Gentrification and Domain on Riverside--Lucy Phlegar, Chesley Hinds, and Gabrielle Lush
Over the course of the year 2020, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the various ways in which it has upended society and exposed some harsh realities that had long gone ignored, it has become increasingly evited that inequality is wide spread and rampant across the United States and Austin is a prime example of a city where this can be clearly seen. Although to many, especially outsiders, Austin appears to be a city that is diverse, inclusive and progressive, those who live in the city and are exposed to the reality of the different sides of Austin on a daily basis are well aware that this is not entirely true. There is one clear divide that occurs at I-35 that separates Austin into two very different sides. However as of recently, as Austin becomes a booming city that is full of opportunities, the west side of Austin which is home to the University of Texas as well as downtown Austin has begun to encroach upon the east side of Austin which is home to mostly minority and poor populations in the form of gentrification. Gentrification has been a long on-going project in Austin as well as in many other similar cities and per usual it is pushing out and displacing the people who are in greatest need of support and are in high risk groups. Fortunately, there has been mobilization of these groups of people to come together and fight back against not only companies that are solely interested in pursuing profitable projects and display a lack of regard for the people that they will be hurting by acting upon these projects, but also their government and representatives who are failing to advocate for them despite the fact that it is their duty to do so. These groups include Defend Our Hoodz, PODER, as well as UT student organizations. Unfortunately despite the attempts by these organizations to create enough push back to specifically halt the project 4700 Riverside which would further gentrify East Austin and create an environment that is no longer livable for the populations that have occupied this area for decades there was not enough support and the project is being allowed to continue with minimal concessions. Moving forward it is vital to continue to resist the forces of gentrification that threaten to drastically change Austin into a city that is not hospitable to anyone other that the rich. Defend Our Hoodz along with PODER and UT student organizations will continue to make their voices heard when it comes to issues of gentrification and are committed to advocating for those who are being displaced from their community for the sake of profits. Additionally, moving forward it is vital to empower these minority and poor populations to use the power of the vote to elect government representatives who value their place in the community and will prevent projects like this one from occurring in the future.
Links:
Austin City Council. (2019). ‘Item 47’. In City council regular meeting session transcript-10-17-2019. City of Austin: City Hall.
Bohra, N. (2019, October 17). Riverside rezoning passes, developers to begin construction in
2023. The Daily Texan.
Falola, B., Tang, E., & West Ohueri, C. East Avenue. http://www.segregatedaustin.org/.
Freer, E. (2019, October 18). Austin City Council approves zoning changes for controversial
97-acre "urban village" on East Riverside. Community Impact.
Jankowski, P. (2019, August 2). Austin City Council takes first look at 'Domain on Riverside'
mixed-use project. Statesman.
Jankowski, P. (2019, October 18). Austin City Council gives final approval to 'Domain on
Riverside'. Statesman.
May, V. (2019, August 9). Austin City Council approves redevelopment of student apartments in
Riverside. The Daily Texan.
Nixon, R. (2011). In Slow violence and the environmentalism of the poor (pp. 1–45).
introduction, Harvard University Press.
Ortiz, E. (2019, October 20). Austin: Council Approves Rezoning for Huge East Riverside
Mixed-Use Development.
- East Avenue website: http://www.segregatedaustin.org/
- More About the history of Raul “Roy” G. Guerrero and the history of the park named after him: https://www.statesman.com/entertainmentlife/20181217/make-sure-roy-guerrero-is-remembered-not-just-as-park
- More about the Austin Chapter of The United Neighborhood Defense Movement (UNDM), formerly Defend Our Hoodz-Defiende El Barrio Austin: https://defendourhoodz.tumblr.com/ & www.undm.org
Austin City Council. (2019). ‘Item 47’. In City council regular meeting session transcript-10-17-2019. City of Austin: City Hall.
Bohra, N. (2019, October 17). Riverside rezoning passes, developers to begin construction in
2023. The Daily Texan.
Falola, B., Tang, E., & West Ohueri, C. East Avenue. http://www.segregatedaustin.org/.
Freer, E. (2019, October 18). Austin City Council approves zoning changes for controversial
97-acre "urban village" on East Riverside. Community Impact.
Jankowski, P. (2019, August 2). Austin City Council takes first look at 'Domain on Riverside'
mixed-use project. Statesman.
Jankowski, P. (2019, October 18). Austin City Council gives final approval to 'Domain on
Riverside'. Statesman.
May, V. (2019, August 9). Austin City Council approves redevelopment of student apartments in
Riverside. The Daily Texan.
Nixon, R. (2011). In Slow violence and the environmentalism of the poor (pp. 1–45).
introduction, Harvard University Press.
Ortiz, E. (2019, October 20). Austin: Council Approves Rezoning for Huge East Riverside
Mixed-Use Development.
