Sep 9, 2009
1900 5th Avenue Finally Comes Down
By: Kevin Buchanan
The long-running feud between the Fairmount neighborhood and a negligent property owner finally came to a head yesterday, as the city moved in and demolished the two structures at 1900 5th Avenue in the heart of the historic district.
The two homes have been deteriorating for many years as their owner sat on them, never so much as mowing the grass. The homes had reached the point where they were not only a negative influence on neighborhood property values and image, but were downright dangerous to neighboring properties. It was not uncommon to see yet another part of the homes laying on the ground next to them each day as they were quite literally falling apart.
After many years of pressure on the city, and after clearing a series of legal roadblocks thrown up by the owner, Fairmount finally prevailed. Thanks to even more pressure on the city and letters written to state reps such as Senator Wendy Davis, the city finally brought in the wrecking equipment and leveled both structures.
Thanks to the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, which keeps extensive photographic records of each structure in the district, we can trace the path of 1900 5th from potential showpiece restoration to dangerous derelict.
1900 5th in 1995
1900 5th in 2002
1900 5th in 2005
1900 5th in 2008
1900 5th in 2008
1900 5th on September 8th, 2009
1900 5th on September 8th, 2009
Hmmmm, any chance they can take down 1620 S Henderson? It’s been vacant for at least 3 years (probably much longer) and while it isn’t that bad yet, it’s on its way. The city already has mowing liens on it.
quick random question about the streetcar proposal;
With the Sept 15 deadline for TIGER funds quickly approaching. Any word on how Ft.W’s application is coming? Have they already applied or will they be able to qualify?
Thank you, Kevin. For over 20 years, people tried to buy the house to restore, and it could have been a showplace still, up until 10 years ago. But too many years open to the elements left it composting and a danger, so we had to change sides from “begging to save” to “begging to demo” – a very hard thing for leaders in a Historic District to do. Thank you to officials in Code, the City Attorney’s office, City Councilpersons Wendy Davis and Joel Burns, the Historic Landmarks Commission and several turnovers of its Staff members, Judges right up to the Supreme Court of TX, and all the irrate neighbors who had to put up with it all these years! We won, but we lost what could have been a great asset to the neighborhood. And we need to do all we can to make sure it never happens again in Fairmount!
Sue McLean
Director of Historic Preservation
Fairmount Southside Historic District
Jonathon, 1620 Henderson has recently been sold, and a big change is promised. It will be restored if it can be, or demolished if it cannot. One at a time……
Live on 5th Avenue and this house demolishing is exciting. The neighbors had a block party to celebrate this street changing demolition. Hoping something nice goes in it’s spot!!
seeing the ’95 and even ’02 pics makes me sad. woulda, coulda, shoulda…I’ve been watching it deterioriate since ’00. What a shame. Now, anybody know when the precinct elections are held? Got to get that guy out of the position.
Any idea what is going on with the 6-plex apts. on the corner of Magnolia and S. Adams across the street from Junsuree? I lived there 2 years ago and as I last heard, it is now vacant. Is it being sold, refurbed, gutted? Anyone?
@Justin & @FortWorthology: if anybody can get info on that 6plex, please let us know.
I’m curious about that 6-plex as well. It’s a beautiful building. If someone fixed it up, I would totally live there.
For what it’s worth, the builder at Texana told me several months ago that the nearby 6-plex was supposed to be renovated. Of course, he could have just been blowing smoke to get me to buy one of his town homes.
Doug,
All precinct election judges in Texas are appointed. Detailed information can be found at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2009-07.shtml. The part of the state election code pertaining to the selection of election judges is at http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/EL/pdf/EL.32.pdf. If you want to get Charlie bumped out of his spot in precinct 4060, you’ll probably need some good political connections.
Thanks, Ben.
Looks like it’ll take some work.
SuMac: Nothing in TAD yet about the 1620 sale. Any relation to the changes taking place at 1633 S Henderson? Someone just put on a new roof there. That place has been vacant and for sale forever.
Does anyone know if the now-vacant lot at 1900 5th Ave is for sale? Or is the lot itself still hung up in legal battles?
I’m interested in buying the lot and having a new Craftsman style home built there.
Sorry, know nothing about 1633. Drove by 1620 last night tho, and noticed the for sale sign was still up or a new one. I emailed the person who told me they bought it, but no answer yet. Could be he’s flipping it. But one of our great new-old-house builders wants it to demo and build new, so there is still hope.
Re: Election
CM is the Democratic Precinct Chair. We consulted the Democratic headquarters and were told filing has to be in around January 1. So Doug, if you are a Democrat – we NEED you! I know you live in the precinct which is the other requirement.
A few of us attended one of the “elections” a couple years ago. Then kept forgetting about it until it is too late to file since. It is held following the poll closing of the May election right there at DeZavala. There was barely anyone there, and with no one running against him, he won by a show of hands. He did not take kindly to opposition being there and asking natty questions either.
Doug, or anyone else interested. They will even train you.
http://www.tcdp.net/calendar/view_entry.php?id=3364&date=20091004
LJD: – you and several other home builders!
1900 5th will be auctioned in November, but with the $45,000 in back taxes owed and weed and demo liens, you won’t be interested, and the City will end up the high bidder. They (or whoever even if they were willing to pay that much) have to hold it for a year to allow the owner to buy it back at 1 1/2 times what is owed. THEN, it can be auctioned at a reasonable starting bid.
Sorry, we wish you could too. But I’m betting the neighbors will keep it the best looking vacant lot in town for that year, just in relief that it is gone.
LJD:
Scoop on 1620 – awaiting “right of redemption” period after foreclosure to expire before it can close.
There’s no for sale sign at 1620 S Henderson. The for sale sign across the street is on 1621 which is for sale since the previous owner passed away (a lovely old lady who served me peach pie when I was new to the neighborhood, sad to see her go).
Sorry, there is a 1620 Henderson, but it does not look in bad shape. I guess maybe I incorrectly assumed he meant 1628 which recently sold and I was speaking about. Or maybe he had the wrong address. But all info I gave above is about 1628.
1620 doesn’t look that bad yet, but it’s well on its way. Has been abandoned for at least a couple years now and isn’t for sale. It’s just sitting there, rotting.