The St. Johns Site in Austin is undergoing a significant redevelopment project. This timeline outlines the key milestones and decisions shaping the transformation of the former Home Depot and Chrysler Dealership sites at 7211 and 7309 N IH 35. Follow the progress of this important Austin development initiative.
2021 Developments
July
On July 29, 2021, a major step forward was taken by the Austin City Council. They officially authorized the city to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Greystar Development Central, LLC. This agreement sets the stage for a master developer contract specifically for the St. Johns Site redevelopment. The two parcels involved are the former Home Depot location at 7211 N IH 35 and the former Chrysler Dealership at 7309 N IH 35. This decision is formally documented in Resolution 20210729-026.
May
Prior to the July decision, on May 11, 2021, the Economic Development Department provided a progress update. A Memo was issued summarizing the various efforts undertaken in relation to Council Resolution 20200729-117. This memo likely detailed the steps leading up to the selection of Greystar and the ongoing planning for the Austin St. Johns Site.
March
March 2021 was a period of intensive evaluation. Starting March 3, 2021, City staff commenced a detailed, multi-level review and evaluation process of the proposals received in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP). A panel composed of staff from various City departments spent three months meticulously assessing the submissions.
The deadline for submitting proposals for RFP 5500 SMW3005 (Closed) was March 2, 2021. This RFP was a crucial step in selecting a development partner for the St. Johns Site Austin project.
2020 Developments
November
In November 2020, specifically on November 23, City staff facilitated on-site visits to the 19-acre St. John site. These visits were offered to prospective development teams interested in understanding the site conditions and opportunities firsthand.
October
October 2020 saw proactive engagement with potential developers. On October 16, 2020, City staff organized a Pre-Solicitation meeting. This meeting served to provide background information and a comprehensive overview of the St. John redevelopment opportunity. It also provided a platform for prospective development teams to ask questions and gain clarity on the project.
March
Public input and expert recommendations were incorporated into the project planning in March 2020. On March 9, 2020, the project team hosted a public meeting. The purpose was to present the final recommendations stemming from the University of Texas (UT) Study related to the St. Johns Site. The team explained how these recommendations would be integrated into the review process for the upcoming RFP and its evaluation criteria, ensuring community and expert input shaped the future of the site.
February 2020 & 2019
February 2020 and late 2019 involved extensive community consultation. Starting in February 2020, the project team initiated “Coffee with the Principal” meetings with AISD (Austin Independent School District) principals. These meetings focused on presenting the University of Texas Study recommendations to school leaders in the 78752 zip code and gathering their feedback.
Further community previews of the UT Study recommendations were held on February 24, 2019, and February 14, 2019, indicating a sustained effort to engage the community well in advance of the RFP process.
2019 Developments
November
Community support for key development features was evident in November 2019. On November 4, 2019, a public meeting was conducted to engage the community regarding the University of Texas Final Study. Participants voiced strong support for incorporating affordable housing, recreational spaces, and community services into the St. Johns Site redevelopment. There was also some support for commercial uses along the interstate to generate revenue for the site, balancing community needs with financial sustainability.
October
Market demand analysis informed the project’s direction in October 2019. On October 15, 2019, Economic & Planning Systems (EPS), the economic consultant contracted by the City of Austin, delivered a market study. This study highlighted strong market demand for affordable housing, market-rate housing, lodging, and light industrial uses at the St. Johns Site. Crucially, it also indicated low market demand for traditional office or retail spaces, helping to refine the development vision.
September
Community input was actively sought in September 2019. Starting in September, a survey was launched to gather input on development features that were important to the neighborhood. This survey also aimed to identify key resources the University of Texas should address in their study. The survey remained open until November 2019, ensuring broad community participation.
On September 25, 2019, a public meeting was held with two primary goals: first, to share the University of Texas research process with the community, and second, to inform the community about how this research would inform the future Request for Proposal (RFP) from developers for the two St. Johns parcels.
Early site orientation and community leadership engagement occurred in September 2019. On September 4, 2019, the consultant team visited the St. John neighborhood to become familiar with the sites. They also met with community leadership and Council Member Casar’s office to establish key relationships and understand local perspectives.
2018 Developments
May
Community visioning was central to May 2018 activities. On May 30, 2018, a community meeting was held with several objectives: to share the results of an online and paper survey conducted earlier, to define the overall vision for the St. Johns Site through a charrette (a collaborative design session), and to identify any needs for future Council advocacy to support the community’s vision.
Community engagement formally began in May 2018. On May 2, 2018, community engagement commenced with an online and paper survey. This survey garnered 644 responses, providing valuable input on desired uses for the site, including green space, recreational facilities, various housing types, a grocery store, youth development programs, community services, and retail options.
2017 Developments
December
A significant policy directive was issued in December 2017. In December 2017, the Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20171207-058. This resolution directed the City Manager to collaborate with the community to develop a new vision for the St. John Site. The goal was to create a vision that better served the surrounding St. John neighborhood. Following two years of extensive community engagement, this new community vision for the St. John Site was officially affirmed by the Austin City Council on July 29, 2020, through Resolution No. 20200729-117. This Council action also initiated the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, seeking a development partner to bring the community’s vision to life. A comprehensive summary of the public engagement process, the new vision for the property, and funding options for redevelopment was presented to the Council in a June 24, 2020 Report.
June
Initial City Council direction for a new vision occurred in June 2017. On June 14, 2017, the Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20171207-058. This resolution instructed the City Manager to work directly with the St. John community to formulate a new vision for the St. John Site. This vision was intended to honor the history of the St. John neighborhoods while exploring future opportunities for affordable housing, local businesses, recreation spaces, non-profit partnerships, and governmental facilities.
2012 Developments
April
Neighborhood planning was formalized in April 2012. On April 26, 2012, Ordinance No. 201204026-100 for NP-2011-0029 was adopted by the City Council on its second and third readings. This ordinance amended the Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan to officially adopt the St. Johns/Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Plan (SJCH). The complete SJCH Combined Neighborhood Plan is publicly available for review.
January
Planning Commission approval was secured in January 2012. On January 24, 2012, the draft St. Johns/Coronado Hills Neighborhood Combined Neighborhood Plan (SJCH) received approval from the Planning Commission, marking a significant milestone in the formal planning process.
2009-2010 Developments
January 2009 – September 2010
Formal neighborhood planning efforts commenced in early 2009. In February 2009, the official planning efforts for the St. John/ Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Planning Area were initiated.
Extensive community engagement characterized the 2009-2010 planning phase. Between January 2009 and September 2010, City staff conducted 31 community workshops and planning meetings over an 18-month period. These sessions covered a wide range of topics crucial to the neighborhood, including neighborhood character preservation, code enforcement improvements, environmental considerations, transportation upgrades, and potential zoning changes.
2006 Developments
December
The St. Johns/Coronado Hills area was prioritized for neighborhood planning in December 2006. Austin City Council approved Resolution 20061214-014, selecting the St. John/Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Planning Area as one of the next neighborhoods to undergo the development of a comprehensive neighborhood plan.
1999 Developments
April
Early community advocacy for faster neighborhood planning dates back to 1999. During the Creating the Livable Communities Workshop in April 1999, Austin neighborhood representatives expressed a clear desire for the city to accelerate the pace of neighborhood planning initiatives. Based on this neighborhood input, the boundaries for 50 neighborhood planning areas within the Urban Core were developed, including the St. Johns/Coronado Hills Combined Neighborhood Planning Area, setting the stage for future focused planning efforts in the area.
