Once upon a time Lamar Terrace was a quiet post-World War II suburb. Modest homes lined tree-lined streets. It was a true suburb far from downtown Houston. But time marched on. Houston exploded with growth. The Galleria became a world-class shopping destination. Westheimer Road transformed from a farm-to-market road into a major thoroughfare.
Lamar Terrace however fell behind. By the 1980s urban blight had taken hold. Dilapidated homes abandoned cars and high crime became commonplace. Some even called it the “Galleria Ghetto”. It was a stark contrast to its upscale neighbor. Residents recalled trash tires and old cars littering lawns. Stray animals roamed freely. The area was in decline. Low-income Hispanic renters made up a large portion of the population.
Then Robert Silvers stepped in. This investor saw opportunity where others saw despair. He began buying properties in the late 1980s. He purchased a large number of lots formerly owned by Adnan Khashoggi. Many were vacant. He demolished poorly maintained rental houses. Silvers envisioned transforming Lamar Terrace into a thriving community. He held meetings with property owners. He sought assistance from the city.
His vision required innovative solutions. The city responded by creating the Lamar Terrace Public Improvement District. A Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone was also established. Both were unprecedented in Houston. The TIRZ aimed to revitalize the area by reinvesting increased tax revenue generated from rising property values. The PID facilitated the infrastructure upgrades. Street repairs new sewer and water systems and upgraded lighting were some of the improvements. The area was poised for a dramatic transformation.
New homes began to appear. Homebuilders were attracted by the investment and redevelopment. Silvers founded Ironwood Homes. The character of Lamar Terrace changed dramatically. Neglect gave way to prosperity. Front-yard mechanics disappeared replaced by modern homes. The once troubled area saw the construction of St. George Place Elementary School. The school further enhanced the neighborhood’s appeal. Families of various nationalities replaced many of the previous residents.
The transformation wasn’t without its challenges. Development was slow. The city faced difficulties in acquiring properties from uncooperative investors. Even Silvers expressed some frustration at the pace of progress. Despite these setbacks Lamar Terrace experienced an impressive resurgence. It went from a neglected area to a desirable upscale neighborhood. Home and land values skyrocketed. St. George Place emerged as a testament to the power of vision investment and community collaboration. Today Lamar Terrace stands as a symbol of urban renewal. Its story is a captivating tale of transformation and rebirth.