The Houston Archaeological and Historic Commission unanimously agreed Wednesday to take the first steps to designate the River Oaks and Bookstop/Alabama theaters as historic landmarks.

The commission's unprecedented action also could lead to designating the River Oaks Shopping Center — on both sides of West Gray — as a historic structure.

The theaters and the shopping center are owned by Weingarten Realty Investors, which initially planned to demolish the buildings but backed down due to strong opposition.

More than 25,300 people signed an online petition sponsored by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, opposing demolition of the River Oaks theater. The theater was built in 1939, the shopping center in 1937.

Commission member Phoebe Tudor said the two theaters and the shopping center are good examples of Art Deco architecture that the Texas Historical Commission has deemed worthy of state landmarks.

"We just feel if there is ever a time for this board to initiate an action, this is the time to do it," Tudor said.

The commission's decision was to request city staff to prepare all necessary documentation for the commission, the Houston Planning Commission, and, eventually, the City Council, to consider designating the properties historic landmarks. There will be public hearings at each step.

Ramona Davis, vice-chair of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, Jill Brooks, vice-chair for historic preservation of the Texas Society of the Daughters of the American Republic, and Paul Beutel, director of Miller Outdoor Theater, backed the panel's action.

No one from Weingarten Realty spoke at the meeting.

Beutel, the former director of the historic Paramount Theater in downtown Austin, offered to help future owners of the Alabama Theater/Bookstop, which also was built in 1939. Barnes and Noble plans to vacate the old theater and develop a store at 2922 S. Shepherd. Beutel said it would make an appropriate venue for live performances.

"This is courageous and it makes an enormous statement to the community that preservation is coming to the forefront," Davis said.

Brooks said the properties should be saved.

"Their destruction would be a gross injustice to the communities of River Oaks, Montrose and the city of Houston," Brooks said.

Originally published online here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4749854.html