AUSTIN, Texas — One of Austin's oldest neighborhoods will soon see a new development going up.
City leaders say the goal is to revitalize St. Johns and bring more affordable housing to the city.
Along Interstate 35 near East St. Johns Avenue in northeast Austin sits roughly 19 acres of land owned by the City. Part of the land was purchased in 2008 using funds approved by voters in 2006. Five years later, another portion was purchased using the same funds.
Now Austin is teaming up with Greystar for a new housing complex and mixed-use development where the old Home Depot and Chrysler dealership were located.
The area's rich history holds historical importance to the African-American community. The area dates back to the 1890s, when 350 acres were obtained by the St. John Regular Missionary Baptist Association to establish a freedman community.
City leaders collaborated with the St. Johns community in 2017 to create a new community vision, which was officially adopted in 2020.
"This agreement represents a pivotal step toward realizing our vision for a more inclusive and vibrant St. John community,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, the director of Austin's Economic Development Department.
Currently, the plan is to build more than 500 units of housing. Half of the units will be affordable housing based on individual or family income.
"The goal of this project is to take what has been a long undeserving piece of City-owned property and deliver it back to the community under a community vision that vision is 526 units of housing, 50% of which will be income-restricted affordable,” said Christine Freundl, the Redevelopment Project Manager for the City. "I think projects like this are really important to get us to a more affordable Austin."
Freundl said of the 526 units, 263 will be at 50%, 60% and 70% of the median family income.
To qualify for 50% of the median family income, a person would have to make less than $41,000, or less than $58,000 for a family of four. The City could not provide how much rent would cost per month at this time.
"I think it's a great idea for the community," St. Johns resident Karen Calle said. "I think it's going to help with the expansion of it, making it a little better looking."
Calle has lived in the neighborhood for three years. She believes the project can bring more affordable housing to the area. But other residents are opposed to the project.
"I am against that because they let the realtors come in," said L.J. Joiner, a longtime St. Johns resident.
Joiner has lived in the neighborhood for 49 years and said he remembers how his neighborhood used to be. Now, Joiner said with newer homes being built and with this new apartment complex, he has concerns.
"Being me, a small unit, little home I have. My property taxes going to shoot sky high," he said.
Construction is set up to begin next year with units available by 2026.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.