Two civic associations representing Austin’s Rosedale neighborhood issued a joint letter May 1 embracing development on the grounds of a former school, but opposing the construction of a 435 luxury apartments there.
The letter was signed by 39 members of the groups – the Rosedale Neighborhood Association and Play Fair With Rosedale. The latter group formed in the fall of 2025 when a developer and the Austin Independent School District teamed up to ask Austin’s city council to rezone the old Rosedale School site at 49th Street and Ramsey Avenue.
The cash-strapped district signed a $26 million contract in August 2025, agreeing to sell the land to developer OHT Partners. OHT wants to build a six-story, 75-foot-tall “Texas donut” complex whose footprint would cover nearly all its 4.62 acres. On the developer’s behalf, AISD is seeking to rezone the land to allow the high-density development. A first hearing on the rezoning is scheduled for May 7 before the City Council.
The joint letter says the neighborhood welcomes development – the more affordable and family-friendly the better – but opposes the OHT proposal as far too dense.
Shortly after the district signed its contract, AISD sued 125 owners of homes near the old school, seeking a court order that would void deed restrictions that limit the land to school use. That suit is pending.
A delay in the rezoning would leave room for negotiations, the joint letter says, and result in a better alternative for the community. The letter is addressed to Austin City Council Member Mike Siegel, who represents the district where the school is located, and copies were sent to Mayor Kirk Watson and the other nine council members.
0 Comments