Austin’s City Council has approved a significant initiative by Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) to transform a building into a reuse warehouse, a first for the city under government management. The decision was made during a council meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
The upcoming reuse warehouse, located at 9201 Metric Boulevard on a 0.985-acre lot, will primarily serve individuals transitioning out of homelessness by providing them with lightly-used furniture at no cost. The facility, which spans 13,200 square feet, was previously occupied by Xtreme Xhibits, a marketing agency specializing in trade fairs.
Amy Slagle, assistant director of ARR, expressed enthusiasm about the purchase, stating, “We searched for about two years for this property, focusing on its location and size to ensure we have ample room for furniture storage.” The acquisition cost totals $4.425 million, with $4 million covered by a 2023 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, while the remainder is sourced from ARR’s operating budget. Preliminary discussions regarding the project commenced in 2020-2021.
The warehouse will not only accept donations of furniture but will also redistribute these items to clients. Slagle noted that while the building requires some retrofitting to suit its new purpose, the changes are minor and aimed at optimizing the space for furniture display and storage. The team anticipates opening the warehouse in late summer or fall, with ongoing deliberations about donation acceptance strategies, which may include items collected during bulk waste routes.
This initiative aligns with the city’s waste reduction goals, emphasizing the importance of reuse. Slagle stated, “We want to emphasize reuse, and this is a great opportunity for that. Our city’s climate equity plan prioritizes reusability over introducing new materials into the waste stream.” She encouraged potential donors to consider the impact of their contributions, particularly in supporting those in need. “This helps individuals transitioning out of homelessness meet their basic needs and get back on their feet,” she added.
The planned reuse warehouse will be a pioneering project in Austin, marking a significant step towards sustainable practices in the area. A smaller facility operated by a nonprofit existed in Austin about a decade ago but closed due to financial challenges.
