Mueller September 2026 by Wainscot Media

Mueller

September 2026

THE INSIDE STORY

TEXAS AUTHOR MAY COBB

A FOND LOOK BACK HOW OUR COMMUNITY CAME TO BE

Meet Me in the Park

THE FLOURISHING OF A FRIENDSHIP

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COMBO

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Buying or Selling In Mueller?

Let’s map your next move.

SCAN TO CONNECT

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Contents SEPTEMBER 2026

24 F EATU RES

Behind the Books

Texas author May Cobb talks writing, her new projects, and why the Lone Star state will always be home. 20

Turing Back the Clock

Mueller is more than a name. Take a look at how our community came to be the beautiful home it is today.

I N TH I S I S SU E

PUBLISHER’S NOTE That Fall Feeling

WHAT’S NEW Kick off Fall!

MEET ME AT THE MARKET Connecting Through Flavor

LIFE OUTDOORS An Unlikely Friendship

PERSPECTIVES A Poem by Charles Cann

PHOTO OP Feel the Love

COVER

The “Abigoose” of Mueller Lake Park. Photograph by David Altuve

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A FORCE FOR GOOD

It’s more than state pride. It’s investing in our future. As the state’s leading workers’ compensation provider, Texas Mutual Insurance Company has invested $120 million over the last ten years to strengthen our communities, support local businesses, and help working families thrive. Visit texasmutual.com/texansgetit to learn more.

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THAT FALL FEELING BY THE TIME September rolls around, we all start wishing for cooler mornings and that first hint of fall. Of course, this is, Austin, so we’re usually still reaching for sunscreen and iced coffee, but even if the temperatures haven’t quite gotten the memo, there’s something about September that feels like a fresh start. As the summer activity begins to settle, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the stories that make our neighborhood such a special place to call home. This month’s issue celebrates

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARGARITA GARCIA ACEVEDO

PUB LISH ER’S NOTE

the people, history, and small moments that continue to shape Mueller. If you’ve ever wondered how our neighborhood came to be, you’re in for a treat. Local historian Martin Luecke takes us on a fascinating journey through Mueller’s past, sharing the story behind the community we know today and the vision that transformed a former airport into one of Austin’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Understanding where we’ve come from makes it even more exciting to see where we’re headed. We’re also thrilled to feature bestselling author May Cobb in a wonderful profile by Carmen Gray. May has built a loyal following with her suspenseful novels, and her story offers a glimpse into both her creative process and the experiences that inspire her writing as well as her connection to Mueller. And, finally, Mueller resident David Altuve shares a sweet story about Abigoose, and her unlikely friendship with a mallard duck. Next time you take a stroll around Mueller Lake park, see if you can spot them! As always, thank you for making Mueller Magazine part of your month. Whether you’ve lived here since the neighborhood’s earliest days or just recently moved in, we’re grateful to share the stories that connect us as a community.

Mueller MAGAZINE Editor & Publisher Liz Reingold Writers Alix Newton Carmen Gray Martin Luecke Photographer Margarita Garcia Acevedo Marketing Coordinator Nicole Higgins WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden SVP, Group Publisher Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Executive Editor Elaine Quilici Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

Liz Reingold Publisher

muellermagazine.com @muellermagazine

Mueller magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Mueller, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Have a story idea?

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Email the editor: Liz.Reingold@muellermagazine.com

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DIRECTORY OF SPONSORS Many thanks to our committed sponsors, who make it possible for us to bring you high-quality local stories each month. Shopping and doing business close to home are excellent ways to support our community. When you visit our sponsors, please tell them Mueller magazine sent you!

Alite Laser

Austin’s locally owned, family-run laser clinic for over 30 years. Offering expert laser hair removal and electrolysis, ethical treatments, real results, and payas-you-go care. Look good, feel great, be confident. 512-328-1555 | alitelaser.com

Austin Institute of Dental Medicine

Carlin Wealth Management

AIDM offers comprehensive and specialty dental care for families in Mueller, all in one location. From preventive care to implants and restorations, we provide comfortable care, transparent pricing, flexible payment options, and welcome new patients without referrals. 737-434-2436 | aidm.org

Carlin Wealth Management Group helps families optimize the efficiency of their finances. It also introduces Empowered Café, creating opportunities and inclusion for a staff with Down syndrome. 512-688-7414 | carlinwmg.com

Crane & Holtzman is a boutique, full-service accounting firm providing tax, consulting, and accounting services to individuals, businesses, and trusts. 512-215-0057 | craneholtzman.com

Dish Society

Dish Society is a Mueller neighborhood favorite for locally sourced food, everyday feel-good meals, good vibes, and great company 512-623-1498 | dishsociety.com | @dishsociety

Empowered Cafe

European Wax Center

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop

Honest Mary’s

Kuper Sotheby’s

Mueller Silent Market

Nature’s Treasures

Crane & Holtzman

European Wax Center is the numver one safe place to start removing hair safely and effectively at an incredibly affordable price. First Time Guests can try it for free. 512-617-9157 | waxcenter.com/pages/first-wax-free @europeanwax

A distinguished real estate advisor and proud Mueller resident, offering expert guidance whether you’re buying, selling, or exploring the neighborhood. 512-831-6577 | sotheybysrealty.com @soud_twal

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop offers expert cuts, shaves, and color for everyone—set in a fun, family-friendly space with our iconic poster wall and lively music. 325-268-5906 | floydsbarbershop.com @floyds99atx

Since 2008, the Mueller Silent Market Team has specialized in Mueller and Central Austin real estate, offering expert guidance on both public and private listings. 512-913-8642 | muellersilentmarket.com @muellersilentmarketteam

Empowered Café is a full-service coffee house, also offering juices, soup, sandwiches, and pastries from a friendly staff of individuals with Down syndrome 512-855-1222 | empoweredcafeatx.com

Honest Mary’s fuels the Mueller community with lifegiving fast food—clean, chef-crafted bowls made fresh and fast. Perfect for families, busy professionals, and active lifestyles. 512-375-3906 | honestmarys.com | @honestmarys

Explore the beauty of Nature’s Treasures, your iconic rock and crystal shop since 2000, and invite nature into your daily life with home and garden décor, jewelry, sage and pocket stones. 512-472-5015 | ntrocks.com @naturestreasurestexas

S A N TA

CATARINA Mexican Restaurant

Origin Hotel

Discover Origin Hotel Austin, blending Texas charm with modern comfort, stylish rooms, and all-day dining from Blue Lacy right in the heart of Mueller. 512-861-1140 | originhotel.com @origin_austin

Parkside Family Vision

Parkside Family Vision provides comprehensive, familyfocused eye care in Mueller offering routine exams, advanced myopia management, and stylish eyewear with warm, personalized service to help your whole family see their best. 512-276-6117 | parksidefamilyvision.com @parksidefamilyvision

Santa Catarina

Santa Catarina is a boutique family restaurant with homestyle cooking from South Central Mexico. Our bar features 100% Agave tequilas and Mezcales. All of our juices are homemade: no sugar added. 512-291-7154 | santacatarinarestaurant.com @santacatarinatx

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Texas Mutual

As the state’s leading workers’ compensation provider, Texas Mutual Insurance Company is dedicated to protecting employees, supporting local communities, and fortifying the state economy. 512-224-3800 | texasmutual.com @texasmutual

EMPOWERED CAFE NOW OPEN! EmpoweredCafeATX.com Tue-Fri 7am – 2pm

Carlin Wealth Management Group is proud to introduce Empowered Café, a full-service coffee house also offering juices, pastries and breakfast tacos from a friendly staff of individuals with Down’s Syndrome.

The Herb Bar

The Herb Bar, Austin’s oldest apothecary, has served the community for nearly 40 years with teas, tinctures, organic body products, and holistic workshops focused on wellness and connection. 512-444-6251 | theherbbar.com @theherbbar

22 Eventful Years Guiding Families with their Financial Decisions and Celebrating Goals Achieved! 1701 Simond Ave, Unit 104 | Austin TX 78723 – Parkside Building (facing the park) CWMG: Carlinwmg.com | Info@Carlinwmg.com | 512 688 7414 Café: contact@empoweredcafeatx.com | 512 855 1222

ThoroughFare

Fresh made from scratch food made from all clean ingredients in a full market experience including a bakery, cafe, deli, and grocery. thoroughfare.com | @thoroughfare

Thinkery

Thinkery, a nonprofit children’s museum and home to Little Thinkers Preschool, sparks joyful, play-based STEAM learning so ALL children cultivate a lifelong love of learning. 512-469-6201 | thinkeryaustin.org @thinkeryatx

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Family owned, family focused. Eyecare for the whole family. Comprehensive Eye Exams Contact Lens Exams Diabetic Eye Exams Great for Pediatric Eye Exams kids! Myopia Management Dry Eye Treatment Cataract Consultations LASIK Co-Management Medical Eye Emergencies

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Feel great, look amazing at VIO Med Spa. Our medical professionals specialize in skin rejuvenation, Botox, cosmetic injectables, skin care, weight loss and body contouring. 521-900-1051 | viomedspa.com @viomedspa.mueller

Scan to Schedule Your Appointment

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Dr. Nick Chu, O.D.

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W HAT ’S NEW

Kick off FALL! Mueller is full of fun events to get the season started.

ALL “FORE” THE FAMILIES Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas invites the community to tee off for All “Fore” the Families: Driving Hope, Delivering Home on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Morris Williams Golf Course in Austin. Come to the inaugural golf tournament, whether you are a seasoned golfer or looking for a day of friendly competition and connection; all are welcome. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and tee time is at 8 a.m. Stay for the Awards Luncheon at Fairways Cantina. Date: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Morris Williams Golf Course 3851 Manor Road

MUELLER MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL Mueller Neighborhood Association is once again hosting the Mid-Autumn Festival Saturday, Oct. 3, at Branch Park Pavilion. Enjoy food, kids’ activities, and local vendors at this free family-friendly event. Details and RSVP at muellermidautumn 2026.eventbrite.com.

LEARN MORE The Mueller Neighborhood Association is a 501(c) (4) nonprofit building a strong, inclusive, and connected community through events, activities, advocacy, and outreach. To learn more about Mueller, visit muellerneighborhood.org.

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HOPDODDY The wait is finally over! Austin favorite Hopdoddy has opened its Mueller location. With amazing burgers, fries, milkshakes, and a full-service bar, it is sure to become a neighborhood favorite! Location: 2005 Aldrich Street

THINKERY Did you know you can borrow a SensoryFriendly Backpack at check-in for added comfort during your Thinkery visit? The backpacks include resources like noisedampening headphones and fidget toys to support guests with sensory sensitivities. For more information, visit thinkeryaustin.org.

SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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M EET M E AT TH E MARKET

Connecting Through Flavor Explore East African cuisine with Nemo Yusuf’s recipes that connect her community in Mueller to her Somali and Ethiopian roots. BY CARMEN GRAY

TEXAS IS FAR away from East Africa, but all you need to do is head to the Texas Farmers Market at Mueller on any given Sunday to grab a bag of crispy, spiced sambusas. Aromatic and delicious, Habos East African Cuisine makes this beloved comfort food in three varieties: beef, chicken, and potato. The dough is paper-thin and gluten-free, fried perfectly if you want to buy them ready-to-eat there, but you can also purchase them frozen to make later. Other savory offerings include baajiye (bah-jee-yay), which are fried

savory patties made from ground chickpeas mixed with spices. There are also wraps. They are mouthwatering (I had the potato one) handcrafted flatbreads filled with either organic chicken spiced in a Somali blend, halal beef, or spiced vegan potatoes and veggies from local farms. But if you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the fluffy, cardamom-spiced buur. Reminiscent of beignets, they come covered in brown sugar or powdered sugar. Everything is prepped in-house and then fried to a perfect golden brown on-site.

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A FAMILY STORY I spoke with Nemo Yusuf to learn more about how Habos East African Cuisine came to be. She told me, “My inspiration came from moving to Austin in 1999 and craving my home food.” Being Somali from Ethiopia, she didn’t see a lot of cuisine that was familiar to her when she came to America. To feel closer to home, she decided to try to recreate her grandmother’s crispy sambusa recipe. “I missed being at my family’s house, and I spent a long time trying to recreate her recipe.” Nowadays Yusuf’s children, their friends, and her nieces and nephews all come over to enjoy sambusa and other Somali/ Ethiopian cuisine. They enjoyed it so much that they encouraged Yusuf to start her own business so other people could taste their culture’s cuisine. With her family’s help, it took about 3 months to establish everything and set it up properly. She applied to start an LLC and began working in a commercial kitchen. Eventually, Yusuf began selling at the Texas Farmers’ Market in Bell (originally Lakeline) in December of 2023. It was successful, and she expanded to vend at Mueller in February 2026. Yusuf says, “My best-selling products at Mueller are the Beef Sambusa (a crispy, flaky dough stuffed with spiced ground beef, onions, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and green onion); the Chicken Wrap (a chapati wrap with spiced chicken, peppers, and onions with a side of cucumber salad); and the Potato Fatira (flatbread with egg, mozzarella, and potato sambusa filling).” She praised the customers she comes into contact with at Mueller, commenting that everyone is genuinely so kind and welcoming. “If I see someone once, the next time I run into them at the market, it’s like we are family.” SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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Somehow, that doesn’t come as a surprise, as the name “Habo” means “aunt.” And as a wonderful aunt, everyone would come to Habo’s house to eat and gather. It’s a sweet reminder that the market at Mueller truly is built on community. “Sharing my food with Austin makes me feel closer to the community, like I’m sharing what home feels like to me through food,” Yusuf says. If you miss the food on Sunday at Mueller, you can find it at the Bell Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their frozen sambusas are also available at Shahi Foods, International Foods, and Al Zaytoon Market. I recommend stopping by Habo’s East African Cuisine and watching Yusuf do what she loves—cooking her beloved food to share with all of us. Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a retired teacher, published author, and freelance writer.

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try us out

Austin local for Over a decade

1808 aldrich st #105

Strength-led fitness coming to mueller

group classes + small group personal training

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Think You Can't Afford a Home in Central Austin? Think Again. Why Mueller?

Homeownership in Mueller may be closer than you think. The Mueller Affordable Homes Program offers income-qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase quality homes in one of Austin's most sought-after neighborhoods.

Homes from approximately $165,000–$350,000* One-, two-, and three-bedroom homes Minutes from downtown Austin

Walkable community with parks, trails, restaurants, shops, & entertainment Convenient access to major employers, healthcare, & transit

Hundreds of individuals and families have already achieved homeownership through the Mueller Affordable Homes Program. You could be next. Learn more about eligibility, available homes, and upcoming information sessions. www. muellerfoundation.org *Home prices, availability, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Income and asset guidelines apply.

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View All Our Issues!

READY FOR KICKOFF? Your Team Has a Game Plan. So Should Your Hair.

Visit us online at muellermagazine.com

Call, book online, or walk in this month amd let us make you GAME DAY READY!

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Calling all Mueller poets and writers!

The new Perspectives department is for YOU!

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Parties!

CMY

Send us your poems and short essays (max 350-400 words) to share with your Mueller neighbors. Send submissions to hello@muellermagazine.com.

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Behind the Books Texas author May Cobb talks writing, her new projects, and why the Lone Star state will always be home. BY CARMEN GRAY

ON A HOT SUMMER day in early July, I sat across from best-selling author May Cobb at Curra’s in Hyde Park to talk about all of her recent writing projects and Netflix shows. She carried the conversation with her signature Texas charm as we munched on nachos and enchiladas. I first met Cobb at a book launch for “My Summer Darlings” at Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar (1101 E 11th Street) in 2022, which was well-attended and full of laughter. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since, without realizing her connections to the Mueller neighborhood. It turns out Cobb explored buying a house in the neighborhood back in 2010 but eventually landed in another central Austin neighborhood instead. Nevertheless, she spent a lot of time with her husband and son at The Thinkery and at Mueller Lake Park over the years. “We loved going to Mueller Lake Park and came here so much when my son was little,” she says. It’s just one of the many places in Mueller that Cobb still frequents. Her favorite restaurant in the neighborhood is Vera Cruz Fonda (she’s gluten-free, loves Mexican food, and they have plenty of choices), and she enjoys the walking trails and admires the strong sense of community that the Mueller neighborhood is well known for keeping.

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HEADSHOTS BY JESKA FORSYTH PHOTOGRAPHY

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I love living in Austin. It’s a creative place. I’m at my most creative when I’m here.”

SOMETHING ABOUT TEXAS Cobb originally comes from East Texas, where her stories take place, and moved to Austin in 1992. Other than a short stint in California during the COVID pandemic, she hasn’t left and plans to stay for the foreseeable future. There’s something about Austin that seems to keep musicians, writers, and creatives around. “I love living in Austin. It’s a creative place. I’m at my most creative when I’m here,” she gushes. Cobb’s latest book, “All The Little Houses” (released in January 2026), is what she fondly calls “a 1980s love letter to Little House on the Prairie set in East Texas on a wild collision course between two feuding families.” It’s soapy, it’s addictive, it’s sultry, and it’s another Texas thriller, as she is so talented at combining. Like “The Hunting Wives” (published 2021), which became a number one Netflix series in July 2025 and for which she is the executive producer, “All the Little Houses” is also on course to be adapted for television. It was truly dizzying to listen to

everything Cobb is doing. There’s Season 2 for “The Hunting Wives” that drops in September, and Cobb already has a book sequel to “All The Little Houses,” called “All The Little Secrets” (Nov. 17, 2026). This one promises to be as enticing as her former ones. USA Today Bestselling author Hannah Morrissey describes it as “Vicious, delicious, and drenched in drama,” and warns, “prepare to be sucked into the scandal.” New York Times bestseller Mary Kubica says, “No one does wild, juicy, and wickedly entertaining thrillers like May Cobb. Prepare to be glued to the pages.” As Cobb always has signings in Austin when her books come out, be on the lookout for events in November. As if all of the above projects aren’t enough to keep her hopping like a toad on a hot griddle, she is currently in the middle of writing her next book, another Texas-set thriller. Cobb has written since 1996, but her debut arrived in 2018, titled “Big Woods.” Cobb received her Master’s degree in Victorian Literature from San

Francisco State University and worked tirelessly for over two decades on a biography of the blind jazz multiinstrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk that is still in the ethers. Her published books are very tongue-in-cheek, focusing on tawdry domestic secrets, “Heather’s”-like female relationships, and generally badly behaved adults that people can’t seem to keep from reading and watching. Cobb has a knack for tapping into the dark, secretive side of human behavior, but in a way that makes you laugh out loud while rubbernecking like a bad train wreck. Although her favorite place to write is at home, don’t be surprised if you spy Cobb shopping at the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller or taking a break from her prolific writing on one of the neighborhood walking trails. You never know; she just may be conjuring up her next great scene. Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a retired teacher, published author, and freelance writer. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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Turning Back the Clock

Mueller is more than a name. Take a look back at how our community came to be the beautiful home it is today. BY MARTIN LUECKE

WHEN IT COMES to Mueller, the elephant in the room is usually how to pronounce it. The other question is usually something about it once being an airport. It’s one of those times where two things can be true at once, and the true story of Mueller is so much more interesting than mere pronunciation. So buckle your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff; this is going to be a bumpy flight.

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Opposite page: Branch Park in its early days. This page, from left: ROMA 2005 Mueller map. A portrait of Robert Mueller. A redevelopment plan by Gerard Kinney created in 1984.

A LONG HISTORY Our story begins 100 years ago at 508 East 16th Street, home of Robert Mueller, his wife Leona, and their three children. In 1926, Mueller, part of one of Austin’s earliest families, was elected to the City Commission as part of the “managerial ticket,” a group of businessmen focused on making city government more efficient. Austin voters had recently adopted the City Manager-Commission form of government, which remains in place today. At their first meeting on July 1, 1926, the new commission created modern city departments and began reshaping Austin’s future. One of their first major initiatives was establishing the City Plan Commission, which would oversee a $4.2 million bond program to build streets, parks, schools, fire stations, utilities, and a municipal airport. Much of the vision behind Austin’s 1928 city plan can still be seen in today’s Mueller development.

However, the city plan also became part of one of Austin’s most troubling chapters. At the time, Black residents lived throughout Austin in several neighborhoods. The plan concentrated public investment in East Austin, encouraging African American families to relocate there while services elsewhere were reduced. Within a few years, Austin became sharply divided along East Avenue, now Interstate 35. Robert Mueller’s legacy is complicated. He played a role in policies that contributed to segregation, while also helping establish the parks, schools, civic facilities, and infrastructure that generations of Austinites continue to use today. After Mueller died from pneumonia in January 1927, his brother Leo filled his vacant commission seat. In 1930, the commission unanimously voted to name Austin’s municipal airport after Robert Mueller. Three decades later, Mueller Airport

gained national recognition when its iconic terminal and control tower received a 1960 design award from the American Institute of Architects. But by the 1980s, Austin had outgrown the airport. Expansion plans threatened nearby neighborhoods, leading residents to form Citizens for Airport Relocation (CARE) and launch the “Move It” campaign. CARE member Rick Krivoniak remembers that the first relocation vote in 1985 failed because there was no clear alternative. A second vote in 1987 approved moving the airport east of Austin, but that plan collapsed amid controversy. In 1990, the federal government announced the closure of Bergstrom Air Force Base, giving Austin the opportunity it needed. In 1993, voters overwhelmingly approved moving the airport there, taking advantage of an existing 12,000-foot runway and federally available land. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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This page and opposite: Aerial shots compare Mueller circa 2006 with 2025 courtesy of Ameritech and Red Wing.

A NEW FUTURE Before the airport closed, neighbors were already imagining what could replace it. Architect Gerard Kinney, a Cherrywood resident and CARE leader, created a redevelopment plan in 1984 featuring a dense urban core surrounded by neighborhoods and retail areas. “The wedding cake design came from those first meetings,” Kinney recalls. “I took the concept and drew it up.” Remarkably, the idea closely resembles today’s Mueller. Kinney later chaired the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Redevelopment Process and Goals Task Force. During one of the first public meetings, he used the now-common pronunciation “Mew-ler” when referring to the project. “Robert Mueller Jr. stood up and said, ‘Mr. Kinney, would you please stop mispronouncing my family’s name?’” The family quickly settled the debate: the original pronunciation was “Miller.” According to Kinney, “Mew-ler” became more common as new residents arrived in Austin.

As planning continued, community leaders focused on preventing uncontrolled development of the 711acre site. The task force recommended preserving the wedding-cake concept and engaging a master planner. In 1997, City Council adopted the framework and hired ROMA Design Group to create a detailed plan. Extensive public engagement led to the creation of the Mueller Neighborhoods Coalition, chaired by Jim Walker and representing 17 surrounding neighborhoods. The coalition established guiding principles that continue to define Mueller today: fiscal responsibility, economic development, East Austin revitalization, neighborhood compatibility, diversity, affordability, and sustainability. Walker, who had recently moved to Cherrywood and was studying city planning at UT, attended a Planning Commission meeting for extra credit and quickly became fascinated by the redevelopment effort. He remains involved today as a member of the

Mueller Foundation Board. The airport officially moved to Bergstrom in 1999. “We had a party in the terminal building a month after the move,” Krivoniak says. “Somebody walked in with luggage looking for a flight.” The transition also created unexpected opportunities. In 2000, Krivoniak joined a meeting with thenMayor Kirk Watson, filmmakers Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez, to discuss converting former airport hangars into film studios. “Everybody in that meeting had the same goal,” he says. “We all wanted it to happen.” The result was Austin Film Studios and Troublemaker Studios, helping establish Austin as a major center for film production. In 2002, City Council adopted the Mueller Master Plan. Two years later, the city signed a master development agreement with Catellus Development Corporation, officially launching one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the country. “We fought repeatedly for those community goals,”

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Walker says. “Without that community input, Mueller would look very different today.” Dell Children’s Medical Center, completed in 2007, became the first major project reflecting those principles. Over the following years, Mueller earned national recognition for sustainability and community design, becoming the nation’s first LEED Goldcertified neighborhood development. Perhaps Mueller’s greatest achievement, however, is one many residents barely notice: 25% of all housing is permanently affordable and integrated throughout the neighborhood

rather than concentrated in one area. This was made possible through city ownership of the land and the work of the Mueller Foundation, which helps preserve long-term affordability. Last year, Mueller Lake Park was renamed Gerard Kinney Park, honoring the visionary whose early ideas helped shape the community. Today, the redevelopment oversight group, now called the RMMA Plan Implementation Advisory Commission, continues its work. Krivoniak has served since its creation and currently serves as vice chair. The commission is scheduled to hold its final meeting in 2027, closing

a chapter that began more than four decades ago. So tomorrow morning, when you enjoy another day in Mueller, take a moment to appreciate the generations of neighbors who imagined what this place could become. This community didn’t happen by accident. It happened because ordinary people cared enough to dream bigger and then worked together to make it happen.

Martin Luecke is a Mueller historian. He has worked tirelessly over the years on projects related to Mueller and recording our history.

SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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LI FE OUTDOORS

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An Unlikely FRIENDSHIP PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID ALTUVE

Wildlife at Mueller Lake Park reminds us to appreciate the beauty in our community. FOR THE PAST three years, Mueller resident David Altuve has had a front-row seat to one of the neighborhood’s sweetest little stories. It’s a tale of friendship, companionship, and the unexpected bonds that can form in nature. It all began during David’s regular visits to Mueller Lake Park, where he noticed a goose who stood out from the rest. She had once been part of a larger group of geese that called the park home, but

over time, the others disappeared, leaving her on her own. “ I affectionately call her Abigoose,” David says. “Over time, I’ve come to appreciate her unique story.” After spending time alone, Abigoose seemed to find a new companion in an unlikely friend, a mallard duck. The pair began spending their days together around the lake, swimming side by side, searching for food, and simply keeping each other company. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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LI FE OUTDOORS

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A SWEET BOND While geese and mallards are different species and cannot breed together, both are known for forming strong social bonds. For David, watching this friendship develop has been a reminder that connection can happen in unexpected ways. “I’ve had the privilege of watching this relationship unfold over the past three years, and it has become one of my favorite small stories in the neighborhood,” he says. The pair have become familiar faces to many Mueller residents who enjoy spending time around the lake. In fact, when Abigoose and her companion recently disappeared for longer than usual, the neighborhood noticed. Concerned residents banded together and even turned to Reddit to share sightings and try to figure out where the pair had gone.

Thankfully, Abigoose and her mallard companion eventually returned, much to the relief of their many admirers. For David, the story is about more than just two birds at a park. It has changed the way he looks at the wildlife that shares the neighborhood with residents. “One reason I wanted to share their story is that it highlights the importance of treating our local wildlife with kindness and respect,” he says. David has occasionally witnessed people disturbing the ducks and geese at the park, including throwing rocks or intentionally harassing them. While he says most visitors are thoughtful stewards of Mueller’s natural spaces, Abigoose’s story serves as a reminder that the animals around us are living creatures capable of forming relationships and deserve our care.

He also hopes residents remember that feeding wildlife comes with responsibility. While it may be tempting to share a snack with the birds at the lake, traditional favorites like bread and crackers are not healthy for geese and ducks. Better options, when offered in moderation, include foods like oats, romaine lettuce, peas, corn, watermelon, and chopped grapes. Whether residents have spotted Abigoose and her mallard companion during a walk around the lake or are just learning their story, their friendship has become a small but meaningful part of life in Mueller. For David, that is what makes the pair so special. They remind us to slow down, notice the world around us, and appreciate the unexpected moments of connection happening right in our own backyard. SEPTEMBER 2026 |

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PERSPECTIVES

Stony With Grief BY CHARLES CANN

I cross the lawn of the borrowed house guitar in hand the flat black expanse of Town Creek lies before me in the moonlight far across the deep water white oyster skiffs dimly seen tug at their moorings waiting for their captains to board kick their one-lung motors into life and head out to the shellfish beds but I barely register all that so drawing my guitar across my lap I belt out songs across that black and silent water songs of loss every deep gut song I know never having felt that kind of loss before Blues I hope they are reaching my Mother

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No ﬁnancial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reﬂect actual property conditions.

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