Stories by Sean Saldaña
How the Historic Landmark Commission works to preserve Austin’s history
The Historic Landmark Commission is an all-volunteer, 11-member board appointed by members of City Council. The commission reviews applications for heritage grants, considers historic designations, weighs the merits of tax exemption applications, and acts generally as an advocate for historic…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Nov 9, 2021
How Capital Metro is able to offer free rides
Last month, Capital Metro announced that for the month of October, it would waive all bus and train fares as a way to encourage people to use public transit and to ease recent service interruptions. The decision to waive fees…
Transit • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 20, 2021
Study reveals positive developments for LGBT Austinites
On Tuesday, Austin’s LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission presented its first ever LGBTQIA+ quality of life study to City Council. Overall, the report paints a nuanced but optimistic picture for LGBT Austinites. The report, which has been in the works…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 14, 2021
Park rangers get funding for six additional staff members
For months, the Parks and Recreation Department has been pleading for additional park ranger staffing resources. Finally, the city has answered its prayers with $615,000 in increased funding for the department’s Park Ranger program. In a memo sent to Mayor Steve Adler and City…
Budget • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 6, 2021
What happened to Austin's 24/7 restaurants, cafes and coffee shops?
Austin, over the course of its storied history, has developed a thriving hospitality scene. There is no shortage of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes that show the diversity and breadth of the city. Among this grand selection, some of the…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Sep 16, 2021
East Austin stadium celebrated by Black community nominated for national historic status
At first glance, Yellow Jacket Stadium feels a bit unassuming. Visitors see a track, a football field, a few sets of bleachers, and a parking lot with room for only a handful of vehicles. Unlike other athletic sites like Burger…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Sep 13, 2021
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The census in Austin: homelessness, housing and schoolchildren
It’s hard to overstate the importance of the census, especially on a local level. As city demographer Lila Valencia told the Austin Monitor, “The census touches so many aspects of our lives, from our representation at our nation’s capital, to local representation…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Sep 7, 2021
Partial demolition granted for Avenue A home located outside of historic districts
Earlier this week, the Historic Landmark Commission unanimously voted to co-sign some major redesign plans at 4315 Avenue A, a property located in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Owner/applicant Nathan Hobbs is seeking to expand the size of the home, which…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Aug 27, 2021
Landmark commission doubles down on Air Conditioned Village recommendation
This week, the Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously to recommend 2502 Park View Drive for historic zoning, a move working against the wish of homeowners to demolish the house. The case has been before the commission several times as efforts…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Aug 26, 2021
Landmark commission initiates historic zoning against wishes of property owners
At last month’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to initiate the historic zoning process at 2502 Park View Drive against the request of the homeowners, who were seeking to demolish the aging home. The house was under review…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Aug 5, 2021
Lutheran Church relocation case looks at the nature of historic status
On Monday, the Historic Landmark Commission revisited a case that involves relocating the Dessau Lutheran Church, which was constructed in 1876, to Pioneer Farms, an outdoor museum dedicated to 19th-century Texas history. The church, located at 13300 Dessau Road in…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Jul 29, 2021
Animal Advisory Commission looks to reform operations at city shelter
At last week’s meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission, commissioners voted to form a working group aimed at addressing the ongoing capacity crisis at the Austin Animal Center. The move came after Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland sent a…
