Artists are on a quest to save a vacant historic building in Houston's First Ward that was damaged after a two-alarm blaze broke out in the middle of the night in April.
The property, currently owned by Harris County, is adjacent to Elder Street Artists Lofts, a 1924 architectural landmark also known as the old Jefferson Davis Hospital that was purchased through a joint venture between Avenue Community Development Corporation and Artspace USA. Elder Street Artists Lofts opened in 2005 after a $6.3 million renovation yielded 34 units of affordable, rent-controlled housing and studio space for local artists.
The abutting damaged structure had served as the nurses' quarters of the former health care facility.
It's now a possible addition to the existing, thriving community of creatives that have breathed new life into the four-story loft complex, which is at 100 percent occupancy. The artists are looking beyond the missing windows and charred walls of the fire (an active investigation on the fire is so far inconclusive) to envision a larger future.
"There isn't enough live/work space in Houston. The waiting list to get into Elder Street Artists Lofts is proof that there's a need out there."
The artists are attempting to rally support to preserve the red brick gem with an online petition sponsored by Artspace and the First Ward Civic Council
This despite the site's reputation for being one of creepiest locations in Houston, rumored to be haunted by Confederate soldiers, slaves and residents who're interred there. Yes, the hospital was erected atop a portion of a cemetery that was founded in 1840.
"There isn't enough live/work space in Houston," photographer Monica Kressman, a tenant, tells CultureMap. "The waiting list to get into Elder Street Artists Lofts is proof that there's a need out there."
Kressman, alongside other residents including Dana Frazier Samuelson, fears that the nurses' quarters is at risk of demolition to pave the way for an expensive townhouse development.
"Every day, I am grateful to come home to a beautiful building and be inspired by like-minded creatives," Kressman continues. "We even found it very convenient to do collaborative art work together. An ingenious solution, in my opinion, is to combine protecting historical Houston landmarks while providing housing for those who otherwise could not afford it."
While Harris County has attempted to sell the property in the past, the particular terms of the auction weren't practical for Artspace, portfolio director Bill Mague writes on the petition. An opening minimum bid of $1 million, a figure that's based from appraisal of land value in 2011, keeps Artspace out of the running.
But the company is willing to re-evaluate its position if the community stakeholders step up and provide assistance.
To do so, they are hoping to gather 10,000 signatures.
Click here to chime in.
Note: Although iPetition prompts visitors for a monetary donation, cash contributions aren't necessary. Any gifts aren't earmarked for the project, rather they support the operations of the website.
The nurses' quarters adjacent to the old Jefferson Davis Hospital (what is now Elder Street Artists Lofts) remains in disrepair after a fire in April.
