To the uninformed, Shonda Mace looked like she was being a real creep. On a morning last March, the young woman loitered in front of a home on East 22nd Street. She eyed the house in front of her before snapping two photos of it. “I take a façade, which is the front of the […]
historic preservation
Official actions of a municipality such as the City of Austin taken to preserve structures with their jurisdiction. Preservation is often accompanied by a property tax exemption.
Posted inAISD
Historic Landmark Commission defies AISD, moves forward with historic zoning for Lee Elementary
Once again, the Historic Landmark Commission was the site of an ideological showdown over the fate of Russell Lee Elementary. And, on Monday night, it was also a face-off between the commission and the Austin Independent School District. Just prior to the commission’s meeting, AISD sent a letter officially opposing historic zoning for the school, […]
Posted inPreservation
Demolition avoided on Cesar Chavez
In a rare turnaround, a small East Austin home that has been a longtime rental in the neighborhood is now headed for preservation instead of demolition. Initially, the owners of 2205 East Cesar Chavez St. were seeking a demolition permit for the home. However, since then, Kenneth and Myung Soon Lemond have changed their minds […]
Posted inPreservation
Clarksville demolition forestalled for now
Yet another Clarksville home is up for demolition. And, once again, the neighborhood isn’t willing to let it go without a fight. This time, developers hope to scrap the modest home at 1926 West 10th St. to make way for a new home. But a majority of those on the Historic Landmark Commission hope that […]
Posted inPreservation
At Lee Elementary, the sign remains the same
Last week, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees took the bold step of changing the name of Lee Elementary School to Lee Elementary School. However, if a group pushing for preservation of the school’s original sign has its way, schoolchildren and parents will continue to enter the building under a sign bearing the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Austin’s development battle goes underground
Rapid development is just about everywhere in Austin, and some of that development has brought up issues such as questions about environmental impact and concerns over increased traffic. But one developer has a fight on its hands that’s not about what’s happening above ground, but below. At the small, overgrown Burditt Prairie Cemetery in Montopolis, […]
Posted inPreservation
Austin Monitor Radio: Preservation Austin
Representatives from Preservation Austin join Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to offer their take on historic zoning in the City of Austin. Sponsored by Austin Water. Post is embedded below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264259586″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inPreservation
East Austin demo spurs talk of moratoriums and trust
There has been a lot of talk recently about a moratorium on demolitions in East Austin. On Monday, that talk surfaced once again, this time around a proposed demolition that will be put on hold for the time being while Historic Landmark commissioners look into whether the home should be designated historic. The Historic Preservation […]
Posted inPreservation
Panel shoots down tax abatement, for now
The former home of one of Austin’s most famous African-American baseball players may soon be restored, but that restoration will take place without the benefit of a city tax abatement this year. Historic Landmark commissioners voted 7-2 to deny the tax abatement for the Willie Wells house at 1705 Newton St. after the home failed […]
Posted inPreservation
Why would two homes cross the street? Preservation.
Though there were some initial reservations about the plan, Historic Landmark commissioners unanimously approved the relocation of two downtown homes at their last meeting. Commissioners approved the release of relocation permits for 606 and 608 E. Third St. on the condition that the developer, Manchester Financial Group, complete a state-required archaeological study and follow through […]
Posted inPreservation
Panel pushes for preservation, despite house deficiencies
Despite concerns that the physical structure lacks historic integrity, the Historic Landmark Commission has voted to move forward with historic zoning for the home of one of East Austin’s most prominent African-Americans. Commissioners voted 6-4 to initiate historic zoning on the home at 1308 E. 12th St., which was originally constructed sometime prior to 1933. […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Steck House compatibility will stay waived
The question of whether the city correctly interpreted city code may have divided Board of Adjustment members at their last meeting, but the panel seemed much more united on the topic of the code language, which will allow new construction in a setback due to historic zoning. In short: The board wasn’t too happy with […]