12.a - 706 E Monroe St - public comment — original pdf

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Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Kim-Marie Hernandez, PhD <drhernandez@austin.rr.com> Wednesday, October 7, 2026 9:56 AM Lukes, Austin Historic Preservation Office Case number PR-2026-079349 GF-2026-090393 Written Protest 706 E. Monroe Some people who received this message don't often get email from drhernandez@austin.rr.com. Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Re: Case number PR-2026-079349; GF-2026- 090393 — public hearing rescheduled for 10/7/2026 Dear Hunter Sturgill and Members of the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission, We are writing as residents/neighbors in strong opposition of the proposed demolition of the contributing structure at 706 E. Monroe Street within the Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District. Our own home, a 1980-built structure, is across the street from the proposed demolition. While our “new” build is a non-contributing wood frame and gabled house, it was thoughtfully designed with the scale and details of the three contiguous contributing structures across the street at 706, 708, and 710 East Monroe Street, similar to many of the bungalows that span from South Congress to Travis Heights Boulevard (see photos attached of adjacent homes to this property). Our own addition to our home in 2019 was respectfully designed to retain the architectural elements that lend themselves in scope and size to many of the homes on our street and in this historic district. 1 Like so many homes in the Travis Heights-Fairview Park District and on E. Monroe street, this 1920s Craftsman bungalow being considered for demolition is a contributing structure within the Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District and appears to retain strong architectural integrity. We are concerned that demolition of this contributing structure would remove an important piece of the historic fabric of the neighborhood. As you know, historic districts derive much of their character from the collection of individual buildings that remain in place. Once a contributing house is demolished, its contribution to the district cannot truly be replaced by a new structure, regardless of how well designed that new structure might be. As direct neighbors to this property we value the historic character and continuity of E. Monroe and our neighborhood. The loss of 706 E. Monroe would affect not only the property itself but also the surrounding streetscape and the historic district as a whole. What will that mean for future development of our neighborhood? Will it set a precedent to raze any “old” structure? Our neighborhood's culture was built upon contributing structures like this one, where front porch conversations with 2 fellow passersby remain frequent and critical for community connection among neighbors. We believe Austin has an obligation to protect the historic resources that make these neighborhoods distinctive - that make this city distinctive, and that cannot be recreated once gone. We respectfully ask the Historic Landmark Commission to: 1. Deny the requested demolition of the contributing structure at 706 E. Monroe Street, and 2. Request the applicant to continue exploring feasible alternatives to demolition. We truly hope this letter gives the Commission pause before allowing the permanent loss of this contributing structure. Perhaps walk the several blocks of E. Monroe and see for yourselves.This home, like many similar homes in our neighborhood, is a treasure to our local heritage and warrants protection and preservation for future generations and for the city of Austin. CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious or phishing email, please report it using the "Report 3 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 4