After years of work and gathering input from a diverse variety of groups, agencies, communities, and individuals, Austin has a final draft of its proposed Equity-Based Preservation Plan on the table. It's continuing to seek community feedback with an survey, open through May 31, and a block party on May 18.
The new plan will replace Austin's outdated 1981 historic preservation plan with one "built on an inclusive, equity-focused, and community-oriented framework," according to a February city press release. "The draft plan recommends policies, programs, and tools that meet historic preservation goals aimed at making Austin a better city for residents and visitors alike."
To develop the draft plan, the city Historic Landmark Commission created a working group of preservation professionals, stakeholders from allied fields, and community representatives in a process that Huston-Tillotson University's Linda Y. Jackson called "thorough and intentional."
Outreach around the draft plan has included city-hosted events, pop-up outreach at community events, and presentations at organizational meetings. Ten community ambassadors and five community organizations were funded to help engage historically marginalized communities around the draft plan via small-group conversations and targeted events. The community organizations are Anderson Community Development Corporation, Creative Action, East Austin Conservancy, the Austin chapter of Taiwanese American Professionals, and Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation.
Community review of the draft will be open through May 31, either online or in print at any branch of the Austin Public Library or the Planning Department office at 1000 East 11th Street.
In addition, in collaboration with Preservation Austin, the city will host an Equity-Based Preservation Plan Block Party May 18 on Givens Avenue between Maple and Cedar avenues in the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District. The family-friendly party will take place noon-4pm and will provide a forum for learning more about the plan and providing feedback. There will be music by DJ Lauren Light, community partner booths with resources and activities, self-guided tours of the historic neighborhood, kids activities, and snacks.
