Break it down at a St. Johns party before the big tear-down

The city has organized a celebration for the St. Johns community to recognize the planned demolition of the former Home Depot building just off of Interstate 35. Scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 12 at the former big-box store, the event is presented by Cortez Consulting and will feature live music, children’s activities, breakfast tacos and more.  The city-owned parcel was once home to a freedmen’s colony and was the subject of years of discussion regarding its best use as a redevelopment project. “With a rich history dating back to the 1890s, the St. John Site has been a pivotal location in Central Texas’ African American community,” according to the city. The Greystar development company and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin are leading the effort to build more than 500 housing units there, half of which will be income-restricted, as well as commercial areas and green spaces. Registration for the celebration at 7211 N. I-35 can be completed online in English and in Spanish.