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Question of the Decade: Is Austin Losing Its Soul? Part 3
Boom No. 3: Culture. Or, as other observers might put it, lifestyle. The smaller, yet broader boom of the past decade brought instantly visible cultural alterations, a subject closer to my area of expertise. Old Austin was known as funky, rootsy, low-density and low-rent. Parts of New Austin appear sleek, cosmopolitan, high-density and, alas, high-rent.
This did not sit well with those who suspected Austin was turning into Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, or — choke! — Dallas. (As if.) Not to worry. Austin is Austin. Not somewhere else. That’s always been part of its definition, its soul, or at least its ego. And I detect no evidence of that changing.
Ironically, some of those who most valiantly opposed sprawl in the 1970s and ’80s took up the fight against selective density, its most effective antidote. They don’t see that every story added to vertical development — properly placed — saves acres of open space, as long as forces like the Nature Conservancy are vigilant on the city’s margins, and parks advocates judiciously protect urban green spaces.
Take it from somebody deeply rooted in Old Austin but completely infatuated with New Austin, somebody who’s out in the streets, in the neighborhoods, in the courthouse squares, at social events, at sporting events and rodeos, at clubs and lounges, at red-carpet openings and galas, at dives and road houses, actually talking to newcomers and old-timers every day of the week: Right here, in 2010, the city’s soul remains intact.
Those recent newcomers come, not to change Austin, but to join it. They don’t want to ruin the city’s greenery or its recreational gems, its funkiness or its affordability (still a blazing bargain compared to most desirable destinations on this continent).
They moved here for it. They don’t want to close Antone’s, Momo’s or Emo’s, although they are happy to relax over a serious cocktail and appetizers at nearby Belmont, Lucky’s Lounge, J Blacks’, Star Bar or Red Fez before hitting those legendary music venues for a top act’s (always very late) gig.
They add diversity. They do not subtract from it. And they seem as concerned with issues of equity, preservation and sustainability as the eldest activist in town.
From all the evidence I can gather, New Austinites are open, sentient and inventive, just like Old Austinites. And despite what you might read elsewhere, the two tribes get along just fine.
It doesn’t hurt to remain vigilant. Still, folks, believe me, Austin’s soul needs no artificial redemption.
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By Barbara Chisholm Faires
January 2, 2010 7:13 PM | Link to this
When I part of the team assembling interviews for ZACH's Keepin' It Weird, I conducted an interview with David Ansel (AKA The Soup Peddler) who was so revealing and so concisely put his finger on this happy dilemma of which you speak: how do you keep your soul in the face of unimagined success? The interview was so illuminating and so clear eyed I called Dave Steakley within the hour of the interview because I knew it would become an important part of the play. David had, in gut-wrenching and personal terms. described the challenge the whole of Austin faces. He was speaking specifically of his business but it was really about all of Austin. Change is inevitable. Being vigilant is good. Bravo, Michael.
By Nate Vasquez
January 1, 2010 4:09 PM | Link to this
Great way to put it. Being one of the many who migrated from southern california, I didn't come looking for a new Orange County, but to join what Austin was already doing. And I haven't turned back. My only regret is not having moved sooner. And yes, while the closer one may live to downtown can cost "California" prices, those homes in California are nowhere near a metropolitan centre like we have here.
By Forrest Preece
January 1, 2010 9:20 AM | Link to this
Thanks for your well-parsed comments, Michael. This 63-year-old fifth generation Austin native who has chosen to move downtown and get into the thick of it all agrees with you.
Do I miss the Armadillo? Lord, yes. (My wife and I went on our first date there Thanksgiving night, 1975, by the way.) Heck, I still miss the Vulcan Gas Company! But then you look around and see Ballet Austin's Butler Dance Education Center, the Opera's Heller Center, The Blanton, and the soon-to-be-finished Arthouse, along with the old and new clubs and restaurants and you realize that there is plenty to celebrate and enjoy in the present.
By Amber Elliott
December 31, 2009 6:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks Michael, this is made me miss my beloved city even more. Can't wait to get back to it : )