The City of Austin is hosting a community kickoff event for the Equity-Based Preservation Plan on Tuesday, February 13th. The event will take place at the historic Huston-Tillotson University and will feature various community leaders who will give lightning talks on topics such as Austin's rich history, cultural heritage, displacement prevention, sustainability, and the importance of historic preservation.
Among the speakers at the event are Linda Y. Jackson from Huston-Tillotson University, Ben Heimsath from the Historic Landmark Commission, Robbie Anderson from the LGBTQIA+ Alliance – AIA Austin, Catalina Berry from the East Austin Conservancy, Ashley Besic from the Building Decarbonization Coalition, Noel and Will Bridges, owners of multiple iconic legacy businesses, Alan Garcia from the ATX Barrio Archive, Hanna Huang from the Austin Asian American Film Festival, Ayshea Khan from the City of Austin Equity Office, and Marla Torrado from the City of Austin Displacement Prevention Division.
The event is a celebration of the recent launch of the City of Austin's draft Equity-Based Preservation Plan, which aims to learn from the city's past in order to shape an inclusive future for residents and visitors. The City is eager to hear from as many Austinites as possible to ensure that the plan reflects the priorities of the community.
The kickoff event will be held at the King-Seabrook Chapel at Huston-Tillotson University. The address is 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX, 78702. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
This event provides an opportunity for the community to come together and engage in meaningful discussions about the preservation of Austin's history and the importance of ensuring an equitable future for all residents. It is an invitation to actively participate in shaping the city's development and to contribute to the ongoing efforts of making Austin a vibrant and inclusive place to live.
The City of Austin encourages everyone to attend this kickoff event and make their voices heard. Together, we can work towards a future that honors and preserves our shared heritage while promoting equity and inclusivity.