News and Events
Fourth Annual Cherrywood Holiday Fundraiser!
Hi neighbors, as you might have seen in the most recent issue of the Flea, the fourth annual Cherrywood holiday fundraiser has commenced! We are asking for your support for the PTAs at Maplewood and Campbell elementaries. The PTAs serve local students, families, and teachers in so many important ways—see below. Together, we can make a big impact to benefit their essential work.
To contribute, go to www.maplewoodelementary.com/support/donate and put “holiday neighborhood giving” in the notes field. We’re hoping to raise $2,000 in individual donations over the next few weeks. Note, all donations to the Maplewood PTA that use “holiday neighborhood giving” in the notes field will be split 50-50 with Campbell’s PTA
From the Maplewood PTA: Donations and community support are essential in providing the Maplewood Elementary PTA with the operating dollars and resources needed to support our school throughout the year. Financial contributions give the PTA the flexibility to respond quickly to the school’s evolving needs, whether it’s organizing enriching programs, hosting community events, or providing emergency assistance to students and staff. With a stable base of support, we’re able to make a meaningful difference in the daily operations of our school, ensuring that our teachers, students, and families have the resources they need to thrive.
From the Campbell PTA: Donations to the Campbell Elementary PTA through the Cherrywood Neighborhood Winter Fundraiser directly support exciting programs and activities for our students, teachers, and community. Your contributions will help bring to life our Spring Carnival, offering a fun-filled day for families; fund a memorable 5th-grade field trip, providing unique educational experiences; and celebrate the 100th Day of School with engaging activities for students. Additionally, donations support Teacher Appreciation events to honor our dedicated staff and fund enriching Black History Month activities that foster awareness and understanding. Your generosity ensures these events are impactful and enjoyable for everyone at Campbell Elementary!
E. 38 1/2 St. Rezoning
Thanks in great part to a sudden outreach campaign of emails and calls from Cherrywooders to City Council, this case was postponed by the applicant (on the assumption they did not want to have a losing vote). Neighborhood dialogue on this case began in September 2023 and is described in past Flea newsletters.
The CNA Steering Committee has had several priorities in trying to negotiate restrictive covenants with the developer:
To ensure tenant protections for current and future residents of the Alma Apartments (we have been collaborating with BASTA (https://bastaaustin.org/), that includes right-to-return
At least 1:1 replacement of the naturally occurring affordable units at the Alma Apts in any future redevelopment, meaning at least 74 units, which is more than what the current City regulations would require.
Right-to-return for local businesses, specifically a restaurant-ready commercial space for the Cherrywood Coffeehouse to re-occupy
Site design issues such as right-of-way for a future Red Line Parkway extension and limited height on the easternmost parcel that is closed to residential and the Maplewood Elementary
For more information, please click here.
The CNA is actively involved in the I-35 Capital Express Central project!
The TxDOT Capital Express project is starting to become more visible as buildings are quickly demolished along the frontage road on both the east and west side. This massive, multi-generational project is impacting Cherrywood in multiple ways so there are multiple ways to get engaged. We are doing our best to keep you informed of what’s happening and encourage you to seek out whatever path of engagement calls to you!
In March 2025, Austin City Council will vote on whether or not to fund I-35 Roadway Elements, which are structural elements required to support 25 acres of parkland, called caps, that could eventually cover large sections of I-35. While these caps would prove transformational for Austin, city staffers are recommending that City Council only fund part of the Roadway Elements, thus bypassing this once-in-a-generation opportunity to cover I-35 with parks. On December 5, a memo was published by Austin City Manager's office to the City Council that changed the strategy a bit on advocating for the I-35 caps. Please view that memo here.
If you support investing today in the Roadway Elements that would allow for caps in the future, we need you to contact City Council NOW and sign up to speak at the March City Council meeting. Please visit https://www.fundthecaps.com/ for more information on how to get involved.
For the history of Cherrywood Neighborhood Association formal letters about the I-35 Capital Express project, please navigate to the I-35 Project page for more information.