2021 Letters to the Mayor

Dear Honorable Mayor Turner:

I am writing today in support of Landmark Theatres renewing their lease at the historic 1939 River Oaks Theatre. Landmark’s programming is as integral to the culture of our community as the existence of this iconic, much beloved Art Deco Houston landmark itself. It is the last historic theatre in Houston. I feel strongly that the experience of watching a movie in a classic venue is unparalleled. The disappearance of Landmark programming in our community would be an extremely disappointing loss.

Weingarten Realty’s statement to the press indicates that they acknowledge that the pandemic has significantly strained the theatre business, but it is troubling that they don’t appear to be making an effort to work with Landmark as they struggle to bring their business back to an adequate level. Their President Paul Serwitz states that business is down 90%. Due to the pandemic, their ability to attract an audience is not surprising. In time, business will normalize.

Please encourage Weingarten to work with Landmark Theatres. With the theatre business at unprecedented low levels nationally, it is not likely that Weingarten will get a higher paying operator into the theatre. Supporters of the River Oaks chatting online, are extremely worried that losing Landmark Theatres as the tenant, will lead to the rationale that the theatre should be demolished. I understand that despite the theatre’s landmark status, the preservation ordinance in Houston will not protect it against an owner initiated demolition.

The neighborhood will not be the same without the River Oaks where audiences have enjoyed movies on the big screen for over 80 years. Once the last historic neighborhood theatre is gone, Houston is at a loss forever.

Sincerely,

Victor Molinari

Dear Honorable Mayor Turner:

I am writing today in support of Landmark Theatres renewing their lease at the historic 1939 River Oaks Theatre. Landmark’s programming is as integral to the culture of our community as the existence of this iconic, much beloved Art Deco Houston landmark itself. It is the last historic theatre in Houston. I feel strongly that the experience of watching a movie in a classic venue is unparalleled. The disappearance of Landmark programming in our community would be an extremely disappointing loss.

Weingarten Realty’s statement to the press indicates that they acknowledge that the pandemic has significantly strained the theatre business, but it is troubling that they don’t appear to be making an effort to work with Landmark as they struggle to bring their business back to an adequate level. Their President Paul Serwitz states that business is down 90%. Due to the pandemic, their ability to attract an audience is not surprising. In time, business will normalize.

Please encourage Weingarten to work with Landmark Theatres. With the theatre business at unprecedented low levels nationally, it is not likely that Weingarten will get a higher-paying operator into the theatre. Supporters of the River Oaks chatting online, are extremely worried that losing Landmark Theatres as the tenant will lead to the rationale that the theatre should be demolished. I understand that despite the theatre’s landmark status, the preservation ordinance in Houston will not protect it against an owner-initiated demolition.

The neighborhood will not be the same without the River Oaks where audiences have enjoyed movies on the big screen for over 80 years. Once the last historic neighborhood theatre is gone, Houston is at a loss forever.

Sincerely,
Syd Moen

To all of you who care about the quality of life in our beautiful city of Houston:

Besides the architectural and historical significance of our River Oaks Theatre, I want to address its significance as the cinematic heart of Houston.

I have been teaching German Film at the University of Houston since 1982, and in all that time, I've sent hundreds of students to see what is often their first foreign film---their first art film---their first documentary---their first classic film--at the River Oaks Theatre.  When university administrators first doubted I could fill a class for German Film, I told them I knew where my audience was.....and made fliers to put out at the River Oaks.  My classes have filled every semester for almost 40 years. 

Other cities that see themselves as cosmopolitan centers of culture and the arts have multiple venues for seeing repertory films in the way that the River Oaks schedules films.  But not in Houston.  Even the Museum of Fine Arts film program needs, to a great extent, to fill seats---it has a wonderful program, but addresses quite different interests from what the River Oaks is able to do with its scheduling. In addition, there are many film-goers who feel too intimidated to go to films at the Museum....but not at the River Oaks.

If Houston loses this wonderful asset, we fall even lower in our reputation as having a cultured citizenry---even lower than Dallas!!!!!

Please, each of you, do whatever is in your power to save and preserve this jewel in our city.

Warm regards,

Sandy Frieden, Ph.D.

Dept. of Modern & Classical Languages

University of Houston

Good afternoon,

I am writing as a native Houstonian in support of protecting the River Oaks Theatre and any initiatives you would have in helping keep it in business. I have grown up with the River Oaks Theatre my whole life, and would be deeply saddened if it were to be developed into another generic property development that is already prevalent in other parts of the city, including the Montrose area. This is possible despite the theatre having landmark status, as the preservation ordinance in Houston will not protect it against an owner-initiated demolition.


I urge you, in your various capacities, to work with Landmark Theatres to continue to bring arts and culture from independent and small filmmakers to Houston. This theater is one of the only places I am able to see films that represent my story - not to mention the stories of a diverse and energized city such as Houston. 


Houston's many neighborhoods and communities are subject to so many changes as a result of climate-induced natural disasters and weather events that I fear it's losing its architectural identity- some sense of buildings standing the test of time would mean a lot to those of us who helped make the city what it is today. 


Thank you for your consideration,
Elaine Shen 

--
Elaine Shen PhD student
College of Environment and Life Sciences
University of Rhode Island

Hello,

I can imagine as business owners how Weingarten must also see to its own profit/loss.  I am urging you as a citizen of Houston who has taken my 2 daughters to many movies at this theatre that has shaped them into the young women they have become to please work out an equitable solution for both you and the theater.

We will not be able to replace this loss if you cannot.

You are within our community and we consider you a partner to our city.  Please work on our behalf for this.

Thank you very kindly for looking into this.

Sonia C.

Dear Mr. Koski,

The River Oaks Theatre offers so much to Houston and means so much to area residents. Please help protect this wonderful theatre. In my family alone, three generations have enjoyed this incredible theatre. Films from the sing-along version of “The Sound Of Music” to the thought-provoking “Parasite” made lasting impressions on our family. Before the pandemic, we saw films here at least two or three times a month. No better place exists in Houston for watching a film – whether in the beautiful large downstairs theatre or one of the small quirky theatres upstairs. This historic gem should not be lost.

Please encourage Weingarten Realty to work with Landmark Theatres so the River Oaks may remain open. The pandemic dealt it a blow. However, given the chance, it will rebound.

Thank you for your help to keep this one-of-a-kind theatre open in Houston.

Sincerely,

Gage Walton

Attorney at Law