Nearly a dozen Houstonians spoke at Wednesday's city council meeting, asking for stronger protections for the city's historic structures after the demolition of the Kirby Mansion. They said the demolition began without proper permitting. Phoebe Tudor, chairman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said fewer than 1% of Houston's buildings are considered historic. She called for a moratorium on demolishing historic buildings until a waiting period is in place, for city leaders to start landmark designations, and for help bringing owners of historic properties together with people who want to save them.
Tudor said three offers to buy and preserve the mansion were not accepted before it was sold to developers of a gas station. Public records show that OB Texas Properties LLC's registered agent, Omair Bashir, is also the registered agent of Smith St. C Store LLC and has business connections to Brake Time Corner Market LLC, a convenience store and gas station company. Bashir and his companies have not responded to repeated requests for comment about future plans for the property.
Jason Fuller, a former Harris County Historical Commissioner, also spoke at the meeting. He said he drove past the demolition on the morning of Oct. 30 and tried to stop the work from outside. He said he entered through a locked gate and spoke with an apparent supervisor, who told him the company had the necessary permits. The demolition stopped when Fuller approached the excavator and resumed later. Fuller said the company was "not really a reputable company" and that it violated city ordinance and state law.