A 114-year-old home in Travis Heights that narrowly escaped demolition last year might be on the chopping block after all, with neighbors taking to the podium at last week’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting warning of a possible demolition by neglect.
Preservationists celebrated their victory over 409 E. Monroe St. last March after a resistance campaign saw property owner and real estate developer Oam Parkash retract his bid for a demolition permit in favor of restoration. Now, neighbors are questioning Parkash’s intentions, claiming the building has been left to deteriorate with few signs of good-faith progress.
“Unfortunately, since last year, the home has been largely unsecured and unattended,” said neighbor Samantha Smoot. “The owner has stopped responding to communications from neighbors and even from code enforcement, who issued a series of citations last fall. Some of them were complied with, but nonetheless the house is not fully secured.”
“It’s been sad to watch: The windows are open and rain is allowed to get in,” neighbor Robin Sanders added. “It’s been a very long year of watching this place that is really quite beloved in the neighborhood deteriorate.”
With the property now attracting the attention of the city’s code enforcement department, neighbors urged the commission to look into the case at its next meeting.
“The second inspector assigned to this case has indicated that we are past the point of recommending preservation when he brings this to the Building and Standards Commission,” Smoot said. “It seems like we have a city department planning to recommend demolition after this commission has ruled against it, rather than enforcing the city’s very clear rules prohibiting demolition by neglect.”
Commissioners will revisit the case at its April 3 meeting.
The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.
And we’re honored you look to us for serious, in-depth news. You know a strong community needs local and dedicated watchdog reporting. We’re here for you and that won’t change. Now will you take the powerful next step and support our nonprofit news organization?
Historic Landmark Commission: The city’s Historic Landmark Commission promotes historic preservation of buildings and structures. The commission also reviews applications and permits for historic zoning and historic grants.
Travis Heights: The Travis Heights neighborhood is bounded by Lady Bird Lake on the north, Interstate 35 on the east, Congress Avenue on the west and Oltorf Street on the south.
