AUSTIN (Jan. 24, 2023) — This Wednesday (Jan. 25) marks the second anniversary of Pecan Park neighborhood residents and business owners squaring off against the conversion of the former Candlewood Suites (10811 Pecan Park Blvd, Bldg. No. 2, Austin) into a homelessness shelter.
While announced plans for the Candlewood are ever-changing and answers to community questions have been vague, MOVE Candlewood continues to oppose the city's lack of transparency and accountability on this project. MOVE Candlewood amplifies deep concerns about the impact such a facility would have on nearby homes, businesses, and community, including nearby family residences and school practice fields.
MOVE Candlewood has over the past year:
Co-hosted the Austin Homelessness Solutions panel featuring Community First! Village founder Alan Graham, homelessness policy expert and author Michelle Steeb, Travis County Sheriff's Deputy Drew McAngus, and Rupal Chaudhari, founder of MOVE Candlewood.
Shed light on break-ins, property damage, illegal occupation, and burglaries occurring at the Candlewood property, which led to city officials securing the property with a fence and around-the-clock security patrol.
Spoke out as $4 million in federal economic recovery dollars were mis-allocated toward renovating the Candlewood.
Changed our name from Stop Candlewood to MOVE Candlewood (Making Our Voices Equal) to be better in line with our mission.
Waited eagerly as a Williamson County lawsuit (filed June 17, 2022) and another lawsuit filed by the Chaudhari family (amended in March 2022 to reflect the city's continually changing plans for the facility) each make their ways through the legal system.
"We look forward to what 2023 has in store for our community and supporters," said Rupal Chaudhari, founder of MOVE Candlewood. "We hope in Year 3 of this movement to a be a partner with the city in finding a more efficient, more community-friendly alternative for northwest Austin's homeless population,"
For more information visit www.MOVECandlewood.com.
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