Stories by Kali Bramble

Historic survey of downtown Austin nears completion

Austin’s Preservation Office is poised to complete its Historic Resources Survey of the downtown area by the end of the year, wrapping up years of work documenting sites of cultural interest. Preservation Office Planner Sofia Wagner met with Historic Landmark…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Mar 21, 2025

Plans to demolish Highland Park home with links to Commodore Perry faces backlash from neighbors

The owners of a West Austin property formerly home to the grandson of Edgar Howard “Commodore” Perry may find their plans to make way for new construction prove more challenging than expected. Last week, the Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Mar 12, 2025

Incentives for customer-owned batteries among new programs in Austin Energy’s pipeline

After ending last year with a successful vote for its Climate Protection Plan at City Council, Austin Energy is taking no breaks to celebrate, moving right ahead with plans to make good on its promises for a more sustainable and…

Energy • By Kali Bramble • Feb 25, 2025

Burnet Middle School on track for head-to-toe modernization project

A major glow-up is on the horizon for Burnet Middle School, with plans for a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility poised to break ground this summer. The Historic Landmark Commission got a rundown on the $158 million project last week when a…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 18, 2025

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City releases short list for 2025 Heritage Preservation Grant

Bids for the city’s Heritage Preservation Grant are in, and staffers are circling in on the lucky landmarks deemed worthy to snag a slice of the pie. Heritage Tourism Division Manager Melissa Alvarado stopped by last week’s meeting of the…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 11, 2025

Living Streets Program updates include new funding and street closure modifications

Dirty Sixth may be reopening to car traffic, but a growing number of neighborhoods across Austin are moving in the opposite direction thanks to the city’s Living Streets Program. Back from its holiday break, City Council’s Mobility Committee took to…

Roads • By Kali Bramble • Jan 28, 2025

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Commission endorses historic zoning for Castle Hill estate

Another Castle Hill residence is poised to join Austin’s roster of registered landmarks, with owners of 610 Baylor St. winning over Historic Landmark Commission members last week in their bid for historic zoning. Since 1982, the city has granted landmark…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jan 23, 2025

On the verge of demolition, neighborhood seeks recognition for Holy Cross Hospital

Recent history has given us little reason to take note of 2600 E. MLK Blvd., where for decades a vacant concrete building has served largely as a canvas for graffiti. But before it was scenery, Austinites traveled miles to visit,…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jan 14, 2025

From Round Rock's school board to City Hall, District 6 newcomer Krista Laine gives conservatives a run for their money

If, in the days leading up to 2020, you had asked Krista Laine where she saw herself halfway through the decade, she likely would have told you she’d be back in the world of commercial real estate, where she’d made…

City Council • By Kali Bramble • Dec 27, 2024

Neighbors join forces to halt plans for new office space in Pecan Springs-Springdale

A proposal to upzone a residential cul-de-sac is ruffling feathers in the Pecan Springs-Springdale neighborhood, with a crowd of neighbors joining the Planning Commission meeting last week to voice their disapproval. The request originally sought to rezone 6102, 6106 and…

Development • By Kali Bramble • Dec 20, 2024

For local preservationists, Council facilitates a miracle on East 12th Street

City Hall was abuzz with more than just the holiday spirit last Thursday, with City Council adjourning its final meeting to the sound of cheers at a rare victory for preservationists at 1500 E. 12th St. The fate of the…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Dec 17, 2024

Landmark commission says goodbye to Nau's Enfield Drug

All good things must come to an end, and the time has come for Nau’s Enfield Drug to join the souls of bygone local staples in the mixed-use afterlife. But first, the Historic Landmark Commission hopes the site’s new stewards…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Dec 10, 2024