River Oaks Movie Theatre Declaration

Houston, Texas

In consideration of the determination by Weingarten Realty, Inc. to demolish the River Oaks Shopping Center, including the venerable River Oaks

Movie Theatre, despite the historical and cultural value that has been acknowledged by legal statue as well as by general public opinion, and

notwithstanding the protestations of that public to preserve the structure as a rare architectural example, in Houston, of a bygone era; and in view

of the fact that Weingarten Realty, Inc. has not only in past practice, but also in current statements, made clear that its motivation is strictly financial,

and will not be dissuaded by any pleas to consider more imaginative or progressive alternatives that would preserve one of the very few historical

structures of our city; and finally, in recognition of our past experience which informs us that, so far, our City of Houston stands alone among the

major cities of the industrialized world in its inability to save a single structure for posterity; we hereby pledge the following:

Understanding that Weingarten Realty will not be moved by anything other than financial considerations, we will direct our attention to its financial

motivation: those that provide the income to Weingarten Realty and make its actions possible. Therefore, we direct ourselves to the potential future

tenants of the renovated River Oaks Center that is planned to take the place of the theatre, and say the following:

Should the River Oaks Movie Theatre come to be demolished,

1) Then for one full year from the day the first commercial or government tenant opens for business on the new development, we shall not

patronize that tenant, nor any other tenant that may open for business on that development; nor will we consider investing or acquiring any

residential property, or taking residence within the new development, for one full year from the first day of availability.

2) For one full year from the day the first commercial or government tenant opens for business on the new development, we will maintain,

and publish, and distribute a list of all those tenants.

In this way, we aim to show Weingarten Realty and our civic leaders, by word and action, that we believe that there is a difference between exercising

your rights, and doing the right thing.  To instruct them that ownership, in the context of any civilized community, is more than just exercising the rights

given to one by the state over a property:  It's about stewardship.  To explain that those privileged to own a piece of the patrimony of our great city have

a moral obligation to consider the consequences of what they do with that patrimony – and how their actions regarding that civic trust will either enrich

or impoverish the lives of their fellow citizens and their future generations.

Back to main River Oaks Movie Theatre page.