Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies released its 2019 State of the Nation’s Housing report, and it makes for interesting reading. Once you get past the standard neoliberal fare about how “there isn’t enough housing” or not enough “choice” or “opportunity,” you can unearth some nuggets. Two Austin findings stand out: 1.) Real home prices […]
Continue ReadingThe most recent incarnation of Austin’s anti-gentrification task force, this time known as the Anti-Displacement Task Force held its final meeting on Friday, November 9, 2018. The purpose of the meeting was to finalize their draft final Anti-Displacement Task Force Draft Report and wrap up any loose ends. Two people testified during the public comment portion of […]
Continue ReadingToday I drove down to Sugar Land from Austin to take a tour of the recently discovered cemetery at what was once the Imperial Sugar Prison Farm, one of the most notorious convict lease forced labor camps in American history. The facility has gone by several names, one of the more noted being “Hellhole on […]
Continue ReadingDear Mayor Adler: As a strong supporter of yours I watched the recent establishment of a task force on institutional racism with considerable interest. I would respectfully like to bring an example of institutional racism to your attention. At issue is the property located at 500 Montopolis Drive. It is one of the most important […]
Continue ReadingLast week’s meeting of the Austin Historic Landmark Commission was once again a wash. Only seven commissioners showed up, enough for a quorum but not enough for the supermajority required on the 500 Montopolis Drive matter. A supermajority is required because the present property owner opposes the historic landmarking of the school property. The item […]
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