Blues for 508 Park Ave.: Owners of the "Robert Johnson Building" File for Demolition Permit
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Unfair Park has learned that Glazer's Distributors -- owners of 508 Park Avenue, the building in which Robert Johnson recorded 13 songs that changed the music world -- has filed with the city a permit that would allow them to tear down one of the most historic structures in the city of Dallas. As mentioned in October, that building is among some three dozen singled out by Mayor Tom Leppert and City Attorney Tom Perkins, who are trying to bring vacant downtown buildings up to code.
But Pat O'Shea of Glazer's suggested in October that the city was hounding the owners, who've been trying to sell for years but could find no takers because of the homeless who surround the property day and night, as evidenced by the Google map above. Sources tell Unfair Park today that Glazer's has spent "close to a million dollars" to bring the building up to code in recent months, but that code enforcement officials kept insisting on "more and more changes," which Glazer's could no longer afford. Finally, the owners of 508 Park Avenue said, Enough.
Preservationists, of course, are panicked over the filing of the permit and trying at this very moment to find some way to save the building, which is part of the Harwood Street Historic District but is not itself a city-designated landmark structure. Sources say Glazer's has not yet filed a Certificate of Demolition with the Landmark Commission.
When reached by Unfair Park this afternoon, Leppert said he did not know a demolition permit had been filed.
Developing. Or, perhaps, just the opposite.
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DCAD values the property at $376K. The owner spends a million bucks to bring the building into compliance..... and it still doesn't meet code? Something's wrong with this picture.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 4:10PMSo there is the Crossroad. ....If this place is torn down, somebody will also be choosin' to go to go on down to Hell.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 4:10PMWhile it's a shame, the owners have been put in a no-win situation by the city. They have actively been trying to sell that building for years, but the "activity' on that street makes it impossible. What that building needs is a BUYER with very deep pockets, and no need to turn a profit, and fast.
Three predictions.
One: After it is demolished, some fat cat with more city hall pull than the Glazer's, will buy the land and "magically" permitting and enforcement will quickly come down on the Stewpot and its patrons like a ton of lead, to make way for a fat profit for somebody.
Two: Someone will be selling the bricks on ebay.
Three: Someone will write a blues song about this.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 4:33PMSomebody get Keith Richards and Eric Clapton on the phone!
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 4:39PMMaybe the "8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent", will speak to the Glazers like they did to the owners of the Stanley Marcus House, and convince them not to tear it down!
Oh wait....never mind
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 4:40PMThe song might go somthing like
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my Starbucks.
Gotta ticket at the crossroads, tried to beg a dime.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my ipod...
Or maybe not
Matt, Clapton recorded a CD and a DVD in that building in June 2004 so he is very aware of it. He could have bought it back then if he was interested.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 4:53PMwho d'ya think's better known the world over, Santiago Calatrava or Robert Johnson?
Bet people the world over would come to visit this building (and maybe notice the pretty bridges).
Hey New York Times, you're right. Downtown Dallas is awesome. I mean, just check out this photo.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 5:23PMIn past posts people have said that the owners had been offered a lot of money but kept walking out of the deal.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 5:55PMThe city squeezes a million bucks from the owners in more and more "code requirements." The owners, unable to pay for all the "improvements" try to sell the building but can't because the area is crawling with homeless people whom the city refuses to control. Result: another Dallas landmark razed because of greed and ineptitude. Yep, Dallas is a world class city all right.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 6:16PMDallas, the "Can't Do" City. I've written the city hall about this building countless times. But the city of Dallas wants nothing to do with history of any kind. While they're at it bulldoze the Pegasus Building, and the Book Depository and put a Starbucks in their place.
Can this city do anything right?
one of the charming things about Charleston, Savannah, Boston...most cities in America...is they have history. It is one of the reasons people visit cities...
In Dallas we tear all our cool old buildings down. bulldoze over history...no wonder Dallas is ugly and has no charm...oh and most people don't come here to visit. disgusting
Another mark on Dallas, as our "brilliant" city council and "powerful" mayor have once again screwed up. This is another one of the reasons we need a truly strong mayor system in this city, so we can put the brakes on BS of this nature.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 7:44AMThe Big Guy wonders if the Dallas Citizens Council, or Preservation Dallas, or the City of Dallas would have protected the building if this was where Hank Williams or Ernest Tubb (or other WHITE artists)recorded seminal works?
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 8:53AMThe Big Guy,
This building is already a City of Dallas Landmark, it is in the Harwood Historic District.
However, there is a mechanism in place to allow demolition in any historic district, so that will be what is required from the Owner, regardless of what the Mayor or City Attorney's office desires.
It will be a hard case to make.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 9:29AMDon O, says: "While it's a shame, the owners have been put in a no-win situation by the city."
Don, The owners put THEMSELVES in a no-win situation when they acquired the building -- and CONTINUE to do so by not simply giving it away. Wouldn't that be 'more profitable' than spending ("Sources":) "close to a million dollars" on a $380K building??
This reminds me of the saga of 'The Tower' in FtWorth: After the 2000 tornado, the owners took the $35M insurance settlement, claimed they couldn't rehab it for that amount, sold it to Ed Bass for $4M. Ed claimed he would knock it down .... then he built the Chase Bldg right next to it - when he got construction up to street level, ho told the FW City Council that he couldn't afford the insurance premium to demolish it, and would leave it in-place until the City Gave Him $12M.
Bill says: "The city squeezes a million bucks from the owners in more and more "code requirements."
Bill, are you claiming that the purported $1M went TO the City? How so? Cash directly to the inspectors???
I guess telling the whole truth has just gone plumb out of style.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 9:39AMHere's another thing to ponder: The city razed a whole block of historic buildings in the Harwood Historic District to make way for the Main Street Garden. If I remember correctly Preservation Dallas and the Landmark Commission was ok with that because they were getting a brand new park with underground parking...or at least that was the story at the time. Maybe the owner's here should promise a park as well.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 9:46AMSorry, but as long as the Stew Pot is where it is, this entire section of downtown is worthless as anything but a homeless shelter.
Not that there's anything wrong with that...but the entire area from the farmers market to city hall could become a thriving neighborhood if people felt safe there.
the city has had ample opportunity to service the homeless in other areas and they chose to keep it right there...
you get what you get....and it is what it is...
Residential has creeped up under Central and is moving toward the farmer's market and points west, but until people feel safe walking the streets that's where it's going to stop.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 10:46AMWhat do we have to do to get rid of this homeless problem in dallas? Only new orleans and Florida are worse.
Can't we arrest them for loitering? They live under the I-30 area in deep ellum/expo. park and now are robbing people for tip jars.
Please do something they are ruining our city.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 10:52AMDallas=No pride in history. Mine as well tear down the Texas Book Depository. This would NOT happen in Austin, Nashville, New York, London, etc...such a shame.
How can we get a hold of Clapton, Richards, McCartney, anyone who can voice out against this atrocity?
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 11:01AMThis just makes me want to hurl.
I am not privy to the facts regarding money spent by the owners, but doubt seriously that they've spent a single dime on the place, going just by the way it looks - millions? - I'm sorry I just don't believe that at all. I have heard they have been approached many times about purchasing the building and they want way more $$ than it is worth - can't vouch for the credibility of that info either....
I had a group of visitors to my business downtown just this last weekend - all from out of state - who came to Dallas very specifically to see the building !! Guess it's a good thing they picked last weekend rather than 6 months from now !
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 11:03AMAnonymous:
It was not a "whole block" of historic buildings. They were 3 marginal buildings, one which was about to collapse. The park will be an asset to all the historic buildings in that area, including the Statler.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 11:21AMJerry says: "The owners put THEMSELVES in a no-win situation when they acquired the building -- and CONTINUE to do so by not simply giving it away."
They have had that building for over 40 years. It is not a recent purchase. In fact they own that entire city block, including the vacant building and lot adjacent, on either side. The problem is the historic building is in the middle of the tract. Now maybe YOU would want to give away a city block of prime property, 2 blocks from city hall, 2 blocks from the farmers market, and 3 blocks from I-30 access, but I'd guess most smart folks wouldn't. Chances are, demolition will improve the property value, not decrease it.
Even if they did give it away, the building is in bad shape, hence the code complaints. It was in terrible shape 11 years ago when I was last inside. The south wall was cracked and the basement was full of water. Anyone acquiring that building, by purchase, gift, whatever, would have a huge expense, right off the bat because the place is a wreck. Plus the real problem will still remain, right outside the door.
This is all about money, have no doubt. The city wants to increase its tax collections and the Glazer's want to make a profit on their property. There's just no way to make a buck off a place where a blues singer spent 2 days in 1937. That's the bottom line.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 11:22AM"There's just no way to make a buck off a place where a blues singer spent 2 days in 1937. That's the bottom line."
And that, my friends is the bottom line.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 11:35AM"There's just no way to make a buck off a place where a blues singer spent 2 days in 1937. That's the bottom line."
Pretty important 2 days in the history of American music. It'd be great if you could put together some sort of museum in that space that is devoted to a history of Texas' role in the development of blues music.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 12:02PMyou mean mayor park cities isn't a collector of vintage delta blues '78s?
it's just dallas being dallas...
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 12:53PMuh, Dallas makes a buck off where a president spent half a day
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 1:50PM"Dallas is a city that admires the man who commissions the sculpture much more that the artist who created it."
- A.C. Greene
Maybe they could open a bank there and ask for a bailout.
-Dave Fox
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 4:07PMTurn the building into a homeless shelter "The Park Avenue".
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 6:54PMCall Billy Gibbons & House of Blues. Could become a club/shrine/museum destination.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 14 2009 @ 12:23PMIf I was retired from the petroleum industry with oil at $36 dollars a barrel, I would open a bank and ask for a bailout. It’s the American way.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 14 2009 @ 1:13PMRobert: What you left us was the Blues foundation of what made many other artists millions. Your life and work influenced the growth and talent of such famous musicians as Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and yes, Elvis.
I am making it my personal goal to make sure these artists which I respect as well know what's about to happen. It's time they did some pay back. And I don't mean writing a song about destruction, and making even more of of you!
This building is an important treasure to be saved!
Following up on The Big Guy's speculation about seminal works by white artists: Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys did record many of their best works at 508 Park beginning in 1935. This is well-documented in the liner notes book of the Bear Family Reords box set issued about 4 years ago.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 4:00PMthis seems like a no brainer for a place that held recording sessions for country legends like Bob Wills and Colossal blues legend Robert Johnson.
Go to my blog for some more info on preservation dallas' efforts and Robert Johnson info!
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 21 2009 @ 6:49PMI think that the building should be kept standing, because it's a historical marker. Robert Johnson recorded some of his best work there, & it'd be a waste of time to tear it down.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 22 2009 @ 6:50PMWow! This is new worthy of noticing. As the grandson of Robert Johnson, i'm saden to know that Dallas wants to distroy a masterful part and place in americian history. Nevertheless, if this does happen, we, the family of Robert Johnson and the foundation named in his honor to preserve his legacy, would be honored to have the materials from the building saved as much as possible and shipped to Mississippi for restoration. We would reconstruct a replica and use it for the world to visit. My grandfather still has a worldwide base of thankful fans seventy years after his death. They would love visiting Mississippi to visit history.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 11:02AMNot only did Robert Johnson recorde there, but it has been stated that one of the most important jazz figures of all time, Charlie Parker made his first recording there.
Posted On: Friday, May. 8 2009 @ 5:10PMThe Glazers are scum. How can they tear down a landmark like that?
Posted On: Saturday, Aug. 8 2009 @ 12:54PMThis is terrible. The City of Dallas should do everything possible to save this building and give back the proud heritage it deserves. How sad that the respect of this history is not preserved. This is not only a very important art piece in our city, but actual American history that is a fiber of not only music but a way of life! I wish I had the pockets to make this right!
Posted On: Thursday, Aug. 13 2009 @ 10:00AM
"408"
Four-oh-eight, oh, four-oh-eight
It's getting late, It's getting late
Your days are shorter, your mem'ries few
Trade my quarter for a better clue
Who remembers when it was true?
Who remembers, only a few, only a few
Four-oh-eight, oh, four-oh-eight
Too late to celebrate, resign yourself to fate
Nothin' left but a brick and mortar hovel
O'Shea is in it thick and wields a shovel
Uncle Tom calls out for his wrecking ball
Hungry and insane sleeps against a wall
Four-oh-eight, oh, four oh eight
Give it to me straight I can't bear the weight
I feel your history, I feel your soul
A bigger mystery than a grassy knoll
Who remembers when it was true
Who remembers, only a few, only the few
© 2009 Kevin Andrew Kunreuther
Posted On: Saturday, Aug. 29 2009 @ 3:02AM It's always about the money!
I found this because I am researching Robert Johnson. Now that his songs are all out of copyright (Its been over 70 years since he died in 1938, the limit of a copyright), I want to record them, and I was wanting to do it in the same places he did.
I guess I will go to Hollywood or Memphis.
Anyone know wher he is buried? I did find the death certificate, its online at "Blue Suit" records.
Anyone have a copy of his songs, written in his own hand? To date, there is no evidence he wrote any songs.
Most of the songs he is credited with are rehashes of songs recorded previously (like "Sweet Home Chicago", a rip off of "Sweet Home Kokomo" recorded in 1914.
Anyone know if any of his guitars are still around? Now that would worth something, to have the original "crossroads" guitar!
He has been photographed with a Gibson J-45 but the old folks in Mississippi say that was not his original axe.
Well, its too late now in all probability.
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 10 2009 @ 3:58PMFast Buck Fat Cat, the songs are not out of copyright. Do a little google research on Steve Lavere and Claud Johnson, and Delta Haze Music and King of Spades Music.
Posted On: Monday, Oct. 5 2009 @ 4:16PM
