Tower structure at music venue temporarily closes

Workers put up a stage at White Oak Music Hall on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in Houston. Local residents are concerned about the lack of parking in the area. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle ) Workers put up a stage at White Oak Music Hall on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in Houston. Local residents are concerned about the lack of parking in the area. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Tower structure at music venue temporarily closes 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

The White Oak Music Hall's four-story tower overlooking downtown will be temporarily closed for renovations, following complaints about access issues for people with disabilities and a string of complaints to city officials from a group of neighbors who live near the music venue in the Near Northside.

It's part of the Raven Tower, a bar and music venue that opened earlier this year in a repurposed metal warehouse with an adjacent four-story tower that offers 360-degree views. It was the first part of the White Oak Music Hall complex at 2915 N. Main to open on the 6-acre property.

The project is by developers W2 Development Partners in conjunction with Pegstar Concerts, the group responsible for the Free Press Summer Fest that previously booked shows for the Heights music hall Fitzgerald's.

The tower will be temporarily closed. The bar portion of the project, which will remain open, includes stages for music.

Developer Will Garwood said the tower closed roughly a week ago and the developers are adding extra rails and making other renovations. He said they are working with the city to "improve accessibility."

"We are doing this on our own accord," Garwood said. "We have no controversy with the city."

According to the White Oak Music Hall's website, the Raven Tower was built in the 1970s as a metal fabrication shop and included a "bachelor pad in the sky," referring to the tower.

Neighbors who live near the site have complained to city officials and leaders about various aspects of the White Oak Music Hall, including noise from concerts on an outdoor temporary stage.

The music complex also includes the Raven Tower and an under-construction indoor music hall slated to open this summer.

Neighbors have complained that the outdoor stage does not have a permanent permit from the city and therefore is not requiredto follow certain parking regulations.

Garwood said the venue has adequate parking to accommodate the shows. City officials have agreed that the project is in compliance, but admit that having a temporary stage for 30 to 50 events a year is unprecedented. Developers say their long-term plans include a permanent outdoor stage, a volleyball court, bar and restaurant.

The city approved the economic development agreement to reimburse the developer up to $1.1 million for public improvements to sidewalks, landscaping and street lighting and for an upgrade to the public sanitary-sewer line.

In order to receive the funds, the developer will also have to hold at least one job fair for the Near Northside community, offer at least four rehearsal times each for Marshall Middle School and Davis High School and allow roughly 500 parking spots to be used by the public on days the hall is not used.

In addition, the developers held a fund-raising concert and gave the proceeds to the high school band. They are also working on a hike-and-bike trail along Little White Oak Bayou.

"We have gone above and beyond for this neighborhood," Garwood said, citing the improvements to the area and the otherlocal support. "We are in compliance, and we have enough parking."