A Dallas-based realty company is continuing its efforts to revitalize the East 6th Street neighborhood in downtown Austin.

Stream Realty Partners, among others, announced plans to redevelop the neighborhood from its nightclub culture to an area more focused on daytime activities with luxury apartments, restaurants and farmers markets. On July 3, Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission approved the development of a 232-unit apartment complex called The Grant Building, owned by Lynx Grant LLC.

According to Kevin Koch, a member of the Historic Landmark Commission, Stream must come to the commission for feedback and approval before any development. 

“There (are) as many levels of review as there could possibly be to ensure that they are maintaining historic integrity in the street,” Koch said. 

Sixth Street is a National Register historic district in Austin, meaning it’s been federally recognized for its historical significance. However, Meghan King, policy and outreach planner at Preservation Austin, a nonprofit that advocates for historic and cultural spaces in Austin, said this classification provides limited protections that do not include protections from demolition or inappropriate alteration.

“There’s so many little pockets (in the area), and each of those buildings have so much history defined by that time,” King said. “Also it’s still a place that people go to, and it’s really important for the identity of Austin as well.” 

Commission member Ben Heimsath said Stream has been fairly receptive to criticism related to preservation and design comments from the commission. 

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Heimsath said.  “I would say that the opportunities are there to make a significant investment, not only part of downtown but also part of Austin’s historic fabric. And it’s an investment that’s been badly needed.” 

Koch said some of the renovations are bringing a slick look to properties on 6th Street, however, he is concerned about maintaining the grungy character of the neighborhood. Koch said whoever ends up moving into the properties will have a large impact on the street’s identity. 

“The character, the way the buildings are used, the details, the signage,” Koch said. “Those are all things that impact the character of the neighborhood, in addition to the historic part.” 

Koch said his biggest concern with the revitalizations is commercial gentrification and the possibility of nicer restaurants and developments pushing out current bars and other businesses on 6th Street.

“That’s probably my biggest concern about the character of the street changing, that we lose some of the long-standing businesses,” Koch said. 

Stream could not provide more details about the renovations at the time of publication. However, Elaine Garza, principal of the public relations company Giant Noise working with Stream, said more updates are coming soon.