The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 9

GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 1998 All Neighborhood Conthiuad from upon first setting eyes upon Old Central. She agreed, however, that the neighborhood's historical importance went well beyond its appearance. It's an important part of the island's history that doesn't get discussed a lot," said the 25- year-old native of Burlington. Vt. Indeed, Old Central was once a picture of peaceful coexistence, where stately Queen Anne and Eastlake-styled houses with intricate, woodwork stood next to two-bedroom shotguns with simple facades; where working- class families raised their children across the street from wealthy European business owners; where the noises of horse carriages and German and Russian voices mixed with the mechanized humming of emerging industries just a few blocks north.

That thriving spirit stood the test of nature, embodied by America's worst natural disaster, the 1900 Storm. That storm, according to Wilcke's research of insurance records, damaged or destroyed a third of the neighborhood's houses. That same spirit, however, did not survive the test of time as industries closed, residents left and blight moved in. Wilcke's survey, a marathonic task now near completion, involved the identification of most remaining buildings in the 85- square-block area bounded roughly by 26th Street, Avenue 35th Street and Mechanic Street. Wilcke would photograph the structures and record their location and architectural characteristics every morning, and she would spend her afternoons at the Rosenberg Library cracking dusty insurance records and Sanborn insurance maps, old city directories and local history books for any connections to the neighborhood's past.

She now is entering the three 4-inch binders' worth of data she gathered into a computer database at GHF. She said hard copies of the finished document would be given to the Old Park Neighborhood Association and Rosenberg Library Bush summed up the goals of the survey: "It's a preservation tool," he said as he walked down Ball Avenue under the unforgiving afternoon sun. "We can't try to preserve a neighborhood until we know what's there It tells you if there's a significant concentration of historic properties." Previous surveys, such as one on the island's East End, also are used by those seeking to invest in real estate, Bush said. "It's a tool for planning neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing," he said. The foundation, Wilcke said, also is concerned about the widespread demolition of old structures, particularly south of Broadway.

The number of demolitions in the area is disturbing, given the number of historic buildings," she said. There are some residents who want demolition to occur, and there are others who would like the keep the history alive, keep it going." Sharon Lewis, president of the neighborhood association, is one of those residents with big plans for the survey. She said her organization would like to set up a walking tour of the area to stimulate interest. "I think if a good community to invest in because there are stable families who have been here for years," she said. "It's a community of tradition." In addition, Lewis, who has lived in the neighborhood nearly all of her life, has a vision: She would like a museum showcasing the history of what, she said, was once a "vibrant, important neighborhood." "Old Central is a very diverse neighborhood, comprised of industrial areas, corner stores and housing for all income levels," Wilcke said.

"But perhaps the most striking area is along Broadway because large houses in pristine condition coexist with gas stations and fast-food restaurants." The Galveston Department of Planning and Transportation's "It's a preservation tool. We can't try to pnwervt a neighborhood until we Know what'9 tt tete you If there's a significant concentration of historic A Sarah Wilcke, an Intern with the Galveston Historical Foundation, logs the types of homes In the Old Park Neighborhood. (Photo by David Doemland) "Old Central and Carver Park Neighborhood Plan" painted a dismal yet current picture of the area in which the contrasts with the rest of the island are, according to some, not uplifting. In 1991, there were 119 vacant structures in the neighborhood and 20 percent of the housing stock was "deteriorated" or "sub-standard." Old Central's north, where the most decay can be seen, was characterized as "primarily vacant industrial, light industrial and railroad rights-of-way," an observation confirmed by Wilcke. In terms of demographics, the 1990 census indicated that the median household income for the neighborhood was nearly $7,000 below the standard for all of the island, and more than 50 percent of the households were 'low-income." The big houses were subdivided and became multifamily dwellings providing low-cost housing, with 31 percent of the units operated by the Galveston Housing Authority.

Lewis is not inclined to sugarcoat the neighborhood's problems despite her positive views of some of its aspects. The unemployment level is so high, income is so low, it helps to make up most of the numbers the city uses to get federal funds," she said. Concerning the neighborhood's structural decay, she said that with the money the city spends in code enforcement, there should not be such widespread dilapidation. There are concrete examples within this neighborhood of extreme neglect hi housing when people are allowed to live in houses where the roof is caving in or they can see the ground from inside," Lewis said. Some say that the neighborhood has been a victim of itself.

For instance, investors have shown interest in renovating the Beissner House, which is less than a block from the Moody mansion on Ball Avenue and has fallen into pitiful disrepair, but they are reluctant to pump money into the project because of its location. The majestic two story-structure was built circa 1890 out of cypress in the Eastlake style, with ornate wood trim to resemble a swiss chalet. The house belonged to Henry Beissner, an affluent German who owned a wholesale grocery store, a lumberyard and various pieces of real state. Also, known as "Noah's Ark" because it became a sanctuary after the storm, the Beissner House was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Several other structures in Old Central fit GHFs profile of historical significance, according to the survey, which looks for architectural value, the accurate representation of certain styles, and historical integrity, which refers to whether a building is associated with a historical character or event.

This is why Lewis thinks the survey's results could bring a ray of hope to those residents who support the neighborhood's revitalization. "It could probably give a perspective on the housing stock and maybe help come up with a strategic plan to improving the neighborhood," said Lewis. Wilcke agrees that merely walking around the area can change one's misconceptions. Wilcke was at first apprehensive about walking around the area. But she said she later discovered residents were quite interested in lifting up the vicinity.

"Before starting the survey, several people warned me not to work alone in that area," she said. "People would occasionally stop me and tell me to be careful. However, I feel that the rumors about this neighborhood are larger than life. Whenever anyone was curious about what I was doing, they would approach me and ask. Several people were quite friendly to me." CLASS MATES These well- matched uniform separates are great wardrobe builders! FOR BOYS FOR GIRLS 16 '20 '25 '14 450 BOYS 8-2O SHORT-SLEEVE OXFORD SHIRT Exclusive classic in white or blue from Class Club.

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