Sad Farewell

Longtime South Austin wedding venue unveils closing plans due to soaring property taxes

The church part of Mercury Hall was relocated from Mercury, Texas.

Mercury Hall/Facebook

If you've lived in Austin for the past 15 years, chances are you've attended an event at South Austin's Mercury Hall. The picturesque site, tucked away off South First Street, has played host to thousands of weddings, galas, fundraisers, and other engagements since opening in 2005.

Now, the venue faces an uncertain future. On November 22, Merc Properties, Ltd. announced it is closing the venue in 2021, the result, it says, of Austin's rising property taxes.

The South Austin site hosts almost 300 events a year, thanks, at least in part, to the darling whitewashed church that was relocated from the small town of Mercury, Texas, in the 1990s. In 2005, Merc Properties, Ltd. tapped Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to reimagine the space and transform it into an event venue.

Under Hsu's eye, the four-acre site was designed to seamlessly integrated indoors and out, taking advantage of the property's natural landscaping. In addition to the church, the team added out buildings, dressing rooms, tiered outdoor space, and additional landscape elements.

“We have really been proud to own and operate such expansive green space in the heart of the city. Unfortunately, our property taxes have tripled over the last five years and it is becoming clear that an event venue is not a viable use on a property of this size and central location," says Mercury Hall partner Daryl Kunik in a release. “We have held on for as long as we can and are taking our time to find new owners who will be excellent stewards for this beautiful piece of land."

With the search for a new owner underway, Merc Properties, Ltd. says it is looking for a one that will continue the property's legacy. Says Kunik, "Mercury Hall has touched a lot of lives and we want that to live on in some way.”

Mercury Hall will close under its current ownership in June 2021, but those who have booked the venue between now and the closing date don't need to worry. Mercury Hall will honor all new and existing contracts "with the same services and support," ownership notes in a release.

weddings closings

Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill protecting cannabis

Redheaded Blackbelt

Let's make it legal.

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistant and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana