Residents banding together to keep bar out of neighborhood

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Banding together with a common goal, residents don't want a new neighbor -- a proposed Little Woodrow's bar -- to move into a vacant lot.

A sign has gone up at 3333 Eastside Street, an area between Richmond an Alabama near Kirby.

Since the sign went up within the last week, several neighbors have gotten together. That includes Dress for Success, a nonprofit that operates just across the street.

"We're watching out for our female clients, we're all female staff, along with our volunteers, are mostly all female. So really, just the safety and security for our clients," said Dress for Success Vice President Lauren Levicki Courville.

Also involved, The Islamic Society of Greater Houston, which has called Eastside Street home for more than 30 years. Hashim Badat, President of the organization, issued a statement.

"As a part of this community for well over 20 years, The River Oaks Islamic Center stands with our neighbors, the Bammel Park Homeowners Association, Dress for Success and the families whose children attend Lamar High School against the proposed bar. It is our hope that together we can preserve the peaceful and safe high quality of life of this great neighborhood."

Then there is Steve Bolton, President of Bammel Park Homeowners Association. The group of homes sell for more than a million dollars each. The property is adjacent to the land that will house the proposed bar.

"They told us they would be open seven days a week until two am, and they would have a large patio area, which you would be able to see from my balcony here," said a clearly frustrated Bolton, who

attended a neighborhood meeting held by the developer and the owner of Little Woodrow's last week.

Reached over the phone, Little Woodrow's owner told us he operates a quality neighborhood chain of bars, and this latest location will be no exception. He told us he's signed a 15 year lease with developers the Morgan Group.

There are few avenues for neighbors to fight. Their first attempt is writing protest letters to the Text Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Their objective is to have TABC deny the liquor permit. We'll keep you updated.