Landmarks Commission votes to preserve east-side building against developer’s wishes

After a heated debate, members of the Landmarks Commission took action to halt the demolition of the century-old building at East 12th and Comal streets.

1500 E. 12th St. caused a stir in July this year when the owner of Eureka Holdings, which owns big belt properties along the 11th Street corridor, has applied for a permit to demolish the vacant property. Now, landmark commissioners are hoping to tip the scales by voting unanimously last Wednesday to initiate historic zoning for the site.

Though it has been vacant for decades, 1500 E. 12th has played many roles in its 100 years, including a grocery store, a German-owned beer hall and a live music venue in a vibrant black entertainment district. The city’s Historic Preservation Office cites the building’s enduring role in East Austin’s transformational 20th century and its proximity to the historic IQ Hurdle House among his arguments in support of the case.

“I’ve lived in Austin since 1945 … I attended and graduated from every segregated school in segregated East Austin, and before this building closed, I would occasionally come in to hear live music,” said former City Council member Ora Houston, in support of the motion. “This building has been part of East Austin neighborhoods for my entire life, and longer than any of us have been alive.”

Since purchasing the building in 2016, Eureka has proven to be a controversial manager, accumulating numerous citations from code enforcement for failing to perform basic maintenance. The developer says the demolition will pave the way for a more productive use of the East Austin intersection, though no plans have been released for what will take its place.

With the Historic Landmark Commission’s approval, the case will go to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council, where it will need a majority vote to overturn the owner’s wishes. If successful, advocates say the preservation offers a rare opportunity to re-engage with the historic fabric of a neighborhood that has been doomed for decades by the vagaries of the real estate market.

“There is no shortage of resources to make preservation economically viable and restore the street presence of the property. If it is designated as a historic landmark, the owner would be eligible for a property tax exemption and could also apply for a Heritage Tourism grant to restore the building for up to $250,000,” said Megan King of Preservation Austin. “By preserving it, we can define how the story of this building is told and use it as a tool to invest in a better future for this very important block of East Austin.”

Not everyone shares that vision – the issue, which has been on the table for several months, has prompted some area residents to share their thoughts unpleasant memories the building’s recent past, allegedly as a home for drug use and prostitution. Among them supporting the demolitionSome hope the area will be cleared to make way for more modern development projects.

“As an architect, I think there are better and better uses for that corner that could bring jobs, multifamily housing and office space that would help revitalize the area,” said Megan Slattery, president of the Davis-Thompson Neighborhood Association. “There’s another building not far from here called The Giese-Stark building. This was a former grocery store that was designated a historic landmark in 2004 and has been in ruins ever since. … What will be different about this building?”

Others, however, hope the former downtown will stand the test of time and 12th Street will aspire to usher in a new era of sustainability.

“I had the opportunity to serve a nonprofit that manages two historic buildings on East 11th. Both were boarded up, abandoned buildings with troubled histories,” said speaker Eric Sanridge. “I invite you to visit both. The former Shorty’s Bar is now a beautiful, warm space for a bookstore and wine bar run by a woman, and the East Room, another questionable establishment, is now the Herman-Schieffer House and home to a dentist, two therapists and a community development corporation. … Preservation and adaptation are absolutely possible.”

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Posted in: Protection, District 1