Michael Girard, who’s part of the Oilcan Harry’s leadership team, previously told KXAN construction on the new apartment tower could begin as early as next spring. It’s also unclear what the date will be when the move happens.
Right now Oilcan Harry’s owners cannot share the exact location of where the bar will move during the construction phase. This is where we belong, and I’m going to ensure that we stay here, even during construction.” “We may move doors for a few years during the construction project, but our place is on Fourth Street.
“For our community, and for the city of Austin, Oilcan’s will not be leaving Fourth Street,” Neal said. He urged customers not to worry too much, though, because the bar intends to open in another space on Fourth Street and remain there temporarily until the space at the base of the new apartment tower is ready. If the Historic Landmark Commission approves the demolition permit Wednesday, he said Oilcan Harry’s would not likely have to close its doors until next year - possibly around the time South by Southwest happens in mid-March. “With that essential requirement in mind & met, we have come to a basic agreement on terms which will allow for our legacy business to continue on in a blend of historic & new.” Oilcan Harry’s planning to move to temporary spaceĭuring an interview Tuesday afternoon, Scott Neal, the managing member of Oilcan Harry’s, explained more about the bar’s plans. “We believe our landlord has found a good development partner in Hanover, & their desire is to keep 4th St as a safe space for our community,” the post read. The owners said they believe designating Oilcan Harry’s as an historic landmark will result in the business “being forced out of the block in less than 10 years by individuals & factors outside of our control.” They argued instead that their current lease puts them in the best place to remain open in the area. “However, in our unique case, we need you to know a historical declaration is NOT the way to do it.” “Rest assured, our mission is to keep 4th St alive for a long time, & if we navigate these waters correctly, we will succeed,” the Oilcan Harry’s social media post read. The owners of Oilcan Harry’s posted on social media recently they appreciate people’s concern and support, but they’re hoping neighbors won’t oppose the plan currently under consideration by the Historic Landmark Commission. “Erasure of the LGBTQ+ community and our culture will not be tolerated, and we will fight to the end to preserve it,” the petition’s author wrote. A petition sprang up online, garnering more than 4,100 signatures as of Monday afternoon, which called for people to “#BlockTheBuild and Preserve Austin’s Historic LGBTQ+ District.” Fourth Street), crews will save and reuse existing brick “with paint removed or the bricks turned to reveal the unpainted side.”Īccording to these reports, city staff members are recommending demolition of the buildings if the developer commits to reconstruction of the building’s façade.ĭeveloper David Ott with Hanover previously told KXAN the proposed 400-unit apartment complex would guarantee a lease to the Oilcan Harry’s owner for the next 25 years.Īs details about these plans became more publicly known, however, some Austinites pushed back on the project. Fourth Street “with reconstruction of selected façades.” It’s a regulatory hurdle to clear before the city approves permits for the developer Hanover to move forward with the 40-story apartment complex.Īccording to the city’s documents detailing the three different demolition applications related to the project ( 201-209 W. (Photo: Solomon Cordwell Buenz via City of Austin)Īustin’s Historic Landmark Commission will meet Wednesday evening to vote on applications for demolition of addresses 201 to 213 W.