“I think something has to be done about it, and people need an opportunity to speak about it.”Įlizabeth Pagano contributed to this report. “We are choking downtown to death with towers, and we are at a tipping point,” said Koch, who made the motion to postpone the case. Historic Landmark commissioners voted to postpone the case and reopen the public hearing at the commission’s next meeting on March 28. “Because I don’t feel like right now they’re made aware of such an important decision, something that could definitely affect us as a community. “I feel like our community deserves a little more time to gather and to counsel,” he said. That building, which is in a national and local historic district, is located on the corner of East Sixth and Red River streets.Īce Villanueva, a patron of the bar, asked for more time to get the word out about the possible demolition so people could come up with a community solution for preserving the bar. She told the commission that the Texas Lottery Commission building is a better example of the building’s design. “It does not possess value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure, and it’s not one of a kind.” “It’s not rare, nor is it from a significant architect, builder or artisan,” Bojo argued. She also pointed out new openings, painted brick and changes to the building’s windows. S he pointed to a large awning that once wrapped around the building, noting that its absence in the present day was an indication that the exterior of the building was “considerably different” than it had been in the past.
#IRON BEAR GAY BAR AUSTIN SERIES#
Some of the past businesses that have occupied the building include a series of ice cream companies in the 1920s Capital Seed House from 1939-1959 and Lindsay Auto Electric from 1937-1959.īojo disputed the idea that the building should become a historic landmark due to its historical associations and architecture. The warehouse at the corner of West Sixth and Lavaca was constructed around 1919. Despite the owner’s opposition to historic zoning, preservation staff recommended historic zoning based on the building’s architecture and historic associations. The Drenner Group’s Leah Bojo represented the building’s owner, Sixth & Lavaca 2018 LP, at the hearing to determine whether the demolition permit would move forward or whether the city would push for historic zoning instead. Now it may have to find a new home again. for nearly nine years, but was ultimately not offered a renewal on that lease.
Before that, the bar had operated out of 121 W. “Although I think this particular building doesn’t have much of a chance to (be preserved), I think that everyone needs to hear the importance of these gathering places.” The gay and lesbian community kept downtown alive when it was dying, and kept it alive in the warehouse districts,” Commissioner Kevin Koch said. “We’re losing all of our warehouses downtown – the warehouses where people gather, people of all sorts.
The demolition permit sparked debate over the building’s architectural character, historic significance and community value during February’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting. A permit to demolish the bar’s West Sixth location is currently being reviewed by the city. We’re not much of ones for “eating healthy” so we’re probably going to skip The Muscle Maker Grill’s Austin opening but we salute them for their careful marketing as they plan their Austin opening.The Iron Bear, an LGBTQ-friendly bar “for bears, by bears” that is open to all, is facing the prospect of relocating. Maybe Muscle Maker Grill could offer sandwich discounts to the fur covered He-Bears of Iron Bear. Wait, they’re already doing that as this is where Austin’s most muscle-y gay guys are congregating every night to rack up with a cub of their choice. Maybe they can do some cross promoting where you bring in a receipt from one establishment to get a discount from the other? The buff studs at Muscle Maker Grill will only have a block or two to walk after they get done eating healthy to get down on the dance floor with some muscle bound leather hunks at Iron Bear. Serendipity or ingenious market analysis? We’re opting for the latter. The Muscle Maker Grill is opening on Congress Avenue right around the corner from the Iron Bear, Austin’s hottest new gay leather bar. Hey Iron Bear denizens, meet your new neighbors! We love national chains coming to Austin and judiciously choosing their spots to maximize success but this is genius.