"AUSTIN, Texas — The iconic Palm School building, an early 18th-century school that played a crucial role in educating Austin's Mexican and Mexican-American community, now stands vacant in the bustling downtown area, facing the ever-growing Rainey neighborhood.
With its rich historical and cultural significance, Travis County is turning to the public for guidance on its future.
The Palm School, located on the corner of Cesar Chavez and the I-35 frontage road, served as a public school from 1892 to 1976.
Generations of Austinites, including sixth-generation native Paul Saldaña's father and relatives, attended the school, enduring challenges like lack of air conditioning and being prohibited from speaking Spanish.
Even though there was a swimming pool nearby, Mexican-Americans were not allowed to use it, shedding light on the historical racism Austin once faced.
Travis County, recognizing the building's importance, seeks to redevelop the Palm School while preserving its cultural and historical significance.
The property most recently served as the Travis County Community Center at Palm Square until 2020, and now county leaders want to reimagine its future with community input.
Sergio Plaza from Travis County's community engagement team emphasizes the importance of community-driven decisions. To achieve this, Travis County plans to form a Steering Committee that will work alongside the county.
This committee will consist of up to five seats for partner organizations and at least ten seats for community members with connections to the Palm School.
Margaret Gómez, Travis County Commissioner for Precinct 4, stresses the significance of the public's contribution in deciding the future of the Palm School.
"We want to preserve the school's history, use the area for community-focused purposes, and make it a place for residents to enjoy for years to come," said Commissioner Gómez.
As part of the redevelopment plan, Paul Saldaña hopes the committee will consider building a Mexican-American Indigenous Museum.
Such a museum could play a vital role in educating Austinites about the historical contributions of Mexican-Americans and the indigenous population to the city's development.
Those interested in joining the Palm School Steering Committee can apply by filling out an interest form available in English and Spanish on Travis County's website.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 4, 2023.
With the community's active involvement, Travis County aims to create a thoughtful plan that preserves the Palm School's historical legacy while ensuring it continues to serve as a vibrant space for the community's benefit." #SavePalmSchool
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