THE SPECTATOR: PROTECTING BRENHAM’S DOWNTOWN
I believe everyone would agree that Brenham has a beautiful downtown area, something that many small Texas towns would love to have. Brenham’s downtown is comprised of mostly historic buildings giving it a unique, hometown feel. I believe that most everyone would agree that Brenham’s downtown needs to maintain that look and feel for generations to come. This Thursday afternoon the Brenham City Council will hopefully take a step toward protecting our downtown and its historic buildings.
The City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the establishment of a Historic Preservation Ordinance for the downtown district. The idea of an ordinance to protect Brenham’s unique heritage is nothing new. Previously an ordinance was proposed in 2009, but the idea was shelved when property owners argued that it was too restrictive and not needed. This time around, downtown property and business owners were invited to be a part of the process in developing the ordinance. As their concerns were voiced, many issues were addressed and changes were made to make the ordinance less restrictive and less of a hindrance to property owners. There was give and take on both sides, and in the end, most are happy with the result.
Are there still some people opposed to a Historic Preservation Ordinance for downtown Brenham? Yes there are. One of the main contentions is that their building is their property, and the City shouldn’t be able to dictate what they do with it. Sounds good on the surface, but in a civilized world you can’t always do whatever you want with your property. There are neighbors and entire communities that could be affected. In this case, their buildings fall within Brenham’s historic downtown district….an area that our entire town considers “our” downtown. A place where parades are held, where locals and tourists alike enjoy shopping, dining and having fun. Downtown Brenham has come a long way from where it was just 10 years ago. This ordinance is the first step to keep it going in a positive direction.
No one wants to see any of our unique downtown buildings torn down. But currently there is nothing in place to stop that from happening. There will be some people at Thursday’s meeting who oppose this ordinance. But I encourage the Brenham City Council to not be afraid to take this step. Both Brenham’s Main Street Advisory Board and its Planning and Zoning Commission, with downtown property owners as members, have recommended its establishment, as does the City’s comprehensive plan. The time for a Historic Preservation Ordinance is now, before it’s too late for one of our beloved downtown buildings.
And that’s the way it looks to this Spectator.
Implode all of the buildings downtown and put up modern and usable structures that serve the MAJORITY of taxpayers instead of a few old coots stuck in time. Tear them all down! We have no fond memories of them nor will any of us regret seeing them torn down! It will save taxpayers a lot of wasted money.
It is exactly this type of thinking that makes a Historic Preservation Ordinance necessary for Downtown Brenham.
Do you own a business or building downtown? Have you tried to open a business downtown or try to change the use? If you answer yes to all of these questions you can understand the oppositions position. If not, you really don’t know what people that have gone through to make Brenham what it is today. Making more regulation and burdens for small business will stall development, and really for no gain, except put power and control in few peoples hands.
give me one example of a property in the downtown district that has been neglected or reconstructed in some failed fashion that this ordinance would have somehow protected. the landowners and tenants downtown are who have made brenham what it is today, not the bureaucracy now trying to dictate what and how properties are to be renovated or utilized. deregulation, not overreach and regulation, is what is drawing investors into brenham and attracting new business ventures
Look at the ridiculous bump out the 96 West constructed. How about the law office at the corner of Alamo and Baylor Streets for an example of renovation good very wrong.
That is a dining out area that also is used by folks when 96 West is closed.
When I lived there I never saw it detract from the town.
A legitimate argument on all this would be regarding events such as the Art event where folks design art on walls, such as the cheetah eyes, the armadillos, the (if still up) owls, etc.
An ordinance here could become an issue, because then wall art would have to adhere to the period the building started, and be items such as retro ads.
I’ve seen a City of Brenham employee watering their flowers on that bump out as well. Can they not water the flowers themselves? Can the city come water mine as well? Why are tax dollars spent to water a private business’ plants?
I’m mystified that anyone would dislike the parklet in front of 96 West. That was a public/private project that was presented by the City to 96 West owners. They agreed to pay for it in exchange for the right to use those 3 parking places. All of the property owners on that block were in favor of it. It’s a terrific asset to downtown as it can be used not only while 96 West is open, but by anyone else to sit and relax while they are closed. I think it looks great and is a wonderful place.
Our historic downtown has to be protected. However, the top issue in doing this is to make the owners of these building maintain them. In the last year, we have lost two restaurants in downtown. not because of Covid, but because the owners of the building would not fix roof leaks or update the air-conditioning. The tenants had no recourse but to move out. Also, the owners have become stingy and keep increasing the rent. Soon, no one will be able to afford having a business on the square. The “Square” should be for boutiques, restaurants, and unique places to browse– a place that those of us who live here, and tourists can enjoy. I might also add that during the summer months, that the stores on the Square might consider opening on Sunday. at least for a few hours. How many times have I seen tourists searching for a place to shop or browse on Sunday. If they had someplace to go, it would even increase the Bed and Breakfast business.
“There is nothing in place to prevent our old buildings from being torn down” is incorrect. Downtown is a National Register Historic District and subject to the rules of the National Register which requires 30 day notice to the Register of intent to demolish. In fact the only demolition downtown was some years ago to a building which burned. Demolition was by the City only a few days after the fire leaving no time for the required notice. The City of Brenham is all we have to fear. We property owners have done an outstanding job of renovation and protection. for the last 40 years. City regulation is unwelcome and unnecessary. Read the ordinance on the City web site and decide for yourself.
Tommy, I believe you may be incorrect. “Under Federal Law, the listing of a property in the National Register places no restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property up to and including destruction, unless the property is involved in a project that receives Federal assistance, usually funding or licensing/permitting.” I agree that you have done an outstanding job of renovation and protection of your properties in Downtown Brenham. This was specifically pointed out at the joint meeting of the Main Street Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was also specifically pointed out that every renovation you have done would have been approved had there been a Historic Preservation Ordinance in place. Unfortunately we cannot count on every future owner of downtown buildings to do the same outstanding job. Many properties have changed hands just in the last year. Neither of us can predict what their plans may be. This ordinance is not as restrictive as all the naysayers are making it out to be. And it’s not just demolition that we should fear…it’s also the possibility of the look of our historic buildings being completely changed to where they lose those qualities that we all love about downtown. Tommy, I commend you for at least coming to meetings to discuss your concerns. Most of the dissenters never participated in the process even though they were invited, and that is a shame.
I am one of the new building owners and it would be unwise and just completely dumb to develop or change the characteristics of the building, which is the draw of the target customer of downtown. It is in fact the complete opposite of the purpose of legislation which will keep the historical nature intact. Have you been to New Orleans, Charleston SC or other historical centers that have tiny bathrooms and quaint historical features? It is the over legislation and enforcement of unnecessary modern building codes that will destroy the original character. Mandating ADA bathrooms, ramps handrails etc which have deteriorated the historic nature of the buildings which is the reason people come to downtown. This ordinance should seek to relax irrelevant code which should be applied to new building construction. Over regulation never works, and as you said you can’t trust who are the owners, you cannot trust the people who take over the seat of this board. Natural economics and the natural tendency of people who want to open business and shop in an historic downtown is the governing force.
I have advocated for decades that Brenham adopt a Historic Repository as many cities have across America.
That is, a warehouse wherein ANY discard from a Historic structure during “remodeling” be stored in said repository to be utilized by any other building owner.
This is done to help preserve authenticity of the community.
Also, all changes proposed for a historic structure must be reviewed and approved/disapproved by a board of oversight.
Yet, in the case of The City of Brenham itself, a major Downtown historic building was remodeled and ruined.
I submit that the City is one of the worst offenders to Local Heritage itself.
Brenham needs to get it’s priorities in line with preservation and less so-called PROGRESS.
Old timer is right. And not only that I think we have witnessed Brenham moving along and we hear about changes after the decisions have already been put in motion. The only decision that the people reversed was the low income property on Pecan street. Letting a builder ruin people’s property values. That was a miracle that it was stopped. Look at the old Smitty’s bakery mural on the side of the building. That’s lovely. It’s family owned. Was there a downtown vote of approval for that? It’s an eyesore. The others are nice. Please downtown owners work together in keeping our town a nice place to come. Take a look at Bastrop, used to be like Brenham. Now they want to move to Brenham. Nothing but crime and Taco Cabana. It was a small town that had poor planning an it will happen here to.
In complete agreement with you. But will a city ordinance really protect when our current state legislature can override it when moneyed developers pay for legislation? Because that is what happened to a very old neighborhood in the city. It is time that voters realize their state legislature can be bought by anyone with enough money and influence. Not just on this subject, but many others. Money and power, not people, are the main concern of our legislators. Texas towns and county’s only think we have control over our living circumstances. We do not.