On Thursday, December 12, Austin City Council will vote to designate 1500 East 12th Street as a City of Austin Landmark and protect it from demolition. The building, which is owned by Dallas-based developer Eureka Holdings, has sat at the intersection of 12th and Comal for over 100 years, tracing East Austin’s history from a German immigrant enclave to a center of Black business and cultural life.

Eureka owns dozens of properties along the historic 12th Street Corridor - 1500 East 12th Street is the first of many that will soon be demolished. Help Preservation Austin #SaveEast12th by letting Council know you SUPPORT preservation for this century-old property.

ABOUT THE CASE

East Austin’s 12th Street corridor is not just a place; it is a historic district filled with the cultural heritage and legacy of Austin’s Black and Brown communities. This legacy is under threat today as Eureka Holdings pursues plans to demolish and redevelop a key historic site that have served as community landmarks for generations.

We believe that Eureka’s proposed development plan will erase critical parts of Austin's Black and Brown cultural history and forever alter the character of East Austin. This area has been a sanctuary of resilience, entrepreneurship, and culture, and its preservation is essential not only for those who live here today but for future generations who deserve to know the full story of our city’s past.

We call upon the Austin City Council, the Historic Landmark Commission, and all relevant decision-makers to:

• Designate 1500 E. 12th Street as a City of Austin Landmark
• Protect East 12th Street by creating a historic district to prevent future development that threatens the area's cultural fabric.
• Enforce existing preservation codes and conduct an impact assessment to understand how these developments will affect Austin’s Black and Brown communities.
• Work with community organizations and residents to identify development solutions that respect the heritage and cultural significance of East Austin.

This petition is a call to action to protect and preserve the cultural and historical assets of East Austin. We urge our local leaders to prioritize the community’s voice, ensure that the essence of our city remains intact, and keep East Austin’s story alive.

Sign this petition to demand that Austin's Black and Brown history and culture are honored, protected, and preserved.

Learn more about our campaign to #SaveEast12th at preservationaustin.org/news