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Austin City Council Approves Redevelopment of Acacia Cliffs Apartments

Construction site of Acacia Cliffs Apartments redevelopment

News Summary

The Austin City Council has approved a controversial redevelopment plan for the Acacia Cliffs apartments, which will significantly increase the number of rental units but raise concerns about affordability and displacement of current residents. The plan aims to construct 650 to 700 new rental units, leading to protests from community members worried about rising rents and gentrification. Critics call for reforms to ensure affordable housing is prioritized amid rapid urban redevelopment.

Austin City Council Approves Controversial Redevelopment of Acacia Cliffs Apartments

The Austin City Council has approved a redevelopment plan that will significantly alter the Acacia Cliffs apartments in Northwest Austin, currently home to 290 units for working-class families, veterans, retirees, and individuals on fixed incomes. The developer, Trammell Crow Co., intends to construct a new project consisting of 650 to 700 rental units, with building heights reaching up to 90 feet. This new complex is expected to feature higher rents, raising concerns among local residents about the potential impact on affordability in the area.

Concerns Over Displacement and Affordability

The redevelopment of Acacia Cliffs is being executed under the Density Bonus 90 (DB90) program, a controversial ordinance that provides developers with added height allowances in exchange for commitments to affordable housing or community benefits. Critics of the program have voiced strong objections, arguing that it has resulted in more displacement of current residents than an increase in affordable housing options.

Community members have expressed their discontent through protests, with demonstrators rallying against gentrification and holding signs that assert, “More density without affordability = displacement.” Many residents of the existing Acacia Cliffs apartments have called for a postponement of the approval vote until broader concerns regarding the density bonus programs can be adequately addressed.

Insufficient Replacement of Affordable Units

Critics argue that the current guidelines under the DB90 program allow for only a modest number of affordable units in new developments. It is suggested that while a project may, in theory, offer around 80 affordable units, this number is largely insufficient given the scale of the redevelopment. Many advocates believe changes should be made to ensure that any demolished affordable units are replaced one-for-one within the city.

City Council Plans for Reforms

In light of the ongoing issues surrounding the DB90 program, Austin City Council members have acknowledged the urgent need for amendments to enhance affordability in redevelopment projects. Mayor Kirk Watson has recognized that the DB90 program has led to “significant unintended consequences,” and intends to propose meaningful reforms.

These proposed changes may involve establishing a hierarchy of density bonus districts, broadening affordability requirements, and enhancing redevelopment standards. Such measures aim to protect current residents while maintaining affordable housing options during urban redevelopment efforts.

A Focus on Preservation and Affordability

District 10 Councilmember Marc Duchen is also actively working toward the establishment of a preservation fund to support naturally occurring affordable housing in the city. Meanwhile, Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes has elucidated the city’s limited tools available to ensure affordability during the redevelopment process.

Residents of Acacia Cliffs have voiced significant unease regarding the implications of the city’s approach to housing. They worry that the current policies place all affordable housing at risk, benefiting developers at the expense of the community’s needs. At the City Council’s approval meeting, residents articulated their fears of rising rents and the threat of displacement if the redevelopment moves ahead without adequate safeguards.

Next Steps for Development and Community Engagement

The council’s approval permits Trammell Crow to commence the redevelopment process; however, it also facilitates discussions around amendments aimed at mandating one-for-one replacements of affordable units. These discussions are intended to ensure that existing affordable housing options are preserved, thereby helping to protect residents from rising rents and displacement.

Importantly, the Acacia Cliffs apartments will not be demolished until 2027, providing a window for continued dialogue and community engagement on this pivotal issue. As Austin navigates the delicate balance between development and affordability, the voices of residents and advocates will remain vital in shaping the future of housing in the city.