the langham building recycled architecture 422 december …
TRANSCRIPT
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
RECYCLED
Architecture 422
December 9, 1975
Carole L. Dickson
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Client
Use
Photographs
Location
Utilities
Existing Drawings
Climatological Data
C 0 rre s pond enc e
Bibliography
Footnotes
Appendix
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Langham building was originally two buildings,
oldest buildlxig existed on the corner lot.
The
MOKTH
According to Mr. Blewett Shanalt^ this building existed
when his family came to Beaumont in l89d. He also said that
the building was brick and that the Grims and Hearst Drug
store was located there. This statement is the only evidence
that has been found concerning the appearance of the building
The records of deeds on the properties that this build
ing is on go back to 1898, Dr. W. J. Blewett bought the two
lots, that the buildings are on and one behind it, from a
widow, Mrs. Ada Miller and her son, Louis 8. Miller, for the
sum of 3,300.00 dollars. It is only astuaption that Dr.
Blewett built the second part of the building sometime during
his ownership. In an interview with W. B. West^, he stated
that Blewett built the second building In 1908, however, this
INTRODUCTION
subataniated.
In December of 1923, Dr. Blewett sold the building to
J. B. Langham and Guy W. Junker for the sum of 97ff500,00
dollars. In August of 1926, Junker 8«ld his portion of the
building to Langham for the sum of 10.00 dollars and "other
considerations"^. Langham and Junker were partners in the
realtor business.
The location of the building is 890 Pearl, the comer
of College and Pearl streets. This part of town was
Beaumont's center. The street car came down College and
turned on Pearl street. Across the street, where the new
library and police station are now located, were two board
ing houses.
The corner of the building where the two streets meet
was occupied by the Grims and Hearst Drug store, a favorite
meeting place in Beaumont. Next door to the drug store was
the Beaumont Grocery store, next to it was Harrod's Furniture
store, last was the Langham's offioea.
The second floor was always office space and at one time
it had the offices of six doctors and five lawyers.
Description; The building is two story and five bays
wide. The first building is located at the comer of Pearl
and College and is three bays while the second building is
two bays wide.
The windows facing Pearl street are round arches. The
windows facing College street are segmented arches.
INTRODUCTION
The second floor is stucco. From Mr. Shanalt's descrip
tion the older, of first building was brick. One side of
the second building is also brick. The stucco is probably
the result of exterior z*emodeling that took place when the
two buildings were Joined.
The first floor has been remodeled but at this time is
in poor repair.
There is no description that could be found except
for Mr. Shanalt's, as to what the building looked like. It
would be impossible with this lack of information to do a
restoration, however, the proportions of the building and
its advantageous location Justify its remodeling and re-use.
Brief History of Beaumont; The area now known as
Beaumont was first settled in 1824 by Noah and Nancy Tevis.
This settlement came to be known ss Tevis Bluff.
Jefferson coiinty was created in 1836, one month before
Texas won independence from Mexico and was officially
organized on May 31, 1837, when the county court held its
first meeting in Beaumont. In 1852 the plans for the first
Jefferson County courthouse were outlined.
Until the Spindletop oil field came in, Beaumont was a
small but growing community, having eight lumber mills and
serving as a center for rice production. These two items
were the major export items. There was also talk of a deep-
water port. The_railroads came to the town in 1881-1882.
INTRODUCTION
On January 10, 1901 the Lucas gusher blew in. The
Population in Beaumont swelled from 9,000 to 70,000 in a
very short time. By 1902 the population had leveled off to
15,000 people.
The city prospered as a result of the oil. New industry
was being brought to the city as well as the creation of oil
companies and the establishment of refineries. In 1911 the
city was able to begin work on the deep water port.
By 1924 the old Spindletop field had Just about played
out. In 1925 the old field brought in a new gusher. It was
during this time that most of the substantial building took
place•
PopulatloT. Chart for Beaumont and defrerson County
Year
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1930
I960
1970
Beaumont
9,427
20,640
40,422
37,732
39,061
94,014
119,175
115,919
% Increase
118.9
95.8
42.8
2.23
59.2
21.1
-2.7
Jefferson Co.
1A,329
38,182
73,120
133,391
145,329
195,083
245,659
244,773
% Increase
—
168,2
88.2
82.4
8.9
34.2
20.6
-0.4
TH£ LANGHAM BUILDING
CLIENT
6 CLIENT
Mr. J. B. LflLngham purchased the combined buildiiigs from
Dr. W. J. Blewett in 1923* At this time he had two sons,
Dxmiett £• Langham (now deceased) and 0. I. Langham. On
Mr. J. B. Langham's 73th birthday, his second wife gave
birth to twin sons, James and Thomas. These four men became
trustees of their father's estate. The three sons still liv
ing are the trustees of the estate today. These men make all
the decisions concerning all the holdings, including the
building and 890 Pearl street.
THE UNGHAM BUILDING
USE
USK
The downstairs of the Langham building has contained
a drug store, a grocery store, two furniture stores, a barber
shop, a newstand, a cafe, and some offices. The upstairs
has contained the offices of doctorr, lawyers, a loan company,
a cotton broker, the Emmett E, Langham real estate office, and
a small cattleman's magazine.
Today the downstairs is the only part of the building
occupied. It contains the offices of five lawyers, the two
Langham Estates, and a small laboatory owned by the Rodgers
Bros. Investments. Not all the first floor is occupied.
In Beaumont office buildings there Is still space avail
able for renting, however this is not an indication that the
office space of the Langham building could not be filled.
With the close proximity of the building to the municipal and
county courts ( a walking distance of only a few blocks) the
office space is ideal for lawyers.
OFFICE RENTAL
OFFICE BUILDINGS
Petroleum
Goodhue
RENTALS/YIV'SQ. FT.
•A.50 - $4.75
«3.65
MAINTENANCE
-
•3.00/sq.ft.
SQ. FT.
50,066
San Jacinto $4.80 #3.66/sq.ft. 74,500
THE UNGHAM BUILDING
PHOTOGRAPHS
8 PHOTOGRAPHS
View from Pearl Street
- '.\ > -
^^
f.^:^^
!^^m^ >
PHOTOGRAPHS
View fiTom Col lege S t r e e t s i de
/I
I
/ ^
/ /
\4^
10 PHOTOGRAPHS
View of the Langham building from the alley
11 PHOTOGRAPHS
Corner shot of building at College and Pearl Streets
12 PHOTOGRAPHS
Frontal view
13 PHOTOGRAPHS
Looking down the sidewalk along college street
14 PHOTOGRAPHS
I H ] ^^^H
^r^^K^k^m M^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Stair leading up to the second floor
Looking down the hall - second floor
13 PHOTOGRAPHS
Looking into the office space
16 PHOTOGRAPHS
Looking down toward the end of corridor -second floor
17 PHOTOGRAPHS
18 PHOTOGRAPHS
Window Molding
19 PHOTOGRAPHS
Looking down Pearl past the Langham Building
20 irHOTOGRAPHS
Langham building in the far lefthand side of photograph - looking down Pearl street at the King Edward Hotel
TH£ LANGHAM BUILDING
LOCATION
ji^i®'%^jL
/AAP Or THE
ORIGINAL TOV/NSITE B t A U M U N I , I fXA?
LOCATION
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
UTILITIES
UTILITIES
Water, Sewage, and Electricity
Hater: 8** water line on west side of Pearl street serves the Langhaa building
Sewage: There is a 15" sewage line located on the east side of Pearl street directly across from the Langham building
Electrical: Electrical service to the building comes from a transformer on a pole on the College street side attached to the balldlng as shown in sketches.
DD n D D [ . n V
coLL£<3JE. erne^T
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
EXISTING DRAWINGS
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THE LANGHAM BUILDING
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
CLIJJITCLOGICAL DATA
1975 TEMPERATURES
NO. OF DAYS Max Mln
90 or 32 or 32 or 0 or MONTH AVE. HIGH DATE LOW DATE above below below below
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
56.2
55.2
60.9
66.9
75.9
79.9
78
77
85
84
90
93
31
28
7
29
27
21
21
25
32
36
59
57
13
7
14
3
17
1
0
0
0
0
1
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
5
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
1975 PRECIPITATION
DEPARTURE GREATEST NO. OF DAYS MONTH TOTAL FROM NORM. DAY DATE .10 or .§0 or 1.0 or
more more more
Jan. 3. 6 +1.40 1.59 10
Feb.
March
April
May
June
1.6
1.75
3.77
5.30
4.97
- 2.64
- 1.30
- .42
+ .36
+ .16
.65
.80
1.06
2.75
1.38
4
4
30
28
24
4
4
7
7
5
1
2
3
2
4
0
0
1
2
3
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
1974 TEMPERATURES
NO. OF DAYS Max Mln
90 or 32 or 32 or 0 or MONTH AVE. HIGH DATE LOW DATE above below below below
Jan. 36.4 77 I8 32
Aug. 81.1 95 20 68 5 25
Sept. 74.9 92 2 50 30 4
Oct. 68.7 85 19 40 16 0
Nov. 59.0 83 1 29 30 0
Dec. 53.0 78 31 26 1 0
Feb.
March
April
May
Jime
July
58.4
66.2
68.6
76.5
78.9
81.7
78
87
86
91
95
96
20
29
3
26
23
21
21
38
43
57
57
69
25
24
6
7
27
31
0
0
0
2
14
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
1974 PRECIPITATION
DEPARTURE GREATEST NO. OF DAYS MONTH TOTAL FROM NORM. DAY DATE .16 or .50 or 1.0 or
more more more
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
8.81
.54
4.88
5 .33
7.61
-1- 4.75
+ 1.83
+ 1.14
+ 2.67
3 .97 .
.28
2 .0
2.11
2.30
19
7
15
22
31
10
2
4
4
7
4
0
3
4
6
3
0
3
2
3
June 1.43 - 3.38 .66 1 2
July 3 .75 - 2 .14 1.52 15 6
Aug. 4.39 - 1.30 1.23 25 10
S .p t . 2 .83 - 2.51 1.04 14 6
Oct. 3 .69 - .02 3.28 28 2
Nov. 5 .84 + 1.58 1.81 17 9
Dec. 4 .53 - .36 1.17 1* 9
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
1973 TEMPERATURES
NO. OF DAYS Max Min
90 or 32 or 32 or 0 or MONTH AVE. HIGH DATE LOW DATE above below below below
Jan. 47.5 78 18 20 12 0 2 9 0
Feb. 51.0 75 13 22 10 0 0
March 63.5 8l 21 4l 17 0 0
April 63.7 87 23 37 10 0
May 72.6 93 27 51 16
June 79.4 92 28 63 7
July 81.7 94 24 70 24 0
Aug. 79.6 94 21 65 23 12' 0 0
Sept. 78.9 92 9 65 20
Oct. 72.1 89 10 48 29
Nov. 66.5 86 4 36 29
Dec. 52.4 78 29 20 21
0
0
0
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA
1973 PRECIPITATION
DEPARTURE GREATEST NO. OF DAYS MONTH TOTAL FROM NORM. DAY DATE "'.id or .50 or 1.6" or
more more more
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
4 .76*
3 .00*
7 .24
15.30
5.'^7
5.50
8 .72
+ .53
- 1.45
• 3 .80
+11.35
+ .53
+ 1.51
+ 2 .72
1.04
1.06
3.98
10.09
1.97
1.42
3.29
25
13
23
17
2
11
5
12
4
7
7
6
9
10
2
3
4
5
3
5
4
1
1
2
3
2
2
3
Aug. 7.16 + 1.67 3.37
Sept. 11.44 + 6.56 4.24 4 13
Oct. 5.11 + 2.23 1.02 12
Nov. 2.01 - 1.45 1.44
Dec. 2.90 - 2.19 1.29
• These months alao contained anow in the count of precipitation January with 3 inches Febuary with .4 inches.
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
CORRESPONDENCE
Carole Dlckron Box 9 Horn Texas Tecb Unlverelty Lubbocic, Texas 79^'06
October 23, 1975
Beaumont Chamber of Commerse Sa*. J%clnto Building Beauii^wiit, Texas 77701
Dear S i r :
I ajn a riftb year architecture etudcnt at Texas Tech
University working on a program as part of the requirements
for graduation.
The information I need has to do with business trends
in Beaumont in the past several years, office rental space,
and types of space availible for those bueinesEes.
I appreciate any help you can give me concernlnr this
information.
Sincerely,
Carole Dickson
Carole Dickson Box 9 Horn Texas T§cn University Lubbock, Texas 79406
OctoDer 24, 1975
Mrs. Bernice Goza The Goodhue Building Management Office Goodhue Building
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Dear Mrs. Goza:
J. am a student of architecture at Texas Tech University
worlcing on a program as part of my degree requirements.
As the manager of a large office building I hope that
you will help me with some of my research and answer the
rolxowing questions,
orial
services and for repairs? ^ ^ ^'.>~-^ J ^ ^^^1^^¥UM^
How many square feet of rental space is there in the f
Goodnue building? ^ Oj a $^
Thank you very much for any help you can give concerning
these questions.
Sincerely,
Carole Dickson
How much does office space cost per year? 3£> ^ fiyf /f/*^''' ^'^ -
HOW much is the up keep on the building for Janitoria'l ^^
Carole Dickson Box 9 Hcrr. Texas Tcoh University Lubbock, Texas 79406
October 24, 1975
AT. Joe ohamburger The 6Bii Jacinto Building Management Office P. 0. Box 1310
Beaumont, Texas 77703
Dear Kr. Shamburger:
I a4& a atucent of architecture &t lexas Ttch Lnivereity
working on a program ae part cf my ie£ree requirements.
AS the manager of a large office buildir:^ I hope that
you will help mC witn some of my research and ai^swer the
following questions.
How much dOBB office space cost per year?
How much is the up keep on the bullain^j for janitorial
•ervices and for repairat
how many square feet of rental space is tnere In the
San Jacinto building? Thank you very much for any help you can give concerning
tbeee questions.
Sincerely,
Carole Dickson
I
llogers Bros. Investments
IBTH FLOOR SAN JACINTO BUILDING - P. O. BOX 1310 - BEAUMONT, TEXAS 7 7 7 0 * TELEPHONE; AC 713 - 8 3 9 - 6 6 6 1
October 27 , 1975
M s . Carole Dickson Box 9 Horn Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas 79406
Dear Ms , Dickson:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the office space in the San Jacinto Building. We are pleased to give you the information you requested for your research.
(1) How much does office space cost per year? $4.80 per sq . ft. per year.
(2) How much is the up keep on the building for janitorial services and for repairs ?
$3.66 per sq . ft. per year.
(3) How many square feet of rental space is there in the San Jacinto Building?
74,500 sq . ft.
Good luck on your program.
Sincerely,
]oe/p . Shamburger
JDS:ls
November 10, 1975
Dear Carole:
I have spent some of the morning working on your project and this is the information I have for you.
1. Utilities on the site: water sewage and electricity.
Sewer: there is a 15" sewer line located on the east side of pearl street directly across from the Langham Building.
Water: 8" water line on west side of Pearl St. serves the Langham Building.
Electrical: Electrical service to the building comes from a transformer on pole on College Street Side, attached to the building as shown on the sketch enclosed.
2. Under separate cover I am mailing you a city zoning map showing , the area your building is in.
3. Beaumont is under the Southern Standard Building Code - this COHP is adapted each year by the city.
4. Maps showing water and sewage lines cannot be feasibly reproduced for you.
Mr, Forest Nelson, City Building Inspector gave me the above information except for the electrical. He said he would be glad to interview you and/or answer any questions if you would write to him. Dad is going to tell me what else to tell you about the GSU service line - which I will do before mail^ing this to you.
I hope that this is the information that you need.
/ <
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w»JL/?*^ t o t ^
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Carole Dickson Horn dox 7 Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas 79^06 September 14, I975
Mr. Hussell V, Keune, AIA Department of Field iervlces l>iatlonal Trust for Historic Preservation 740-748 Jackaon Place, K..W.
Washington, D.G. 20006
Dear Mr. Keune,
I am a 5;tti year student at Texas Tech, working on
my program for thesis,
I am programing an old office building In the down
town area of my horcetown. I would like to retain the character
of the building and at the same time make It usable for
todays needs.
I would like to know If taere are any recent surveys
or projects that ere using the adaptive use method of pre
servation, or any publications on adaptive use.
If you Can help me at all I would really appreciate
It.
Thank-you,
Carole Dickson
Guarding < ^ ^ 5 t ^"^''^^'^ Hmtagt
National Trust for Historic Preservation 740-748 JACKSON PLACE, N. W. WASHINGTON. D. C. 20006 (202) 638-5200
November 20, 1975
Ms. Carole Dickson Horn Box 9 Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas 79406
Dear Ms. Dickson:
Unfortunately, the available resources on the subject of adaptive use are quite scattered and, by and large, are limited to articles in architectural magazines and preservation publications. Enclosed is a copy of the March issue of the National Trust's monthly newspaper, Preservation News, which contains a brief article about one San Francisco developer's adaptive use projects, and a copy of an April 1973 supplement on adaptive use. It's a little dated, but still useful. From time to time, articles on adaptive use appear in Preservation News: it's worth watching for new ideas.
Also enclosed is a xerox copy of an article that appeared in the August 10, 1974, issue of Business Week. The June 1971 Nation's Business also treated the subject of recycling old buildings, and the January 12, 1975 New York Times Magazine covered the Chickering Piano Factory conversion, as you are probably already aware. The AIA Journal carried articles on adaptive use in both the August 1974 and January 1975 issues; the December 1971 Architectural Record contained an article on the subject, and the entire December 1974 issue was devoted to adaptive use, as is the March/April 1974 issue of Architecture Plus. Also, many of Progressive Architecture's 21st Annual Awards went to preservation projects, as the January 1974 issue describes. All the architectural journals cover adaptive use projects frequently, ex-pecially as the trend grows. A recent article, "Buildings Can be Recycled Too," appeared in the May 1975 issue of Fortune.
Educational Facilities Laboratories, Inc., of New York City is preparing a handbook on adaptive use which will help to fill the present need for a comprehensive overview of various projects throughout the country. Preparation of this workbook is an outgrowth of the Reusing Railroad Stations conference, mentioned in the fact sheet on railroad stations we have enclosed for your possible interest, and is being assisted by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The fact sheet also mentions a publication of the National Register of Historic Places, Historic Railroad Stations: A Selected Inventory, which documents selected stations and indexes them by their current use, continued or adaptive.
Ms. Carole Dickson -2- November 20, 1975
Of course, there are many examples of the successful conversion of virtually every building type for some purpose or another; to list all the adaptive use projects that have come to our attention would be difficult. If the references and enclosed information we have provided are insufficient, please let us know and we'll try to be of further assistance
Sincerely
Spj0U.^Mk0^ April M. Hockett Assistant for Information Services Office of Preservation Services
Enclosures--
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
aaiook, orln K. Thy Rftatoratlon Kjinu*!. ]iiorvalk, Connecticut: SllTemln* Publishers Incorporated, 1971.
Costonls, v ohn C. Space Adrift. Chicago: UnlYerslty of Illlnole Press, 1967.
Deed Records * Jefferson County* Volume 17, Par-e 378. 1898,
Deed Reccr^e - Jefferson County, Volume 263, Page 403. 1925.
Deed Records -> Jefferson County. Volume 272, Page 613. 1926.
£ast, Lorecla. History and Pro^reas of Jefferson County. Dallas, Itxas: Royal Publishing Comp.iny, 1961 •
Eatep, William R. And God Gave the Increase 1672-1972 The Centennial HTslory of the nr3t_ Baptist Church of
feauaont, Texas. Fort Xorth, Texas: Evans Press, wf.—
Federal Writers' Project. Beaumont; A Guide to the City and Its Snvirons, Houston, Texas: Aneon Jones Press, 1939.
O'Connell, Merrllyn R., '^HlEtorlc rreserratlon: A Basic Reference Shelf." Antiques, Vol. 96 (July, I969).
Stratton, Florence. The Story of Beaumont. Publisher Unknown, 1925.
Wagner, Jr., W. F., "Building Types Study: Conservation in the Context of Chang". Architectural Record. Vol 15Q (December, 197A), 85-136.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Climatological Data - Texas. 1973. Ashevllle, North Carolina: iiivl-ronmental Fata Service, (Dept. of Commerce), 1973.
National Oceanic ani Atmospheric Administration. Climatological Data • Texas. 1974. Ashevllle, North Carolina:Environmental bata service (Dept. of Commerce), 1974.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Climatological niita - Texas. 1975« Ashecille, North Carolina: £nvl-rouenial Data Service, (Dept. of Commerce), 1975.
U. S. Department of Commerce Publication. Characteristice of the Population. Texas • 1970 Census of gPfj- ^ o fl .. tfaahlngton, b. d.: (Soveroiiient Printing 6!fice, 1$70.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wilbur Smith and Associates, Inc. Beaumont, Texas * Central Business District Development Plan. Technical Report^ Me« 3. December, 1973.
Forest Nelson, Beaumont, Texas. Beaumont Building Inspector.
Gulf States Utilities. Electrical Information.
INTERVIEWS
0. I. Langham, Trustee and eon for the J. B. Langham Estate.
Blewett Shanalt, Interviewed by Mrs. Ettel S. Dickson, He was the nephew of J. B. Langham.
W. B. West. Lawyer and friend of J. B. Langham, he is also related to Langham by marriage. Still maintains an office in the Langham Building.
THE LANGHAM BUILDIMG
FOOTNOTES
FOOTNOTES
1 Blewett Shanalt, the nephew of J. B. Langham, interview' ed in October, 1975.
^W. B. Vest, nephew of J. B. Langham, friend, and lawyer. Interviewed October 17, 1975.
^Deed Recents - Jefferson County. Beaumont, Texas. Volume"565, Fage 465, 1525.
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
APPENDIX
tf Economic Newsletter-^
wv
SEPTEMBER 1975
iii:u>iOM
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS PANEL 3«aumont ChjmtMf of Comm*fc«
Chairman to. Bob K<n«l. > ,
Ktrttvl Fo«d. Inc
Bo6 CHrtvt Pot lmMti FMtof.l Bw>ldin«
JHH Martin D M . C I O ' ^o«t ol B*.umont
•ob i.cfcw>n Gull & « i » i LhiiittM
jMft Mattim T.ftat Emptoymant CofnmiM«>n
S'll Cook iM>i.d G M . I K
:>«n K.llm«rk A m w i c « i National Bandi
Jim Con«p.v Fwtl StcuTity National Bank
LaMar Bv*on Soufhavn Pacific Railroad
0«cli Owortf IMartagar Jaffariort County Airport
Ed Maavar County Af int
John Sar | l Aiaociaiad Gar^arat Corttraetor,
Garta Cornwall Entarpriaa ft iournal
Charlat HainAini
Ra«t Barqutvt Southw««lafn Ball T.laphorta Co.
The second quarter presented a mixed bag of economic news. New housing starts, bank deposits, personal income and retail sales all increased. But we caught up wi th and passed the rest of the nation in the rate oi unemployment. Rather then being the harbinger of things to come, though, the increase in unemployment seems likely to be short-l ived.
The dollar value of building permits increased substantially in the 2nd Quarter. The quarterly change amounted to 30% wi th the value of permits increasing from S8.9 mil l ion to $11.5 mi l l ion. Compared wi th the same period last year, the present quarter's permits were slightly off last year's level by $32.7 thousand.
New housing starts also were up during Apr i l , May and June signifying a high level of confidence in the strength of the local economy. In the three month period, a total ot 126 new single family residences were started. This represents a 36 unit increase from the 90 new homes started in the 1st Quarter and a 22 unit increase from 104 started in the 2nd Quarter of 1Q74.
Deposits increased by 4.9 percent and loans by 6.6 percent at Beaumont commercial banks between June 30, 1974 and June 30, 1975. Comparing the 1st and 2nd quarters of 1975, loans were up by 2.6 percent to $267.2 mil l ion while deposits fell slightly by 1.4 percent to $445.5 mi l l ion. The reduction in deposits, however, was of a seasonal nature, caused by income tax payments, beginning of the harvesting season in agriculture and expenditures by local governments of funds authorized in budgets which were finalized in the 1st Quarter.
Disposable personal income inched upward in the 2nd Quarter despite the strike by industrial and commercial crafts that has halted most big construction projects since Apr i l 1. The gain, a modest 1.0 percent, was trom $1,342.9 mil l ion to $1,355 mi l l ion. Apparently, many of the striking workers have been
able to commute or establish temporary residences in areas with an abundance of construction activity, thus continuing to work and maintain their income.
Estimated total sales by Beaumont retailers also increased over the 1st Quarter. In dollar terms, the gain was from $64.9 to $67.3 million. Translated into percentages, the $2.4 million dollar change amounted to 3.7 percent.
The Beaumont economy opened the 2nd Quarter of 1975 with an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent — one-tenth of a percent point greater than the national average of 9.3 percent. A slight rebound was experienced in May when the rate dropped to 9.0 percent. This improvement, however, was only short-lived. In June, the rate jumped to 10.3 percent of the labor force and compared unfavorably with the seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate of 8.6 percent. Certainly, part of the increased unemployment resulted from the continued slack demand for rubber products and other petro-chemicals at the national level. But much of the increase can be laid to the effects of the strikes by industrial and commercial construction crafts unions. These strikes prevailed the entire second quarter having a strong effect on many other areas of the economy.
Traffic at the Port of Beaumont held up well in the 2nd Quarter. However, it is estimated that 150 thousand tons of cargo business was lost in the past six months because the new docking facility. Harbor Island, has not been completed. Work on Harbor Island in expected to be complete in the first quarter of next year. Approximately six months of work remain before the docking facility will be available to handle cargo.
One new development: If Russia's purchase of grain from the United States goes through, export cargo at the Port is expected to increase significantly later this year.
Developments in agriculture during the 2nd Quarter and projections through the 3rd Quarter are mixed. Costs of production continue to escalate without a consonant change in prices received by farmers. Especially hard pressed has been the local cattle market. The type of calves produced on area ranches — light weight in the range of 250 to 400 pounds — are not highly desired by feed lots. As a result, prices for calves graded good ranged between $21.00 and $26.00.
Compared with other agricultural interests, rice farmers are in a relatively advantageous position. With about 72,000 acres to be harvested, early production surveys indicate an above average crop yield with a probable total harvest of 1,802,000 barrels. Although firm prices have not been established for the bulk of this year's crop, early contracts have been made for between $16 and $17 per barrel. It is believed that Russia's entry into the grain market will boost
prices higher as market time approaches.
Bad weather in the spring and early summer seriously damaged the 1975 soybean crop. Of the 7,000 acres under cultivation, only 3,700 acres are expected to be harvested. Estmiates project the yeild per jcre at about twenty-two bushels. Soybean farmers also face the prospect of selling their output at about S4.50per bushel, a decline in price of about forty percent from last year.
Following restoration of service to the Beaumont area by Texas International, air passenger traffic began to make a comeback during the 2nd Quarter of 1975. The mcrease in the number of enplaned passengers between the 1st and 2nd Quarters was trom 12,897 to 15,263, a change of 18.3 percent. On a percentage basis, deplaned passenger traffic made an even larger advance of 27.6 percent m gomg trom 11,418 persons in the 1st Quarter to 14,573 in the 2nd Quarter . Despite these quarterly gains, total traffic for the 2nd Quarter of 1975 as compared to the same period in 1974 fell by 4,709 enplaned and 4,933 deplaned passengers. However, as soon as the main runway resurfacing is completed and jet service is restored, air passenger traffic is expected to return to normal levels.
Utility companies in Beaumont reported gains in their operations during the 2nd Quarter . The telephone company increased their total telephones in service by 789 units to 84,892. 367 of these were main telephones bringing the total number ot main telephones to 47,429. Significantly, business main phones mcreased by 94 units after a decline of 30 units in the 1st Quarter.
Modest increases in commercial and residential customers were experienced by Gulf States Utilities. For the year ending June, 1975, 39,661 residential and 4.793 commercial customers were receiving electrical service. This compares to 39,335 residential and 4,734 commercial customers of one year before. Average KWH of electricity used followed a somewhat different pattern. Residential customers decreased their average KV\'H consumption by 4.5 percent, from ll ,2^t) KWH to 10,759 KWH. Commercial customers, on the other hand, slightly increased their average usage from 79,994 KWH to 80,049 KWH, or 0.1 percent.
Natural gas usage in the 2nd quarter of 1975 increased to 427,539 million cubic feet over 395,711 million cubic feet in the same period for 1974, a change of about eight percent.
Mail volume and revenue both declined in the past quarter as compared with one year ago. The decline in mail volume was o.2 percent -~ a reduction of more than 2.5 million pieces of mail. Revenues were down by almost the same percentage, 5.2 percent. On a dollar basis, this amounted to a decrease of St>7,474.
BEAUMONT'S FIRST SIX M O N T H S SUCCESSFUL IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Expansion, relocation and establishment of new operations by nine tirms created 360 new basic jobs in Beaumont during the first six months ot 1975. These new jobs undoubtedly will result in other new jobs in retailing, construction and services. The total result when all of the "trickle down' is taken into account will be substantially greater than 360. According to a studv o\ the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, these 360 new jobs will create $3,13*^,000 more personal income per year, $1,422,000 more in retail sales each year, $1,732,000 more bank deposits and cause our population to expand by 248 new families over the next few years.
The nine firms making announcements in the 1 st <md 2nd quarters are:
Keown Supply Company Alpine - Gulf Velsicol Chemical Corp. Ohmstede Machine Works Westernaire Johnson Motor Lines Chase Metals Service Rucker - Shaffer I ool Service Company
A tenth firm, Helena Laboratories, received a citation trom Governor Briscoe commending them for their contribution to Texas' economic growth in 1^74. Helena was one ot fourteen to receive such an award in 1975. They expanded payroll by more than t>5% in 1974 and doubled the size of their facilities.
Indications from activity with inquiries and prospects during the first six months are^that this successful trend will continue. The Economic Development Foundation reports receiving over 500 inquiries from advertising in business publications during the first half of 1975. Further, the Foundation reports they currently are working with thirty companies as prc^spects for location in the Beaumont area.
BEAUMONT
Economic Newsletter
K) ^
I k ' . I t I I I H lit) I l i . imtM • I <t I I •Mi'na
N.KI I.I. itlli> ItJiUliKt: > .>«i>rh I l<
I' I I i i..« i r m Hf.«i i>i- '"r i i v . i . "
7 n HUt-li'WII
RECENT ECONOMIC GROVTH IN THE BEAUMONT AREA
Since 19T0, Beaumont and the surrounding area has entered into a period of rapid economic expansion. Nev employers are being attracted to the area, existing operations are expanding, new shopping centers and commercial buildings are going jp all over the area. The effects of this economic developnent are showing up in trery economic Indicator.
Behind this growth is a community aggressively seeking expansion of its econo-nic base and investing the proceeds from such growth in community betterment. On this page and the following three pages the recent growth of the community is chronicled briefly. Through the remainder of this book the sound, underlying reasons 'or such growth is presented in a brief, factual format.
125
120
115
110
195
190
185
180
70 71 WAGE & SALARY EMPLOYMENT (Beaumont SMSA-000's of persons
70 71 72 73 71+ BUILDING PERMITS
(Beaumont-000,000*3 of dollars
70 71 in 7J
BANK DEPOSITS Beaumont Banka-OOO.OOO's of dollars)
70 71 72 73 1^ SALES TAX COLLECTIONS Beaumont-OOO's of dollars)
•>.••
Ih 70 n (^ i^ MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
7o"'''*'*'"""71 72 73 7^ ELECTRIC METERS
(Beaumont-OOO's of m e t e r s )
«fil. 1975: ALPINE-GULF unveils plariS to move operations to BeauiLout. The Gulf Coast ship supply company will add twenty Jobs to Beaumont »s employment.
v--;l. 1975: CHASE METALS opens a 10,000 square foot metals service center in Beaumont to service the region between Houston to Baton Rouge.
•ril, 19T5: GULF OIL CHEMICAL CORPORATION announces multimillion dollar expansion of polyethylene plant at Orange.
fc;h, 1975: CENTRAL BANK opens new headquarters. The 12,000 square foot building was completed at a cost exceeding $i*00,000,
!fcr:h, 1975: ^rJ^UMONT i;----•;-.:;• ---ooL DISTRICT breaks ground for $1.5 million sports complex with 10,0 ...ng capacity.
'i::h, 1975: SOUTHWi. .... . , L unveils plans for a 20,000 square foot office building adjacent tc preso:.-. „.;._^at operat.'ons center in downtown Beaumont.
Hi;:h, 1975: JOHNS-j.'.' ::._• . I.'.i.C becomes the fourteenth major common carrier with terminal operatior.j .:. rciunjni as they open their terminal on the Eastex Freeway.
-iit 1975: GULF CCA. . :'S. ;:.NE AND SUPPLY breaks ground for a $3 million expansion. The 35*000 iquare foot addition will create 60 new Jobs.
I -UAry, 1975 : OHMSTKDE MACHINE u n v e i l s p l a n s f o r a 15 ,000 s q u a r e foot expans ion t o house
a s e v e n t y - f i v e ton o v e r h e a d c r a n e .
A r y , 1975 : FIDELITY SAVINGS AND LOAN of P o r t A r t h u r opens b r a n c h in Beaumont.
- a b e r , 197U: YLLLOW FREIGHT aiinounces new t e r m i n a l on C a r d i n a l Dr ive i n Beaumont.
t « b e r . 197^*: MOBIL CKiMICAL COMPANY p u b l i c i z e s p l a n s fo r a $70 m i l l i o n p o l y e t h y l e n e p l a n t wes t of Beaumont. The p l a n t w i l l employ 125 p e r s o n s when completed i n 1977.
NasBber , 197^*: BEAUMOBT'S NEW POLICE AND MUNICIPAL COURT b u i l d i n g opens in downtown Beaumont. The modern , 2 . 8 m i l l i o n d o l l a r f a c i l i t y was completed as p a r t of t h e 1971 CIP bond p rogram.
^ c b e r , 197i*: TWENTY-EIGHT MILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE vo ted by Beaumont c i t i z e n s for a new C i v i c C e n t e r , M u n i c i p a l O f f i c e Complex, S t r e e t Improvements , New Buses and o t h e r c i v i c improvemen t s .
a^wember, 197**: GOLDHI TRIANGLE PAPER STOCK COMPANY b r e a k s ground fo r Beaumont 's f i r s t p a p e r r e c y c l i n g f a c i l i t y ,
* ^ " ^ t , 197i^: CHRISTOPHER'S, a new d i n n e r r e s t a u r a n t announces an e a r l y f a l l open ing .
M ^ t , 197^ : BEAUMONT'S NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY opens i n downtown Beaumont. The a r c h i t e c t u r a l l y s t r i i t i r . g , 1.2 m i l l i o n d o l l a r b u i l d i n g i s p a r t of t h e 1971 CIP bond program.
'••J. 197^: AMERICAI* rtAiKiiHOUSE CORPORATION announces p ia i i s f o r a 250,000 squa re foot w a r e house in Beaumont t o i^erve t he needs of DuPont.
**^. 197^ : LAJ-IAR UNIV. : awardj c o n t r a c t f o r new 20 ,000 squa re foot Speech and Hear ing Cen te r b u i l t a t u _^^ . of n e a r l y $900 ,000 .
7a
'"Ta;kiL'e^M2r'^'' ° " "''"'''' """""'' "" ' ^' ^ ^ ^^''' ^ —^ — V.uaiy, 1973: PENNWALT CORPORATION selects Beaumont for $5 million mercaptans plant
When completed in 1975, the plant will employ 35 persons.
>:ember, 1972: BEAUMONT MEDICAL AND SURGICAL HOSPITAL breaks ground for Beaumont's newest hospital. The $9-3 million facility is scheduled to open in 1975 with 250 beds.
)t:ember, 1972: BEAUMONT SAVINGS AND LOAN announces plans to build nev branch in vest Beaumont.
J=^ember. 1972: SOUTHWESTERN BELL unveils plans for nev Beaumont Division headquarters building in downtown Beaumont. The four-story, 100,000 square foot facility is being built on a foundation capable of supporting twenty stories to allow for anticipated future expansion.
-ober, 1972: BEAUMONT YMCA announces plans for two new family facilities in Beaumont at a total cost of |i*00,000 to $500,000.
•tember, 1972: MOBIL CHEMICAL COMPANY announces plans for doubling capacity of olefins production to 900 million pounds annually at Beaximont.
:uat, 1972: ETHAN ALLEN FURNITURE STORE announces for Beaumont. The free-standing, 15,000 square foot building will be built at a cost exceeding $300,000
-y, 1972: ANGIE NALL HOSPITAL announces plans for one million dollar expansion of its center for learning disabilities.
.e, 1972: MOTEL 6 of Santa Barbara, California unveils plans for a 120-unit, $7^*0,000 motel in Beaumont
.-ch, 1972: LAMAR UNIVERSITY announces plans for a new $3.5 million library to serve the growing needs of the University's more than 11,000 students.
U.uary, 1972: PARKDALE BANK proposed to become Beaumont's tenth bank.
>'«uat, 1971: ST. ELIZABETH HOSPITAL arinounces $5 million dollar expansion in Beaumont.
--^e, 1971: SEARS, ROEBUCK & COI-CPANY announces $1.5 million expansion of downtown Beau-wont store.
Cj.e, 1971: PARKDALE MALL breaks ground on a 100-acre site for Beaumont's first enclosed regional shopping mall. The center vill contain over 900,000 square feet and will be euichored by Joske's, J. C. Penney's and Montgomery Ward,
*--:.e, 1971: EXECUTIVE PLAZJV, a 15,000 square foot professional building, announces construction near Baptist Hospital at a cost exceeding $600,000.
% , 1971: GULF STATES UTILITIES reveals plans for one billion dollars of expansion for nuclear fueled generating plant and conversion of gas-fired generating units to alternative fuels.
*V. 1971: EIGHTEEN MILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE approved by Beaumont voters for CIP program to construct new Central Library, Police building and numerous street improvements.
6
?0PULATI0If:
BEAUMONT, TEXAS Vital Statistics
Beaumont
•July 1975 est
1970
i960
125 ,^36
U 7 . 5 U 8
119,175
J e f f e r s o n County
N.A.
2U6,U02
2i*5,659
SMSA
362,160
3^^7,568
330,645
•i^±.-u\*^.
P r e v a i l i n g b r e e z e s a r e from t h e s o u t h w e s t o f f t h e Gulf a v e r a g i n g 10 m i l e s per hour c a u s i n g a m o d e r a t i o n of b o t h summer and w i n t e r .
Mean a n n u a l t e m p e r a t u r e :
Average h i g h aiid low:
Jfuiuary
A p " ! :
J u l y
Oc tobe r
Mean Degree Days :
68.6°
Average a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o n : 52.
iCONOMIC CHARA:.r.Ri:;TICS:
• • P e r s o n a l Income ($000)
• • P e r C a p i t a P e r s o n a l Income
• • A v e r a g e P e r s o n a l Income Household
• • R e t a i l S a l e s
Pe r
Hifih
6 1 . 9 °
79.6^
92.1**
80.5**
Hea t ing
1394
34 i n c h e s
Beaumont
$509 ,073
4 ,362
12 ,921
464.409
Low
4 3 . 2 °
6 1 . 5 °
7 3 . 3 ^
59.3°
Cool ing
2852
J e f f e r s o n County
$ 1 , 0 2 6 , 0 1 7
4 ,266
12 ,841
779,034
SMSA
$ 1 , 4 9 0 , 6 6 2
4 ,269
13,030
1 ,023,883
•••VaJ.ue Added By M a n u f a c t u r i n g -($000 ,000) 194 .9 723.0 1,034 .0
• E s t i m a t e d by c-a.j'.'.r.'- Chamber of Comnerce based on changes i n employment, h o u s i n g s t o c k , e l e - t r i c a l m e t e r s , ma.n t e l e p h o n e s and wa te r me t e r s s i n c e 1970.
• •1974 e s t i m a t e s by S a l e s Management • • • 1 9 7 2 Census of M a n u f a c t u r e r s
D££I) R£CORDe
DEED RECORDS
Stat« of T«xa8 ) Know ail men bj thieae presents County of Jefferson)
that we Ada L. Miller surviving
wife of L. L. Killer* deceased» and Louis 5* Miller who
bas attaineo tte age of twenty one years and now temporarily
reeidinijE; with the said A. L. Killer of the County of Jefferson
state of Texas for and in consideration of the SUA of three
thousand and five hundred and OO/lOO dollars to us In hand
paid by m» J. Blewett, the receipt where of is here by ac
knowledged have granted, sold and conveyedy and by these
presents do grant, sell and convey, unto the said k. J« Blewett
of the County of Jefferson and State of Texas, all those
certain lots, tracts, pieces or parcels of the Noah Tevie
headright and known nuabored and designated on the original
nap or plat of said city* as lots numbers, one hundred and
seventy-two, one hundred and seventy-three, and one hundred
and seventy-four in blocic no. thirty-eight to have and to
hold the above described premises, together with all and
singular, the rights and appurtenances theretoin anywise
belonging unto the said W. J. Blewett his heirs and assigns
forever. And we do hereby bind ourselves and our heirs,
executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend
all and singular the said premises unto the said W. J, Blewett
and unto his heirs and assigns, against every person whomso
ever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part there
of. witness our hands at this 17th day of January. A. D. 1898
Mrs. Ada L. Miller Louis S. Miller
DC£D RECORDS
The State of Texas ) Know all men by these presents that County of Jefferson)
we, V. J. Blewett and wife, Adella
Blewett, of the County of Jefferson, State of Texas, for and
in consideration of the sum of ninety seven thousand five
humored ( | 97i500.00) dollars to us paid, and secured to be
paid by J. B. L&ngbam and Guy w. Junker as follows the sum of
forty-five thousand ( | 4$,000.00) dollars cash in hand paid
the receipt ef which is hereby acknowledged, and the further
sum of thirteen thousand five hundred ( | 13i500.00) dollars
to be paid as evidenced by five (5) certain vendor's lien
Lromiasory notes, of even date here with, made and executed
by the said duy V. Junker and J. B. Langham, numbered one (1)
to five (5) inclusive, for the sum of twenty-seven hundred
( I 2,700.00) dollars each, due and payable to the order
of W. J, Blewett one (1), two (2), three (3)f four (A), and
five (3) years after date resepectively, bearing interest
from date until paid at the rate of seven (7) per cent
per annum, interest due and payable semi-annually as It
accrues, and containing the usual accelerating and attorney's
fee clauses, sLnd the further consideration that the said
Ouy W. Juaker and J. B. Langham assume the payment of and
hereby agree to pay those nine (9) certian deed of trust
lien promissory notes dated March l8th, 1924 made and executed
by us, eight (8) of said notes being for the sum of one
thoueand ( | 1,000.00) dollars each, and due on the 1st day
DEED RECORDS
of July In the years 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, and
1933 respectively, and one (1) note for the sum of thirty-
one thousand ( | 31,000.00) dollars due and payable on the
let day of July in the year 1934, all of said notes aggregat
ing the : uiL of tnlrty-nine thousand ( $ 39,000.00) dollars,
and bearing interest at the rate of six {6%) per cent per
annum, on which the interest has been paid to July 1st, A.D.
1925, said notes being due and payable to the order of the
.assachusettes Mutual Life Insurance Compajiy, and the pay
ment thereof secured by a deed of trust executed by ua on
March l8th, 1924, on the property hereinafter described, to
which deed of trust reference Is hereby made for further
description of said notes, have granted, sold and conveyed
an:: by these presents do grant, sell and convey unto the
said J. B. Langham and Guy S. Junker, of the County of
Jefferson, State of Texas, all those certian tracts, pieces
or parcels of land, lying and bein ^ situated in the City of
Beaumont, County of Jefferson, State of Texas, and being
Lots nos. one hundred and seventy-two (172), one hundi ed and
seventy-three (173), and one hundred and seventy-four (174)
in block no. thirty-eight (38) of the city of Beaumont, Texas,
according to the map of the old town of Beaumont, said property
being located at the intersection of the west line of Pearl
street with the north line of College street, in the city
of Beaumont, Texas, together with all improvements thereon.
DEED RECORDS
It is understood and agreed that the grantors herein shall
pay the proportionate part of the taxes and the interest on
tneabove thirty-nine thouesuid ( $ 39,000.00) dollars in-
deptedness assumed by grantees up to this date, and the
grsintees shall be liable and agree to pay the proportionate
part of said taxes and intei^st accruing from and after this
date to havo and to hold the above described premises, to
gether with all and singular the rights and appurtenances
thereto in 'tnywiae belongin;?, unto the said J. B. Langham and
Ouy W. Junker, their heirs and assigns forever, and we do
here by bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administra
tors, to warrant and forever defend, all and singular the
said premises unto the said J. B. lAngham £uid Guy W. Junker,
their heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever law
fully claiming, or to claim the same, or any part thereof.
But it is expressly agreed and stipulated that the vendor's
lein is retained against the above described property, premises
and improvements, until the above described notes, and all
interset thereon are fxilly paid according to their face
and tenor, effect and reading,, when this deed shall become
absolute. Witness our hands at Beaumont, Texas, this Ist
day of December, A. D. 1925.
W. J. Blewett Adella Blewett
( $ 59.00 Rev. Stamp Can.)
DEED RECORDS
Tte state of Texas ) Know all iren by these presents that County of Jefferson)
we, Quy W« Junker and Lyle Junker
Spenser, Joined herein by her husband John T, Spencer, of
the State of Texas, County of Jefferson, for and in consider
ation of tho sum of ten dollars ( | 10.00) and other valuable
considerations to us cash in hand paid by J. B. Langham, the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, amd the further
consideration ti at the said J. B. Langhan assume all indept-
edness due by ue against the hereinafter described property,
have granted, sold and conveyed, and by these presents do
^rant, sell and convey unto the said J, B. Langham, of Beaumont,
Jefferson County, Texas, the following described property,
situated, lying and being in the City of Beaximont, Jefferson
County, Texas, and being lota no. one hundred seventy-two (172),
one hundred seventy-three (173), and one hundred seventy-four
(174) in block no. thirty-eight (38) of the City of Beaumont,
Texas, according to the map of the old street with the north
line of College street, and fronting one hundred and twenty
feet (120*) on the west line of Pearl street, and one hundred
eighty (180) feet on the north line of College street, in the
city of Beaumont, Texas, together with all improvements
therein to have and to hold the above described premises,
together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances
theretoin any wise belonging unto the said J. B. Langham, his
heirs and assigns forever. And we do hereby bind ourselves.
DEED RECORDS
our heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and forever
defend, all and singular the said premises unto the said
J. B. Langham, his heirs and assigns against every person
whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any
part thereof.
Witness our hands this the 19th day of August, A. D. 1926.
Guy W. Junker Lyle Junker Spencer John T. Spencer
CODES
Refer to the Southern 'tanda d Building Code
The buidllng is in a C-2 zoning district.
TRAFFIC
u 1
1"
i 1
1 f 11 f HAL L *—r
•
r 1
J P E D E S T R I A N AREA
r n 1 1 1
i _.. i
r
r
n
L E G E N D : ^—-' PROPOSED CURB L I N E
E X I S T I N G C U R i L INE PROPOSED PROPERTY L INE
- - - - - - E X I S T I N G PROPERTY LINE
[ T ^ T Z l E X I S T I N G S T R U C T U R E
PROPOSED ORLEANS-PEARL CONNECTION CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
BEAUMONT, TEXAS 1973
J«
W i ^.^-><U-*-
projected traffic volumes, demands a modern signal system to meet traffic requirements.
The primary requirement of the system is an updating of the capabilities of the master control unit, which is about 20 years old and is outdated in traffic control effectiveness by current standards. Additional signals are also required to meet standard signal requirements.
There are several alternatives for treating deficiencies of the existing downtown signal system. Before any alternative can be selected as best suited for the purposes of the downtown signal system, a careful examination must be made to determine the functional requirements for a new traffic control system.
Such performance measurements as travel times, number of accidents, average delay on each link, lane density, number of stops, queue lengths, level of service and average vehicle volumes must be evaluated.
Although evaluation of these criteria would have to be made by subsequent engineering studies, observations indicate that the system is outdated, inflexible, and incapable of optimizing performance of the existing street network. A new system is warranted, but the system selected will depend on availability of funds.
' ^ T f R S T A T E H I G H W A r , 0
r- " ' 7
PORT OF BEAUMONT
JU
ACCESS PLAN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
BEAUMONT, TEXAS 1973
W.L, S^tL ^ 4u^^L.
TH£ LANGHAM BUILDING
ADDENDUM
ADDSNDUM
1, Bottom of page 1 - fientence ahould read:
In an interview with W, B« West^i he stated that Blewett
built the seoond building in 1908, however this was not
Bubstaniated.
2, Top of page 3 - sentence two should road:
From Mr, Shanalt's description the older, or first,
buildin;! was brick.
3, As an office building the Langham building would be open
ed to any and all persons, firms, or companies wishing
to rent space for offices.
A. The scope of the work will Include an upgrading of and
inclusion of exits and bathroom facilities to meet code
requirements. Remodeling of interior office spaces and
the exterior facade. Air conditioning, electrical
service, and plumbing of the building will have to be
evaluated and updated.
5. The structural system of the Langham Building consist of
all exterior walls serving as bearing walls and each
bay of the building having interior bearing walls on the
first floor. The second floor corridor walls act to
support the roof. The roof system is wood trusses.
THE LANGHAM BUILDING
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
The Langham Building, even though It may be as old as
the city, has never been historically significant. For
this reason I did not feel confined to recreating the
office building as it may have been at one time but instead
tried to adapt the spaciousnesc of its spaces to the needs
of todays business and professional community.
The additions and improvements to toilet facllitee and
stairs were a result not only of code requirements but also
the need of a modern facility.
The use of colors, textures, fixtures, and furniture is,
of course, a product of my taste and imagination. The use
of light warm colors, I believe Inhances and enlarges al
ready large rooms. The building does have wood used a great
deal, in floors, trim, and openings. These features were
left where possible, wood also makes a room warm.
The use of plants and plant materials, I feel also
adds and makes a room or office Inviting.
Where possible, walls were left but in some Instances
I felt that it was necessary for the function of the office
that walls be added or removed.
On the exterior the stucco of the second floor would
be continued to the first floor and painted. The small
horizontal features (see elevations) were added to help
scale. The old awning should be replaced. All glazing
should be replaced. Because of the addition of a new air
lONCLUSION
conditioning system, I feel that the glazing should be fixed
to help prevent heat lose and gain.
I also added and replaced the skylights. This natural
light helps in the feeling o^ a large, airy, warm place.
The skylights light the interior of a building that should
be dark, this has the effect of surprise on the individual
entering the upstairs corridors.
The ceilings of the building would have to be lowered
to provide space for the new air conditioning system. Since
the ceilings are so high anyway this would not effect the
spaciousness of any of the rooms upstairs or down.