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2008 REVISITED: In spring, graffiti was in the air
  
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“I look at it as a little going a way present,” said Jeff Matthews, a smile on his face, as he painted over graffiti left at the former site of the Proletariat music venue on the corner of Montrose Boulevard and Richmond Avenue.
Matthews, whose wife owned the building, said his clean up project of March 8 was likely necessitated by patrons of the defunct club stopping by to “celebrate” the during the previous weekend.
“It’s something that needs to be done,” he said, smiling again.
While his friendly demeanor was refreshing, it is not one that is commonly shared by Houston officials, who estimate the city’s tab for abatement at $2 million annually in taxpayers’ money.
Councilwoman Sue Lovell, an at-large member, who lives not far from the building, held a news conference March 13 in the hopes of curtailing some of the expected increase in unwanted painting during spring break and the days following.
From the steps of the DiverseWorks Project Site, a nonprofit art center located at 1625 Alabama St., Lovell’s approach was also friendly at first.
“Please enjoy spring break. Please use your talents in a way that is productive,” she said, then pointing to the multicolored structure behind her added, “This house is a great example of using talents productively.”
Still, she warned police “will be out en force” and looking for vandals during the coming weeks. She asked parent to “remind your children it’s a crime.”
Lovell and other city officials asked that graffiti and other acts of vandalism be reported to the city’s 3-1-1 phone line. Those seeing incidents as they occur should call 9-1-1.
Councilman James Rodriguez of District I said, “Get a sketch pad if you need to draw.”
Reported by MICHAEL REED
mreed@hcnonline.com
Matthews, whose wife owned the building, said his clean up project of March 8 was likely necessitated by patrons of the defunct club stopping by to “celebrate” the during the previous weekend.
“It’s something that needs to be done,” he said, smiling again.
While his friendly demeanor was refreshing, it is not one that is commonly shared by Houston officials, who estimate the city’s tab for abatement at $2 million annually in taxpayers’ money.
Councilwoman Sue Lovell, an at-large member, who lives not far from the building, held a news conference March 13 in the hopes of curtailing some of the expected increase in unwanted painting during spring break and the days following.
From the steps of the DiverseWorks Project Site, a nonprofit art center located at 1625 Alabama St., Lovell’s approach was also friendly at first.
“Please enjoy spring break. Please use your talents in a way that is productive,” she said, then pointing to the multicolored structure behind her added, “This house is a great example of using talents productively.”
Still, she warned police “will be out en force” and looking for vandals during the coming weeks. She asked parent to “remind your children it’s a crime.”
Lovell and other city officials asked that graffiti and other acts of vandalism be reported to the city’s 3-1-1 phone line. Those seeing incidents as they occur should call 9-1-1.
Councilman James Rodriguez of District I said, “Get a sketch pad if you need to draw.”
Reported by MICHAEL REED
mreed@hcnonline.com
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