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PROLOGUE The early 2000's were a time of great change in Austin. With the residue of the crash and burn dotcom age finally swept away, the city found itself in a new wave of development. It seemed even the sky wasn't the limit, as a run of proposed skyscraper projects received quick city approval. Buoyed by a charismatic mayor, the people of Austin had no choice but to embrace the change. The city laid down to developers, and the populous approved a
hurried rail system proposal completely reliant on the inadequate bus system. AMD was allowed to build on the Edwards Aquifer, a giant Walmart will be built on a mall, long established businesses were forced to move, and the city tried to make good with a political handout to Las Manitas.
No part of the city was left untouched, and East Austin was no different. Historically it was the enclave of working class blacks and hispanics. East Austin was a unique happenstance of residential, industrial, commercial and cultural zones historically untouched by the progress and change that edged through Austin proper. Cracks in the armor appeared, with a young set of audacious white folks setting down roots in the affordable neighborhoods, soon hip coffee shops sprouted and a list
of cool bars and hip spots dotted the East Side. Developers headed east and urban lofts and condo projects mushroomed amongst the old neighborhoods. This is the tale of one young man who decided to take up the fight and save the soul of East Austin. "Stay the course and let history judge" - George W. Bush
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