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 few still standing. The school sits vacant in a largely empty field in East Austin. […]
Montopolis
An East Austin neighborhood bounded by Grove Street to the west, Texas State Highway 71 to the south and the Southeast Austin neighborhood and U.S. Route 183 to the east. It is located in District 3.
Posted inDevelopment
Rezoning denial could mean east side showdown
Planning commissioners took a united stand Tuesday night by voting to deny a rezoning application for an east side property that contains the former Montopolis Negro School. The case has drawn controversy as it has moved through other city commissions, thanks in large part to the strong opposition of community members. Property owner Austin Stowell […]
Posted inPreservation
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 to take action on a resolution that would have expressed support for the preservation of […]
Posted inPreservation
Controversy swirls over Montopolis historic school site eyed for development
The city’s Community Development Commission weighed in on the effort to stop a contentious development project proposed for a historic piece of property in East Austin. At Tuesday’s meeting the development commission voted 13-0 to ask the city to halt any work to demolish a historic school building located on Montopolis Drive just south of […]
Posted inPreservation
Travillion steps up to the plate for Montopolis Negro School compromise
Barely an hour after taking his ceremonial oath of office at his first Travis County Commissioners Court meeting, Commissioner Jeff Travillion took on a big special assignment. At the request of County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, Travillion committed to brokering a compromise between the owner of the Montopolis Negro School building in Southeast Austin and neighborhood […]
Posted inDevelopment
Displacement fears block recommendation of Montopolis project
Concerns about family displacement and housing affordability prevented the Planning Commission from recommending approval of a proposed apartment complex in the Montopolis neighborhood Tuesday. In two different votes, the commission failed to garner the seven votes necessary to endorse the recommendation by city staff for the proposed 23-acre mixed-use development on Bastrop Highway and Ponca […]
Posted inDevelopment, Zoning
High-end Montopolis condos get planning approval
A proposal for high-priced condominiums in Montopolis is moving forward, despite concerns from the neighborhood that the project could be a harbinger of gentrification. PRJ Development was asking for a neighborhood plan amendment from Civic to Mixed Use and to add Mixed Use to the current Limited Office zoning on just under 5 acres at […]
Posted inDevelopment, Elections, Environment, Local Politics, Transportation
East Austin candidates pack stage at North Door
Candidates went head-to-head in the race to represent East Austin voters in District 3 at the latest in a series of community forums hosted by the Austin Monitor and KUT News. All of the district’s 12 candidates attended Monday’s question and answer session at the North Door on Brushy Street to talk about affordability and […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission nixes plans for Montopolis condo project
Montopolis Neighborhood residents’ fears of gentrification were convincing enough to sway the Planning Commission from endorsing a condominium project last week. Kemp Street Properties LLC was seeking the change from SF-3 zoning to SF-6 zoning on 5.38 acres at 600 Kemp Street in the Montopolis neighborhood. The change would allow construction of 45 condominiums. […]