Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate
Realtor & Vice President of Sales of Bryan College Station Real Estate
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Texas A&M University Category
Demolition and Renewal: a History of the Plaza Hotel in College Station
May 19th, 2012 Categories: Community Events, Foreclosures, Living Here, Texas A&M University
Almost every Bryan/College Station resident would admit to driving past the abandoned Plaza Hotel occasionally in their weekly routine, if not daily. The seventeen story concrete shell stands at the intersection of Texas Avenue and University Drive, arguably the two busiest streets in the whole city. And after 6:30am on Thursday, May 24th 2012, this once pivotal structure will be reduced to nothing more than a pile of shattered concrete and useless rubble.
If you’ve driven through the city of College Station in the past few weeks, it’s likely that you’ve noticed the unusual vacancy of the Plaza Hotel. Not that you would be expected to notice a parking lot or diminished business: instead, it is the actual building itself which you would’ve noticed. The windows of various apartments and hotel rooms appear to almost open up to the sky behind the structure. I myself have viewed this spectacle on a few sunset evenings, when the sky behind the Plaza Hotel was painted with the various colors of sunset, the different tones of orange, pink, or Easter purple leaking through the hollowed frame of the seventeen story structure. It’s more than evident then, peering up through the cracks in the concrete frame, to understand how completely abandoned the Plaza Hotel had become. And to hear now that the building will be imploded this upcoming Thursday, you might not be entirely surprised.
But how did this pivotal structure, the hotel that has had such a powerful presence in the history of our growing city, come to such an abrupt end? In such instances as this, it is sometimes important to understand the buildings past in order to appreciate the present circumstances.
What we know today as the Plaza Hotel actually began as a Ramada Inn, the first foundations of which were laid in the late 1950s. Joe Ferreri, the constructor of the Ramada Inn, was approached in the 1950s by Earl Rudder of Texas A&M. Attracted to Ferreri’s success as a drive-inn restaurant owner, Rudder approached Joe with the proposition to construct a badly needed hotel on the Corner of Texas Avenue and University. After appearing hesitant about the project due to his lack of experience in the hotel industry, Rudder encouraged him forward, getting the young businessman to wonder how much different it could be than the food industry.
So Joe began to build. By 1960 the Ramada Inn opened, looking far different than the Plaza Hotel that we know today. The Ramada had been a quaint, two story Inn with an Olympic swimming pool, faculty club, banquet hall, and just over 150 rooms. But this quiet corner served as a focal point for the College Station and Texas A&M community.
The Ramada Inn had immediate success and was consistently pushed to over 90% of its overall capacity. In fact, the hotel had such great business that Ferreri was pressed to expand. In 1980 he began the construction of a new high-rise for his Hotel, and in just one year an additional seventeen story tower was built: making the shell of the structure that you see today.
But despite the initial success of Ferreri’s expanded hotel and the overall consistent business he was receiving from the community at large, only a few years after the construction of the Hotel’s new high-rise, Joe Ferreri was forced to sell the Ramada Inn. In the early 1980s there was a major economic recession, much like the most recent economic events of the late 21st Century. Rising interest rates on the debts incurred from Ferreri’s construction, along with the overall state of the economy and slowing business, forced Ferreri out of his prized construction. The result was a loss of over 32 million dollars in assets and personal funds. Ferreri was left only with his home, a single car, and his family.
Since then what began as the Ramada Inn has switched ownership several times, becoming most recently what it is known as today: the Plaza Hotel. And it would appear that a similar fate befell the success of the Plaza Hotel’s business, the inevitable slip to bankruptcy that caused the hotel to close its doors for the last time in 2010.
Unfortunately, the story does not end there. After the abandonment of the Plaza Hotel, the twelve acre site of prime real-estate has become a hot-spot for crime, vandalism, and drug use. Criminals have been simply unable to avoid the alluring pull of an abandoned, seventeen story shelter full of furniture, walls, and glass. Security has been gradually increasing over the past few months, but authorities have become hard-pressed for the funds to support the coverage of such a broad area when the use of civil authorities is generally looked for elsewhere. So what is the result? Demolition.
The demolition project has been delegated to the local Civil Engineering Company, Mitchell and Morgan. Veronica Morgan is the lead Civil Engineer in charge of the implosion, which is currently set to occur around 6:30am this Thursday, the 24th of May. The event will be free and open to the public. Veronica Morgan herself hopes the implosion “will be an event for the community.” Many are certainly looking forward to the removal of the towering Plaza Hotel, which has been described by as an ‘eyesore’ to the community at large.
While future construction in the Plaza Hotel area is still unclear (there has been speculation about student housing, shopping/eating centers, night clubs, etc.), it is obvious and in popular demand that the archaic, outdated shell of the 1960s Ramada Inn be destroyed and replaced with a more aesthetically appealing structure. While the overall value of the land has decreased 28.7% from 2008 to 2010, it is still located in a prime location with an excellent promise of prosperous business. The city allegedly has had multiple propositions processed over the past several months, and the entire community is excited to find out what the future will hold.
PS – Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-219-3970
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TEXAS A&M Has Been Yarn Bombed!
April 13th, 2012 Categories: Community Events, Living Here, Texas A&M University
“I had to tramp down a dirt road in Bryan, Texas. I remember always hugging and kissing her at the door and then pushing my way in to see what she was cooking for our Sunday lunch. I remember, the musty smell of mothballs hanging in the air mingling with the cherry pie on the kitchen table that I wasn’t allowed to touch until after I had eaten all of my meal. I also remember sitting on her rough brown couch impatiently trying to make it through crochet and knitting lessons. Many times when we would have lessons I would find myself blankly staring out the window at the bird feeder where the cardinals perched.”
Was this you????? Do you wish you had been paying attention during your knitting lessons? This March, on the Texas A&M campus, TAMU students with the help of the Visual Arts Committee, the Brazos Valley Knitters Guild, The Hook and Needle, and Magda Sayeg, dressed the light poles on Military Walk in a printed rainbow knit. These tube socks that were knitted around the poles are part of a nation-wide craze known as Yarn Bombing.
Textile art has gradually made its way onto the contemporary art scene. This new form of art is said to serve as a ground where textile production is neither solely for the female nor the male. Despite gender, race and age, this art speaks beautifully and carries a presence unlike any other art form.
Over the past few years, yarn bombing has become more and more prevalent; beginning with urban areas and moving throughout the rest of the country. It is practiced regularly in a few major cities in areas including Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. And though this form of art is catching on, it is still not very widely known. Other names for the practice include knit bombing, guerilla knitting, yarn storming, and urban knitting.
Trees, sculptures, statues, phone booths, gates, handles, poles and any other object of reasonable size is at risk of being bombed by this craze. There are even cans of spray yarn (similar to spray paint), used to graffiti walls.
Magda Sayeg was a guest lecturer on the Texas A&M campus this year and the founder of Yarn Bombing. Her work has grown to include the knit-covered bus in Mexico City, her first solo exhibit in Rome at La Museo des Esposizione, covering the AC ductwork of Etsy.com’s headquarters located in Brooklyn, and she is finishing an installation at the Williamsburg Bridge working with the NYC Department of Transportation.
She has worked with companies worldwide, including Absolut Vodka, Madewell, Insight 51, Mini Cooper, and Smart Car. She has also participated in art shows at Milan’s Triennale Design Museum, Le M.U.R. in Paris, and the National Gallery of Australia.
She has begun experimenting with new techniques and additions to her artwork, such as using lighting with her knitted material. She has joined forces with the integrated media company 1stAveMachine as a director. This position will push her to new varieties of experimentation and collaboration.
Are you wanting to learn how to knit? Checkout our own LOCAL YARN KNIT SHOP in Bryan College Station! Checkout The Hook and Needle! If they can teach me to knit they can teach YOU!
PS - Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL! 979-219-3970
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The Barracks Townhomes Best Student Housing in Aggieland
April 4th, 2012 Categories: Neighborhoods, Texas A&M University
The Barracks at Rock Prairie Townhomes is located at 3302 General Parkway near the intersection of Rock Prairie road and Wellborn road in College Station. They offer townhomes for sale or for lease. Varying townhomes are available, beginning at 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and ranging to 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms townhomes. The location is very convenient and right off of Wellborn road which allows for direct access to campus. It also offers a unique college-community feeling due to all of the townhomes being located in the same area.
The townhomes are also located near the new HEB Towerpointe shopping center that just opened off of Highway 40. This shopping center is quickly expanding and already offers sandwich shops, sushi shops, fast-food, banks, hair salons and so much more.
Some of the quality parts of the townhomes include the three texture exterior finish which includes stone, brick and hardy and the entire exterior except for the roof is maintained by the homeowners association. The roof has a 30-year warranty. Nine foot ceilings and crown molding can be found throughout the townhomes and add to the open spacious feeling of the homes. Granite countertops, sleek custom kitchen cabinetry and a stone eating bar complete the kitchens. Kitchens also come with full appliances and stainless steel appliances are available. Stained concrete floors in the living, kitchen and bathrooms allow for easy clean-up and carpeted bedrooms invite a cozy atmosphere. Granite vanities are in every bathroom. Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and kitchen hardware is oil rubbed bronze hardware. Digital a/c thermostats are in each home, with two zoned thermostats in the two-story homes. Read the rest of this entry »
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TEXAS AGGIE RING – Nothing is a More Prized Possession
April 2nd, 2012 Categories: Living Here, Texas A&M University
Ring Day, perhaps one of the most memorable days of an Aggies’s life, originated with the class of 1889. Anxious Aggies finally earn the chance to join the world of the ring baring Aggie. The rings worn by all Aggie graduates are exactly the same except for the class year. This acts as a link between all Aggies. Everything on the ring represents the values every ring bearer should hold. The shield represents the desire to protect the reputation of the university. The stripes reflect the state of the original 13 colonies of America. The five stars on the shield show the stages of Aggie development: mind, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise, and integrity of character. An eagle, a powerful national symbol, appears on the ring to express the desire for the Aggie to reach great heights.
The large star seen on the side of the ring symbolizes the Seal of Texas, and the wreath of olive and laurel symbolize achievement and the desire for peace. Oak leaves symbolize the strength to fight for one’s state and country. The joining of the leaves at the bottom demonstrates the need for both achievement and peace to better serve.
The rifle, cannon, and saber on the other side of the ring show Texas Pride. It acts as a reminder of Texans who defended their land. The crossing of the Texas and United States flag represent pride and servitude to both nation and state.
Traditionally, the student will wear the class year facing them to signify the fact that their time at A&M has not yet been completed. Once graduated, the ring is turned to show the year facing the world. Long ago an Aggie Sweetheart Ring was also available.
Though this college ring presents itself to be complex, the overall message of the ring is clear. It embodies self-respect, discipline, loyalty, and honor. The strength in the unity of the rings is the fire that burns the notable A&M network. It is a tradition withstanding the test of time and will forever live in the hearts of Aggies past, present, and future.
PS - Susan Hilton is Bryan College Station, Texas’ real estate specialist in foreclosure sales and real estate agent career building so if you need help – CALL!
Thank you to Nikki Romero for use of the beautiful photo of a precious baby and family rings. Nikki is the owner of Everlasting Photography. Call her when you want a FABULOUS photo taken!
Thank you to Doug Klembara TAMU Class of 2011 for the fabulous Aggie Ring photo. Need a local photographer? Call Doug!
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The Best Townhomes in College Station TX
February 6th, 2012 Categories: Market Trends, News, Texas A&M University
BuyAggieland.com is proud to announce a new partnership with Aggieland Properties www.aggieleasing.com and The Barracks Townhomes www.BarracksTownhomes.com
This partnership has produced the absolute best portfolio of Class A Student rental housing in Aggieland (College Station TX) AND some of the Best Real Estate investment opportunities on the planet!
Aggies, Check out www.aggieleasing.com
Investors, Check out some of these cash flow scenarios: www.barrackstownhomes.com
Call us anytime on our new hotline at 888-567-5757 or Text us at 313-Gig-Em-Ag
Thanks & Gig-Em’
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