Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office (ABRO) receives Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant funding to perform environmental services that benefit the Austin community. These are properties that ABRO has assisted with environmental concerns. Assistance can be as simple as providing a report for the environmental due diligence before a property transaction, collecting samples from potential sources of contamination, planning and performing a cleanup.

Learn about local cleanup projects

Active projects

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. 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.

A virtual public meeting will be held on Monday, April 3, 12-1 p.m. to explain this project and allow people to ask questions. You may also send us an email with questions or comments about this project.

Background

The project site 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.

Burnet Place Apartments

In 2019, Project Transitions purchased 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.

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, a food pantry, a telehealth clinic and a community garden. 

Completed projects

See a map of completed projects that have already redeveloped with ABRO support.

Tannehill

Emergency shelter for women and children.

Background

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.