[ad_1]
Community rallies behind the Austin skate shop amid demolition talks
The owner of the no-comply skate shop didn’t know a demolition permit had been filed until the Historical Landmark Commission Review posted a sign outside their building.
Austin, Texas – Tucked away between West 12th and Shoal Creek Blvd. Downtown Austin is a Mecca for an Austin subculture.
For regulars at Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX Skate Park, like Grant Harris, skating is more than a pastime, it’s a lifestyle.
“That was the main reason I moved here [to Austin], the park, the shop, I knew it was a great skate scene, “said Harris.
The shop he was referring to is called No-Comply and is just up the street. The shop has a fitting name with a humble exterior. But there is a one-stop shop inside to buy coffee, get bikes, and hang out.
Tucked away between West 12th and Shoal Creek Blvd. sits a mecca for an Austin subculture.
“It’s basically our home, everyone got their first skateboard here,” said Igna, a local skateboarder. “The Austin skate scene would be nothing without No-Comply.”
The shop did more than just serve skaters, though that’s a big part of it. The owner also frequently works with local charities and nonprofits to raise funds for the community.
“We see the community as a whole, whether they are skateboarders or not,” said owner Elias Bingham.
Last year they raised $ 200,000 for the Central Food Bank. They raised $ 15,000 just last week.
“I’ve lived in many places across the country and it’s incredibly important to be a skateboarder and have a shop that cares about you and the community, and No-Comply reviews all of those criteria,” said Harris.
However, after 14 years at the W. 12 site, the future of the store is uncertain.
Last week, an employee noticed a sign posted by the Historic Landmark Commission Review outside his building. Owner Elias Bingham made a few calls to learn that a permit for the demolition had been filed months ago.
According to Bingham, Austin Community College owns the site where the store is located and plans to build a parking garage there.
“It’s hard to ask for help but it’s a community problem,” said Bingham. “If we meant more to them than business, we asked people to tell the city.”
Bingham has posted on their social media accounts asking the community to email them the weekend before a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, July 25th, at 6 p.m.
According to the Austin city website, “Residential buildings over 40 years old must be inspected by the Historic Preservation Office in the Planning and Zoning Department and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission” prior to demolition.
Data from the Austin History Center dates back to the 1940s and shows that No-Comply’s building previously housed a beauty salon, paint and wallpaper store, and ice cream parlor.
Bingham said the response he received from the community prior to the hearing has been overwhelming.
Austin-based skateboarder Brighton Zeuner, who is currently competing in Tokyo for his skateboarding debut at the Olympics, wrote a support letter that said:
Dear city of Austin,
My name is Brighton Zeuner and I am writing to you just 4 days before I go to Tokyo to represent you and the USA in the Olympics in skateboarding.
Austin’s No Comply Skate Shop has been special to me since my first X Games in Austin in 2016. I was eleven years old and the people from No Comply welcomed me with open arms, like all visitors.
My parents moved to Austin and I loved getting to know the crew in a great “safe space” for everyone to enter. It belongs to a small, elite group of skate shops – in the world – that companies like Adidas and Nike seek advice from on new products, and they also do a lot for the local community, such as being vulnerable.
We split our time in Austin and Southern California, but I consider No Comply my home skate shop. It even has an espresso bar that my parents love to visit.
Please let No Comply stay where it is so more people can benefit from being a part of this historic Austin staple?
Thanks in advance,
Brighton Zeuner
Although the Historic Landmark Commission is due to take up the matter on Monday, a recommendation by staff is on the agenda for this item, “The meeting on 23rd. Although the Historic Landmark Commission is due to take up the matter on Monday, the agenda for this item is one Recommendation of the staff, “The meeting on 23.
Last week, an employee noticed a sign posted by the Historic Landmark Commission Review outside his building. Owner Elias Bingham made a few calls to learn that a permit for the demolition had been filed months ago.
“We know the city knows we exist as a company, they accept our taxes, but I don’t think they know we exist here as part of the community and that’s what we are asking,” said Bingham . “We want them to know and help us keep what we have and that’s all we ask. We just ask for at least some time to find a place, that’s the minimum.”
FOX 7 contacted the city of Austin on Sunday and received no response.
An ACC spokesman told FOX 7 on Sunday that a representative would not be available to comment, but an update would be provided on Monday.
___
DOWNLOAD: FOX 7 AUSTIN NEWS APP
SUBSCRIBE TO: Daily newsletter | Youtube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
[ad_2]
