City staff are stepping in to put the remains of a former Texas Historic Landmark in South Austin out of its misery, after decades of neglect have left the 173 year old ruins a threat to public safety. “There was a very highly publicized encampment here in the spring that the city expended thousands of dollars to clean up,” said Historic Preservation Division Manager Kim McKnight. The cost incurred will add to an increasingly hefty bill for property owner Hemassi, who has thus far failed to respond to the city’s pleas. City staff hope the removal of the former landmark’s ruins will help to make the site more manageable, despite ongoing uncertainty over the future of its real estate. For now, the site will retain its landmarked zoning, leaving property owner Hemassi on the hook to sort out outstanding liens before any future development can take place.