Town receives 6 bids to redevelop vacant Residence Depot home homeless housing not an possibility

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin could opt for a new developer for the vacant Home Depot residence this summertime.

The very long-vacant property at Interstate 35 and St. Johns Avenue has been known as a whole lot of names immediately after it was a dwelling enhancement retailer. Many of them, not so variety.

“You just kind of glimpse at it and go, ‘why aren’t they performing some thing much more with the home?’” explained Steve Felgate, who manages ABC Source, a roofing retail outlet across the road.

In 2018, a KXAN investigation highlighted the metropolis-owned residence. Voters permitted a bond in 2006 to change it into a law enforcement substation and municipal courtroom, but the undertaking fell through owing to lack of funding.

The town wants to change the property into a combined use-development district with economical housing and area for recreation. 6 bids had been submitted when the RFP method shut final thirty day period.

A.J. Smith and Daniel Loe of Forsite Studio, an Austin-based mostly architecture company, imagined it would be best for homeless housing.

“This was our option to put this out there and say this is what we can do,” reported Loe.

In the final number of months, they sent their strategy to council customers and town homeless officials.

Less than the prepare, 400 transport containers would provide as “microunits,” where men and women or families could dwell. The containers would be placed inside of the House Depot structure. Much more specifics on the plan can be uncovered listed here.

The architects say their prepare did not attain traction with city leaders, and the deadline for developers to submit bids has by now handed.

“Forsite did not submit a proposal for thought,” claimed a city spokesperson. 

But it received us asking if the town at any time considered the house for homeless housing, one particular of Austin’s most pressing wants.

“The previous Dwelling Depot constructing is in severe disrepair and is not habitable,” claimed a Metropolis of Austin spokesperson. “Water, wastewater and electrical energy to the creating have not been preserved because the setting up was obtained in 2008. The only functioning electrical assistance at this time is servicing the remaining gentle fixtures in the parking great deal, and no other utility solutions are out there exterior the present building.” 

A town spokesperson also advised us a blended-use enhancement was the consensus after two yrs of engagement with neighbors in the St. Johns location.

We arrived at out to the St. Johns Neighborhood Affiliation. Its president, Akeem McLennon, claimed although there was broad aid for economical housing in the spot, there had been other problems.

“Neighbors have also expressed problem that applying the site for a homeless shelter would perpetuate the economic neglect that has historically occurred on this portion of city,” he informed us.