Fund the Caps! February 2025 ECC Neighborhood Meeting

Hello Neighbors,

First, thanks to everyone for all the kindness and support shown to our family after the house fire on January 30. We’re beginning repairs and navigating all the related challenges, and the generosity of this community has made a huge difference. A special thanks to Robert and Lyon for offering us a home on very short notice. If you’re in the area, please swing by our temporary home at 1407 Willow Street and say hello!

Now, on to important neighborhood updates—this month, we have a range of topics, from a critical City Council vote on I-35 to Hybrid Parking and planning for a new ECC community event this April. Please read below for more details!

Table of Contents

• Announcements

  • 🚨 Fund the Caps! Call to Action 🚨

  • 🗳️ Community Development Commission Special Elect …

• Neighborhood Initiatives

  • Angel House / Homeless Neighborhood Initiative

  • Hybrid Parking Initiative Update

• Events

  • 6th Annual Community Kickback | Feb 23

• Land Use Updates

  • 1301-1309 E 4th Street Rezoning Request

Announcements

🚨 Fund the Caps! Call to Action 🚨

The City of Austin originally unveiled a vision to cap I-35, reclaiming up to ~26 acres of land. However, City Staff has since recommended a substantially smaller caps project of only 12.5 acres, cutting the highway covered in our neighborhood by over three acres and eliminating the Holly Street portion. Read our neighborhood’s initial response to this proposal here.

On March 27, Austin City Council will vote on whether to fund the Roadway Elements. These foundational, structural, and fire-prevention components must be funded now to preserve the opportunity for caps in the future.

This project is vital to connecting East Austin, mitigating environmental harm, and ensuring green space and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure for our community.

Here’s how you can help:
✅ Visit Fundthecaps.com to learn more
✅ Email City Council members—let them know you support this project (email link in the website)
✅ Reply to this email to request a FREE yard sign (see image below) or add a neighborhood group or organization to the FundtheCaps website.
✅ Encourage neighbors to email City Council or attend the meeting on March 27.

🗳️ Community Development Commission Special Election

The Community Development Commission plays an important service role in the City. East Austin has an elected representative, and there’s a special election to determine who will represent our area for the next four years. It’s difficult to find any online information about this election from the City, so I’ve done some research for you! There are two candidates, and you can cast your vote this Monday. Details are below.

🗳️ Election Day: Monday, February 24
🕙 Time: 10 AM – 7 PM
📍 Location: East Austin Neighborhood Center, 211 Comal Street
👉Candidates:

Neighborhood Initiatives

Angel House / Homeless Neighborhood Initiative

Update: Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department, attended January’s monthly meeting for a productive discussion. We’re awaiting substantive updates from HSO and APD on our specific requests, which will be shared here

Background: Our community collectively sent a detailed letter to Mayor Watson, City Manager Broadnax, and City Council outlining shared concerns and requesting immediate support for the ECC neighborhood. The letter was endorsed by a broad cross-section of our community, including members from 25 small business and non-profit organizations, and included 50 impact statements. Our team is now meeting monthly with David Gray, Homeless Strategy Office, to discuss progress and share feedback.

Hybrid Parking Initiative Update

Update: City Staff is joining this month’s meeting to share the latest Hybrid Parking Proposal and elicit feedback for a neighborhood survey.

Background: The ECC Team is working with the City to develop a “hybrid” parking zone to help alleviate parking challenges across the ECC neighborhood. For more details on the initiative, please see the presentation here.

Events

6th Annual Community Kickback | Feb 23

🌟 Date: February 23rd
🌟 Time: 1pm-5pm
🌟 Location: Chicano Park
🛍️ Discover amazing products and services from local vendors. 🤝 Network with entrepreneurs and neighbors. 🎶 Enjoy live entertainment, food, and fun activities for all ages!

Land Use Updates

1301-1309 E 4th Street Rezoning Request

UPDATE: City Council approved rezoning for two lots at the November 21 Council meeting. This proposal is for the remaining three lots, 1301, 1303, 1305 E. 4th Street. The applicant has updated the proposal with a more comprehensive plan for the block and two different height elevation options at 50’ or split at 45’/60’.

Background:

• The applicant seeks to change the zoning from Live/Work Flex to TOD Mixed Use with a maximum height of 60 feet. 15% of the square footage is dedicated to affordable housing. The applicant updated the proposal with a more comprehensive plan for the block and two different height elevation options at 50’ or split at 45’/60’.

• The adjacent neighbors prepared a presentation and initiated a valid zoning petition in opposition. City Staff validated the neighbor’s zoning petition in opposition.

There’s a lot at stake for our neighborhood this year, and your participation makes a difference!

We hope to see you at a future meeting! -ep

Eric Pace, Chair
ECCNA/NPCT