterfalls.The surrounding woods are full of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, doves, and more. The property is under wildlife exemption.

It's little wonder the ranch was a muse to so many country musicians. A network of ranch roads provides access throughout the property, including most of the way up Lone Woman, giving views around every corner. Only Strait can tell you whether his 1996 hit "King of the Mountain" was inspired by the ranch.

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

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