East Austinite’s Plan to Sell Home Nearly Thwarted - CM Houston's historic lack of compassion

“Spigner encountered a larger city effort that he worries could entrap hundreds of other unsuspecting black homeowners in East Austin. At the Sept. 26 meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, Spigner’s case and 11 others were postponed upon the request of Council Member Ora Houston, who lives two doors down from the house Spigner would like to sell. (Houston’s office did not respond to requests for comment for this story.)”

“Spigner compared it to the pre-war city plan that drew racial boundaries in Austin and only allowed blacks to live east of Downtown. “The city has to give you approval to do what you’d like to do,” said Spigner. “It’s the same unfairness as 1928. It’s ironic.””