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Word just came down the wire that the Enchanted Forest, home to some of Austin's most interesting creative events—think Art Outside, Sangre del Sol, and more—has been denied its renewal request for a permit to serve as a public gathering space.
The message, from Enchanted Forest owner Albert:
well my friends, the powers to be have voiced themselves and have come to the determination that the forest is to be banned to you. there is a complaint driven group in the city called p.a.c.e. that i have been told a [handful], that is 4 to 5 people, have made it a regular practice to call and complain every time the forest gates are open.it is these few people that have bent the ear of the city to close the forest due to a few obscure code issues that the messenger from the city did not know what it meant. i will be finding out the details and fighting the closing of the forest but will need your help.
as of today though, i have been banned to have more than 49 people at any one time on my commercially zoned property. if you know who and how to contact the right people in the city to let them know you would like to see the forest reopen please,please, let me know. thank you everyone for your continued support through the years that has made the forest one of the most unique attractions in austin,in texas, in the u.s.,in the world. long live the right for free expression!!
albert, steward of the forest
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So... this Albert who can somehow afford a very large piece of commercially zoned Central Austin property, pay the taxes for that, keep it maintained and running and supporting all manner of hippies can't figure out who to contact to complain about the closure of his commune?
Gee-whiz, Albert, I think you need to talk to a lawyer, bud!
I've only been there a few times (played a show there once), but it always reminded me of some nightmarish mad-max-without-the-cars-but-with-a-shitload-of-patchouli hellhole. To each their own, I guess.
I think you are rude and your reference to "hippies" as if that is a negative thing is offensive. So anyone that supports the arts, performance theatre, or live music that is not of the rock or country variety is called a "hippie." Damn, and all this time, I thought I was just an diverse, informed individual capable of enjoying a variety of entertainment mediums. Does this mean I should stop shaving my legs?
There was once a day when SOLA was not considered a prized central Austin neighborhood. There was once a time when you could pick up a hooker from the same general area on SoCo. Its not his fault that his once secluded piece of land is now in the heart of condo country.
The enchanted forest has welcomed all types of people with open arms. As this city transforms itself into a Dallas-knock-off, art and culture often begin to loose their place. The Enchanted Forest has been the home to a number of charity benefits that support the arts in Austin. I don't see any other music venues stepping up to support charities or community activities.
So he is not knowledgeable about legal matters. Is that a prerequisite for maintaining a venue for artists to have an outlet? He has always supported the Austin art and music community? What's wrong for asking for support as well?
swerve, I went there one time and all I saw were hippies. Besides, I didn't say hippie like it's a bad thing, numbnut, you just interpreted it that way.
I'm guessing the reason the permit request was denied has to do with lack of parking. Most people park at Office Depot & cross the street. I doubt the owners of that stores, or surrounding, businesses appreciate this.
If Uncle Albert wants to continue hosting his bizarre events on that patchwork lot with rabbit-trail paths snaking throughout the woods, let him arrange for parking spaces (possibly reaching an agreement with Office Depot).
The permit was not denied. An existing permit was revoked (or not renewed). If parking had been the problem, no permits would have been issued in the first place.
Although the Forest is a large piece of undeveloped land in the middle of the city, Albert is hardly wealthy. And the property would be difficult to develop, limiting its value. There's a creek running through the middle of it, which would be a challenge for any architect to develop around while maintaining city requirements for runoff, etc. There are also train tracks running immediately next to it, near a busy crossing, and the train whistles are too loud to shout over.
What a shame. The Enchanted Forest is one of my favorite things about Austin. I really do hope the city changes its mind.
My proposed conspiracy theory:
Developers are eyeing that prime slice of South Austin property, sending in complaints to hassle Albert and Co.
It's awesome that it's there, btw, but I do think it could be a little more polished, marketed a little differently, and broaden its appeal to the non-fire-dancing crowd (sorry, swerve).
Way to keep it weird City of Austin!
I'm all for keeping Austin as weird as possible (now that it's transforming into every other big mediocre city), though the Enchanted Forest is definitely not my scene anymore--but more power to them for carving out their own niche and doing what they do.
What does concern me is the amount of fire and poi that goes on, with one exit out of that place. And we're in a burn ban.
I've been there--it's dark and easy to get lost. If that place goes up in flames, it ain't going to be pretty.
Also, as you guys already brought up, the parking. I don't know how many nights I've driven on Oltorf and had to slam on my breaks for people (not going to say hippies!) running across the road. I seriously doubt that using the Office Depot lot is legal...
And honestly, I've been very surprised it's lasted as long as it has (despite my disdain for whiners like the PACE whistle-blowers), but I'm cynical about this town these days.
er brakes
The arrangement with Office Depot has always been clear to both parties. Albert has NEVER taken advantage of his neighbors and is always a gracious member of his community. Fire danger... give me a break, Emo's and Elysium are far worse fire traps with many similar acts, but indoors. Learn more about burn bans, fire codes, parking agreements, safety plans, etc before spewing moronic unfounded accusations.
Yeah. Don't you know that Emo's has lots of puff-puff with no ashtrays, dead leaves and other fire starters, no posted and visible exits and alarms and extinguishers, not to mention FIRE DANCING!
How do they stay in bizness?