On Thursday, August 25th at 10:30 a.m. the Austin City Council approved a Resolution supporting the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor. The Corridor, which has identified historically significant Mexican American sites along 5th Street, runs from Plaza Saltillo on the east side of I-35, all the way to Republic Square, west of Guadalupe Street, and is an initiative that owes much of its success to Mexic-Arte Museum Founder and Artistic Director Sylvia Orozco. The Corridor acknowledges the long history of the Mexican American community in the City of Austin, in particular to the Downtown.

This historic resolution was sponsored by Council Member Mike Martinez and Co-Sponsored by Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Chris Riley. Sylvia Orozco says of the approval “this is a great achievement for our community and for Mexic-Arte Museum, but it is chiefly a great win for the all citizens of this wonderful city. There are many potential benefits that may result from this resolution, the improvement of 5th St., the creation of the corridor, and perhaps even the incorporation of public art.” She also took a moment to thank everyone who has been a part of this process, making this vision a reality for all Austinites to enjoy.

The Agenda for the day also listed the adoption of the Downtown Austin Plan by City Council, which includes a list of staff-recommended amendments regarding the 5th Street Mexican-American Heritage Corridor, which will “Explore the creation of a 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor linking Republic Square to Saltillo Plaza”

“The area around what is now called Republic Square was, in the early 20th century, a hub of the Mexican American community in Austin. Located within this area were the Walker Chili Company, Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Catholic Church, and numerous other Mexican American businesses and residences. Nicknames for what is now called Republic Square included “Chili Park” and “Mexican Park. The 1920s witnessed the migration (instigated by the 1928 City Plan) most of those businesses, residences, and institutions to East Austin, where Saltillo Plaza is located. The idea of creating a cultural/historical corridor along 5th Street – linking these two public squares – has been suggested as far back as the 1999 “Republic Square Task Force Final Recommendations.”

Congratulations to all for this great achievement!