AUSTIN, Texas — A Downtown Austin mural featuring two Texas music legends may soon be demolished to make room for more development.
The mural, depicting Janis Joplin and Willie Nelson in front of a sunset, is on the side of a nearly 100-year-old building located at 407 E. Seventh St., near Neches Street. The building was once home to Mug Shots bar, which was damaged by a fire in February.
Now the property owner, Jaffa Parks LLC, is seeking to demolish the building. On its website, the company identifies the location as a "high-rise development site."
"Located in the heart of downtown Austin, this high-rise development site was recently repaved, striped, and currently serves the community with safe, convenient parking while development plans are underway," the website states. "The site is approximately 1/3 acre, and can accommodate a multifamily, hotel or office tower without height restriction."
The city of Austin's Historic Landmark Commission will review the demolition permit at its meeting on Nov. 6.
The mural isn't the only public art piece in Austin dedicated to Nelson. There is also the "Willie for President" mural on South Congress Avenue and a statue of Nelson outside ACL Live at the Moody Theater.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.
