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Preservation
Austin loosens rules for designating buildings historic
It may be easier for properties in Austin to be zoned historic now. Until a few weeks ago, if a property owner filed written opposition to the designation, the city’s Historic Landmark Commission needed a two-thirds vote to override those…
Preservation • By Syeda Hasan • Oct 18, 2017
Commission considers a house by other name
Much like Tara and Wuthering Heights, historic homes in Austin have names of their own. But a recent bid for immortality on Judges Hill at the Historic Landmark Commission revealed the naming process might stand to have a few established…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 17, 2017
Council OKs historic zoning for apartment house
City Council approved historic zoning on Thursday for the 1930s-era Tucker-Winfield Apartment House at 1105 Nueces St. Council Member Jimmy Flannigan voted against the designation and Council Member Ellen Troxclair abstained. Flannigan objected to the designation, at least in part,…
Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Oct 6, 2017
After demolition plans are scrapped, segregation-era school could become museum
After much debate over redevelopment, Austin is considering buying the Montopolis Negro School to preserve the segregation-era property. At the height of segregation, there were 42 schools for black children throughout Travis County; the Montopolis school is one of the…
Preservation • By Syeda Hasan • Sep 28, 2017
Botched demo agitates Preservation Office
A pile of rubble on the east side could spark changes in how the city handles demolitions. At the most recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky presented “unfortunate news” about the demolition of 1401…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 7, 2017
Penick Place historic bid goes 'a bridge too far'
Will Penick Place be Austin’s next local historic district? It’s possible, but a rough start at the Historic Landmark Commission means that neighbors hoping to enshrine their neighborhood will have to rethink their priorities, and most likely scrap a dogged…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 11, 2017
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Demolition ahead for Pressler Street bungalow
The West Line Historic District will be losing a Pressler Street bungalow to demolition. A bid for historic preservation against the wishes of the owner fell flat at the most recent meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission. Commissioners voted 8-0…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 4, 2017
Plan to move Old Negro Women’s Home out of town stalls at City Hall
Despite palpable compassion for its owner, the Historic Landmark Commission threw its full weight behind keeping the building that was once the Old Negro Women’s Home in East Austin at its last meeting. Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of individual…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 3, 2017
Another Montopolis Negro School clash at Travis County
Opponents of a plan to redevelop a chunk of land in Southeast Austin upon which sits a former segregation-era school for African-Americans were handed a pair of setbacks on Tuesday. After a heated discussion, the Travis County Commissioners Court declined…
Preservation • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 12, 2017
Tarrytown home officially a 'tear-down' now
Austin will say goodbye to another Fehr and Granger home after a short-handed Historic Landmark Commission failed to move forward with a recommendation for historic zoning at its most recent meeting. Unlike most cases where the Historic Preservation Office weighs…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 10, 2017
Commission facing limited options, West Line demolition postponed
The Historic Landmark Commission once again exercised one of the few options it has and postponed a demolition in the West Line Historic District at its most recent meeting. Commissioner Kevin Koch pointed out that the commission’s options were “quite limited”…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 6, 2017
Push to landmark 1960s dairy homestead gets new life, and death, at City Hall
For a second time, the Historic Landmark Commission has denied historic zoning for a home that was once the site of the Schieffer Dairy. Though the house at 3901 Brookview Road is now headed for demolition, it has spurred the…
