The location once housed The Home Depot and a Chrysler dealership.
AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin’s Department of Economic Development provides multiple opportunities for the community to provide input into future development in the St. John’s area.
Currently, city officials are looking to redevelop the 19-acre site that once housed The Home Depo and a Chrysler dealership at 7211 and 7309 Interstate 35. It’s called the “St. Johns Site.”
According to the city, on July 29, 2021, the city council authorized the negotiation and execution of an exclusive negotiation agreement with Greystar Development Central LLC and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) for the site. This agreement was signed on April 13 of this year, and City staff were asked to return to council in November to share the terms of the site development based on community feedback.
“The vision to redevelop the St. Johns site represents years of engagement with residents and listening to the needs of the St. John neighborhood,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of Economic Development. “The City of Austin is honored to be part of building the partnership with Greystar and HACA to realize this vision that will bring much-needed affordable housing, parks and open spaces, and neighborhood commerce to the neighborhood of St. John and the northeast Austin.”
The most recent plan is to transform the site into a mixed-use pedestrian space with affordable housing, retail and a 3-acre park.
“The job and the responsibility of our job was to make sure we supported a complete community in a historic neighborhood, building strengths and improving its services and quality of life through redevelopment,” said Laura Cortez of Cortez Consulting. .
At the moment, it is not known how much the project could cost. However, the Department of Economic Development is expected to bring these updates to City Council next month.
Here is a list of opportunities linked to the site:
St. John’s Community Resource Fair on September 10 at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center
A public family event is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center located at 7500 Blessing Ave., Austin, Texas 78752. During the event, families can enjoy free food, music, activities for children, and will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and give their opinion on the potential programming and layout of the site. Exhibitors will also be available to connect residents to citywide services and programs as part of our resource fair.
Opportunities for St. John Residents
- Take an online survey to share your feedback
- Submit an Interest Form to serve on the St. John’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
- Attend the virtual community meeting on September 12 at 5:30 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
‘It pays to be Texan’ | HEB launches debit card to earn money on groceries
Austin police report case of juggling that led to violent attack at victim’s home
‘A real honky tonk’ | Kacey Musgraves stops at Austin’s Broken Spoke
