Austin Historic Landmark Commission Approves Study Aimed At East Austin Preservation

EAST AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Historic Landmark Commission this week unanimously endorsed a study that aims to make it easier to set up historic districts and for individual structures to acquire landmark status in East Austin.

The study is now destined to go before the Austin City Council in December, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Among its findings, the study identifies 24 potential new historic districts in East Austin.

The 1,000-page study was begun last year, and takes into account the historical context of communities that settled from 1839 to 1970. It centers on an area with the boundaries of Lady Bird Lake to the south; Manor Road to the north; Interstate 35 to the west; and a line that includes Pleasant Valley Road and the MetroRail line to the east.

Residents of East Austin have long lamented the gradual erosion of their neighborhoods to gentrification, marked by brisk commercial development catering to a higher-income demographic while driving up property rates for longtime residents. The adoption of the study by the commission is being viewed as a step toward conservation in East Austin given the brisk development in the now-trendy part of the city, one official said.

“I am pleased with the thoroughness of the report,” Commissioner Sarah Valenzuela said, as quoted by the Austin American-Statesman. “And with the steps the city of Austin has taken to document the significant contributions of African-Americans and Mexican-Americans to our community. I am optimistic that the report will encourage efforts already underway and serve as a call to action to recognize and preserve the vibrant history of East Austin.”

The study was prepared by Hardy-Heck-Moore Inc., a locally based historic preservation firm, with added input from members of the public and the Texas Historical Commission among other groups.

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