[austlar1]

The thugs from Defend Our Hoodz, in conjunction with their anarchist supporters, realize that the Catalyst project will further energize the gentrification of inner East Austin along the South Pleasant Valley corridor and also lead to the demolition and/or upscale remodeling of many of the huge and affordable apartment complexes on the hillside south of Riverside in the East Oltorf/Riverside neighborhood. Their concerns are legitimate up to a point, but I think the long term value of upgrading and urbanizing this part of town simply outweighs those concerns. There are ways to address at least some of the long term affordable housing issues as development proceeds. The area north of the Catalyst site in inner East Austin will continue to gentrify regardless of what happens.