13 C14H-2024-0136 - East End Saloon/1500 Club and 1500 Beauty and Barber Shop Letter of Support — original pdf

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October 7, 2024 RE: 1500 East 12th Street Historic Landmark Designation Dear Chair Hempel, Vice Chair Azhar, and Members of the City of Austin Planning Commission, Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. We write to you today in support of designating 1500 E. 12th Street as a City of Austin Landmark for its Architecture, Historic Association, and Community Value. For over 100 years, the property at 1500 E. 12th Street has traced the diverse heritage of East Austin - from its early days as a German grocery to its latter history as the home of a Black salon, Black barber shop, and fraternity. Its historic significance is supported by the findings of the 2016 East Austin Historic Resources Survey, which recommends the property for individual landmark designation and listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Importantly, the building at 1500 E. 12th Street presents an opportunity to leverage preservation as a tool for forward-thinking city planning and economic revitalization. As a commercial property on a prominent corner, this site plays a critical role in the streetscape of this neighborhood. Unfortunately, the current owners have left it sitting vacant for nearly a decade, their neglect hastening its deterioration. Preserving this property has the potential to unlock many lucrative resources that would make the site economically viable, including: ● Property tax exemptions for City of Austin Landmarks ● City of Austin Heritage Tourism grants for rehabilitation, worth up to $250,000 ● State and Federal Historic Tax Credits for rehabilitation, worth up to 45% of qualifying expenses for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places Demolishing the property for an empty lot not only forfeits these financial opportunities but also forgoes the site’s potential to reactivate a corner of East Austin that has experienced systemic neglect. We ask the Planning Commission to recognize the historic significance of this site and the potential it holds for the neighborhood’s future. Thank you for your consideration and your service to the City of Austin. Sincerely, Melissa Barry, President