Item 5- Letter to Austin City Council- Support for East 12 Street Property_ — original pdf

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BETHANY CEMETERY Association To : Austin City Council Dear Council Members, November 19, 2024 I am writing on behalf of the Bethany Cemetery Association to express our strong support for preserving the historic property located at East 12th Street and Comal in the East Austin Historic District. This building, which dates back to the late 1800s, has long served as a cornerstone for the Black community in Austin, operating over the years as a grocery store, a meeting place, and a vital social center of community life. East Austin’s historic Black landmarks are rapidly disappearing due to ongoing gentrification, erasing vital cultural markers and diminishing the stories of the Black communities that built and thrived in this city. This building is more than a historic structure; it embodies the resilience, resourcefulness, and unity of Austin’s Black community, a story that is worth protecting for future generations. While the mission of the Bethany Cemetery Association is centered on the preservation of Bethany Cemetery, we also advocate for the protection of Austin's cultural landmarks that highlight the significant contributions of the Black community. The historical property on East 12th Street and Comal is a rare surviving example of an establishment from Austin’s early days, marking a time when East Austin served as a self-sustained, vibrant center for Black families and businesses. In an area that has rapidly changed, often to the detriment of its original residents, these landmarks offer an enduring testament to the strength and heritage of Austin’s Black presence and are essential to maintaining our city’s true historical and cultural story and identity. The Bethany Cemetery Association supports the Historic Landmark Commission’s efforts to recognize this historic building as a landmark, securing its future as a part of Austin’s cultural narrative and saving it from demolition. Thank you for your dedication to preserving Austin’s history and for considering this property for historic landmark status. Sue E. Spears President of the Bethany Cemetery Association of Austin bethanycemeteryofaustin@gmail.com 7318 Colony Park Drive Austin, Texas 78724 512-300-3675