Heritage Society of Austin: Realtor Training

ACT NOW!
SAVE THE CAPITOL VIEWS!

You can help save this prized attribute of our city by contacting the City Council , your State Senator and Representatives, and County Commissioners . Please contact at least three officials. Also, ask your friends, neighbors and colleagues to tell these decision makers that these views are priceless and any modification to the existing view corridors would endanger a treasure that belongs to all Texans. We must act immediately!

The Heritage Society of Austin is alerting all Texans that long-protected public views of the Texas State Capitol are endangered. The organization Preservation Texas recently placed Texas State Capitol Views on its Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places List.

The State Capitol is the most recognized and prized symbol of Austin and the State of Texas. Completed in 1888, the red granite and limestone building is a reference point from almost any angle as you enter the downtown area. When development pressures were threatening to block the views of the Capitol in the early 1980s, the state legislature acted to protect selected remaining views permanently. Thirty view corridors, each with secondary sightlines, converge on the Capitol from major Austin landmarks and vantage points. For close to 25 years, these legal protections have ensured continued views of the Capitol.

Now, with the fast-paced growth of the city and developers eager for additional residential and commercial projects downtown, the City Council has formed a committee to evaluate the sightlines, with the possibility of eliminating some of them. With this action of the Council, these Capitol view corridors are endangered. We strongly support more housing downtown and density in appropriate locations to achieve that goal. However, we believe that with proper planning, having a larger downtown population need not be at the expense of the Capitol views enjoyed by all Texans.

Capitol View Corridors Background Information
Heritage Society Position Statement
Capitol View Corridor Media Coverage

Contact: Jacqui Schraad
512-474-5198

ACT NOW! SAVE THE CAPITOL VIEWS! You can help save this prized attribute of our city by contacting the City Council , your State Senator and Representatives, and County Commissioners . Please contact at least three officials. Also, ask your friends, neighbors and colleagues to tell these decision makers that these views are priceless and any modification to the existing view corridors would endanger a treasure that belongs to all Texans. We must act immediately! The Heritage Society of Austin is alerting all Texans that long-protected public views of the Texas State Capitol are endangered. The organization Preservation Texas recently placed Texas State Capitol Views on its Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places List. The State Capitol is the most recognized and prized symbol of Austin and the State of Texas. Completed in 1888, the red granite and limestone building is a reference point from almost any angle as you enter the downtown area. When development pressures were threatening to block the views of the Capitol in the early 1980s, the state legislature acted to protect selected remaining views permanently. Thirty view corridors, each with secondary sightlines, converge on the Capitol from major Austin landmarks and vantage points. For close to 25 years, these legal protections have ensured continued views of the Capitol. Now, with the fast-paced growth of the city and developers eager for additional residential and commercial projects downtown, the City Council has formed a committee to evaluate the sightlines, with the possibility of eliminating some of them. With this action of the Council, these Capitol view corridors are endangered. We strongly support more housing downtown and density in appropriate locations to achieve that goal. However, we believe that with proper planning, having a larger downtown population need not be at the expense of the Capitol views enjoyed by all Texans. Capitol View Corridors Background Information Heritage Society Position Statement Capitol View Corridor Media Coverage Contact: Jacqui Schraad 512-474-5198	Heritage Society of Austin Capitol View Corridors Position Statement The Heritage Society of Austin strongly opposes any modification to the existing Capitol View Corridors. For close to 25 years, these legal protections have ensured continued views of the State Capitol, the most prized and recognized symbol of Austin and the State of Texas. HSA supports the City’s goal of urban revitalization and applauds efforts to infuse a strong residential component to downtown -- but no great American city has revitalized its downtown by sacrificing its most cherished and significant historic features. Capitol View Corridors Background Information Heritage Society Position Statement C ontact Info for Public Officials Capitol View Corridor Media Coverage
P.O. Box 2113 Austin, Texas 78768-2113 Phone: 512-474-5198 Fax: 512-476-8687 E-mail: information@hsaustin.org
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