Overview
- City inspectors halted work Friday when crews were found demolishing without a required demolition permit and issued a citation, but a demolition permit was recorded later that day and crews finished tearing the building down by Monday.
- The 132-year-old Tudor Revival house at 2000 Smith Street was sold in late September to OB Texas Properties LLC, an entity public records link to Omair Bashir and business ties to the Brake Time gas-station chain.
- A plumbing permit for sewer disconnection was issued Oct. 14 and an Oct. 20 inspection noted outstanding corrections that city officials said needed resolution before a demolition permit could be granted.
- Preservationists, neighborhood organizers and descendants of John Henry Kirby held vigils and said repeated requests to meet the new owner about saving or documenting the mansion went unanswered, leaving families and advocates distraught.
- The mansion had no City of Houston landmark designation because that process requires owner consent, and local groups are pressing City Council and regulators for clearer rules, stronger enforcement and changes to protect similar buildings.