Vince Hannemann’s Cathedral of Junk in South Austin is closing, a victim of newly-enforced city codes. According to Hannemann, the effort to refashion the popular 60-ton trash heap into a safe building is not worth it. Says Hanneman: "I just did it because I liked it. And when I stop liking it I’ll take it down." The Catherdral began in 1988, and continued to grow until complaints from neighbors caused the city to re-examine the structure last year. The Austin Chronicle’s Richard Whittaker related the closing to a disturbingly un-Austin trend: similar permit problems recently closed other DIY Austin arts venues like the United States Art Authority and the Enchanted Forest, even as corporate-friendly arts redevelopment projects flourish!
Update 6/18: After a meeting thursday, city officials will allow Vince Hannemann to keep the major portion of the Cathedral of Junk intact, with limits on the number of visitors, and with no climbing the precarious junk tower allowed.
