Demolition of Westside Historic Landmark
The following news release is from Rose Orosco –Hayward:
Demolition of Westside Historic Landmark;
Links to Jessie Trevino & Juan Ramos
On the corner of Guadalupe and Calaveras sits a very dilapidated building that dates back to the early 1920s. On Monday, June 18th, it was condemned by the City and will be demolished possibly as early as today, June 20th.
In 2004, the building was declared as having historic significance by the San Antonio Historic Department because according to officials “it was a good example of a 20th century gas and service station and also served as a visible reminder of the cultural heritage of the community.”
In 1976, Jessie Treviño painted, Guadalupe Y Calaveras, depicting a moment in the life of this gas station before its decline. When told Tuesday that the old vacant gas station was condemned by the City and could possibly be demolished Wednesday, Mr. Trevino reacted with lamentation and reflected on his painting, stating that “it is one of my strongest and best paintings.” Mr. Trevino drove to the site and took some photos of the old gas station. He plans on reproducing some additional prints of the painting as very few are in circulation.
In 1995, the Inner City Mural Project (now San Anto Cultural Arts) a nonprofit organization, painted a 22 x 9 foot mural on the exterior cinder block wall of the building. It is titled Familia Y Cultura Es Vida. According to the Executive Director of San Anto Cultural Arts, Manuel D. Castillo, “This mural was the second mural we painted and is the best example of direct documentation, through muralism, of barrio culture as it existed at that particular place and time.” The internationally recognized artist, Juan Miguel Ramos, was the lead artist. Both San Anto Cultural Arts and Juan Miguel Ramos have pledged their support to preserve the mural or re-paint it.
The building has been vacant since 2003 when the San Antonio Code Compliance Department first attempted to condemn and demolish it. Since then, the building has further deteriorated. After the building was on the market for over one year and no one bought it, a neighborhood resident decided to attempt to preserve it with the support of the San Antonio Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program, Council Member, Patti Radle, District 5, Historic Division and many others. The City secured a Brownfields Grant and completed environmental assessments which concluded this past Monday that the underground gas tanks must be excavated. Since the feeble structure has further deteriorated and will not survive the required excavation, the structure must be demolished.
Redevelopment plans include creating a facsimile of the old structure to be used as a convenience drive-through and offices. The plan also includes creating businesses tailored to the needs of the community where new memories may be created for residents of the Westside and beyond.
Demolition of Westside Historic Landmark;
Links to Jessie Trevino & Juan Ramos
On the corner of Guadalupe and Calaveras sits a very dilapidated building that dates back to the early 1920s. On Monday, June 18th, it was condemned by the City and will be demolished possibly as early as today, June 20th.
In 2004, the building was declared as having historic significance by the San Antonio Historic Department because according to officials “it was a good example of a 20th century gas and service station and also served as a visible reminder of the cultural heritage of the community.”
In 1976, Jessie Treviño painted, Guadalupe Y Calaveras, depicting a moment in the life of this gas station before its decline. When told Tuesday that the old vacant gas station was condemned by the City and could possibly be demolished Wednesday, Mr. Trevino reacted with lamentation and reflected on his painting, stating that “it is one of my strongest and best paintings.” Mr. Trevino drove to the site and took some photos of the old gas station. He plans on reproducing some additional prints of the painting as very few are in circulation.
In 1995, the Inner City Mural Project (now San Anto Cultural Arts) a nonprofit organization, painted a 22 x 9 foot mural on the exterior cinder block wall of the building. It is titled Familia Y Cultura Es Vida. According to the Executive Director of San Anto Cultural Arts, Manuel D. Castillo, “This mural was the second mural we painted and is the best example of direct documentation, through muralism, of barrio culture as it existed at that particular place and time.” The internationally recognized artist, Juan Miguel Ramos, was the lead artist. Both San Anto Cultural Arts and Juan Miguel Ramos have pledged their support to preserve the mural or re-paint it.
The building has been vacant since 2003 when the San Antonio Code Compliance Department first attempted to condemn and demolish it. Since then, the building has further deteriorated. After the building was on the market for over one year and no one bought it, a neighborhood resident decided to attempt to preserve it with the support of the San Antonio Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program, Council Member, Patti Radle, District 5, Historic Division and many others. The City secured a Brownfields Grant and completed environmental assessments which concluded this past Monday that the underground gas tanks must be excavated. Since the feeble structure has further deteriorated and will not survive the required excavation, the structure must be demolished.
Redevelopment plans include creating a facsimile of the old structure to be used as a convenience drive-through and offices. The plan also includes creating businesses tailored to the needs of the community where new memories may be created for residents of the Westside and beyond.
posted by PAC PR at 3:03 PM
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