Downtown property owners and neighbors press commission for guidance on Congress Avenue storefronts and historic Barton Springs Baptist Church

Several members of the public used the Historic Landmark Commission’s public-communication period on June 3 to request staff guidance and preservation support.

Lee Ackerley, founder of SwiftFit Events, said his company recently acquired 916, 918, and 920 Congress Avenue and plans to connect the storefronts into a downtown events venue that embraces the historic L’Amour (Jacob L'Amour) Block. Ackerley said his team was “blindsided” at an Architecture Review Committee meeting by a previously negotiated agreement associated with an earlier developer that required rebuilding a first-floor façade tied to a then-planned five-story development that was never completed or conveyed to subsequent buyers. “We put a lot of money into acquiring these spaces on a timeline we thought we could achieve...we're looking for guidance from the council,” he said.

Patrick Georgio of Build Austin Texas added brief support and said Ackerley’s presentation covered the key issues.

Nearby resident Sofia Deloretto Chudi urged the commission to help the Barton Springs Baptist Church and Cemetery (listed on the city’s historic properties viewer and with at least one city placard) because the association that cares for it has aged and maintenance is failing. She described missing headstones, a deteriorating building and neighbors willing to volunteer for preservation activities. Chair Hiveseth and staff confirmed the site appears in city records and that Preservation Austin and other partners may be options for assistance; staff also noted one placard may be a city marker and suggested the team help the resident find concrete next steps.

Commissioners thanked speakers and directed staff to follow up about ARC meeting logistics for the downtown property and to provide contact information and options for the church/cemetery advocates.

No formal action was taken during the public-communication period; commissioners encouraged further engagement and asked owners to bring formal proposals to ARC or to the commission when appropriate.