422 Congress & 101 W 5th Demolition Permit Application Summary The applicant requests a demolition permit for two attached structures at 5th and Congress. The structures have been significantly altered – so much so that the Congress Avenue National Historic District does not even consider them to be historic resources. The Historic Preservation Office and the Historic Landmark Commission have consistently approved exterior modifications to these structures – specifically because they are not historic structures. The property consists of two attached buildings at the intersection of 5th and Congress. This property is one of only two instances in which the Congress Avenue Historic District declared formerly historic buildings to be “intrusions because of the extensive remodeling.” 422 Congress (1951) 422 Congress (2024) 101 W 5th (1951) 101 W 5th (2024) Case No. Address Approval Exterior Building Modifications NRD-2001-0080 101 W. 5th St. NRD-2004-0059 422 Congress Ave. NRD-2007-0021 422 Congress Ave. Staff Staff Staff Approval of projecting sign. New exterior doors, relocated storefront. Installing elevator and stairs to rooftop. NRD-2007-0135 422 Congress Ave. Commission New rooftop deck addition. NRD-2007-0144 422 Congress Ave. Commission Approval of the “Prague” sign. NRD-2008-0053 422 Congress Ave. NRD-2011-0068 422 Congress Ave. Staff Staff Approval of the “Prague” sign. Replacing first-floor windows along 5th. NRD-2015-0009 101 W. 5th St. Commission New rooftop deck addition. HPO and HLC have consistently approved exterior modifications to these buildings over the past two decades. 422 Congress – City-Approved 2007-2008 Modifications 101 W 5th – City-Approved 2015 Modifications Staff Report for 101 W 5th St Roof Deck Addition (2015) Recap HPO and HLC have consistently approved exterior modifications to these structures over the past two decades. At this point, the structures have been significantly modified – so much so that the Congress Avenue Historic District does not consider them to be contributing and a past staff review found them not to be historic. Accordingly, the applicant requests – and staff recommends – that HLC release the demolition permit. Back-Up Slides The property was the subject of considerable controversy in 2015 when a prior owner applied to operate a strip club out of 422 Congress – prompting Council to restrict adult-oriented businesses in downtown. 1946 1978 2007 2009 2013 2017 2019 2022 2024 1978
Rosedale School – AISD 2117 W 49th Street Rosedale School – DA-2025-142965 City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 1940 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026 Rosedale School – 2117 West 49th Street City of Austin – Historic Landmark Commission – 1/7/2026
January 5, 2026 Chair Ben Heimsath Austin Historic Landmark Commission By email at: BC-Ben.Heisath@austintexas.gov and preservation@austintexas.gov RE: Rosedale School, Jan. 7 HLC Agenda Item 15 Dear Chair Heimsath and members, I am a Rosedale resident, am active in our neighborhood association, and since 2021, I have been monitoring and reporting to our email list-serve on AISD’s process of “repurposing” the Rosedale School. I thought some neighborhood context would be helpful. As you heard at your Dec. 3 meeting, the community engagement back in 2021-2022 by AISD was all about teacher housing, and the most intensive development, of four theoretical options shared with the neighbors, is pasted below. There were no actual plans and therefore no discussion of preserving or disposing of some bricks and panes of glass from the façade. (That is a small correction to Leah Bojo’s testimony to you on Dec. 3 at 1:01 on your recording. As she said, she was not part of the process back then. She did know that “full demolition” was on the table back then as it is today.) That brings me to my first concern, that this has been repeatedly posted as “partial demolition.” Words matter in postings under the Open Meetings Act and that posting is materially misleading when one reads what is actually proposed. It is a total demolition 1 with at best reconstruction of maybe 2% of the existing structure, assuming they in fact follow through. Does anyone keep an eye on that in the years to come? I appreciated your vote for postponement on Dec. 3, and your rationale, to listen to the affected neighbors. As you heard, before Dec. 3 there was one community meeting where AISD and OHT were very clear and explicit: there would be no compromise to the 435-unit, 6-story, edge-to-edge complex they envisioned, and they would sue the neighbors by Oct. 31, which they did. Since your Dec. 3 meeting of course there have been 2 weeks of holiday down time at minimum, but there was one other opportunity to engage, a meeting on Dec. 10 convened by Councilmember Siegel. Refusal to compromise was reiterated by Leah Bojo and David Hartman and the only thing we really learned was that they were pushing forward in January. On that same day I attended your Architectural Review Committee discussion of the Rosedale School. It was short, and shockingly opaque for someone used to attending …
906 W 22nd Street Historic Landmark Commission Item No. 16 2025-141132 DA January 7, 2026 1 Neighborhood Aerial 2 Site Aerial 3 Property Details Size: • 0.1613 acres, or approximately 7,027 square feet • All lots: 0.4993 acres, or approximately 21,753 square feet Protected Bike Lanes Current Use: • Multifamily (Apartments, 8 units) Transit/Access: • CapMetro 22nd and Pearl Stop: • Route 642 – (UT Shuttle Weekdays + Sundays) • All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Priority Network • Pearl Street – Protected two-way bike lanes 4 Zoning and FLUM Map CS-NP Mixed Use /Office MF-4-NP MF-4-NP Mixed Use Multi- family MF-4-NP MF-4-NP High- Density Mixed Use MF-4-CO- ETOD- DBETOD-NP MF-4-NP (Moderate High-Density Multifamily Residential – Neighborhood Plan) Mixed Use Mixed Use 5 Landmark Designation Criteria City Code requires that a property must demonstrate significance in at least two of the below criteria: i. Architecture ii. Historical Associations iii. Archeology iv. Community Value v. Landscape Feature 6 Landmark Designation Criteria City Code requires that a property must demonstrate significance in at least two of the below criteria: i. Architecture ii. Historical Associations iii. Archeology iv. Community Value v. Landscape Feature 7 Landmark Designation Criteria Significance i. Architecture • The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. ii. Historical Associations • The property has long-standing significant associations with persons, groups, institutions, businesses, or events of historic importance which contributed significantly to the history of the city, state, or nation; or represents a significant portrayal of the cultural practices or the way of life of a definable group of people in a historic time. iii. Archeology • The property has, or is expected to yield, significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region; iv. Community Value • The property has a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of …
1/6/26, 2:38 PM Inbox - Lukes, Austin - Outlook Outlook Item 16, HLC Agenda 1-7-2026, 906 W. 22nd From mchone1234 <mchone1234@sbcglobal.net> Date Tue 1/6/2026 12:33 PM To Lukes, Austin <Austin.Lukes@austintexas.gov> Cc mchone1234@sbcglobal.net <mchone1234@sbcglobal.net> External Email - Exercise Caution Hi Austin, The applicant's representative has indicated a height for the new construction that exceeds the allowed height and would require a COA amendment equivalent to a "rezoning", I think a request for demolition may be premature. The normal COA development process is for required land use such as "zoning" be in place prior to Site Plans which is then followed by Building Permits. Best regards, Mike Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device 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 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0A6UK4Akm%2F4kyeqPqQsWBd3wABiOHpywAA?native… 1/1
Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Subject: Sarah Fitzsimons Tuesday, January 6, 2026 5:03 PM Historic Preservation Office 3710 Cedar Street You don't often get email from Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution I am the owner of the house at 302 West 35th Street. I am opposed to the development at 3710 Cedar Street, Case number: HR2025-158169-3710 Cedar St. Thank you, Sarah Fitzsimons 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 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 1
Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Subject: Misael Ramos Wednesday, January 7, 2026 1:21 PM McWhorter, Trey - BC; Castillo, Raymond - BC; bc-jamie.alvarez@austintexas.gov; Larosche, Carl - BC; Evans, Roxanne - BC; Grogan, Harmony - BC; Heimsath, Ben - BC; Koch, Kevin - BC; Historic Preservation Office; 'brenda malik' via R.W.H.C.N.A Members Demo Opposition - 2406 E. MLK BLVD Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged External Email - Exercise Caution Good afternoon Commissioners, I'm writing to you to ask to oppose the demolition of property 2406 E. MLK BLVD. This house has historic significance to our neighborhood and is part of our contributing houses. We're also opposing this demo because we fear it will set a precedent for other historic districts that want their history to remain intact. We thank you for your consideration in this case and ask you to stand with our neighborhood, the legacy families still here, and East Austin history. Sincerely, Misael Ramos - RWHC President 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 1 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 2 Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Importance: Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: patricia calhoun Wednesday, January 7, 2026 11:24 AM Historic Preservation Office Lukes, Austin; Evans, Roxanne; Misael Ramos; Brenda Malik; Marilyn; Jen Margulies; Lavon Marshall; Meghan King; patricia calhoun 2406 E. MLK Jr., Blvd. DEMOLITION High Follow up Flagged External Email - Exercise Caution Good morning, Hunter, Once again, I am responding to the demolition request for 2406 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.. I am a resident of the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District and I am in favor of a Postponement of this ruling pending plans or some type of document showing the use of this property. We have not yet had any communication from the Armstrong family regarding their plans and our concern is setting a precedent of demolition of a contributing property. This property is adjacent to an original and well-known homeowner of this Historic District; I would strongly object to approval for demolition without site plans or other documentation showing that the structure is not suitable for rehab. Thank you, Patricia Calhoun, ASID, IIDA, RID Patricia Calhoun THE PERFECT ADDITION 972-814-6543 (Cell) CAUTION: This is …
January 7, 2026 To Whom it May Concern, The VORTEX, a nonprofit business located at 2307 Manor Rd, Austin TX 78722, would like to register opposition to the demolishment of the property located at 2406 E. MLK Blvd. Many properties in the RWHC neighborhood have historic and cultural significance and deserve to be preserved for future generations, including this location. Thank you for your consideration with this matter. Best Regards – Melissa McKnight Managing Director The VORTEX and The Butterfly Bar @ The VORTEX 2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722 vortexrep.org 512-478-5282 Photography courtesy of Errich Petersen and Bonnie Cullum.
January 7, 2026 RE: 2406 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Demolition Dear Chair Heimsath, Vice Chair Evans, and Members of the Historic Landmark Commission Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. We write today in support of staff’s recommendation to postpone the hearing for the demolition of 2406 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, a contributing structure in the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District. Our preservation ordinance is designed to prevent exactly this scenario. Absent an extreme circumstance, allowing for the demolition of a contributing structure would set a concerning precedent that impacts the future not only of the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District, but all historic districts in Austin. In 2021, changes in state law made the creation of new historic districts extremely difficult. With limited potential for future historic districts on the horizon, we have an even greater obligation to protect the districts we do have. We support the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Neighborhood Association in their efforts to protect their community’s history. In 2020, after a years-long grassroots advocacy campaign, they became Austin’s first historic district exclusively dedicated to Black heritage. The creation of the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District allowed them to define their neighborhood’s future amidst extreme development pressures and the displacement of its historic community. We are honored to call them partners of over a decade and believe their history and their efforts to preserve it must be protected. Thank you for your consideration and your service to the City of Austin. Sincerely, Miriam Conner, President
Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Subject: Christina Singh Tuesday, January 6, 2026 11:00 PM Historic Preservation Office Request to postpone public hearing for demolition or deny case - Case DA-2025-142965 Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Completed You don't often get email from Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Mr. Sturgill and commission members: I am writing as a neighbor of the former Rosedale School (2117 W 49th St) ahead of tomorrow’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting. I reside at 4913 Lynnwood St., within 500 feet of the proposed demolition site. I respectfully request that the City postpone or deny the demolition hearing for Case Number DA-2025-142965; GF-2025-146214. There is an active legal dispute directly related to this property that has not been resolved. AISD has initiated litigation against 125 nearby residents in an attempt to nullify a long-standing deed restriction governing the site. Until the court issues a ruling, any decision regarding demolition is premature and risks interfering with matters still before the judiciary. Because the outcome of the lawsuit will determine what is permissible on the site and directly shape any future redevelopment, approving demolition now would be inappropriate. It would enable work on a property whose legal status is not yet settled and could negatively affect both residents and the City. For this reason, I support the postponement request submitted by Play Fair with Rosedale and the Rosedale Neighborhood Association. The City should delay any demolition action until the court has issued a final determination and the deed restriction’s validity is clear. I respectfully urge the City to allow the legal process to conclude before making any demolition decision. Thank you for your time and consideration. Christina Singh Christina Singh (757) 619-8763 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 1 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 2 Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Victoria Rios Wednesday, January 7, 2026 10:16 AM Victoria Rios Historic Preservation Office Request to Postpone a Decision on the Rosedale School Permit Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Completed You don't often get email from Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Dear Chairman Heimsath and Commission Members, I’m writing again …
Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Subject: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 11:20 AM Historic Preservation Office Agenda Item 16 - DA-2025-141132 – 906 W. 22nd Street You don't often get email from Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Good morning Chair and Members of the Commission, First, thank you for all the time and assistance you provide to neighborhood members in your position on the Historic Landmark Commission. It is a job that provides a safety net for structures that might go unnoticed in our fast paced city planning. The hours you provide to these issues are greatly appreciated. Our neighborhood borders this property, and as President of the Caswell Heights Neighborhood Association, we would like to formally request a postponement of this demolition request for further consideration. This property is a gateway property into our neighborhood. It plays a key role in the historic character of our neighborhood, both in scale and placement near our homes. It also sits among several recognized historic homes on and near West 22nd Street, including the Pompee Clarke Cooke House, the Kenney House, the Burt House, and other early 20th century residences. These structures help define the historic residential character of the area even before entering our association boundaries (MLK,Jr. to W. 24th Street, and San Gabriel Street to Lamar Street). Historic homes like this are important because they preserve the stories and heritage of our community and reflect the architectural styles and character that make our neighborhoods unique. Removing this structure would substantially alter the streetscape and sense of place, undermining the integrity and identity of the neighborhood. We ask that you postpone this demolition request and encourage the applicant to explore ways to rehabilitate or reuse the property so that it continues to contribute to our neighborhood’s history and character. Current architecture dominates the city, but our historic landmark structures are quickly becoming just dust under another building. Kind regards, Tressie Damron President, Caswell Heights Neighborhood Association 1 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 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 2 Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Karen Wednesday, January 7, 2026 12:12 PM Historic Preservation Office Balderrama Estevan; Bird Betty Bird Betty; …
Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Subject: Hello, Polina Koronkevich Wednesday, January 7, 2026 5:27 AM Historic Preservation Office PR-2025-138065; GF-2025-144692 ; 907 E 13th External Email - Exercise Caution I'm writing in opposition to the demolition permit for 907 e 13th street. This is one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood, and Eureka is a rampant demolition-by-neglect bad actor. I spoke at last month's meeting about this property, and my feelings have not changed. I will not be able to attend tonight's meeting. We reached out to the applicant to come meet with the neighborhood, but have not heard back from them. We suspect that they will not be interested in meeting with us in order to run out the 90-day automatic approval clock. I know that the city is being sued by Eureka because of the Eisenbeiser building, but we need to put a stop to these tactics because they are ruining neighborhoods. There is another property on east 13th that they recently tore down, which had been a rental but now is just an empty lot. I pass it walking every day and it's a blatant reminder that these people do not have any interest in improving the East Side. This building certainly meets the criteria for architecture, association with important people (the first settlers to this part of Austin), and community value -- it is one of the oldest homes in this neighborhood and connects us the Swede portion of our Swede Hill neighborhood name, much of which we have lost to I-35 development. Thank you, Polina 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 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 1
Sturgill, Hunter From: Sent: To: Subject: Polina Koronkevich Wednesday, January 7, 2026 5:14 AM Historic Preservation Office Case number PR-2025-149298; GF-2025-155446 - 1205 E 13th St You don't often get email Learn why this is important External Email - Exercise Caution Hello, I'm writing in opposition to the demolition permit for 1205 east 13th street. The neighborhood has suffered too many demolitions, enough is enough. We are plowing down starter homes to build mcmansions that no one can afford and no one can stand to look at. The home next to this one burned down and a giant monstrosity was put in its place, currently sitting empty as no one is willing to buy it. This home has over 100 years of history and I know I am yelling into the void to oppose its demolition, but here we are. Thank you, Polina 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 Message" button in Outlook. For any additional questions or concerns, contact CSIRT at "cybersecurity@austintexas.gov". 1
