District 10 - Ashika Ganguly
What is your favorite historic place in your district and why?
One of my favorite historic places in District 10 is Laguna Gloria, a true gem that embodies both natural beauty and cultural significance. I love how Laguna Gloria seamlessly blends history, art, and nature. It’s a place where the community can connect with art and the environment. Whether you're exploring the vibrant art installations or simply walking the scenic grounds, you get a sense of Austin’s creative spirit and deep appreciation for history. The preservation of Laguna Gloria also reminds me of the importance of protecting our historic landmarks while continuing to make them accessible and relevant to future generations.
The City of Austin will soon adopt a new Equity-Based Historic Preservation Plan to replace Austin’s 1981 historic preservation plan with an inclusive, community-oriented process and outcome. Its proposed policies, programs, and tools will help the City Council, Historic Landmark Commission, City departments, and partners address challenges and support thriving communities. The plan is set to be adopted by Council later this year, and its future success will rely on buy-in from Council to execute its recommendations.
If elected, would you support the plan’s recommended policy changes and budget allocations to ensure that the future of preservation in Austin is proactive, collaborative, and accessible to all? Please explain.
YES
Yes, I would support the recommended policy changes and budget allocations for the new Equity-Based Historic Preservation Plan. This plan prioritizes a more inclusive, proactive approach to preservation by recognizing the diverse cultures and histories that shape Austin. It ensures that historically underrepresented communities have a voice in identifying and protecting culturally significant sites. I believe collaboration between city departments, the Historic Landmark Commission, and the community is essential to its success, and I’m committed to securing the necessary funding to implement its recommendations, making preservation accessible, equitable, and reflective of all Austinites.
Research shows that older, smaller homes are more naturally affordable for renters and owners than new construction. Last year, Preservation Austin, Austin Infill Coalition, and AIA Austin partnered on a new Preservation Bonus that was adopted as a part of HOME Phase 1. The bonus exchanges increased development entitlements for preserving single-family homes built before 1961. Research conducted by Cedar shows that expanding entitlements for Preservation Bonus projects to include increased impervious cover and an additional developable unit can generate 10x as many housing units as the current bonus allows (see report HERE).
If elected, would you support increasing entitlements for Preservation Bonus projects to maximize the effectiveness of the bonus, preserve existing housing, and support sustainability and affordability goals? Why or why not?
YES
Yes, I would support increasing entitlements for Preservation Bonus projects to maximize their effectiveness, preserve existing housing, and advance affordability and sustainability goals. Older, smaller homes play a vital role in maintaining Austin’s naturally affordable housing stock, and the Preservation Bonus is a creative approach to protect these homes while allowing for thoughtful, denser development. Expanding the entitlements would increase the number of housing units without sacrificing the character of established neighborhoods. This aligns with the need to address our housing shortage and affordability crisis while also supporting sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of demolition and new construction.
Historic resource surveys inventory historic neighborhoods and make recommendations for buildings and districts that are eligible for historic designation. Accurate and up-to-date surveys enable City staff, elected officials, and citizens alike to make decisions about which properties and neighborhoods ought to be protected. For example, in 2020 the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross neighborhood successfully became Austin's first local historic district dedicated exclusively to Black heritage. This effort relied on data gathered in the 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey to define the district's boundaries and identify contributing structures. Without the 2016 survey, this historic district may not have been possible.
If elected, will you support continued funding for surveys and the City’s preservation office? Will you honor the findings of these surveys by supporting historic zoning for individual landmarks and districts? Please explain your answer.
YES
Yes, I would support continued funding for historic resource surveys and the City’s preservation office, as well as honoring the findings of these surveys by supporting historic zoning for individual landmarks and districts. These surveys are essential tools for identifying and preserving Austin’s cultural heritage, particularly in communities that have historically been overlooked. The success of the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross historic district demonstrates the value of these surveys in protecting sites of historical and cultural significance. By continuing to fund these efforts, we can ensure that preservation is proactive and informed, while supporting zoning that reflects the importance of these findings. This is critical not only for preserving Austin’s history but also for promoting equity and inclusion in the city’s development.
We know based on our research that between 2010 and the end of 2021, finalized residential demolitions per year rose from 271 to 622, an increase of 130%. These older buildings are often constructed with more sustainable materials than new buildings and provide more affordable housing than new construction. Rehabilitation rather than demolition of existing structures also reduces waste and is more sustainable. In 2020, construction and demolition debris accounted for approximately 25% of all waste produced in Travis County's three municipal solid waste landfills. Cities such as San Antonio and Portland have adopted deconstruction ordinances to slow demolitions and divert landfill waste.
If elected, would you support policy solutions that encourage sustainable building practices via preservation? How do you think our community can embrace this as part of our efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable Austin?
YES
Yes, I would support policy solutions that promote sustainable building practices through preservation. Rather than defaulting to demolition, we should prioritize the rehabilitation of older buildings, which often contain higher-quality materials and offer more affordable housing options. Our community can embrace this by incentivizing renovations that improve energy efficiency and by fostering a cultural shift towards valuing preservation as a key part of Austin's growth, ensuring our development is both equitable and environmentally conscious.
Many Texas cities establish historic districts to protect their heritage by preventing demolitions and ensuring new construction is compatible with surrounding historic buildings. Dallas has 21 districts, Houston has 19, and San Antonio has 27, while Austin has only 8. The creation of new historic districts was made more difficult following the adoption of HB1474 by the Texas State Legislature in 2021, which requires a supermajority of Council to vote in favor of a local historic district if even one owner in the district objects.
Do you support the establishment of more Local Historic Districts to protect Austin’s historic neighborhoods? Why or why not?
YES
Yes, I support the establishment of more Local Historic Districts to protect Austin’s historic neighborhoods. These districts play a vital role in preserving the unique character and cultural heritage of our city. I am committed to be a member of a supermajority on council voting to promote more historic preservation in Austin. By preserving these areas, we ensure that Austin’s rich history is reflected in its future growth, fostering a city that values both its past and its progress.
In 2023 City Council officially proclaimed October as Legacy Business Month in honor of Preservation Austin’s inaugural Legacy Business Month passport program, which encourages Austinites to support participating businesses and broadly promotes their heritage. The city’s explosive growth has made protections and financial support for legacy businesses more important than ever. City governments in San Francisco and San Antonio have adopted ground-breaking legacy business programs to protect and support their cities’ legacy businesses through designation, education, and directly supporting businesses with financial resources.
If elected, would you support creating a similar program for the City of Austin? Why or why not?
YES
Yes, I would support creating a legacy business program for the City of Austin. As our city continues to grow rapidly, it’s essential that we protect the businesses that have been integral to Austin’s cultural identity and economic fabric for decades. Legacy businesses are more than just economic drivers—they are community anchors that represent the unique history and character of our neighborhoods. A program that provides designation, education, and financial support would help these businesses remain competitive in an increasingly expensive city while preserving the diverse, local economy that makes Austin special. Supporting such a program would ensure that our city’s growth doesn’t come at the expense of the businesses that have helped shape its identity.
Underrepresented Heritage is one of Preservation Austin’s Advocacy Priorities. East Austin continues to experience increased rates of displacement and demolition of historic places significant to its Black and Brown neighborhoods. Recently, we’ve advocated for historic zoning for properties in East Austin such as the Sinnigson House and 1500 E. 12th Street. Often, the designation of these properties is supported by our Historic Preservation Office, the Historic Landmark Commission, and Planning Commission, but fail at City Council due to a lack of supermajority votes needed to designate over an owner’s objections.
If elected, would you support designating properties over an owner’s objections? What is your threshold for determining if a property merits designation? Please explain.
NO
While I deeply believe in the importance of preserving cultural heritage, especially in areas like East Austin where Black and Brown neighborhoods have faced significant displacement, I also respect the rights of property owners. The stories and contributions of these communities deserve to be honored, and historic preservation is one way to do that. However, I feel that property owners should have a voice in how they manage their property while still adhering to city regulations. Striking a balance between preservation and property rights is essential, and I would seek ways to encourage owners to preserve historically significant properties, rather than mandating it against their will. My threshold for designation would be based on broad community support, cultural importance, and efforts to work collaboratively with owners to find solutions that honor history without infringing on their rights.
As a member of Austin City Council, what is one policy or initiative you would enact to ensure the preservation of our city’s historic and cultural heritage?
As a member of Austin City Council, I would advocate for the establishment of a Heritage Conservation Fund as a public-private partnership dedicated to preserving and promoting our city’s historic and cultural assets. This fund would leverage both public resources and private investment, engaging local business leaders to cultivate their interest and stake in historic preservation. Additionally, involving businesses in this initiative would foster a sense of community ownership and responsibility toward our shared heritage. Through partnerships with local organizations, we can also create cultural events and educational programs that celebrate Austin’s diverse history, ensuring that our heritage remains vibrant and accessible for all residents.