The architecture in some of these cities is really beautiful too and you don't see that really in SoCal at least. 

Architectural Engineering Legal Insurance Permits Trash Surveyor Electric Gas We will not be putting in Phone lines.

When you say you have the full architectural plans do you mean you have the building permit ready to go or just got the architectural plans?

Again I would really have to see where your land lies in relation to the 3-d architectural drawings overlay for the development.

It's a shame to see a classic piece of architecture just rot.    

I then paid for architectural plans to submit to the city for permits and found another licenced contractor.

My master’s is in landscape architecture, so I innately CARE about how it looks, probably a bit more than the average joe.

@David TiemannI will assume your properties are in Texas which follow the 2012 Architectural Barriers Texas Accessibility Standard (TAS) and not the Federal 2010 ADA Standards for Accessibility Design.https://www.license.state.tx.us/ab/abtas.htmhttps://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htmPlease research the TAS as this requires Review and Inspections by Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS). 

I personally love living in a big urban area and enjoying all of the attributes of it(walkability, mass transit, culture, diversity, incredible restaurant and nightlife options, architecture, pro sports, entertainment), but I realize that's not for everyone.  

I want to be the expert who knows how to figure out the highest and best use of any parcel of land, even the dirtiest, nastiest or most abandoned parcels.I have a masters degree in landscape architecture specializing in ecosystematic design and planning.