What a controversy in Beyonce's old neighborhood tells us about historic districts

In a city with virtually no official zoning, the ability to create a historic district over a particular neighborhood is supposed to be a key tool Houstonians can use to preserve the character of a place. But in the case of one historically Black community in Houston’s Third Ward, called Riverside Terrace, residents were convinced a proposed historic district would actually lead to more unwanted change – gentrification – not less of it. In this episode, Rebecca and Marissa talk to reporter Nora Mishanec about the controversy sparked by the now failed Riverside Terrace historic district proposal and how it shines a light on situations when these special designations may actually become instruments of exclusion rather than inclusion. Read more on HoustonChronicle.com: 18 Houston homes could become a historic district. Some residents fear they're losing control. Proposed Riverside Terrace historic district has longtime residents fighting for their neighborhood Turner pulls plan for Riverside Terrace historic district amid opposition from Third Ward residents A 2-year journey to remove racist deed language was finally solved thanks to new Texas law Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices