The River Oaks Theater may be one step closer to salvation.

KHOU-TV

The Texas Historical Commission determined that the shopping center is eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The center was deemed eligible because it is one of the country's first auto-centered suburban shopping centers and for its art deco architecture, according to the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.

Though being listed wouldn't save it from demolition, the property would be eligible for state and federal tax incentives for renovation.

The center can't be listed without Weingarten Realty Company's approval.

Weingarten also owns the Alabama Book Stop. The company has not confirmed what, if anything, is going to happen to the buildings.

But tenants maintain they are already on month-to-month leases in preparation for the changes.