Brownfields Projects

Learn about local cleanup projects

Active Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office projects

Below is a list of active projects that are receiving support from the Austin Brownfields Revitalization office.

Austin Film Society

Austin Film Society (AFS) holds community events and utilizes a former National Guard armory building for television shows with active working sets.

Project background

Austin Film Society (AFS) was constructed in 1966 and is a former National Guard Armory, comprising approximately 42,000 square feet. An asbestos and lead-based paint survey of the building was requested due to the age of the building. Terracon completed the surveys in November 2012. Samples collected during the assessment confirmed the presence of asbestos and lead-based paint. Abatement and appropriate handling were recommended for future use of the property.

Support from Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office

AFS and Austin Brownfields have been working together to coordinate an abatement project after samples from a 2012 survey determined the presence of asbestos and lead-based paint in the building. Asbestos was removed from the site in 2019, and the remaining lead-based abatement depends on funding. Austin Brownfields has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to finish the lead-based abatement. Documents and reports for this grant are available online.  Send us an email with questions or comments about this project.

Completed Austin Brownfields Revitalization projects 

Below is a list of completed projects that were redeveloped with support from the Austin Brownfields Revitalization office.

Tannehill

The Austin Shelter for Women and Children is an emergency shelter serving women and children experiencing homelessness in Austin and is operated by The Salvation Army, in partnership with the City of Austin. 

In 2018, to serve a growing number of families experiencing homelessness, the Salvation Army renovated and expanded its property. 

Project background

The Austin Shelter for Women and Children was built in 1933 in order to support families in need and, since 2001, has been owned by the Salvation Army. In 2018, renovations were completed to the existing 17,000 square-foot Austin Shelter for Women and Children building, including a new 4,900 square-foot residential wing, and a new 3,200 square-foot childcare facility. The number of units in the shelter increased from 60 to 81 following renovations. The construction was completed in phases to allow the existing facility to remain continuously operational and serve women and children in need.

Support from the Austin Brownfield's Revitalization Office

The Austin Brownfield’s Revitalization Office ordered a Phase I ESA as part of the due diligence and all appropriate inquiries process. Environmental concerns were not found, and no additional investigation was necessary. 

Montopolis Recreation and Community Center 

The Montopolis Recreation and Community Center has served the East Austin community for over 40 years. The new Center has over 33,000 square feet of new space available for public use. It offers programming for all ages and has a commercial kitchen, gymnasium, two meeting rooms, and sports fields. 

Project background

The Montopolis Recreation and Community Center was purchased by the City of Austin in 1973. After decades of use, the building was in poor condition and needed upgrades in order to provide improved recreational opportunities for East Austin.

In 2012, after many public meetings were held to gather input from the community, Austin residents voted to redevelop the Center. The project began in 2017 and was completed in September 2020. 

Support from the Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office

Before redevelopment of the Center began, the Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office completed environmental surveys at the property, and found that the building materials contained asbestos. 

ABRO provided guidance and hired contractors to safely remove and abate the building materials in 2019. With this support from ABRO, the City was able to safely redevelop the building.  

Roosevelt Gardens 

Roosevelt Gardens in an affordable housing project in North Austin owned by Project Transitions. Project Transitions is a nonprofit dedicated to serving people with HIV and AIDS by providing supportive living, recuperative care and hospice in compassionate and caring environments. 

Project background

Roosevelt Gardens opened in 1995 as a special care facility for residents with HIV and AIDS. In 2003, it became a transitional housing program. Over the years, demand for housing services quickly grew, and more units were needed. 

As of 2019, Project Transitions plans to rebuild and expand Roosevelt Gardens to better serve its residents. Following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Project Transitions broke ground on the project in December 2020. 

Support from the Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office

Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office completed environmental assessments of the property to assist Project Transitions’ affordable housing application through the City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development/HUD.  

Asbestos was found at the property and removed from August to September 2020. Following the removal, Project Transitions was able to move forward with construction of the new and improved housing at the property. 

Mueller Neighborhood Housing

Austin Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps people become homeowners, which improves the health and educational outcomes of people, and fosters the community. The organization offers resources and establishes affordable housing units in Austin. 

With increasing need, the organization plans to develop 10 row houses in Mueller Austin for Austin families in need of homeownership support. As of 2020, the homes are currently under construction. 

Project background

Austin Habitat for Humanity has built and repaired over 800 homes and provided counseling to over 10,000 new homeowners in Austin. In 2020, the organization received a $1 million loan from Austin Community Foundation for a new affordable housing project in the Mueller Austin neighborhood. The families will have access to the area transit system, shops, dining, a park, and more. Construction is expected to be complete in spring 2021. 

Support from the Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office

To complete the Mueller Austin row houses, Austin Habitat for Humanity requested funding from the City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development. The Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office completed an environmental assessment in 2017 as part of the funding application. No harmful chemicals or pollutants were found. 

Burnet Place

In 2019, Project Transitions purchased a property to provide affordable housing in North Austin. Project Transitions is a nonprofit dedicated to serving people with HIV and AIDS by providing supportive living, housing, recuperative care and hospice in compassionate and caring environments. 

Project background

The previous building at this location was constructed in 1966 and served as a mixed residential and commercial area. Over the past several years, the building was vacant and in need of significant repairs. Plans were made to have the building demolished to make way for the new Project Transitions facility. 

The new building is expected to have 61 affordable, supportive living apartment homes with community space, food pantry, a telehealth clinic, and community garden.  

Support from the Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office

Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and asbestos survey to assist with Project Transition’s affordable housing funding application through City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development/HUD. 

The surveys confirmed there was asbestos in the building that needed to be removed before building demolition. Abatement began in early 2021, with groundbreaking on the next phase in Spring 2021.