June Meeting ...cont'd from page 1

the Ney itself, Formosa. Creation of the academy would displace the current residents of "The Lodge", the small structure due North of the museum fronting 45th street. The Austin School of Sculpture, an non-profit, is none to eager to vacate its almost rent free lease. Scott Sustic, a member and instructor at the school, and Bob Brookings, a long time board member of both the school and the Ney, urged neighbors to support the retention of the sculpting school in its present location. The Board of the school is seeking to remain in Hyde Park and to institute and maintain a cooperative relationship with the museum. This would entail of course, a long-term agreement with the City for the use of the facility.

Concerned neighbors questioned both sides as to why these two plans could not work together, but an answer was not forthcoming. Planning and zoning maven Wanda Penn hinted that from a land use perspective the two plans could hardly be more alike. The item was not opened for debate nor did any party seek a course of action. Those wishing to contact the Austin Sculpture Center may call 371-7606.

Long time Hyde Park advocate Cathy Echols, accompanied by her beautiful toddler Tessie, advised neighbors that she was seeking input to incorporate into her report to the City on neighborhood issues. Cathy, who helped lead the charge in the Triangle Development fight, is gathering feedback from neighbors to help the City prioritize its spending efforts. With its budget in dire straits, Austin is trying to form a priority list among such competing concerns as traffic calming, libraries, pedestrian safety and infrastructure, parks and police protection. Cathy urged anyone wishing to help shape this list to contact her at echols@psi.utexas.edu.

Neighbors cheered and passed unanimously a resolution to support adding the home of Steve Wexler and Marie Carmel on Ave. C to the nation registry of historic homes. The home was originally built around 1897. The original owner was Henry Sears, chaplain of the Lunatic Asylum and the Texas State Senate, presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Austin division, and confederate war veteran. He passed the house on to his adopted daughter, Florence Sears King who was married to Frank W. King, a dealer of Cedar products. She lived there until 1975, and the property became rental property (occupied by 'hippies so thick you couldn't stir 'em with a stick' in the words of one neighborhood resident) until 1986, when Larry Mueller and Cevin Cathell bought it. Steve and Marie bought the house from Cevin and Larry in 1993. It has played a pivotal role in negotiations limiting non residential development in the area.

Planning Chairwoman Karen McGraw announced that changes in the allowed plot sizes for homes North of 45th are underway by the City. This could impact the look and feel of northern Hyde Park, but the changes may be nullified by the completion of a Neighborhood Combining and Conservation District for that area. The call again went out for neighbors to involve themselves in this process. Anyone interested is asked contact Bruce Nadig at 452-0781.