On Monday, the Historic Landmark Commission heard a proposal that could move three of downtown Austin’s oldest homes to make way for development surrounding its largest hotel. Doug Manchester from the Manchester Texas Financial Group presented his plan to move two, possibly three, homes across the street from their current location at 604, 606 and […]
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 inCity Council
Rosewood Courts’ historic zoning back in play
It was far from clear what had happened after a flurry of amendments and votes. But when the dust settled, the question of historic zoning for Rosewood Courts remained open. City Council voted 8-0-3 to initiate historic zoning on Rosewood Courts, with Council members Don Zimmerman, Sheri Gallo and Pio Renteria abstaining. That vote will […]
Posted inPreservation
Rosewood Courts preservation fight finds new life
Anyone who thought the bid to save Austin’s Rosewood Courts was over just lost a bet. This Thursday, City Council will consider initiating historic zoning on the East Austin housing project. Council Member Ora Houston has sponsored a resolution supporting both the zoning change and the nomination of Rosewood Courts to the National Register of […]
Posted inPreservation
Crestview home finds new life in Del Valle
When the demolition of 1208 Stobaugh St. came before the Historic Landmark Commission in November, it seemed to strike a nerve with Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky, who – faced with an agenda full of demolitions – urged the city to “stop throwing perfectly good houses in our landfills.” Although the demolitions haven’t slowed over […]
Posted inAustin
Reporter’s Notebook: Drive crashes
All4Nothing… South Austin, for better or worse, has long been considered the bastion of Austin of Yore. From hippies to low-slung bungalows to grimy music clubs, South River City keeps it weird. One hallmark of local heritage to which it will not hark back, however, is our lost tradition of municipal elections in May. It […]
Posted inAustin
Council supports “Muny” golf course preservation
When the average American thinks of activities that promote diversity, golf is probably not the first one that comes to mind. But on Thursday, City Council unanimously endorsed a resolution that seeks to recognize the Lions Municipal Golf Course as a historic site, largely because of the unique role that “Muny,” as it is affectionately […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Steck House at center of project, now BoA case
The city’s Board of Adjustment is taking a little more time to consider whether a North University site plan was approved in error. Appellant Leon Barish has asked the board to weigh in on how staff applied the compatibility setback for a project surrounding the historic Steck House during the site-plan approval process. Barish told […]
Posted inAustin
Development controversy looms at Palm School
Travis County Commissioners Court is setting the stage in downtown Austin for another high-profile thumb-wrestling match between the pro-development community and historical preservationists. As part of the emerging public discussion over the county’s ownership of the Palm School site at East Cesar Chavez Street and I-35, the court at its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday […]
Posted inAustin
Is gentrification a human rights issue in Austin?
Over the past few months, the city’s Human Rights Commission has been taking a hard look at preservation and gentrification. Though such issues might seem outside the commission’s purview, onetime City Council candidate Fred McGhee has a different opinion. McGhee’s complaints come after the Historic Landmark Commission rejected historic zoning for the Rosewood Courts in […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: We do declare
Preservation fight perseveres… Delivering complications once again, the ongoing struggle to create a local historic district in the Bluebonnet Hills section of Travis Heights has experienced another unique twist. This past week, opponents delivered to the city a second valid petition against the district and demanded that it be included in the case, despite a […]
Posted inPreservation
Bluebonnet Hills clears another city hurdle
The Bluebonnet Hills local historic district is just one vote shy of creation, but its future remains uncertain after a late-night discussion at City Council. As of Wednesday night, 52.12 percent of the property owners within the district supported its creation, according to Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky. That’s beyond the majority required by statute. […]
Posted inPlanning
Palm School fate uncertain
The fate of a historic building at the southeastern gateway of downtown Austin is up in the air as Travis County continues a gradual reshuffling of its valuable real estate portfolio. The commissioners court will soon vote to start making early preparations to withdraw county workers from Palm School at East Cesar Chavez Street and […]