From the Housing Authority of the City of Austin's press release:
On August 12, Austin Community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a major, 19-acre redevelopment in the historic St. John’s neighborhood that will create more than 500 housing units in Northeast Austin.
Known as the St. John’s site at 7211 and 7309 North Interstate Highway 35, the property was formerly a location for a Home Depot store and a Chrysler Automotive dealership before becoming available for purchase 15 years ago.
The City of Austin, the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), Greystar Development, and the St. Johns community have been working in unison on transforming the property since the City bought the site in 2008.
Plans are for the new site to have 526 housing units, with 50 percent of them considered affordable housing. The redevelopment will also include 15,000 square footage of commercial space, a clubhouse, and an expanded park.
HACA is extremely proud to have been part of the broad civic collaboration for this project. It took the leadership of St. John’s Neighborhood residents, the responsiveness of city leaders, the commitments of community groups and agencies, and a partnership with Greystar Development to achieve this design for affordable housing,” said Michael Gerber, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin.
“I want to extend my particular gratitude to Congressman Greg Casar and council member José “Chito” Vela for their tireless and dedicated work to making today possible,” Gerber said.
The groundbreaking signals the start of a year of demolition of current structures on the site, with construction expected to start in the summer of 2024, with occupancy ready by late 2025.