D.4-D.5 - public comments - 1-50 — original pdf
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Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Joshua Melton Friday, April 8, 2022 5:52 PM PAZ Preservation April 11th Meeting - PLEASE save 201-213 W. 4th St Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, Although I am unable to attend Monday's meeting, I would like to voice my concerns/ pleads to not allow for the demolition of 201‐213 W.4th Street which is slated to be discussed at the Monday, April 11th meeting. Architecturally, these buildings are some of the last remaining warehouses in Austin's historic Warehouse District. I personally worked at 207 W 4th St for the architect Dick Clark while studying architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. This location and its neighbor Neon Grotto (formerly Hangar Lounge) even received AIA design awards, and these landmarks were influential in Dick being awarded the most prestigious "Fellow" status with the American Institute of Architects. Prior to moving offices in 2020, Dick Clark + Associates had previously occupied that space for over three decades. From that office, Dick and his team transformed the warehouse district creating many of the restaurants, bars, and cultural institutions that paved the way to the boom and development Austin is experiencing now. This historic building stock, once demolished, can never be rebuilt to the same charm, presence, and character as the existing structures. These former warehouses turned cultural institutions are the backbone of Austin's structured and experienced landscape. Aside from their architectural significance, and arguably more importantly, this block, specifically these few buildings, are Austin's main hub for the LGBT community. A community which I am also a member of. It was in these bars, lounges, and queer spaces that often go unnoticed or unappreciated to the general public where I was able to find my community and become my authentic self after work and on the weekends. In a study conduced in 2020 the Trevor Project in collaboration with the CDC discovered that every 45 sec. in the US an LGBT youth between the agest of 13‐24 attempts suicide in the United States. Now more than ever we need to protect the LGBT community and the public spaces they occupy, as they may not have the same community, love, and support at home. Demolishing these buildings, or even demolishing them, rebuilding their facades, and allowing the same businesses to occupy the ground floor space would be an attack on Austin's LGBT community. The street would become unrecognizable, and Austin's LGBT community would be forced to retreat to some other marginalized part of town. I am by no means anti development, and having a Master of Architecture with an emphasis in Sustainability, I understand first hand the need for more housing and more office space to meet Austin's growing needs. However, the significance of these buildings for Austin's historic warehouse district and more importantly Austin's LGBT community far outweighs the ambitions of any new development. Sincerely, Joshua Melton 1 ‐‐ Joshua Melton CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 2 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Delaney Bannister Friday, April 8, 2022 7:36 PM PAZ Preservation Delaney Bannister Save 201-213 W 4th Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** To Fellow Austinites, If we continue hacking away at Austin’s foundation, it will not only crumble, but crush any remaining character as it falls. Please do not continue gutting the city. Its specialness is hanging by a thread. Mend, don’t cut. With hope from an architect and Austin resident, Delaney Bannister CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Bridget O'Brien Tuesday, April 12, 2022 2:31 PM PAZ Preservation HELL NO to Demolition on 4th Street - May 4th meeting Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi, My name is Bridget O'Brien and I'd like to sign up to speak at the May 4th meeting on Item A1. The fact the demolition of one of the few queer spaces and blocks in Austin is even being considering is ridiculous. We should NOT replace these historic queer spaces for yet another high rise. I'd like to speak in person but want info to speak via phone in case I can't make the in person meeting last minute. Name: Bridget O'Brien Speak on: Item A1, strongly AGAINST Bridget CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Jeremy K Tuesday, April 12, 2022 3:08 PM PAZ Preservation opposition to proposed 4th street development Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, I am a long‐time Austin resident writing in relation to agenda item A1 at your May 4th meeting, the proposed development of the 4th street block that includes businesses like Oilcan Harry's and Coconut Club. I will not be able to attend the meeting so I'd like to submit this email to be read. I want to express my opposition to The Hanover Company's proposed highrise on this block. This block makes up the entirety of Austin's LGBTQ "district." It is a place of gathering, community, arts, and culture. At a time when the Texas legislature is directly attacking trans rights and undercutting the safety and personhood of the LGBTQ community, demolishing these businesses sends an incredibly bad and disappointing sign. This project feels deeply un‐Austin ‐ something I know all of you hope to avoid. Not only is this an attack on Austin's LGBTQ culture, but these low‐rise beautiful brick buildings are totems of an older Austin downtown. Many of these buildings have been around for generations and to lose them to another glass and metal tower is to chose corporate profits over true Austin preservation. It is your board's duty to listen to the voices of Austin and be the custodians of our city's development. I do not oppose all development and see many of the new high rises and condos as necessities to fight affordability. But we have to ask ourselves what the unseen costs ‐ the social, cultural, and environmental costs ‐ are of each project proposed in Austin. And this project by Hanover simply has far too much cultural collateral damage to be a net‐positive for Austin. I urge you to prevent this project. Thank you, Jeremy CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Becky Schmader Tuesday, April 12, 2022 3:15 PM PAZ Preservation May 4th Item A1 Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, My name is Becky Schmader and I'm a citizen here in Austin, TX. I'm writing to speak on item A1 which would result in the demolition of queer spaces. I'm unable to attend the May 4th meeting at the moment but if my email could be read or added to the documents then I would like that. In a city that is ever growing Austin is quickly losing many spaces that are needed by marginalized people. The amount of queer centric spaces that are easily accessible to many are shrinking in size and the demolition of any building on this block would result in the loss of queer culture. It does not matter that some of these bars are new to this block, any queer space should be looked at as a historic space. These are spaces where people who don't often have safe spaces can go to feel like themselves, sometimes for the first time. These are gathering places for queer people to meet people like them, for them to maybe meet a first love, or a life partner. By allowing the building of these high rises and destroying at least two of these spaces, the city is showing a sign that it cares more about high end development than the marginalized citizens that live in Austin. By allowing this you're destroying 40% of a marginalized groups space, that's taken years to grow, and that is obscene to say the least. These spaces should be protected not only for marginalized individuals in Austin but also to protect the culture of Austin. Austin is shifting from the once thriving cultural center of Texas, to a carbon copy of any large city, USA. These unique spaces on 4th street and Colorado helped create the colorful night life that helped put Austin on the map. Thank you and let me know if there are other ways for my voice to be heard. Becky Schmader CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Mila A Tuesday, April 12, 2022 3:17 PM PAZ Preservation 4th street Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I'm truly disgusted and ashamed of the City of Austin for even considering demolition on 4th street for new high‐ rises. Painting a performative rainbow sidewalk and less than a year later moving to destroy some of the only places where queer people can feel safe and supported in this city is VILE. 4th st bars are so important to me and my community! Please truly represent the people and stand up against this! CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov on behalf of City of Austin <noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov> Tuesday, April 12, 2022 4:07 PM PAZ Preservation Say NO to 201-213 West 4th St. Development by The Hanover Co. This message is from Sofia Shapiro. I am begging you to NOT APPROVE the demolition of the buildings on West 4th St. for the development by The Hanover Co. The establishments on this street, and even the very character and historic value of the buildings on this street serve a deeply cultural purpose. West 4th street has historically been one of the very few places for LGBT+ music and performance. I saw my first drag show competition at a bar on West 4th. The queer artists, musicians, and performers who have made this very city so attractive to developers and tourists would be devastated by this. We need this area to remain a queer friendly performance area and not a high rise condo unit for greedy developers. Please do not allow one of our few remaining safe spaces in the city to be fodder for big developer profits, turning what is an important cultural space into a bland, gentrified, sterile and un‐useable‐by‐most high rise building. It will kill what makes Austin so special and as a result push queer people further into the margins, with no spaces to truly enjoy ourselves and build the cultural significance this city relies on for future tourism and leisure. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Georgina Wilson Thursday, April 14, 2022 3:03 PM PAZ Preservation Item A1 *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** Hi there ‐ Former ATX resident so not sure my voice really matters but I do not support the demolition of 4th street. That area is a magnificent addition to this city and also a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Not to mention a haven for cis girls who don’t want to get gropped by cis men (!). Why demo for yet another big old “multi purpose” building that will (maybe not at first) eventually price everybody out and only allow for more charmless, bougie spaces. Thanks Georgina CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Alexa Rickard Tuesday, April 12, 2022 4:24 PM PAZ Preservation item a1: demolition of 4th street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear committee, My name is Alexa Rickard and I am writing to speak about Item A1, regarding the developer Hanover Co. to demolish part of Fourth St. downtown. I am strongly AGAINST this action. I cannot make it to your meeting on May 4 and wish to send me comments here, via email, to be sent to the appropriate members. "I am strongly against the demolition & development on 4th street by Hanover Co. Our city loves it's current way of life. Fourth Street and the businesses within this area are a refuge to LGBTQ+, as well as their friends and family. These establishments are special to us, and cannot simply be recreated by keeping the facade and renting the new space at a discount. It's about MORE than that. You are stripping away our culture, our home, our experiences; you are erasing it for capitalism and growth. We don't want your high‐rise or fancy chef‐curated restaurants. We want to keep austin weird and keep our beloved street just the way it is. Those businesses deserve to stay and to continue to be loved by all. I am terribly upset. I hope the committee sees the importance of this area and does not approve the plans for Hanover Co's development! Sincerely, Alexa R." Thank you. Alexa Alexa Rickard CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: era steinfeld Tuesday, April 12, 2022 4:26 PM PAZ Preservation; District10 opposing destruction of 4th st culture *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, My name is Era Steinfeld and I am a resident and voter in Austin's 10th District. I would like to go on record that I vehemently oppose Item A1 on the upcoming agenda. Demolishing these historic bars on 4th St would not only devastate Austin's queer community culture, but it would put many people out of work and out of business. We need to preserve queer culture in Austin. Austin is a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people all over the country, especially in the South. If we destroy these spaces and replace them with un‐affordable housing and dining, the most marginalized members of our community will not have access to spaces that they helped create. People flock to Austin for it's culture and community, so we need to preserve it. I will not be able to speak at the upcoming meeting, but I vehemently oppose Item A1. Thanks, Era Steinfeld _____________________________________ era steinfeld PRONOUNS: SHE/HER M.A. Education: Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, SF State 2019 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Hannah Rotchel Tuesday, April 12, 2022 4:27 PM PAZ Preservation Saying no to the demolition of 4th street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, I am writing to express my concern and disagreement with the possible demolition of 4th street. Removing clubs that are unique places to austin and especially to the LGBTQ+ community would be a shame and a travesty. As a tax‐paying citizen of Austin, TX i wanted to chime in and express my voice. Thank you ‐ Hannah Rotchel ‐‐ Sent from Gmail Mobile CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Randall Helmcamp Tuesday, April 12, 2022 5:29 PM PAZ Preservation Save 4th Street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi there, My name is Randy Helmcamp, and I am a former Texas Longhorn and current Austin resident. I spent 18 years growing up outside of Houston, TX, and before I even attended UT was long drawn to Austin's identity as a hub for the many people who felt alienated by most of Texas' stringent mindset. Growing up LGBT in Texas can be difficult, but Austin always felt like the one place where you could go and be yourself without any sense of shame. It's no surprise that Austin's magnetic character has continued to draw so many people from around the country attracted to its open‐mindedness. However, it would be an absolute shame to let Austin's surge of growth alienate the very facets that makes our city so great, its character and inclusivity. There are few remaining LGBT spaces in Austin as downtown's growth continues to explode and put many of the places that have long felt like home at risk. 4th street is and has been without a doubt the hub for Austin's LGBT community, and the prospect of Coconut Club, Neon Grotto, and Oil Can Harry's all being shuttered to make way for another nondescript skyscraper absolutely breaks my heart. Austin has long distinguished itself from other Texas cities by touting its quirky personality, inclusivity, and accepting mindset, but this move feels directly at odds with that identity. I am respectfully asking that the city reconsider tearing down these historic spaces that have been oases for the city's many queer people and that continue to provide safe havens for margnizalized crowds. The many queer people I know in Austin have countless stories of magical nights where they connected with people like them, finally felt accepted, and reveled in the diversity and queerness of our wonderful city at these very spaces. Without these spaces, those experiences will become much more rare, and their absence will contribute to isolating an already vulnerable and marginalized group. Austin can indefinitely revisit its zoning requirements and codes to make way for more skyscrapers throughout our city, but once these monuments are torn down there is no promise that they will ever come back. So again, I respectfully ask that the city reconsider destroying some of our few remaining queer spaces and save 4th street for the sake of all LGBT people in Austin and those who continue to look towards Austin as a beacon of hope and acceptance. Thank you for your time, Randy Helmcamp 1 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 2 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Halana Kaleel Tuesday, April 12, 2022 5:34 PM PAZ Preservation; District 3; Barragan, Yuri Fwd: 201-213 W. 4th Street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi, Please see below for an email I sent the entire Historic Landmark Commission. As a resident and voter in District 3, I would like to go on the record saying I oppose the demolition of 201‐213 W 4th street (further reasoning in email below). Thank you. Best, Halana Kaleel ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ From: Halana Kaleel Date: Tue, Apr 12, 2022 at 2:11 PM Subject: 201‐213 W. 4th Street To: Dear Historic Landmark Commission, All Commission Members are blind copied on this email. I am writing to discuss my concerns about the upcoming review and possibility of demolishing 201‐213 W 4th street. I have lived in Austin for over 6 years, and have watched the city I live and work in drastically change, and to be honest not for the better. Austinites have watched as the spaces that they felt safe being themselves in are destroyed to make room for housing or businesses that they can't even afford or afford to enjoy. While I appreciate the developers willingness to work with one of the establishments that supports the LGBTQI+ community, they have failed to consider the other countless spaces that will be impacted and destroyed. These are spaces that hold many memories for the queer community as well as are spaces that we feel comfortable/safe in. Nothing breaks my heart more than driving around Austin and seeing all the places I have joyful memories in, being destroyed to make room for unaffordable apartments and condos. The last thing we need is developers ruining the one street that the queer community has in Austin. We need safe places for the LGBTQI+ community to socialize, perform, make art, and just be us in. Please recognize the historical significance of this area, and don't allow it to be destroyed. The last thing we need is more housing for the wealthy, what we need is safe spaces for marginalized people. Let's keep Austin weird : ) Thank you, Halana Kaleel CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 please don’t tear down our city - Item A1 Wednesday, April 13, 2022 7:34:50 AM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** From: To: Subject: Date: hi team, please don’t do tear down the 4th street bc the lure of the money is enticing. the owners and staff of coco/neon/cuatro have worked tirelessly to build this safe space (during the pandemic no less), and the city has taken so much from folks that have had so much less. rainey and west 6th already cater to the target groups of this proposed project. austin native here. the longest i’ve ever not been in atx in my 25 years is just 8 weeks, and i’ve always been proud to grow up in our beautiful city. i don’t want to be ashamed of our city, but it’s getting harder to feel this way when it’s very obvious this project is choosing profits over culture. austin will be just fine without another celebrity chef restaurant and overpriced high rises. how can you even put a dollar value on way everyone, visitors and residents alike, can feel safe and enjoy 4th street as it is. please do what you know is right. i cannot attend the 5/4 meeting, but i would like to submit a recorded comment for the HLC. thanks a bunch, and i hope your wednesday treats you well. -jaime Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Ramiro Mares Tuesday, April 12, 2022 5:52 PM PAZ Preservation Demolition of LGBT sanctuary ITEM A1 *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** My name is Ramiro Mares im a Texas native im also queer and non binary. It is important that the voices of the LGBT community are heard especially in a time when these same people are being targeted and abused. A man about a week ago was beaten for kissing their boyfriend in public. We need places like this to stick around so gay love is normalized. It should be here to stay there is no room for hatred in a very liberal Austin, Texas. Im just one voice of many in my community. Please consider keeping these spaces reserved for our community to thrive and be perceived as normal. Removing these sanctuaries will only set us back from having a safe space to live and survive. Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Raul Mata Jr. Tuesday, April 12, 2022 6:01 PM PAZ Preservation 4th Street Demolition *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi Two questions I have. Why is it always the loved local business and bars that are selected for demolition for a high rise? Why not pick somewhere else? You're basically picking a favorite spot for Austin residents to enjoy, forcing them out of town and saying, "tough shit, we're doing this for money. Kyle is always there". Have you thought about the people who actually work there? Where are they going to work? Not Austin anymore they way you're tearing down buildings downtown and around the area. If you continue with this decision, you basically are saying you are picking profits over people Don't do it We need 4th Raul Mata Jr CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov on behalf of City of Austin <noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov> Tuesday, April 12, 2022 6:43 PM PAZ Preservation Coconut Club This message is from Madison Messick. ] To tear down 75% of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ spaces to make room for a restaurant and other venues is atrocious. Please stop this. Coconut club is one of my favorite places and it’s a safe space for the queer community. Why paint a rainbow sidewalk just to demolish everywhere we feel safe? This is a horrible decision. 1 From: To: Subject: Date: 4th Street Sanctuary Wednesday, April 13, 2022 1:10:41 AM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I would like for this message to be shared with all members of the commission. Hello, My name is Gabrielle Samaripa, I am a Native Austinite. I love this city and have tried protecting its people the best I can. The demolition of the bars on 4th would be a travesty. 4th street is home to many gay bars who fly their flags proudly. Demolishing these bars would be seen as an act of homophobia. These bars are safe havens in the partying scene and have employed countless LGBTQ entertainers from across the nation. I’ve had so many friends be chased out of, been given dirty looks, and have experienced physical violence in the straight bars of Austin. The bars/clubs on 4th street have given incredibly talented queer performers the chance to start a new life after their families cast them away. Austin is becoming inhabitable for the “weird.” Fight for us. Fight for the weird. - Gabrielle Samaripa CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Jessica Meuer Tuesday, April 12, 2022 7:14 PM PAZ Preservation 4th street construction *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To whom it may concern, Please do not demolish the spaces on 4th street. Tearing safe spaces down that affect marginalized people to build unaffordable high rises that affects that community is absolutely unexexcusable This is not what will benefit the community. Leave queen spaces alone. 4th street alone bring live and joy to Austin. By doing this, you are tearing down some of the only joy people have. Have a fucking heart. CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 From: To: Subject: Date: Arielle Winchester PAZ Preservation I would like to speak on item 1A at the May 4th meeting Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:51:10 AM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** My name is Arielle Winchester and I am strongly against item 1A. We don't need more luxury high-rises or fancy restaurants! This is the only area in the city that feels safe for all of us. Taking it away would destroy a community. Honestly, it's what keeps Austin worth living in, and I know a lot of people, including myself, would move away if it was demolished. Please do not remove some of the last shreds of culture in this city. PLEASE DO NOT DEMOLISH! Please record my comment via email. CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Makenna Krist Tuesday, April 12, 2022 7:30 PM PAZ Preservation SAVE 4TH ST *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** My name is Makenna Krist and I am strongly against the new development project that is to be put in the LGBTQIA+ hub of the city on 4th Street. I lived in Austin from 2015‐2021. I have temporarily moved away to attend law school, however, I regularly return to Austin to visit my family and friends in the city. I was devastated today when I heard the news that high‐rise living will replace the many culturally important LGBTQIA+ bars on 4th Street. Hearing this news only a week after hearing of CapMetro's plan to build on the site of Dirty Martin's, as well as the other projects replacing bars on Rainey Street, was only further disheartening. Austin is quickly losing cultural staples that gave the city its unique character and made the city the prosperous location it is today. Now that Austin's unique culture has put it on the map, it is being brushed to the side in favor of over‐modernization and profit, leaving the city a shell of what it once was. Not only are the bars on 4th street historically important to the city's LGBTQIA+ community, but the area also provides a safe and positive community in which all are always welcome to gather. Further, part of what makes these bars so wonderful are the fantastic rooftops that bring an energy to the city that no other bars do. Even if the developments kept retail space on the ground floor, the main draw and integrity of the bars would be lost, as well as the original structures that are filled with memories. I understand that the city is growing and we must evolve in some ways with that growth, however, we should ask ourselves ‐ at what cost? Is this (one of many) high rise developments more important than the safety, community, and history of Austin's LGBTQIA+? Is this development more important than retaining the city's culture and uniqueness that originally captured everyone's hearts? Certain things are irreplaceable. 4th Street bars are one of those things. The power is in your hands to save this area. Once it is gone, it cannot be replaced or reproduced with its original integrity. Please, take this, as well as outcries from the rest of the Austin community, into consideration. Best, Makenna Krist CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 From: To: Subject: Date: Save oil can Harry’s Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:09:05 AM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** You are losing the soul of the city. As a born and raised austinite, I can tell you this: if you kill that block you kill austin. Don’t allow this to happen. Annie Albrecht -- Annie Albrecht she/her/hers Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Patricia Newman Tuesday, April 12, 2022 8:23 PM PAZ Preservation May 4th Meeting Speaker Sign Up - A1 Agenda Item *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Good evening, My name is Patricia Newman and I live in the E Riverside area of Austin. My contact information is Though I’m unable to physically attend the Preservation Meeting in‐person, I’m emailing to ask for this email to be recorded as my comment for speaking AGAINST agenda item A1. As a frequent visitor to the bars/clubs in the 4th Street downtown area, I would like to see this area preserved and remained intact. I enjoy 4th Street and would like to continue to enjoy these bars in the future. Thank you, Patricia Newman ‐‐ Sent from my iPhone Pronouns: she/her CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 From: To: Subject: Date: SAVE 4th St Please!! Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:00:49 AM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** It’s honestly disgusting that once again the actual locals of Austin are fighting to preserve our city! The community that has been built by coconut club, neon grotto and it’s neighbors is irreplaceable. You’re pushing out and neglecting those who built this city to what it is now. People came from all over to experience a place where they can express and be themselves without fear of other’s opinions or ridicule. Rainey st has already taken big hits and now this!!! I used to be proud that I was raised in this city. Now all it seems y’all care about is money!!!! Protect our city and stop trying to fix what isn’t broken!!! SAVE 4th St y’all!!! Or sit back and watch how many people you’re about to anger and disappoint. Make the right decision -Austen Queen Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Pate, Sunny Tuesday, April 12, 2022 8:57 PM PAZ Preservation Destruction of LGBTQ bars *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** Hi, I recently saw that the beloved Coconut Club bar, a historically safe haven for the queer community, is going to be torn down for ANOTHER high rise and restaurant‐ Hanover Co. I am very upset by this and think it’s so performative to have constructed the rainbow crosswalk only to destroy a safe part of the city for us. The city does not genuinely care for us when this is the action allowed. I’m worried about the direction Austin is going when so many beloved places will soon no longer exist due to outside corporations overtaking them. Please let me know what I can do to fight this. Sunny Pate CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 From: To: Subject: Date: 4th street preservation Tuesday, April 12, 2022 11:37:22 PM This message is from Melissa Pierce. [ ] Hello Austin City Historic District Officials, I am reaching out to let you know how I feel about an important issue. I am what they call a “unicorn” I am a true Austinite. I was born at Seton Hospital in 1993 and have lived in this beautiful city my entire life. I grew up at Westgate and William Cannon where my small middle class family saved up for ten years to build a home in Oak Hill where I attended high school. I am now a proud homeowner in the Highland Hills area near Mount Bonnel where I live with my husband and our beloved pets. In addition I am a local business owner of a sustainable fashion line. My mother and I picked up Leslie hitchhiking many times in South Austin, and I spent years of my adolescence with friends at “The Foundation” better know as “Castle Hill” or it’s former name given by its capitalized endeavor Hope Gallery. If either of these give you any idea of my attachment to this city. This city is being picked apart one day at a time and turned into the most basic and unrecognizable place I could have imagined in my worst nightmare. It brings me to tears to type this. My home is a place I barely recognize anymore The 4th street district is a sacred space for the LGBTQ community and should be considered a historic landmark. If you tear these spaces down you continue to push out the heart and soul of the city. Where is the weird? I only see greed and lack luster high rises in a place I once revered as the most beautiful in the world There are other ways to grow. No dollar amount is worth loosing these treasures. -Melissa Hargus Pierce Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Angel Flores Tuesday, April 12, 2022 9:27 PM PAZ Preservation 4th AVE DEMO. *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** you must stop the demolition of 4th ave. that is a safe space for queer people to go and feel liberated to be themselves and not have to deal with the fear of being judged or looked at the wrong way. i’m from seattle washington and seeing this happen from the queerest city in the state breaks my heart and brings fear to me and my queer siblings. you must obviously know how wrong it would be to get rid of something so major. put yourself in our shoes and understand that you can’t do this!!! what if it was your home? think about the young lgbtq+ people who potentially want and need a safe space to go to! THIS MUST NOT GO ON CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Samantha Oesch Tuesday, April 12, 2022 9:44 PM PAZ Preservation Saying NO to Demolition of 4th St *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Good evening, I cannot attend the May 4th event to speak against gentrification on 4th Street, so please record my comment below to be relayed to the HLC: Buying out and demolishing a whole block of LGBT+ spaces to build an overpriced high rise is blatantly homophobic, transphobic, racist and tacky. Gentrification has sucked the culture out of this city at an alarming rate and this would be an enormous threat to the growing open LGBT+ community. Stop trying to erase LGBT+, black and Latino culture from the city of Austin. Stop trying to keep Austin divisive and segregated because many of us know how these things have turned out through the abuse of power in gentrification. Stop pushing people out of their homes, then punishing them for living on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. The Texas capital has dwindled into a mediocre tourist trap that only caters to delusional, rich white people and their trust babies and it’s embarrassing. Let people be queer and express that openly. Let people be who they are. Make housing affordable in Austin. This erasure of culture has to end. Sincerely, Samantha Rene Oesch CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov on behalf of City of Austin <noreply@coadigital.onbehalfof.austintexas.gov> Tuesday, April 12, 2022 9:57 PM PAZ Preservation 4 street destruction This message is from Kathryn Schneider. As an Austin local for the last 25 years, it is so heartbreaking to see what’s happening to our city. With the growth brings destruction to the exact areas of the city these people are moving here for. They’ll move here after destroying the city they “loved” and then leave when it’s not what they moved here for, and Austin locals will have the shell of what their city looked like. Please stop the destruction and change of historic Austin areas. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Beth Santiago Tuesday, April 12, 2022 10:19 PM PAZ Preservation Register position for May 4 Meeting item 1A *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi, I’d like to record my opposition against item 1A. Austin should absolutely not tear down any of the gay clubs on 4th street to build yet another high rise. Texas has been extremely homophobic lately ‐ would be a very bad lion for Austin to do this. Regards, Beth Santiago PhD CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Casey Geiger Tuesday, April 12, 2022 10:44 PM PAZ Preservation Changes Coming to 4th St. *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To whom it may concern, Regarding ITEM A1, and the demolition of our beautiful 4th street safe havens. What is housed on 4th street in businesses like Coconut Club, Oilcan Harry’s, and Neon Grotto is more than just clubs - it is a safe haven for our community. Part of what makes Austin home for so many of us in the LGBTIA+ community who call Texas home, is it has always been a city where we feel more held in our community. We may still have a long way to go, but I can promise you that taking away safe spaces like Coconut Club, Oilcan Harry’s, and Neon Grotto is not the way to continue to build our community up. Austin used to be a city that prided itself in the preservation of local businesses, community, local art - and even proudly holds the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” based off of the judgements we have received from other Texas cities for being a safe space that allows our community to be authentically loving themselves. I, for one, want to stay in a city where we still hold these beliefs. Because of that, I cannot support the demolition of these places just to build more “luxury high rises,” that are surely not going to be accessible in price. Thank you for taking the time to hear your locals out, and we hope you find it in your heart to hear us out! Warm regards, Casey Geiger ‐‐ Best, Casey ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Casey Geiger, RYT-200 (she | her) Wofford College, 2016 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Josh Long Tuesday, April 12, 2022 10:49 PM PAZ Preservation May 4th meeting preservation of 4th street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Good evening, I would like to speak on ITEM 1. I am very much against this item! I would like to see 4th stay the way it is and not be demolished to help the rich profit of a high rise. I am from Big Spring, Texas but I now reside here in Austin. Coming out to my family was hard, and moving here to Austin I wanted to find community, and 4th street has given me that. I know with the building of this condo it would destroy our community to help the rich profit, which is not the vibe of Austin. Like I said again, I am very much against this demolition! Please make 4th street an historical district. Every major city has one, and Austin is a major city now, so preserve it before it is to late. Thank you for reading, Joshua Long. CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 From: To: Subject: Date: URGENT GRIEVANCES Regarding Hanover Commercial Development - 4th and Colorado, Downtown Austin Tuesday, April 12, 2022 11:01:54 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To Whom it May (and Should) Concern, This email addresses the future of the downtown block in Austin which is home to Coconut Club, Neon Grotto, Oilcan Harry’s, and Rain on 4th. This area, which is of commercial interest to Hanover Co., is one of the most unique to Austin’s diversity and inclusion. Compromising on which establishments to destroy or “relocate” for the benefit of commercial construction is not a fair representation of the city we belong to (and simply ignores the longstanding relationship these bars and establishments have with Austin’s LGBTQ+ community, additionally those who support the LGBTQ+ community). Converting even part of this block would make a strong negative statement, casting aside some of the most valuable establishments that most align with Austin’s personality. Many flock to Austin from places that have a habit of fast-tracking commercial developments like this, and preserving this historic area would be of great benefit to Austin morale and the values we stand behind as a community, especially those who battle marginalization on a daily basis. Austin is a leader and a shining light for those who have felt bulldozed and cast aside in their lives simply because of who they are and who they love. Sacrificing something so special for commercial real estate sends the sad message of this downtown block being “replaceable” or “disposable”, none of which accurately describes what these establishments mean to Austin, especially its LGBTQ+ population. Please help to preserve this area. I, and countless others, see this as critical to acceptance and progress. Austin is a blue oasis in a Red Sea and I believe with that comes certain responsibilities of actively pursuing unity; projecting this unity to those who are residents, or even visitors that come to experience freedom from shaming and discrimination we wish to paralyze. I hope these grievances are genuinely heard. I could not be more opposed to the demolition of these establishments, as they are crucial to the culture Austin continues to nourish. Additionally, the LGBTQ+ community deserves more say in these developments, as they are most affected. This demolition would reflect the rotten interests of Austin’s expansion, and would cheapen the progress for which our community intentionally works towards. Please pay attention to the wishes of your community members, and the pushback so obviously seen across the internet and social media. If we can historically preserve a dance hall (Broken Spoke) important to Austin’s recreational culture, then we should most definitely preserve a part of Austin that is important to its cultural diversity. I’ve attached a link to an Instagram post, which is host to thousands of comments in alliance with these opinions. Thank you for your consideration and please inform me of additional steps we can take towards preserving this downtown block. We must make efforts in maintaining and supporting Austin’s achievements for the betterment of Texas and the U.S. to serve as a strong example of who we collectively strive to be. Best Regards, Adele Sinegar Resident of Austin CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. From: To: Subject: Date: Hello, May 4th Meeting 4th Street Tuesday, April 12, 2022 10:58:48 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I am writing this email in opposition to the plans to demolish the many nightclubs on 4th street. I am requesting to speak or give input on the suggestion that we replace the bars on 4th street with highrises. Included below is my phone number and personal email; I’d like to have my comment recorded over the phone. CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Lily Hickman Wednesday, April 13, 2022 8:41 AM PAZ Preservation Save 4th street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, I am writing to protest against the proposal to tear down our beloved 4th street and build yet another high rise. This is space for the queer community and it should in no ways be touched. This is a place for people to feel proud and we should not be pushed out. Please take my words and others seriously. Thank you for your time, Lili hickman waldon CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Claire Bryant Wednesday, April 13, 2022 8:55 AM PAZ Preservation ITEM A1 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, I cannot make it to the May 4th meeting in regard to item AI, but wanted to email in my comments. To whom it may concern, Regarding item A1, and the demolition of LGBTIA+ safe havens. What is housed on 4th street in businesses like Coconut Club, Oilcan Harry’s, and Neon Grotto are more than just clubs - it's a safe haven for our community. Part of what makes Austin home for so many of us in the LGBTIA+ community who call Texas home, is it has always been a city where we feel more held in our community. We may still have a long way to go, but I can promise you that taking away safe spaces like Coconut club, Oilcan Harry's, and Neon Grotto is not the way to continue to build our community up. Austin used to be a city that prided itself in the preservation of local businesses, community, local art, and even proudly holds the slogan “Keep Austin Weird.” I, for one, want to stay in a city where we still hold these beliefs. Because of that, I cannot support the demolition of these places just to build more “luxury high rises,” that are surely not going to be accessible in price, and will not help with the cities affordable housing issues. Thank you for taking the time to hear your locals out, and we hope you find it in your heart to hear us out! Warm regards, -Claire Bryant CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Christopher Gonzales Wednesday, April 13, 2022 9:15 AM PAZ Preservation Item A1 May 4th meeting *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello, I'm emailing about May 4th, 2022 meeting item A1. I would like to have the email recorded as I cannot attend this meeting. I am firmly AGAINST this A1. 4th Street is one of the only areas in Austin, Texas, that is even marginally a safe place for us Queer and Trans folk. It is absolutely ABSURD that this historic area is on the chopping block for more residential space. If you're willing to tear down the Queer Historic area of town while having protected other historical areas downtown, it is a clear message of Austin's lack of care for its Queer and Trans community. Do NOT allow this to pass. This mess of an action item is a slap in the face to the Queer and Trans community that has brought a HUGE cultural and financial benefit to Austin. Really think about who is benefitting and what is really worth preserving. I hope it is an obvious choice to protect our Queer and Trans safe places. Christopher Gonzales CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Mary Urban Wednesday, April 13, 2022 9:20 AM PAZ Preservation 4th street demolition *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** Hello Austin Tx Government, I am emailing as an Austin native and resident in 78731 that I do not agree with the sale and demolition plan by the Hanover Co on 4th and Colorado. While I typically support vertical development and increased housing, I do not support the demolition of historic entertainment districts that make Austin a funky and cool place live, and especially districts that are a key role in the LBGT community and spirit. Having traveled around the country and the world, I value Austin and its unique entertainment district, it is really unlike any other place in the world. No where else can you walk between so many different and unique entertainment districts, all catering to different types of people / music and allowing everyone to easily explore other perspectives. Keep Austin weird, and keep Austin as the live music capital of the world and a safe place for LBGT and allies to congregate and celebrate drag queens, comedy sketches, DJs, musicians, fashion, and self‐expression. Don’t take this sacred area away from the entire Austin community to be replaced by some fancy luxury boring old building. Austin culture is in demand, and if you replace Austin culture with big boring buildings, all you’ll be left with is big boring empty buildings. Please consider these words and please work to keep Austin culture alive and thriving. Best, Mary Urban Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Addison Hollensed Wednesday, April 13, 2022 9:11 AM PAZ Preservation Against the Demolition of 4th Street *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** To whom it may concern, I’m reaching out to speak against the demolition of 4th Street to build yet another high rise with a “chef driven restaurant.” A great man (Matthew McConaughey) once said “Keep Austin, Austin.” The addition of said high rise will to absolutely nothing to preserve culture and its integrity within Austin. Not only that, but it is destroying safe spaces for our LGBTQ community. I’m asking that you please remember what Austin is at its core and not let high rises like this ruin the city we all know and love. We all realize Austin must adapt and welcome new people into the city, but at the same time remember who you’re pushing out. Austin is better than this. And if you don’t know that, then you’re not from here or you simply don’t care about what the people want. UT Austin’s west campus area has already been ruined with said high rises that students can’t even afford to live in anymore. It’s shameful on a massive scale. Please keep Austin, Austin and do not ruin 4th Street for a culture‐less building for culture‐less people. I wish I could speak at the meeting myself, but I cannot. I give you permission to record my comment and present to the HLC. Best, Addison CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Kyle Davis Wednesday, April 13, 2022 9:38 AM PAZ Preservation Demolition plans on fourth street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To whom it may concern, Regarding the proposal of the demolition of the safe space of some of our fourth street, I would like to personally express grave concern and opposable towards this. As a resident of Austin and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I pride myself on this community being something truly unique. Austin is a haven for culture, art, expression, and fun. Taking down safe spaces of acceptance and self expression and leisure in turn for more luxury high rises that will surely be priced far too high for any normal citizen and only for more well‐to‐do and elite citizens to live in is a step backwards against decency, dignity for our LGBTQ+ community, and basic common sense of providing a place for an already marginalized community to exist freely. Simply put, this is not a good idea. This is destructive towards progression and is divorced from reality to think this is an acceptable action. I thank you for taking the time to hear us out, I hope that you may see and understand our point of view of how this is not an action that should be taken. Regards, Kyle Davis CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Dizan Cisneros Wednesday, April 13, 2022 10:13 AM PAZ Preservation May 4th Meeting Sign Up *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** Good morning, This is Salem Ofax I would like to speak on behalf of a lot of my peers and family against ITEM A1, I do not think it is a good idea to build more unaffordable “luxury” apartments in a place where a lot of LGBTQ+ event’s go on. You should not be able to demolish facilities that bring communities together! I will not be able to attend the meeting in person and I would like to have my message relayed to the HLC. My email is and phone number is Thank you, and my peers that will be attending the meeting are looking forward for my message to be relayed. CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Cheyenne Doerr <cheyenne@giantnoise.com> Wednesday, April 13, 2022 10:18 AM PAZ Preservation Speaking out Against Item A1 at May 4 Meeting *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi there, I'm writing to express that I am extremely against Item A1, or rather the demolition of pivotal cultural spaces for our queer, lgbtqia+ and general nightlife community on 4th Street. If we continue to gentrify and push out the very flavors that make Austin so great to homogenize and become more like "other places" then what pride do we get to carry in that as Austinites? This is yet another reason why myself and so many others are feeling like we need to leave this place, and take our big beautiful and culturally minded ideas elsewhere to cities that will value and appreciate them, not make room for more "chef‐driven" concepts in high rises that only increase the cost of living and push out the very culture that is crucial to our success as a community. I truly hope the counsel takes my plea and others' into consideration as this is truly such an upsetting potential loss for our home. Best, Cheyenne Cheyenne Doerr Giant Noise: Public Relations, Social Media & Events 1208 East 7th St. Austin, TX 78702 210‐279‐8982 (c) 512‐382‐9017 (o) | giantnoise.com CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Cheyenne Doerr Wednesday, April 13, 2022 10:18 AM PAZ Preservation Speaking out Against Item A1 at May 4 Meeting *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi there, I'm writing to express that I am extremely against Item A1, or rather the demolition of pivotal cultural spaces for our queer, lgbtqia+ and general nightlife community on 4th Street. If we continue to gentrify and push out the very flavors that make Austin so great to homogenize and become more like "other places" then what pride do we get to carry in that as Austinites? This is yet another reason why myself and so many others are feeling like we need to leave this place, and take our big beautiful and culturally minded ideas elsewhere to cities that will value and appreciate them, not make room for more "chef‐driven" concepts in high rises that only increase the cost of living and push out the very culture that is crucial to our success as a community. I truly hope the counsel takes my plea and others' into consideration as this is truly such an upsetting potential loss for our home. Best, Cheyenne Cheyenne Doerr Giant Noise: Public Relations, Social Media & Events 1208 East 7th St. Austin, TX 78702 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Esteban Fernandez Wednesday, April 13, 2022 11:38 AM PAZ Preservation Coconut Club *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** “To whom it may concern, Regarding ITEM A1, and the demolition of our beautiful 4th street safe havens. What is housed on 4th street in businesses like Coconut Club, Oilcan Harry’s, and Neon Grotto are more than just clubs - it is a safe haven for our community. Part of what makes Austin home for so many of us in the LGBTIA+ community who call Texas home, is it has always been a city where we feel more held in our community. We may still have a long way to go, but I can promise you that taking away safe spaces like Coconut Club, Oilcan Harry’s, and Neon Grotto is not the way to continue to build our community up. Austin used to be a city that prided itself in the preservation of local businesses, community, local art - and even proudly holds the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” based off of the judgements we have received from other Texas cities for being a safe space that allows our community to be authentically loving themselves. I, for one, want to stay in a city where we still hold these beliefs. Because of that, I cannot support the demolition of these places just to build more “luxury high rises,” that are surely not going to be accessible in price. Thank you for taking the time to hear your locals out, and we hope you find it in your heart to hear us out! Warm regards, ****Esteban Fernandez***” CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Bianca Bosque Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:06 PM PAZ Preservation Demolition of 4th Street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To Whom It May Concern, I'm writing to voice my disdain for the decision to demolish 4th street bars and allow developers to put up more character‐lacking buildings. While I do agree that the city needs more housing, and I also support creating more density, especially downtown, I don't think this is the right move. If we want to continue living in a city that celebrates diversity and inclusion, we need to make sure to preserve areas where everyone can be celebrated. Thank you. Bianca Bosque CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Taylor Robertson Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:24 PM PAZ Preservation May 4th Meeting to Preserve 4th Street - Against Destroying 4th Street *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi, My name is Taylor Robertson and I would like to request that my email be officially recorded for the May 4th meeting to be AGAINST the destruction or removal of 4th street's current standing. Please reach out if there are any questions or concerns. Best, Taylor Robertson CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1