150 and Counting!

The Save the Strip Fondren petition has hit 150 signatures today, and is still rising! If you haven't signed the petition, we invite you to read it and add your signature. If you've already signed, make sure to pass the link along to neighbors and friends.

You can view the list of signatures, along with a number of interesting comments on the Signature tab on the petition site.

As noted on the petition, your e-mail address is used only for verification to help ensure no duplicate signatures. Your e-mail address will NEVER be published online or in any public way.

Some have also inquired about whether they can sign without their name appearing. While we prefer that real names be used, we also understand that personal and business relationships might make this difficult at times. To sign anonymously, simply fill out the signature form and unclick the box labeled "Show my name in the online signature list." Your signature line and comments will appear on the signature list, but your name will be listed as "Anonymous."

Keep the petition going strong--pass it along!

Seabrook or Protective Paint?

One of our favorite blogs here at Save the Strip Fondren, or STSF as the hipsters are calling us now, is Photos from Fondren by native Fondrenite Frank Ezelle. Check out his vintage picture of the Fondren strip in 1960, with the Pix prominently featured in the background along with the Protective Paint Co. next door. Protective Paint Co.began in this location in 1957, taking over space previously occupied by Nickle Stores (1940), Jitney Jungle #7 (1942), and Hardin-Roel Furniture (1947).

This building is still a paint store today, but most of us know it as Seabrook. Seabrook has helped more than a few of us find just the right color combination for our house. I'm also told they helped give the building across the street (the one with the Orange Peel) its Miami Beach vibe--thanks Seabrook!

Save the Strip? From What?

You might be wondering what could possibly threaten our vibrant neighborhood center, the Fondren Strip?

If you haven't heard about the proposal to tear down Fondren's historic neighborhood center, here are a few images that will help you visualize it.

Here is the Fondren strip on a beautiful sunny day before the stores open and the traffic comes out.

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Here is an aerial view of the strip as it exists today, with labels attached.

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And here is the proposal by local developer David Watkins, with the current buildings superimposed in red to help you see how this proposal relates to our Fondren strip. As you can see, all but one building is slated for demolition in Watkins proposal. Additionally, the Pix Theater, the only building Watkins plans to leave, and currently the most prominent building in The Strip is to be reduced to the lowest building in the development.

click to enlarge

Sign the Petition!

We at Save the Strip Fondren have posted a petition on iPetitions to support the 1930s Fondren strip that is at the heart of our neighborhood and to speak in opposition to recently published plans by one local developer to demolish the strip and build a massive and monolithic development, called Whitney Place, similar to the Renaissance mall in Madison County.

Here is the text of the petition:

Statement of Support for the
Preservation of the Fondren Strip

We are citizens, both inside and outside the Fondren community who are aware of the proposed development known as “Whitney Place.”

We recognize that the issues surrounding this development may be sensitive, and of that we take note.

We cannot, however, remain silent on the possibility of demolishing the circa-1938 businesses which have come to be known as the “Fondren Strip.” We believe these particular buildings and the long-standing businesses that occupy them reflect the history and fabric of the community and must be preserved.

Therefore, in the tradition of community unity and action, we join each with the other in stating that:


1. We, under no circumstances, want the Fondren Strip demolished.

2. If development is to occur in that area, we want the current buildings, in their natural state, incorporated into the plans.

3. If development is to occur, we believe the scale of the proposed development is too large for that area. We do not want such a density level there, and feel it would overwhelm our community and ruin the unique and livable village of Fondren.

If you agree that our vibrant Fondren Strip should be saved, head over to the petition and add your voice! Thank you!