15 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS DECEMBER 4, 2024 PR-2024-043035; GF-2024-058054 1702 EAST MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1916 house and 1942 rear house. ARCHITECTURE One-story National Folk house with pyramidal hipped roof, board-and-batten siding, and inset partial-width porch supported by turned posts. Fenestration includes 1:1 and 4:1 wood windows; one of the original double entry doors has been converted to a window. Two decorative jigsawn brackets remain and two chimneys are present. The back house is a gabled, one-story building with horizontal wood siding and a partial width inset porch. RESEARCH The front house at 1702 East Martin Luther King was constructed around 1916 as a rental property. Its architectural detailing marks it as an example of National Folk houses rented to working-class East Austin families during the early years of the twentieth century by Edmund and Oscar Hofheinz. According to a 2019 Historic Preservation Office report, 11 known and 13 possible houses of this style and original use remain within the East Austin Historic Resource Survey area,1 though several have since been demolished. The East Austin Context Statement notes their impact on development patterns: The first two decades of the 1900s were rampant with development throughout East Austin…residential construction in these new developments reflected evolving trends in domestic designs, as the eclectic tastes of the Victorian era waned and simpler styles…became more widespread…new [working-class] house types began to replace more traditional forms. The linear, one‐ room‐deep plans that featured gabled roofs…gave way to deeper, more box‐like plans and often had hipped or pyramidal roofs with inset porches. The effect created a more vertical emphasis. The rental houses of brothers Edmund (“E. J.”) Hofheinz and Oscar (“O. G.”) Hofheinz exemplified this trend. E. J. Hofheinz (ca. 1870–1949) was a real estate dealer and accountant, while O.G. Hofheinz (ca. 1880–1957) was an insurance salesman and developer. Together, the brothers subdivided land and built houses in East Austin and Clarksville. Real estate transaction articles in the Austin American Statesman indicate that the Hofheinz brothers both speculatively sold the houses that they built and retained them for rental income.2 Though the Hofheinz brothers rented some of their properties to tenants of color, their purchase of smaller lots and homes made property ownership even more difficult for East Austin residents. Even if African American homebuyers could secure a loan large enough to purchase a lot—a …
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 27, 2024 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2024 The BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 27 March 2024, at the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC), 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, ROOM 1405, in Austin, Texas. CHAIR SADÉ OGUNBODE called the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION (BSC) Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Sadé Ogunbode, Commissioners: Blaine Campbell, Michael Francis, Luis Osta Lugo, Logan Schugart, Edward Selig. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Vice Chair Timothy Stostad, Ex Officio Commissioner Chief Stephen Truesdell. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one appeared before the Commission for Public Communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on February 28, 2024. The minutes the meeting of February 28, 2024 were approved on COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO’s second, with no objections. COMMISSIONER SELIG was off dais. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. from PUBLIC HEARINGS Conduct a public hearing and consider an appeal regarding case number CL 2023-128313; Property address: 2901 Sweeney Lane. 1. 2. COMMISSIONER FRANCIS moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL’s second, with no objections. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL moved to 1 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 27, 2024 adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order 1) that the owner of the property maintain the security of the property until the May 22, 2024 meeting of the Building and Standards Commission; and 2) that the case be continued at the May 22, 2024 meeting of the Building and Standards so that counsel can provide guidance on legal issues affecting the property, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO second. The motion passed on an 7-0 vote. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. Conduct a public hearing and consider case numbers CL 2023-128650; Property address: 7603 Beinville Cove. COMMISSIONER SELIG moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO second, with no objections. COMMISSIONER SELIG moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and adopt City staff’s recommendation for repair of the residential structure within 45 days, with a civil penalty of $420 per week beginning on the 46th day from the date the order is mailed and continuing until compliance is achieved, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO’s second. The motion carried on a 6-1 vote. COMMISSIONER FRANCIS voted nay. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. Conduct a public hearing and …
June 5, 2024 City of Austin Historic Preservation Board To whom it may concern, I am writing to express my strong support for Aisha Gooden-Williams and her family in their request to demolish structures on their property. As a scholar of the African American experience, particularly in Austin, I believe that denying this family the right to manage their property as they see fit, including demolition, would be an affront to the liberties that African Americans have fought tirelessly to secure. The legacy of African Americans in this country is deeply intertwined with issues of property and ownership. Historically, Black people were reduced to property through race-based chattel enslavement, bought, sold, and disposed of at the whims of others. Today, denying a Black family the autonomy to decide the fate of their property echoes these past injustices. The properties in question hold significant historical value. They are not just buildings but symbols of resilience and progress. My grandfather’s sister, Mrs. Winifred Hill Gooden, labored as a domestic worker in the Hoffenhiez residence for decades. As a Black woman born in the early 20th century to tenant farmers in rural Travis and Caldwell Counties, domestic work was one of the few employment opportunities available to her. Through her hard work, she was able to acquire many homes that the Hoffenhiez family reserved for “Colored” renters in the former Negro District of East Austin. This acquisition was a defining moment for Black property ownership in the area, representing a significant step toward economic empowerment for working-class Black families. I recognize and appreciate the City of Austin’s efforts, particularly through the Equity Preservation Plan, to address historical racial injustices. Preserving the histories, experiences, and contributions of African Americans and other marginalized communities is vital. Through my work with Black Austin Tours, I strive to fill the gaps in public consciousness and support programmatic efforts to this end. However, historic preservation should not solely focus on “preserving” the past. It must also consider financial and generational wealth. Equitable historic preservation involves educating and directing resources to historically excluded communities, empowering them to make decisions about their properties. If the Gooden family chooses to demolish a property to benefit from community development, they should be able to do so without impediment. The City of Austin should support their efforts to continue their family’s legacy of property ownership and economic progress. Moreover, this situation presents a …
June 10, 2024 City of Austin Historic Preservation Office Housing & Planning Department P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 To whom it may concern, I am writing to wholeheartedly endorse Mrs. Aisha Gooden-Williams and her family's impassioned appeal to safeguard the residential dwellings on their ancestral property. As a resident of Austin, born and raised, it is important to recognize the importance of preserving the rights that African Americans have worked tirelessly to achieve. It would be unjust if this family were denied the chance to exercise their property rights, including the freedom to demolish their property. Appreciating and respecting the rich historical legacy of the African American community that flourished in Central East Austin is crucial. In accordance with its 1928 plan, the City of Austin implemented measures that mandated Black residents to reside within a designated 6-square mile zone, thereby endorsing segregationist policies. This district served as the residence for Black residents, businesses, schools, and churches, and it played a crucial role in influencing the lively heritage and cultural contributions of Austin's African American community. In order to preserve the respected legacy, set forth by the Gooden family in accordance with the 1928 plan, it is of utmost importance that these properties remain undisturbed. This will greatly contribute to the preservation of the past and the development of the future of The District, encompassing the properties owned by the Gooden family. Furthermore, the Gooden properties in question possess significant historical significance. These structures are not merely physical buildings; they serve as powerful symbols of resilience and progress. Sincerely, Shameika N. Brown-Smith
Case No. CL-2024-001905 In the Matter of 1702 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Austin, Texas 78702 Before the Building and Standards Commission of the City of Austin, Texas State of Texas County of Travis ORDER OF THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS On March 27, 2024, under the authority of Chapters 54 and 214 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Building and Standards Commission (“the Commission”) of the City of Austin, Texas, considered 1702 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (“the Property”) and took action as described below. A. ORDER The Commission orders the following: I I II II I pgs 2024036431 1. The Commission ORDERS that the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this property be adopted; 2. The Commission ORDERS that the owner complete the following within forty-five (45) days from the date the Order is mailed: a. obtain and finalize all necessary permits; b. demolish all portions of the residential structures, including any accessory structures, and remove as debris, leaving the lot clean and raked; and c. Request inspection from the City of Austin Development Services Department to verify compliance with 2(a) and 2(b) above. 3. The Commission ORDERS on the forty-sixth (46th) day if compliance is not achieved: a. b. the Code Official is authorized to proceed with demolition and to consider all portions of the residential structures, including any items in and around the structures, as debris, and dispose of as such; and the property owner shall be on notice that the Code Official is authorized to assess all expenses incurred against the property unless excepted by the Texas Constitution. A lien for those expenses may be filed by the City of Austin and recorded with Travis County Deed Records. Interest shall accrue at a rate of 10 percent per year from the date of the assessment until paid in full. VALIDITY OF ORDER NOT AFFECTED BY TRANSFER: When a Commission order has been filed in the deed records, the Commission order is valid even if the property is sold or otherwise transferred. A person who acquires an interest in the property after a Commission order is recorded is subject to the requirements of the Commission order. B. FINDINGS OF FACT The Commission makes the following findings of fact: II. III. PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION The property which is the subject of this proceeding is located at 1702 …
AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT Synopsis of Related Events For: 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD Filter by: From: May-22-2004 To: May-22-2024 Role Synopsis Location Event / File Type Report/File # Date FEL ASSLT W/ INJURY-F/V-EPO-NO CONTACT-200 YDS SAO-MAY NOT POSSESS FIR (EXECUTED) 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 ##B VIOLATION OF EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDER - EPO ATTACHED/200YD STAY AWAY (EXECUTED) 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B ASSAULT WITH INJURY FAM VIOL - EPO ATTACHED/200 YD STAY AWAY/BIP (EXECUTED) 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B Warrant Warrant Warrant WT D1DC17300674 Mar-28-2017 WT D1DC08302364 Sep-26-2008 WT D1DC08302363 Sep-26-2008 ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIME General Offense Report GO 2023-5019140 Aug-11-2023 FOUND LICENSE PLATE General Offense Report GO 2023-1951101 Jul-14-2023 ASSAULT BY THREAT FAM/DATING General Offense Report GO 2021-2311207 Aug-19-2021 TERRORISTIC THREAT-FAM/DAT VIO General Offense Report GO 2021-2270759 Aug-15-2021 ASSIST EMS THEFT FAMILY DISTURBANCE FAMILY DISTURBANCE FAMILY DISTURBANCE AGG ASSAULT ASSAULT WITH INJURY General Offense Report GO 2021-1311357 May-11-2021 General Offense Report GO 2021-361009 Feb-05-2021 General Offense Report GO 2020-2940789 Oct-20-2020 General Offense Report GO 2020-2030011 Jul-21-2020 General Offense Report GO 2020-1851175 Jul-03-2020 General Offense Report GO 2019-2682044 Sep-25-2019 General Offense Report GO 2019-2592048 Sep-16-2019 EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDER General Offense Report GO 2019-5043870 Oct-24-2019 AGG ASSAULT FAM/DATE VIOLENCE General Offense Report GO 2019-2920273 Oct-19-2019 AGG ASSAULT FAM/DATE VIOLENCE General Offense Report GO 2019-2390038 Aug-27-2019 ASSAULT W/INJURY-FAM/DATE VIOL General Offense Report GO 2019-1041102 Apr-14-2019 FAMILY DISTURBANCE General Offense Report GO 2018-3151138 Nov-11-2018 FELONY ENHANCEMENT/ASSLT W/INJ General Offense Report GO 2018-2300553 Aug-18-2018 ASSAULT W/INJURY-FAM/DATE VIOL General Offense Report GO 2017-860688 Mar-27-2017 Printed On: Fri May 24 2024 For User: AP7267 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #A 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #A 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #b 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1702 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1702 E MARTIN …
From: To: Subject: Date: City of Austin Historic Preservation Office 1704 e mlk Wednesday, June 5, 2024 7:33:00 AM This message is from Jennie Davidowitz. [ ] Hi there, I know there is a hearing on these properties tonight. I could not figure out what the approving or dissenting was in regards to, but I do not approve of these 2 properties being historically preserved due to the condition of the buildings currently and no interest in upkeep from the owners. The buildings are rotting away and racoons and cats have taken ownership of the homes.
16 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS DECEMBER 4, 2024 PR-2024-043844; GF-2024-058061 1704 EAST MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1916 house and ca. 1942 rear house. ARCHITECTURE One-story L-plan National Folk house with hipped roof, board-and-batten siding, and partial-width front porch supported by turned posts. Fenestration includes 2:2 wood windows; one of the original double entry doors has been converted to a window. The back house is a gabled, one-story building with horizontal wood siding and a partial width inset porch. RESEARCH The front house at 1704 East Martin Luther King, originally addressed as 1304 East 19th Street, was constructed around 1916 as rental property. Its architectural detailing marks it as an example of National Folk houses rented to working-class East Austin families during the early years of the twentieth century by Edmund and Oscar Hofheinz. According to a 2019 Historic Preservation Office report, 11 known and 13 possible houses of this style and original use remain within the East Austin Historic Resource Survey area,1 though several have since been demolished. The East Austin Context Statement notes their impact on development patterns: The first two decades of the 1900s were rampant with development throughout East Austin…residential construction in these new developments reflected evolving trends in domestic designs, as the eclectic tastes of the Victorian era waned and simpler styles…became more widespread…new [working-class] house types began to replace more traditional forms. The linear, one‐ room‐deep plans that featured gabled roofs…gave way to deeper, more box‐like plans and often had hipped or pyramidal roofs with inset porches. The effect created a more vertical emphasis. The rental houses of brothers Edmund (“E. J.”) Hofheinz and Oscar (“O. G.”) Hofheinz exemplified this trend. E. J. Hofheinz (ca. 1870–1949) was a real estate dealer and accountant, while O.G. Hofheinz (ca. 1880–1957) was an insurance salesman and developer. Together, the brothers subdivided land and built houses in East Austin and Clarksville. Real estate transaction articles in the Austin American Statesman indicate that the Hofheinz brothers both speculatively sold the houses that they built and retained them for rental income.2 Though the Hofheinz brothers rented some of their properties to tenants of color, their purchase of smaller lots and homes made property ownership even more difficult for East Austin residents. Even if African American homebuyers could secure a loan large enough to purchase a lot—a difficult feat in the era …
Case No. CL-2024-001909 In the Matter of 1704 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Austin, Texas 78702 Before the Building and Standards Commission of the City of Austin, Texas State of Texas County of Travis ORDER OF THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS On March 27, 2024, under the authority of Chapters 54 and 214 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Building and Standards Commission (“the Commission”) of the City of Austin, Texas, considered 1704 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (“the Property”) and took action as described below. A. ORDER The Commission orders the following: IIIIIIHII IIHuH H 4 pgs 2024036432 1. The Commission ORDERS that the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for this property be adopted; 2. The Commission ORDERS that the owner complete the following within forty-five (45) days from the date the Order is mailed: a. obtain and finalize all necessary permits; b. demolish all portions of the residential structures, including any accessory structures, and remove as debris, leaving the lot clean and raked; and c. Request inspection from the City of Austin Development Services Department to verify compliance with 2(a) and 2(b) above. 3. The Commission ORDERS on the forty-sixth (46th) day if compliance is not achieved: a. the Code Official is authorized to proceed with demolition and to consider all portions of the residential structures, including any items in and around the structures, as debris, and dispose of as sLich; and b. the property owner shall be on notice that the Code Official is authorized to assess all expenses incurred against the property unless excepted by the Texas Constitution. A lien for those expenses may be filed by the City of Austin and recorded with Travis County Deed Records. Interest shall accrue at a rate of 10 percent per year from the date of the assessment until paid in full. VALIDITY OF ORDER NOT AFFECTED BY TRANSFER: When a Commission order has been tiled in the deed records, the Commission order is valid even if the property is sold or otherwise transferred. A person who acquires an interest in the property after a Commission order is recorded is subject to the requirements of the Commission order. B. FINDINGS OF FACT The Commission makes the following findings of fact: II. III. PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION The property which is the subject of this proceeding is located at 1704 E …
AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT Synopsis of Related Events For: 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD Filter by: From: May-22-2004 To: May-22-2024 Role Synopsis Location Event / File Type Report/File # Date ASSAULT INFORMATION General Offense Report GO 2021-90608 Jan-09-2021 ASSAULT BY CONTACT General Offense Report GO 2014-5022758 May-21-2014 EDP INTERVENTION WITH CONTACT General Offense Report GO 2012-3130973 Nov-08-2012 EDP VOLUNTARY 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR General Offense Report GO 2012-1420421 May-21-2012 EDP INTERVENTION WITH CONTACT General Offense Report GO 2012-1391208 May-18-2012 THEFT General Offense Report GO 2010-5024109 May-11-2010 FAMILY DISTURBANCE General Offense Report GO 2010-581835 Feb-27-2010 THEFT INFORMATION General Offense Report GO 2009-860874 Mar-27-2009 FAMILY DISTURBANCE General Offense Report GO 2008-1751942 Jun-23-2008 CRIMINAL TRESPASS General Offense Report GO 2008-1701165 Jun-18-2008 ROM: Historic Address MARSHALL, SAMONE Dec-24-2023 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD , AUSTIN TX Person Police Call zFOLLOW UP INVESTIGATION Police Call Suspicious Person Police Call xASSAULT BY CONTACT Police Call Check Welfare Urgent Police Call Alarm Burglar Police Call xEDP INTERVENTION Police Call zKIDS CALLING Police Call Hang-up Residence Police Call xEDP VOLUNTARY Printed On: Fri May 24 2024 For User: AP7267 CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CAD Call CP 2022-3200446 Nov-16-2022 CP 2022-3120825 Nov-08-2022 CP 2017-680651 Mar-09-2017 CP 2014-3361178 Dec-02-2014 CP 2013-2370709 Aug-25-2013 CP 2012-3130973 Nov-08-2012 CP 2012-2241419 Aug-11-2012 CP 2012-2241418 Aug-11-2012 CP 2012-1420421 May-21-2012 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #A 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B BLVD, 1 #B 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #A 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #A 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #A 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 #B 1704 E MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, 1 Page 1 of 2 AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT Synopsis of Related Events For: 1704 …
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Bertron, Cara Contreras, Kalan; Lukes, Austin Fahnestock, Sam FW: Seeking Your Guidance on COA Historic Commission Issue - Hofheinz Homes vs. Gooden Family Legacy Monday, June 17, 2024 11:58:03 AM Hi y’all, I’m late on following up on this request from Javier Wallace of Black Austin Tours. It looks like he attended ARC last week. …So y’all may have already heard Javier’s point about Black stewardship of the Hofheinz homes—a cool and important addition to the historical record. It’s not clear how that relates to the family’s demolition request. Cara From: Javier Wallace < Sent: Friday, June 7, 2024 3:23 PM To: Bertron, Cara <Cara.Bertron@austintexas.gov> Subject: Seeking Your Guidance on COA Historic Commission Issue - Hofheinz Homes vs. Gooden Family Legacy > You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Good Afternoon Cara, I hope this email finds you well. Sarah Marshall suggested I reach out to you. I am reaching out because my cousin, Aisha Gooden-Williams, called me about some issues she's having with the COA Historic Commission and the demolition of some structures on a property they own. The homes are located on East MLK and she said her permits for demolition have been denied due to the historic nature of structures, specifically as it relates to them being "Hofheinz homes." I was wondering if you had any insights, ideas, or strategies they could use in their case? I think it's important to note the history of the homes and persons that are much larger than them being "Hofheinz homes." My grandfather's sister, Mrs. Winifred Hill Gooden, labored as a domestic for the Hofheinz family for decades. Upon the death of Mrs. Hofheinz, my aunt inherited all of their rental properties in East Austin, designated for Black renters. Since, the Gooden family has been the steward of those properties and have kept longtime East Austin families in homes. I mention that, as I think it's sorely omitted from the historical narrative currently presented about "Hofheinz homes" in East Austin. Currently, when I read some of the rationale to preserve the homes, it's centered on the Hofheinz family and the architectural design of the structures. I think we should consider more than the traditional elements of historic preservation, which I know the Equity Based Plan is trying to address. I am happy to connect you …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS DECEMBER 4, 2024 PR-2024-138522; GF-2024-142858 800 WEST JOHANNA STREET 17.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a house and rear shed. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Demolish a ca. 1929 craftsman house. ARCHITECTURE The property at 800 West Johanna Street is a single-story wood residence. The roof is a front-facing gable with a smaller gable projecting towards the street, which covers the front porch. This porch extends about halfway across the front elevation, and the smaller gable roof is supported by two simple wood posts. Both gable ends have attic vents, with the main house gable’s being much larger. The house is clad on all sides with teardrop siding, and exposed rafter tails are visible on the roof eaves. At the rear of the building is an attached utility room that fits within the exterior walls and has a doorway to the backyard. The house is set on pier-and-beam foundation and is raised about two steps off the ground. Overall, the building appears to be in stable condition, with no obvious leaning or sagging at the foundation, roof, and walls. RESEARCH Built sometime around 1930, the property was first owned by Clifford & Alice Barr, though there is little detail known about their occupation or history. A man named W.T. Clark is also reported to have lived at the address in the mid-1930s and was a victim of a robbery at the property, but little else is known about him, as well. In 1940 or slightly before, the house was purchased by Emil & Eva Burke. Emil was a local carpenter and Eva worked as a nurse, first at a local doctor’s office, before moving to Brackenridge Hospital and, later, becoming a head nurse there. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2015 Bouldin Creek Survey lists the property as a medium priority and within the proposed James E. Bouldin Addition Historic District. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of craftsman style and bungalow/cottage form. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human …
18 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS DECEMBER 4, 2024 DA-2024-088952; GF-2024-147530 8401 HATHAWAY DRIVE PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE Demolish a ca. 1961 school and associated outbuildings. A 1960 Statesman article describes architect J. Roy White’s design for Burnet Middle School, then Lanier Junior High School, in detail: The sprawling, modern school will contain 49 teaching stations…on a 25-acre site, properly oriented for adequate cross- ventilation in all areas. A feature of the plan involves the gymnasium stage which can be viewed from [the] interior…or from a large outdoor courtyard…classroom areas can be locked off making it accessible for school and community use at night. An off-street driveway…allows students to be discharged under covered passageways…the administrative office is centrally located with the cafeteria and gymnasium on one side and three classroom wings on the other. These parallel wings are connected by covered walkways which create four courtyards. The first of the classroom wings is two-storied…the design of the school is contemporary with the exterior red face brick with aluminum windows and doors…The sloping, gabled roof was designed to give the school a homelike feeling, blending with the residential neighborhood.1 RESEARCH As Austin’s postwar population swelled and suburban neighborhoods crept northwards during the mid-twentieth century, new schools were required for the next generation of Northwest Austinites. This demographic and development change ushered in a new wave of Modern designs by innovative architects taking advantage of new technologies and design sensibilities, often on sprawling new campuses. David G. Burnet Junior High School, originally Sidney Lanier Junior High School, was designed by noted Austin architect J. Roy White during his tenure at Kuehne, Brooks, and Barr (later Brooks, Barr, Graeber, and White). Cottingham and Hale Engineers completed the structural design, and B. L. McGee was the general contractor. The school was contracted by AISD in 1960 and was initially intended to house both junior and senior high school students until a larger school could be built to relieve crowded McCallum High. When Lanier High School, designed by Fehr and Granger, was completed in 1966, 8401 Hathaway Drive became Burnet Junior High. Primary architect J. Roy White graduated from the University of Texas in 1929 and practiced in Austin until his retirement in the 1980s. White’s work often focused on institutional and civic buildings: he designed the original Austin Public Library in 1933 as part of Kuehne, Brooks, and Barr, and worked for …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS DECEMBER 4, 2024 PR-2024-142799; GF-2024-148221 2103 S L DAVIS AVENUE 19.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1935 house. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Demolish an approximately 1,190 square foot house. ARCHITECTURE The property at 2013 S L Davis Avenue is a single-story wood frame house constructed on a raised pier foundation. There are some remaining bungalow elements, including a recessed porch that occupies about half the front façade. The porch features an ample front-gabled roof facing the street, which is supported by two wood posts, one of which appears to be a later or temporary structural intervention. A minimal rail is present at the porch edge. Fenestration on the front elevation consists of three 1-over-1 windows with slim profiles and are possibly replacements. A second front gable extends outwards over the half of the front elevation not covered by the porch. It is narrower and set at a steeper angle than the other gable, which may indicate that these were not built at the same time. At the exterior walls, a non-historic metal or vinyl siding has been installed after the original construction. Below, there is a concrete skirt covering the foundation at the front of the property and includes metal crawlspace vents. The front stair is wood in construction. RESEARCH The address, formerly known as 2103 Washington Avenue, first appeared in public record around 1906, and housed renters for decades. The most frequently named of these renters in city directories were Moses Brooks, Milton Addison, and Livinia Brooks (later listed as Addison), who were generally listed as laborers. Moses Brooks is specifically listed as a hostler in one directory. It is unclear who owned the property at the time, but by the late 1920s, Livinia Addison is listed as an owner, along with a listing for a Brooks Addison, which may be an erroneous combination of the two men described above. Milton Addison’s name appears as owner off and on until 1953, after which the property is listed as either occupied solely by renters or, throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, vacant. Rental listings appeared in the Austin Statesman for the property at this time. Up to the 1980s, the house remained occupied by various renters. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2016 East Austin Resource Survey lists the property as lacking integrity and is recommended as not eligible to contribute to a potential National Register district. …
Metrotech P.O. Box 180988 Austin, Texas 78718 - 0988 Tel. (512) 699-7964 November 25, 2024 Mr. Alan Avery Avery Building Company RE: Structural Integrity Inspection 2103 S L Davis Avenue Austin, Texas 78702 Dear Mr. Avery: As requested, I made a site visit on the afternoon of November 25 at the above referenced property to conduct a visual observation of the foundation and framing members of the single- story residential building on the property. The purpose of this inspection is to provide a general assessment of the structural integrity of the building and determine if it is worth salvaging given its current condition. The building was built in 1935 with an approximate footprint of 1,200 square feet. The roof structure of the building consists of asphaltic shingles with plywood decks supported on wood rafters that span between interior and exterior walls. The walls consist of wood planks with sheathing on both sides and vinyl sidings on the exterior face. The substructure of the building consists of a wood deck with wood floor joists and beams supported on piers and spread footings. The record drawings of the building and the geotechnical report of the property were not available for review. According to my experience with projects located in vicinity of this property, the geology of the area generally consists of expansive clayey soil that expands and contract with the change of subgrade’s moisture content. The following conditions were observed during the site visit: • Large differential settlements were observed floor system. displacements vary between 2” to 4” from the perimeter to the center of the building. throughout The the • The foundation system consists of pier and beams with shallow spread footings which are subject to large movements due to moisture variation in the subgrade. This foundation system is not adequate for sites with expansive clayey soil. • Gaps were observed around the door and window frames. These gaps will continue to open or close depending on the foundation movement and compromise the efficiency and performance of the HVAC system. • Most of the walls are out of plumb due to the differential settlements in the floor system. All the door and window frames are out of square which make the doors and windows hard to operate. • Some of the roof and floor framing members appear to be rotted and require replacement. 2103 S L Davis Avenue November 25, 2024 …
