The St. John Site is located at 7211 and 7309 North Interstate 35 (the former Home Depot & Chrysler Dealership). With a rich history dating back to the 1890s, the St. John Site has been a pivotal location in Central Texas’ African American community. After a community-driven vision was adopted in 2020, the next phase of redevelopment is set to unfold, marking a significant chapter in the site’s storied history.

In 2017, the Austin City Council directed staff to collaborate with the St. John Community in creating a new community vision, which was officially adopted in 2020.

What’s New

The City of Austin held an Open House on July 16, 2024 at the Virginia Brown Recreation Center (7500 Blessing Ave, Austin, TX 78752).  If you were unable to attend the meeting in person, the same feedback opportunities are available on the St. John Site Redevelopment Project Speak Up Austin page through July 28, 2024.

If you have any questions about the project, are looking for more information, or generally just want to connect, please feel free to email the project team at St.John.Site@austintexas.gov.

About St.John

The St. John Site is roughly 19 acres of city-owned land comprised of two parcels located in Council District 4 at the northeast corner of the intersection of St. Johns Avenue and IH 35. The first parcel, the 13.8-acre former Home Depot located at 7211 N IH 35, was initially purchased in 2008 using Proposition 7 funds that were part of the $58.1 million bond package approved by voters in 2006. Five years later the second parcel, known as the former Chrysler Dealership and located at 7309 N IH 35, was purchased using the same funds. This purchase consolidated City ownership between St. Johns and Blackson Avenues creating the St. John Site.  

Project Timeline

2023

October  
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  • On October 20, 2023, the City of Austin and Greystar in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) executed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) governing the redevelopment of the roughly 19-acre St. John Site.
  • On Thursday, October 5, 2023 Council approved the proposed multi-family and commercial development at 800 E St John Avenue (formerly 7309 and 7211 N IH-35) under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 303 (Public Facility Corporations) and authorized options to repurchase the property after 60 years or to extend the tax exemption incentives related to affordability requirements. (October 5, 2023 Regular Council Agenda Item #2).  

  
August 

St. John Community Celebration

  • On August 12, 2023, the St. John Neighborhood, with support from the City of Austin, held the St. John Community Celebration, recognizing the future demolition of the remaining old Home Depot structure. This family-friendly event featured speakers from the community and elected officials as well as live music, local performances, children’s activities, breakfast tacos, and more.     
  • Learn more by reading the news articles linked below:

  

2022

Nov/Dec.

Si hablas Español por favor conéctese aquí.

Community Outreach

  • During the months of November and December, the project team gathered additional feedback from St. John residents on the project.
  • On November 17, the team sponsored frozen turkeys and desserts for the annual Virginia L. Brown Thanksgiving Event and hosted a table to gather community input on community benefits slated for the 15,000 square feet of commercial space.
  • Community Outreach will continue into the new year, stay tuned for ways on how you can get involved.

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

  • The Community Advisory Committee held its second meeting on November 9, 2022.
  • The CAC will be meeting again in November 2023.
  • Current CAC Board Members List.

Council/Commission Updates

  • On Thursday, December 8, 2022 the Austin City Council approved four items related to the redevelopment of the St. John Site.  These include Item #8 (Term Sheet and Concept Plan), Item #37 (Contract for legal services), Item #98 (Neighborhood Plan Amendment) and Item #99 (rezoning).
Aug-Oct

 

Community Meetings

  • On Saturday, September 10, 2022 the Project Team hosted an in-person Community Meeting & Resource Fair at the Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center. Families had the opportunity to provide feedback on the project, meet the team, and gather information from local service providers.
  • A Virtual Community Meeting was held on Monday, September 12, 2022 via Zoom to offer residents a chance to provide input on-line. To view the presentation sharing during the meeting, click here.
  • On Tuesday, September 20, City staff held a public meeting to view the proposed Neighborhood Plan Amendment for the 19-acre St. John Site with community members.
  • On Tuesday, October 11, 2022 both the proposed Neighborhood Plan Amendment and rezoning of the 19-acre St. John Site was approved at a public hearing of the Planning Commission.

Community Informational Session

  • As the next phase of public engagement launched, the project team held multiple small group meetings with key stakeholders. Participants learn of project updates and provide feedback on the site plan and park amenities.

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

  • Interest Forms for the Community Advisory Committee are closed.
  • The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will include residents from St. John and community leaders from a range of backgrounds and expertise.
  • The CAC held its first meeting on October 11, 2022.

Project Survey

  • The Project Survey closed on Wednesday, September 21.
  • Thank you to everyone who provided their input! 
June
  • On June 16, 2022, Council passed Resolution 20220616-088 reaffirming commitment to move forward with the redevelopment of the St. John Property in a manner that honors the rich Black and Hispanic history of the neighborhood, supports the community’s vision resulting from several years of community input, and enhances the quality of life of the community through critical investments that achieve a significant amount of affordable housing and other community-vetted benefits. The Resolution also affirmed the sale of the St. John Property to a public facility corporation (PFC) controlled by the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) and directed the City Manager to pursue a sale of the St. John Property to a PFC controlled by HACA with the City reserving and retaining the right to repurchased the St. John Property for a nominal sum of $1 at the end of the PFC lease term. Staff will return to Council in November of 2022 to provide an update on the status of negotiations with Greystar Development, LLC and HACA.
April
  • On April 13, 2022, the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement between Greystar Development Central, LLC and the City of Austin was executed.  The agreement outlines the terms governing a master developer contract for the redevelopment of 7211 N IH 35 (the former Home Depot) and 7309 N IH 35 (the former Chrysler Dealership), known as the St. Johns Site. 

 

2021

July 29, 2021

On July 29th, 2021, Austin City Council authorized negotiation and execution of an exclusive negotiation agreement with Greystar Development Central, LLC, for terms governing a master developer contract for the redevelopment of 7211 N IH 35 (the former Home Depot) and 7309 N IH 35 (the former Chrysler Dealership), known as the St. Johns Site. (Resolution 20210729-026)

 

May

On May 11th, 2021, the Economic Development Department issued a Memo summarizing the efforts related to Council Resolution 20200729-117.

 

March

 

On March 3, 2021, City staff begins multi-leveled review and evaluation of the RFP submissions.  Proposals were evaluated by a multi-disciplined panel of City staff over three months.

On March 2, 2021 the deadline for RFP 5500 SMW3005 (Closed) submissions closed.

 

2020
November
  • On November 23, 2020, City staff offers on-site visits of the 19-acre St. John site to prospective development teams.
October
  • On October 16, 2020, City staff holds a Pre-Solicitation meeting to provide background and overview of the St. John redevelopment opportunity and to answer questions from prospective development teams.
September
  • On September 16, 2020, the City of Austin issued RFP 5500 SMW3005 (Closed) to either sell or lease the 19-acre St. Johns Site to a development partner who could realize the St. John community visions as an innovative, catalytic, mixed-use project that will improve the quality of life for neighborhoods residents while addressing the three main community goals: 1) open space for recreation and congregation 2) space for community retail and support services 3) significant investment in affordable housing options.
July
  • On July 29th, 2020, the Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20200729-117, which affirmed the new community vision for the St. John Site and initiated a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process that ensures the development will achieve community priorities. 
June
  • On June 24, 2020, the Economic Development Department presented the final St. John Report to Austin City Council, which provided a full summary of the public engagement process, the new vision for the property, and funding options for the redevelopment of the St. John Site.
March
  • On March 9, 2020, the project team hosted a public meeting to present the final recommendations from the UT Study.  The team reviewed how the recommendations would be used in the review process for a future RFP and its evaluation criteria.  
February
  • Beginning in February, the project team held "Coffee with the Principal" AISD meetings, to present the University of Texas Study recommendations and took feedback from school principals in the 78752 zip code.
  • On February 24, 2029 the City of Austin hosted Focus Group previews of the University of Texas Study recommendations 
  • On February 14, 2029 the City of Austin hosted Focus Group previews of the University of Texas Study recommendations 
2019

November

On November 4, 2019, a public meeting was held to engage the community on the University of Texas Final Study.  Community members expressed strong support for affordable housing, recreational space, and community services.  There was some support for uses along the interstate that could generate revenue for the sites.

 

October

On October 15, 2019, Economic & Planning Systems (EPS), the economic consultant secured by the City of Austin, delivered a market study showing the strong market demand for affordable housing, market rate housing, lodging, and light industrial. The market study also revealed low market demand for office or retail uses.   

 

September

 

Beginning in September, a survey was conducted to gain input on development features important to the neighborhood and key resources for the University of Texas to address in their study. The survey concluded in November 2019.

On September 25, 2019, a public meeting was held with the goals of sharing 1) the University of Texas research process with the community and 2) to inform the community of how this process will inform the future “Request for Proposal” (RFP) from developers for the two parcels. 

On September 4, 2019, the consultant team visited the St. John neighborhood to get oriented with the sites and to meet with community leadership and Council Member Casar’s office.

 

 

Beginning in September, a survey was conducted to gain input on development features important to the neighborhood and key resources for the University of Texas to address in their study. The survey concluded in November 2019. On September 25, 2019, a public meeting was held with the goals of sharing 1) the University of Texas research process with the community and 2) to inform the community of how this process will inform the future “Request for Proposal” (RFP) from developers for the two parcels. 

 

June

  • On September 4, 2019, the consultant team visited the St. John neighborhood to get oriented with the sites and to meet with community leadership and Council Member Casar’s office.

 

2018

May

 

On May 30, 2018, a community meeting was held to 1) share the results of the online and paper survey with the community, 2) to define the overall vision through a charrette, and 3) to discern any needs for future Council advocacy.  

On May 2, 2018, community engagement begins with an online and paper survey was conducted with 644 respondents who provided input on desired uses such as green space, recreational uses, housing, a grocer, youth development, community services, and retail.   

 

2017

December

In December 2017, Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20171207-058 directing the City Manager to work with the community on a new vision for the St. John Site, one that would better serve the surrounding St. John neighborhood.  After two years of robust community engagement, the new community vision for the St. John Site was affirmed on July 29th, 2020 by the Austin City Council through Resolution No. 20200729-117.  This Council action also initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to solicit a development partner to realize the community vision.  A full summary of the public engagement process, the new vision for the property, and funding options for redevelopment were provided to Council in a June 24, 2020 Report.

 

June 

On June 14, 2017, Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20171207-058 directing the City Manager to work with the St. John community to create a new vision for the St. John Site that honored the history of the St. John neighborhoods while taking into consideration future opportunities for affordable housing, local business, recreation spaces, non-profit partnerships, and governmental facilities. 

2012

April

On April 26th, 2012, Ordinance No. 201204026-100 for NP-2011-0029 is adopted by City Council on second and third reading, amending the Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan to adopt the St. Johns/Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Plan (SJCH).  To view the complete SJCH Combined Neighborhood Plan.

 

January

On January 24th, 2012, the draft St. Johns/Coronado Hills Neighborhood Combined Neighborhood Plan (SJCH) is approved by Planning Commission.

2009-2010

January 2009 - September 2010

 

In February of 2009, planning efforts for the St. John/ Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Planning Area officially begin. 

Between January of 2009 and  September 2010, City staff holds 31 community workshops and planning meetings over the course of 18 months covering topics related to neighborhood character, code enforcement, environmental issues, transportation upgrades, and potential zoning changes.

 

2006

December

Austin City Council approves Resolution 20061214-014 selecting the St. John/Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Planning Area as one of the next neighborhoods to develop a neighborhood plan.

1999

April

During the Creating the Livable Communities Workshop, Austin neighborhood representatives expressed a desire for the city to undertake neighborhood plans at a faster pace. Based on neighborhood input, the boundaries of 50 neighborhood planning areas within the Urban Core were developed including the St.Johns/Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Planning Area.