The Northside Sun recently ran an update on the situation, noting that the petition continues to grow and also that the proposed development was supposed to begin as early as this fall. Checking in with Jason Watkins, the Sun reports that the project has stalled due to the economy and difficulty in obtaining credit. While we at STSF don't oppose development surrounding the Strip, we are pleased that the rushed timeline reported earlier has been delayed. We hope that this will give us time to get the word out about this proposal and to bring our vision of an intact Fondren Strip as part of any larger development.
We continue to be concerned about the proposed development, especially given developer Jason Watkins' continued insistence on demolition in this article, apparently believing a few Art Deco touches will make it ok:
WATKINS addressed other concerns as well. He said he and his dad have no desire to build something that will take away from the Fondren area. “We have no intention. I love the area and want it to be true,”he said.Join with us in helping Save the Strip--sign the petition, pass the link along to your neighbors, and get the word out that Fondren's heart is important to you!
He said the project will be built in an art deco form to blend in with Fondren Corner and Fondren Place.
Additionally, he plans to work with business owners currently in the strip to ensure that they can remain in the area. He said developers will subsidize rent for businesses that relocate from the strip to Whitney Place.
He pointed to renovations he and his father made at Campbell’s Bakery to prove their willingness to work with business owners.
“Even knowing we’re about to tear down or remodel the strip, we have given the new owner significant reductions in rent, and have put significant dollars into the renovation of the building,”he said.
