The city of Austin is set to update its system for preserving and honoring historically significant properties, replacing one that has been in effect since 1981 with an Equity-Based Preservation plan adopted by the City Council Thursday.
City staff and community groups hammered out the plan over several years in effort to open the way to a more inclusive process than has been in place. The result is a "community-authored blueprint that supports historic preservation as a tool to advance a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future,” according to a city press release:
The Equity-Based Preservation Plan includes 14 goals and 107 recommendations. The plan aims to honor Austin’s complex history, safeguard cultural assets like legacy businesses and murals, and use preservation tools to prevent displacement and promote sustainability. It emphasizes broader community participation in heritage preservation and provides guidance on identifying and preserving important places, supporting the stewards of historic properties, streamlining reviews, and enhancing protection of historic resources.
The Historic Landmark Commission initially launched the plan in 2021, creating the Preservation Plan Working Group with 26 community members who collaborated with city staff, technical experts, and other Austinites to develop the draft plan, according to the press release.
“We’re proud to have conducted such a thorough engagement effort with so many of our neighbors in so many parts of town,” Planning Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt said. “Robust engagement helps ensure that this plan represents the goals and priorities of every Austinite, particularly those whose history and heritage have too often been overlooked.”
While the city’s Tourism Commission balked at the overhaul based on questions about its potential economic impact, the City Council evidently saw things differently, approving the plan at its regular meeting.
"Preservation’s cultural benefits are significant, especially in a rapidly growing city like Austin,” said JuanRaymon Rubio, a member of both the Historic Landmark Commission and the Preservation Plan Working Group. “Preservation supports a sense of place, identity, and continuity for both residents and visitors.”
“Great cities preserve their history and culture, and Austin is no different. We’re thrilled to support the Equity-Based Preservation Plan and look forward to realizing its goals with the city and other stakeholders,” Preservation Austin’s Lindsey Derrington said.
The Planning Department will lead implementation of the plan, which is expected to cover 10 years, with updates after five years.
