September 2020 Pecan Press
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The Hyde Park September Neighborhood E P A D R K Association Y Meeting H . Peca n When: 7:00 pm Monday, September 14, 2020 Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81341935935 Meeting ID: 813 4193 5935 Dial by your location: +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Press September 2020 • National Register District Neighborhood • Vol. 46, No. 09 HPNA General Meeting Agenda for September Exploring Hyde Park Introduction of Steering Committee Candidates, HPNA Nominations Committee Keep your Eyes in the Gutter Park Update, Friends of Shipe Park Discussion about major areas of work n 1972 my family’s Pomeranian, Paco, was killed by a in coming year, HPNA Co-Presidents Irattlesnake in Liberty Hill, Texas. As a result, my sister and I were trained to keep our heads down and our eyes scanning the ground just ahead of where we were walking in the woods, so that, hopefully, we would see a snake before it saw us. I have nev- Preserving er been able to shake this habit Our Alleys and still frequently catch myself peer- ur alleys — generally ing downward Orunning behind resi- when I’m walking dences between 40th and 45th around. Nowadays Streets — have seen increased when I’m walking traffic since the pandemic. around Hyde Park, something besides There are more runners, stroll- snakes has start- ers, cyclists, and dog walkers. Some ed catching my eye: neighbors use alleys to maintain vintage vandalism! social distancing or to avoid car I am referring to the traffic. It’s a different view of the names, messages, neighborhood and a glimpse into and other symbols some lovely backyards. scratched into the The alleys were originally con- cement portion of structed in this first Austin suburb the street between for trash collection. It was a way to the curb and where Photo by Ben Reid beautify the streetscape by keep- the asphalt begins. I googled it, and this is technically the gutter of the ing trash out of sight. Occasionally street and is what carries rainwater to the closest stormwater drain. there has been tension with the The next time you’re out for a walk, keep your eye in the gutter and city over alley collection, and years back the HPNA negotiated to re- see if you can find any lost messages from the past! I have seen peace tain the alleys for their intended symbols, dates from the ‘40s, ‘50’s and ‘60s, messages of love (“BR + LD purpose. The city even purchased = LOVE”), and even inspirational messages. The north driveway apron smaller garbage trucks to retain of the Baker School has a very neatly written Shakespearean quote, alley pickup. Recently the city “Know thyself and to thine own self be true.” notified us that the alleys were be- I have also found other unintentional impressions; a paw print from a coming overgrown, making trash dog, a shoe print of someone who surely said “Dang it!” when he or she collection difficult. stepped in the wet cement many years ago. Continued on page 9 Continued on page 8 From the Desk of the Co-Presidents Welcome to September, friends and neighbors. t was great to have over 50 people join our August meeting on the Healthy Streets initiative Ion Avenue G, and we hope to continue online meetings until we get additional guidance. In September, the Nominations Committee will present individuals they have selected to fill vacant seats on the Steering Committee and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. In addition, there will be a (Proposition A) and the bond elec- ture.” Proposition B’s $460m Friends of Shipe Park update and tion for mobility improvements proposal “includes $80 million for we will offer for discussion what including sidewalks and bike lanes sidewalks, $120 million for urban we think the three major areas of (Proposition B). As described by trails and bikeways, $64 million for work will be in the coming year: Ryan Thornton in Austin Moni- safety improvements and Vision mobility; land development code; tor, August 14, “Voters will decide Zero efforts, $20 million for Safe and relationships with our neigh- whether to approve [Proposition Routes to School, $19 million for borhood non-profits. A’s] $0.5335 per $100 valuation transit enhancements, $1 million October’s meeting will focus property tax rate to fund the initial for the Neighborhood Partner- on upcoming items for Novem- and ongoing costs of Project Con- ing Program, $102 million for large ber’s election, including the tax nect, a transit plan anchored by capital projects and $53 million rate election for Project Connect two high-capacity light rail lines for improvements to substandard serving the city’s densest neigh- streets.” At the October meeting, Hyde Park borhoods.... If it is approved, the we will also vote on the slate of Neighborhood 8.75-cent increase will become a HPNA leadership nominees. We’re dedicated source of funding for using Zoom as our platform, which Association the transit system operations and supports both computer and phone P. O. Box 49427 • Austin, TX 78765 maintenance needs into the fu- connections. If you have any ques- www.austinhydepark.org tions about how to participate, — HPNA Officers & Steering Committee — please feel free to reach out prior to Co-Presidents • Betsy Clubine.......................................betsyclubine@gmail.com the meeting. • Sarah Cook .................................................cooksicle@gmail.com Other than Association meet- Co-Vice Presidents • Paula Rhodes • Paul Smith ings, all other regular HPNA Co-Secretary • Susan [email protected] events for this fall have been can- Acting Co-Secretary Pecan Press celled, including the Fire Station • Bonnie Neel [email protected] The Pecan Press is published monthly by the Co-Treasurers • PO Box 49427, Austin, TX 78765 Hyde Park Neighborhood Association in Austin, Texas. Festival, the Historic Homes Tour, • Susanna Walker ................................ [email protected] Advertusing deadline: 15th of the month preceding publication. and the Winter Celebration at the • Lorre Weidlich ......................... [email protected] Editorial deadline: 10th of the month preceding publication. Ney. With any luck, these and oth- Additional Steering Committee Members: Editor • Joan Burnham• Margo Carrico• Sumit Guha• Kathy Jackson • Lorre Weidlich [email protected] er Hyde Park favorites will resume Ben Reid• Phil Seibert Poetry Editor with renewed vigor in 2021. If you — HPNA Committees & Task Forces — Charlotte Herzele [email protected] ASH (joint HPNA-CT committee) • John Williams, Puzzle Editor are interested in helping make this [email protected] Steve Bratteng happen, consider volunteering for Austin Neighborhoods Council Rep. • Lorre Weidlich, Production Manager & Advertising Director one of the event committees or [email protected] Robert M. Farr, 731-0617, [email protected] Church-Neighborhood Liaison • Kevin Heyburn, Payments for Ads to serve as HPNA’s Social Events [email protected] HPNA, P.O. Box 49427, Austin, TX 78765 Chair. Contact us at hydeparkna@ Distribution Coordinator Crime & Safety • Carol Welder, [email protected] Rimas Remeza, 4105 Ave. F, 371-3158, [email protected] • Kristen Remeza, [email protected] gmail.org for more information. Area Coordinators Development Review • David Conner, [email protected] N of 45th/W of Duval Cheers, Finance • David Conner, [email protected] • Rosa Maria Lopez Reed .......... [email protected] — Betsy Clubine and Sarah Cook Flooding • Kevin Heyburn, [email protected] N of 45th/E of Duval Co-Presidents, Hyde Park Graffiti Patrol• Lisa Harris, [email protected] • Jay Gerard & Carrie Laughlin ..................................... 371-1546 Historic Preservation • Joan Burnham, [email protected] S of 45th/W of Speedway Neighborhood Association • Betsy Clubine......................................betsyclubine@gmail.com Homes Tour • Kip Dollar, [email protected] S of 45th/E of Speedway • Chad Crow, [email protected] • Martha Campbell ........................................................... 452-2815 Membership • Sharon Brown, [email protected] • Karen Saadeh, [email protected] Neighborhood Planning • Karen McGraw, [email protected] Nominating • John Williams, [email protected] Austin Police Department Parks & Public Space • Mark Fishman, [email protected] Hyde Park Liaison Social Events Coordinator • Sarah Cook, [email protected] Lawrence McIntosh III, #8416, Region 1 Patrol, B800S ............ Social Media Coordinator • Ellie Hanlon, [email protected] 737-228-8350 (work) ........ [email protected] Tree Preservation • John Walewski, [email protected] 512-802-4922 (pager) Website • Graham Kunze, [email protected] Natalia Lee, Auto Theft Division .................................................... 512-974-1346 .......................................natalia.lee@austintexas.gov Page 2 — September 2020 — Pecan Press • The program has resources through the end of Sep- HPNA Meeting Report tember; it is unclear if the program will continue August 3, 2020 past September. • Healthy Streets Initiative Presentation • The city is looking at ways to take the lessons learned in creating shared spaces to calm streets for • Presenters: Laura Dierenfield and Jacob Barrett, residential areas, inform the sidewalk and urban Healthy Streets Project Team, Austin Transportation trails plan update, and inform the newly formed Department speed management program. • Called to order by Betsy Clubine and