The Austin Historic Landmark Commission meeting on July 2, 2025, focused on the preservation and relocation of two historic houses, the Trask House and the Castleman Bull House, due to the ongoing expansion of the Austin Convention Center. The meeting highlighted the challenges and strategies involved in maintaining these structures while accommodating the convention center's aggressive timeline and budget constraints.

The commission discussed the necessity of constructing a new chilling plant for the convention center, which will require relocating the historic houses currently situated on the site. Both houses are significant examples of 19th-century architecture in Austin, with the Trask House built in 1850 and the Castleman Bull House completed in 1873. The relocation plan aims to preserve these buildings while allowing for the convention center's development.

Riley Triggs, a key figure in the preservation efforts, emphasized the collaborative approach taken by various stakeholders, including the Architectural Review Commission and preservation consultants. He noted the importance of finding suitable new locations for the houses that respect their historical context. The proposed plan includes relocating the Trask House and its outbuildings closer to their original site at the intersection of Red River and East Cesar Chavez Streets, while the Castleman Bull House will be repositioned on the same lot to face the Waterloo Greenway trailhead.

The commission received a staff recommendation to approve the zoning changes necessary for the relocation. This includes removing historic zoning from the Trask House lot to facilitate its move and applying historic zoning to the Castleman Bull House's new location. The relocation process will involve careful deconstruction and stabilization of the houses to ensure their integrity during the move.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to interpretive efforts that will educate the public about the historical significance of these homes once they are relocated. The next steps involve finalizing the temporary relocation site and continuing discussions on the interpretive vision for the buildings within the context of the convention center's expansion.