City to recommend demolition of abandoned building, Wed. fire latest of neighbors' concerns

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department battled a fire at an abandoned commercial building on Old Koenig Lane, a small street just off North Lamar Boulevard in Central Austin.

According to AFD, a person experiencing homelessness started the fire, and crews had to evacuate several people experiencing homelessness from the building.

"Since the City cannot clear encampments in private property, it is the responsibility of the property owners to secure vacant buildings, land, etc.," an AFD spokesperson said in an email.

KXAN has reached out to the property owners via phone and email and will update this story when we receive a response.

The fire at the Old Koenig Lane building, which is across the street from McCallum High School, is one of the latest concerns neighbors have about the property.

"We've gotten progressively more, you know, afraid," said Taj Reid, who lives nearby. "We've had people who appear unhoused walking around the cul-de-sac, she's been harassed," she added, pointing to her wife Samantha Sampson.

Digging through property records, KXAN found plans the owners had to build an apartment complex with 326 units. The property also received various code violations related to things like substantial trash being on site as well as the need to secure the property.

"I'm concerned about the impact this has on the high school nearby. The children do walk by that area every day," Sampson said.

The Development Services Department told KXAN in an email statement that it plans to bring this case to the Building Standards Commission next month to request a demolition order.

"The Development Services Department’s Code Compliance team is aware of concerns relating to the substandard structure at 900 Old Koenig Lane. Following previous complaints and site visits, on February 6, City code inspectors requested support from the Austin Police Department to clear the building. Additionally, City contractors have installed a fence around the property to prevent further intrusion," the department's statement continued.

The below chart from the city's website outlines what happens when a code complaint originates and how situations escalate to the point the Old Koenig Lane building is currently at.

Reid and Sampson feel for the people who have taken up shelter in the building.

"I don't blame them for trying to find shelter, they're doing what they need to do to survive as people," Sampson said.

But their safety concerns still exist.

"The desire to feel safe in your own home is also a basic need," Reid said.