A.4-7.c - 4th and Colorado - DANA letter — original pdf

Backup

May 16, 2022 SOCIAL KNOWLEDGEABLE INFLUENTIAL Kimberly Levinson President Curtis Rogers Vice President Angela Hovis Treasurer Marshall Geyer Gordon Moore Frank Seely Philip Wiley Dear Planning Commission and Austin City Council: The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA) opposes historic landmark status for the site of Oilcan Harry’s and other establishments at 201-213 W. 4th St. and endorses the Hanover Company’s proposal to restore the facades and add a tower above for the following reasons: 1. Austin desperately needs more housing, and this development, in an area unencumbered by Capitol View Corridors, will provide 400 families or individuals with the opportunity to live downtown. Downtown should be Austin’s densest neighborhood, with the best public transportation, that supports locally 75/25 mode share split by 2040, lowering the carbon footprint of our residents, as we do our part to address climate change. 2. The owner of Oilcan Harry’s and other establishments on the block opposes the landmarking of this site, because the developer has offered a guaranteed lease to Oilcan Harry’s for the next 25 years, on very favorable terms. Without such a deal, the establishments will have to move or close when their current leases expire. The loss of the Oilcan Harry’s establishment for the LGBTQIA community would be immeasurable. 3. The developer is willing to restore the street level façade, creating an excellent precedent for the redevelopment of other sensitive areas, and keeping the charm of the area intact, while creating much-needed housing. 4. DANA holds strong beliefs about private property rights, and is only willing to see them overridden in very limited circumstances. This development does not trigger such a pressing need, in our estimation. Given all these considerations, DANA supports the redevelopment of this site and the preservation of Oilcan Harry’s and other establishments currently on the site. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Kimberly Levinson President Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA)