Austin, Texas: Realizing a Sustainably Planned Community in Mueller Redevelopment

A decades-long community planning and redevelopment process has transformed the 700-acre site of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport on the eastern side of Austin, Texas. When the airport had been active, its proximity negatively affected economic conditions in surrounding neighborhoods, which also suffered from being isolated from downtown Austin by Interstate 35. Beginning as a grassroots effort in the …

A Home Run for Affordable Housing

The nonprofit investment in workforce housing at Mueller has grown to more than $26 million and 377* affordable homes, a significant milestone for the six-year-old Mueller Affordable Housing Program. “It’s a good story of promises made and promises kept,” said longtime advocate and Mueller Foundation board member Jim Walker. “The goal of making 25 percent of all Mueller homes available …

Education Dialogue

The Mueller Foundation has engaged other philanthropic funders, the Austin Independent School District, and non-profit advocates for education to collaborate on initiatives supporting central, east and northeast Austin education issues.  The purpose is to help guide and leverage the wise use of the resources of the Mueller Foundation, resident volunteers and other assets of the Mueller community to benefit Austin …

Senior Housing for the Next 40 years

Wildflower Terrace provides 180 rental units for senior adults with income less than 60% MFI with portions also for 50% and 30% MFI. The required term for federal tax credit is 15 years.  Exceeding this target, the project will ensure affordable availability for 40 years. Through a pre-development letter of commitment as a “backstop” for a low-interest loan from the …

Grants support AISD neighbors

The Mueller Foundation leadership announced $50,000 in 2017 grants to help support students in grades four through eight in central East Austin. Grantees include Campfire USA (Austin chapter) and Creative Action Project. In addition, the foundation is at work on using donated land at Mueller to attract a multiple-use education campus. Campfire for funding pupils from Maplewood and Blanton Elementary …