Neighbors, businesses rally against St. Elmo's Market and Lofts project

Photo by Joe Olivieri

Neighbors rally against the proposed St. Elmo's Market and Lofts project, which they say will increase traffic, raise costs and not fit with the area's industrial character, among other concerns.

Residents and local business employees marched along Industrial Boulevard Oct. 30 in protest of the proposed St. Elmo's Market and Lofts project.

Holding signs saying "You may be next," "Stop bad zoning," "Austin is not Houston" and "Save our industrial area," the group walked from South Congress Avenue to Willow Springs Road and back. They also stood in front of a sign that read www.nocondoshere.com.

St. Elmo's Market and Lofts is proposed mixed-use development on Industrial Boulevard that would include condominiums, parking, a food market, music venue and hotel.

The project is inconsistent with the area's industrial zoning and requires a zoning change to move forward. The project was endorsed by the Austin Planning Commission against staff recommendations and went to Austin City Council on Oct. 23.

With Mayor Lee Leffingwell absent, City Council voted 4–2 to approve the zoning changes on first reading, meaning the issue will return to the council agenda at a later date.

Micheal Fossum, a resident of the Battle Bend Springs neighborhood, said the area is home to a variety of small industrial businesses, such as air conditioning companies, welders and tool manufacturers.

"Once they start adding residential projects, it's just going to keep happening," he said.

Robert Palmerton, owner of Compound Security Specialists and South Austin Metals, said he is afraid of getting pushed out of the area.

Rally attendees said the industrial area maintains needed local jobs and is a component of the area's neighborhood plan.