A vacant Austin building will be rehabilitated as an arts space and café with support from a $662,778 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant approved by City Council today.

Outwest Gallery and Cafe will use the grant to showcase the work of local artists and offer healthy food through a pay-what-you-can model. The 2,500-square-foot project at 5249 W. Chicago Ave. will leverage the building’s proximity to the POPCourts! community plaza, which opened on the same block in 2021 and is available for outdoor events.

At project completion, an additional $75,000 in grant funding could be provided, pending local hiring and job training.

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund allocates fees paid by downtown construction projects to support neighborhood investment on the South, Southwest and West sides. Grant amounts exceeding $250,000 require City Council approval.

###