Tag Archives: historic preservation
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
Audit criticizes city’s historic program management
Citing a lack of staff dedicated to the city’s historic preservation program, an outdated fee collection system and inadequate coordination between historic preservation staff and those higher up in the chain of command, the Office of the City Auditor has…
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Another house, another fight at the Historic Landmark Commission
Once again, the Historic Landmark Commission was transformed into an ideological battleground. This time, the battle was centered on what ultimately proved to be a fairly uncontroversial landmark designation in the North University neighborhood.The Brundrett-Winkler House, which was built in…
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 by Caleb Pritchard
Preservation
County considers calls to preserve Montopolis Negro School building
A group of activists scurrying to preserve a segregation-era schoolhouse brought their case before the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday.Led by East Austin advocates Fred McGhee and Susana Almanza, the group urged the court to help protect the Montopolis…
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Midcentury modern demolition brings dysfunction to the fore at Historic Landmark Commission
Ideological tension at the Historic Landmark Commission bubbled to the surface Monday over the proposed demolition of a midcentury modern home built in the 1950s.Commissioners were evenly split on whether to release the demolition permit for the home at 2506…
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Historic zoning debate reaches new heights at BoA
Are brand-new houses just as eligible for historic zoning as older homes? The answer may not surprise you: No, they are not.The fact that this question was the subject of a half-hour discussion at the Board of Adjustment, however, is…
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 by Audrey McGlinchy
Preservation
New East Austin survey tells story of loss
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…
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
AISD
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…
Tuesday, July 5, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Friday, July 1, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 by KUT News
Development
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…
Monday, May 16, 2016 by Michael Kanin
Preservation
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.
Friday, April 29, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Monday, April 11, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Thursday, April 7, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
Wednesday, March 9, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Land 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…
Monday, February 29, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
Corrected: Homes could thwart convention center project
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,…
Friday, February 26, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
City 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,…
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 by Elizabeth Pagano
Preservation
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…
