SAVING THE GOOD STUFF

Fall 2015 H Volume 19 No. 4

55th Annual Preservation Merit Awards Celebration

Friday, November 20, 2015 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos Street $100 per guest; Reserve tickets by Monday, November 16

P reservation Austin will honor this year’s Preservation Merit Awards recipients on Friday, November 20 with our annual luncheon at the Driskill Hotel. Established in New Orleans’ historic Bell School, part of an upcoming $36 million Artspace project providing affordable live/work housing for artists, cultural workers and 1960, this program recognizes those whose vision and their families (artspace.org). commitment to preservation have had a lasting impact on our city’s architectural, cultural, and environmental heritage. By recognizing these outstanding individuals, businesses, organizations, and institutions, we hope to inspire others to carry on this important work.

We are delighted to feature speaker Stacey L. Mickelson, Vice President of Government Relations for Artspace Projects. Founded in Minneapolis in 1979, Artspace is a nationally- recognized nonprofit real estate developer with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. The organization has invested over $582 million in creating over a million square feet of arts facilities and more than 1,300 affordable live/work units for artists, many in historic

buildings. Mr. Mickelson has worked on a variety of large scale Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts (thecowlescenter.org). projects for Artspace for over ten years. He was responsible for acquiring public funding for Minneapolis’ Cowles Center communities as they struggle to hold on to affordable venues, for Dance and Performing Arts, leading a team that secured studio space, and housing. He will present innovative programs $12 million in funds from the Minnesota Legislature. In 2008, and best practices used to address these issues nationwide, and he worked with a consortium of affordable housing developers discuss how the marriage of historic preservation and the arts to change federal policy and clarify a requirement in the Low creates vibrant, livable cities. Income Housing Credit code to explicitly protect the creation of affordable live/work spaces for artists and their families. Tickets must be reserved by Monday, November 16. Sponsorships are available through Wednesday, November 18. Please see Mr. Mickelson’s experience and perspective are more relevant our website at www.preservation.org/events or call us at now than ever to the challenges faced by Austin’s creative 512-474-5198 ext. 7724 for more details! H SAVE THE DATE

What’s Out There Weekend November 21-22 2015-2016 Board of Directors FREE, Registration Required H OFFICERS H Join Preservation Austin for What’s Out There Weekend Alyson McGee, President Vanessa McElwrath, 2nd VP Austin November 21-22! Presented by The Cultural John Donisi, President-Elect Kim McKnight, Secretary Landscape Foundation, the Austin Parks and Recreation Ken Johnson, 1st VP Clay Cary, Treasurer Department, and local partners including PA, this event Shelly Hemingson, Immediate Past President features more than two dozen expert-led tours of Bratten Thomason, Committee Member Austin’s most significant parks, open spaces, and historic landscapes, including Oakwood Cemetery, Rosewood Park, H DIRECTORS H and the Commodore Perry Estate. Paula Aaronson Ann S. Graham Andrea McWilliams Clayton Bullock Chris Hendel Tom Stacy Richard Craig Richard Kooris Caroline Wright Sam Davidson Tim League Lauren Smith Ford Dennis McDaniel

H VOTING REPRESENTATIVES H Admission is free but registration is required. See the full Michael Holleran, UT School of Architecture list of tours and reserve your place today through The Charles Peveto, Austin History Center H Cultural Landscape Foundation at tclf.org. Michelle Slattery, Inherit Austin Mike Ward, Pioneer Farms

H WATERLOO SOCIETY H Paula & Lee Aaronson Jennifer & Chad Marsh Ann Griffith Ash Peter Flagg Maxson & Architects Clayton & Little (Emily Little) John C. R. Taylor, III Follow Us on Booth Heritage Foundation McBee Family Foundation (Suzanne & David Booth) Jill & Dennis McDaniel Ann Butler Terry McDaniel & Co. Investment Meta Butler Council (Ken Turlington) Mimi & Robert Buzbee Vanessa & Mac McElwrath to stay up to date on Cedar Door Real Estate Maureen & Michael Metteauer the latest preservation (Shelly & Todd Hemingson) Carole & George Nalle, III issues and events in Karen & Clay Cary Carol Nelson our community! Danette Chimenti NEST Modern Richard Craig Julie & Patrick Oles, Jr. Tim Cuppett & Marco Rini Charles Aubrey Smith, Jr. Kim and Jim DeCosmo The Stiles Real Estate Agency H STAFF Cissie & Dillon Ferguson (Kim McKnight & Peter Stiles) Regan & Billy Gammon Charles Stuart Kate Singleton, Executive Director Gina Hinojosa & John Donisi Lin Team & Donelson Lindsey Derrington, Programs Coordintor Ann S. Graham & Arlen Johnson Bratten Thomason & Randy Dalton Elizabeth & Tom Granger Kathie Tovo & Tom Hurt Mailing Address - P.O. Box 2113, Austin, TX 78768 David Wilson Garden Design, Inc. Physical Address - 500 Chicon, Austin, 78702 Jeff Harper & Mark Seeger Ph. (512) 474-5198 Fax (512) 476-8687 Dealey & David Herndon Patricia & Bill Winston [email protected] Courtney & Clark Hoffman Eva & Marvin Womack www.preservationaustin.org

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PRESERVATION Historical Commission. After seven long years, the project finally commenced in H COVERT MONUMENT March 2015 and was completed that July. RESTORATION Covert Park at Mount Bonnell, Catherine Williams, founder of Silver 3800 Mount Bonnell Road Lining Art Conservation, headed a City of Austin Parks and Recreation restoration team which included Covert Monument at Mount Bonnell after restoration (Photograph by Catherine Williams, Department for Restoration Matthew Johnson of Bartlett Stone Silver Lining Art Conservation). Jury Comments: This project entails a Carving; Chris Campbell and Patrick corrugated steel structures answered the level of craftsmanship and material Sheehy of Vault Fine Art Services; and art wartime need for flexible, prefabricated conservation not often undertaken by a handler Joe Janson. The project required buildings that could be shipped anywhere public parks department. City of Austin hauling three 400-600 lbs. stones out in the world and erected by unskilled Parks and Recreation staff at all levels of storage and up Mount Bonnell to an labor. Their clear-span interiors were contributed to its success, and the jury exposed site without water or electricity. easily adapted into medic stations, commends the conservation team’s The team attached the first two chapels, storage, or whatever else was outstanding work in light of the project’s fragments by hand with an industrial- needed. “Multiple Utility Building” challenging conditions. strength epoxy, used a hydraulic crane to lift where it was joined to the base Quonset Huts were expandable, with Mount Bonnell’s breathtaking views stone with titanium pins and epoxy. steel frames able to support any number have been beloved by locals and tourists Conservators used grout to fortify the of arched roof segments. The Navy alike since the mid-19th century. The monument’s core, then mortared and produced anywhere from 150,000-170,000 Covert family conveyed the land to Travis tinted its remaining exterior joints and Quonset Huts and sold the surplus to the County for use as a public park in 1939, cracks. Missing pieces of stone across public in the years following World War II. an event honored by installation of the the monument’s face were matched This five-bay Quonset Hut on East rustic Covert Monument. The limestone and carved using the “Dutchman” repair Fifth Street between San Marcos and marker carved by Anton Stasswender, technique. Waller dates to 1952. It was built as stood a solid three feet tall, three feet warehouse space for the Steck Company, wide, and two feet deep to commemorate H FAIR MARKET a printer and office supply firm then the family’s generosity in perpetuity. It 1100 East Fifth Street headquartered downtown. The building continued greet visitors long after Covert 11E5 LLC (Dennis McDaniel and fit comfortably into East Austin’s semi- Park was deeded to the Austin Parks and Richard Kooris) for Rehabilitation industrial landscape and, like many Recreation Department (PARD) in 1972. Jury Comments: This remarkable of the neighborhood’s manufacturing transformation preserves an important The monument’s future was threatened, and storage facilities, was strategically remnant of East Austin’s industrial however, in 2008 after it fractured and situated next to the Houston & Texas past at a time when so many of the split into pieces. PARD staff acted quickly Central Railroad. Steck vacated the neighborhood’s historic resources are to gather three of the largest stone property in 1960. It then housed a variety being lost. The jury further appreciates fragments and put them into storage of industrial and commercial concerns, that the project preserved an early for protection. A protective enclosure including Glaston Mobile Homes, 20th century board and batten cottage was later installed around the base as Plastinette Products Corp, and Texas and usable greenspace adjacent to the well. Austin’s preservation community Office Products and Supply, with periods warehouse. rallied to the monument’s cause and of vacancy in between. PARD set about raising funds to pay for Quonset Huts were developed by the Richard Kooris and Dennis McDaniel led its restoration, including a 2014 Certified United States Navy at Quonset Point, the development team which purchased Local Government grant from Texas Rhode Island in 1941. These round-arched Continued on page 4

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the property in 2011. Early plans to convert the 16,625 square foot building into a restaurant and music venue gave way to turning it into multipurpose event space. Delineate Studio and Thoughtbarn executed the project’s design and the newly-named Fair Market opened in time for South By Southwest in 2014. The Fair Market at night. (Photo by Nick Simonite) Seaholm Power Plant in 2015. (Photo by Kate Singleton) complex includes beautifully-groomed greenspace along East Fifth as well as the preservation of an early 20th century signage. It remained an active part of the H SPLITROCK board and batten cottage. The project city’s power generation system until 1989 2815 Wooldridge Drive embraces the building’s industrial but closed entirely in 1996. Edward Tasch and Anne Crawford essence to make Fair Market one of Replete with 110,000 square feet of for Sustainability Austin’s most stunning venues. useable floor area, a towering turbine Jury Comments: The jury is excited room with 65-foot-high ceilings, and to honor Splitrock with Preservation H SEAHOLM POWER PLANT stunning clerestories, the site was prime Austin’s first-ever Preservation Award for 800 West Cesar Chavez Street for redevelopment. Seaholm Power, LLC, Sustainability, a category introduced Seaholm Power, LLC c/o Southwest a development group led by Southwest in 2012. This excellent example of Strategies Group, Inc. for Strategies Group, was selected for the implementing sustainable technologies Rehabilitation $100 million project which began in while respecting the integrity of a City Jury comments: Such large-scale 2013. The plan featured the rehabilitated Landmark and Recorded Texas Historic rehabilitation of industrial buildings power plant as the centerpiece of a new Landmark serves as a case study for is rare in Austin, making this fantastic downtown community featuring retail similar projects citywide. project’s impact on downtown even and office space, public outdoor spaces, Splitrock, or the Burns-Klein House, greater. The project team is further and a new residential condo tower. stands on a bluff overlooking Shoal commended for preserving the property’s Designed by STG Design with architects Creek in Pemberton Heights. Scottish industrial components. Clayton & Little, the project is the result immigrant Thomas F. Burns built of a unique partnership between the Seaholm Power Plant rises above the the home, named for a nearby rock developer and the City of Austin. It also banks of Lady Bird Lake at West Cesar formation, in 1893. The vernacular marks the first time the City has entered Chavez and Walter Seaholm Dr. This center-hall home originally faced east into an agreement where a key goal is mighty Art Moderne complex is one towards the Capitol, on which Burns preserving an iconic structure. of Austin’s most distinctive industrial likely worked as a stonemason, and the landmarks and bears the distinction The development team is targeting University of Texas at Austin. The home of being designated a Recorded Texas Austin Energy Green Building’s Two Star stood northwest of the city in a wholly Historical Landmark and listed in the certification as a baseline for the power rural setting until the development of National Register of Historic Places. plant and Three Star certification for Pemberton Heights in the 1920s. At this The nationally-prominent Kansas City the new construction, with the intent of time Splitrock Avenue was renamed engineering firm Burns & McDonnell also achieving of silver or higher LEED Wooldridge Drive, and the home’s west- designed the complex and it was and certification. Athenahealth, a major facing rear façade became its main constructed in two phases in 1950 player in the healthcare information façade. and 1955. The massive concrete-clad technology industry opened offices Edward Tasch and Anne Crawford plant included a generator building; in February 2015. The firm commits to purchased the home and undertook outdoor boilers; oil heating plant; creating a research and development its rehabilitation in 2010. By this time demineralization building; water intake center with 600 new jobs at Seaholm structure and distinctive illuminated over the next 10 years. Continued on page 5

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dramatically alter its appearance and circulation.

Though it suffered from a raccoon infestation, years of neglect, and was leaning to one side, artist Elizabeth Chapin fell in love with the Yarrington House in 1999. She and husband Splitrock’s east façade overlooking Shoal Creek Yarrington House in 2015 Nathaniel survived a bidding war to with solar array and rainwater & HVAC condensate (Photo by Lindsey Derrington) collection tank (Photo BY Spec-All Products, Inc.) secure the property and relocated from New York to Austin the following year. Splitrock had been listed in the National sunscreens now shade the home’s They occupied just one of the home’s Register of Historic Places as part of southern-facing windows. Reclaimed four apartments early on, renting out the Old West Austin Historic District wood and recycled materials were used the other units to save funds for future (2003) and designated a City of Austin whenever possible. Work was completed renovations. The Chapins gradually Landmark (2006), the latter of which in 2013, the same year that the Tasch took over additional units and enlisted meant that any work done would have family achieved Splitrock’s designation restoration architect Emily Little, to be approved by the Historic Landmark as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Commission. Designed by Atlantis Principal of Architects Clayton & Little, to Architects, the project restored Splitrock’s H YARRINGTON HOUSE design a full-scale rehabilitation in 2008. east and west porches to their 1920s 309 Park Lane Work began in 2012 and was completed appearance, which included removing Elizabeth and Nathaniel Chapin for in 2014. a long 1950s porch from the main Rehabilitation Little removed the 1930s additions and façade and restoring the east entrance Jury Comments: We commend the restored a period-appropriate main and vestibule, both of which had been owners for taking on a rehabilitation entrance to the north façade. The south replaced by a bathroom. Original wooden project of this size and complexity, and addition, in turn, was replaced by a two- windows were restored and 1920s wiring for preserving and restoring the home’s story gabled wing. The house’s rounded and plumbing replaced. defining historic features. The project’s turret, one of its defining features, was impact on the neighborhood cannot be The project included a comprehensive reinforced with a concrete and steel ring overstated. program of sustainable systems inserted into the crawl space without and features designed to enhance Merchant Arthur H. Yarrington built this damaging its patterned brick chimney Splitrock’s energy efficiency and lessen Queen Anne style residence with its and wooden shingles. Corinthian columns its environmental impact. Photovoltaic gracious Corinthian-columned gallery were disassembled, preserved, and solar panels, along with a rainwater in 1889. It stands in Charles Newning’s reconstructed where necessary. The and HVAC condensate collection tank, original Fairview Park subdivision, now project preserved the home’s historic were installed away from street view part of Travis Heights, conceived as a wooden windows and peeled away in accordance with the Secretary of picturesque bedroom community for twelve layers of composition shingles Interior’s Standards. Period-appropriate Austin’s elite. The Yarrington House befell from its roof. The 1930s exterior stair LED and fluorescent lighting and Energy the fate of many a large home during was removed and a new staircase was Star-rated appliances were installed the Great Depression and was converted built inside using pine treads milled throughout, along with low water use into a boarding house. In the process, from original roof joists which had been fixtures, toilets, dishwasher, and washing the interior staircase was removed and replaced to meet present-day building machine. Vapor barriers, meticulous an exterior staircase was installed in the codes. Solar panels were installed weather stripping, and insulation added gallery. Two large, flat-roofed additions away from street view to complete this beneath the home’s first-story floors were made to the building’s north and beautiful project. sealed the building envelope. Radiant south façades. The former obscured barriers improved attic ventilation and the home’s original main entrance to Continued on page 6

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 5 Preservation Merit Awards

STEWARDSHIP H Austin Theatre Alliance for Stewardship of the Paramount and Stateside Theatres Jury Comments: The Paramount and Stateside Theaters are icons of Austin’s downtown. The committee is grateful that Paramount and State Theatres during the Inappropriate development encroaching upon September 2015 blade lighting celebration. an historic streetscape in Blue Bonnet Hills. the Austin Theater Alliance’s outstanding (Photograph by Kate Singleton) (Photograph by Melanie Martinez) leadership will insure that they will be enjoyed for generations to come. and equipment rentals. The Alliance Hills supporters who have diligently The Austin Theatre Alliance is further has active partnerships with more followed the City’s Local Historic commended for its continuing support than one hundred schools and forty District nomination process, diligently of local and statewide preservation nonprofits throughout Central Texas, documenting their neighborhood, organizations. and the Paramount Academy for the Arts developing design standards to guide provides six theatre-based programs future work, educating their fellow Founded in 2001, the Austin Theatre that reach more than 22,000 youth neighbors and elected officials, Alliance is the nonprofit umbrella annually. It is also a staunch supporter and spending many long hours at organization which operates the of preserving our community’s cultural public hearings to advocate for their Paramount and Stateside Theatres, and architectural heritage, and hosts neighborhood. They have overcome built in 1915 and 1935. The Paramount Preservation Austin’s Preservation significant obstacles and shown great is one of the few surviving examples of Speaker Nights and Preservation commitment to protecting the priceless an early twentieth-century vaudeville Texas’ advocacy days during legislative character of their community. theatre in Central Texas. It is a City sessions. Landmark, a Recorded Texas Historic The proposed Blue Bonnet Hills Local Landmark, individually listed in the Fall 2015 marks the Paramount’s Historic District’s origins date to 2005. National Register of Historic Places, and centennial anniversary, an occasion Led by Melanie Martinez, Michele a contributing structure to the Congress marked by the installation of a Webre, and Angela Reed, grassroots Avenue National Historic District. Next meticulously fabricated reproduction of efforts to create South Austin’s first door is the Art Deco Stateside Theatre, the theatre’s blade. Both theatres host local historic district initially focused the Austin’s first purpose-built movie more than 200,000 people annually. The on the Travis Heights-Fairview house. The Paramount was nearly lost Austin Theatre Alliance expertly copes Park neighborhood as a whole in to demolition in the mid-1970s before with the associated costs of maintaining response to increasing teardowns and the community, including Preservation these historic venues to insure that inappropriate developments eroding the Austin, rallied to its cause. It became a they will be preserved for generations neighborhood’s historic fabric. to come. Austin is fortunate to have nonprofit in 1975 and later merged with Organizers worked with a consultant to such outstanding leadership in our the Stateside with a united vision for conduct a 1,200 property survey, paid for community. hosting performance and educational by a series of fundraising events. Yet the programming. coordinating team realized that, given SPECIAL RECOGNITION The theatres are principal venues for current city policy, such a large district H the SXSW Film Festival, the Austin Film Blue Bonnet Hills Local Historic could not be achieved. They instead Festival, the Moontower Comedy & District Organizers for Advocacy and tackled Blue Bonnet Hills, a smaller Oddity Festival, and the Summer Classic Neighborhood Preservation subdivision within Travis Heights that, Film Series. Both play a vital role for Jury Comments: Regardless of the while threatened, was largely intact. other Austin-area arts organizations outcome of their efforts, the committee Bounded by E. Annie Street, East Side by offering reduced rates for facilities commends the core team of Blue Bonnet Drive, Leland Street, Newning Avenue, Continued on page 7

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approval from the Historic Landmark and that preservation became an integral Planning Commissions before moving part of both the Downtown Austin Plan on to City Council this fall. The case’s and Imagine Austin Plan; in preserving final reading before Council requires a tax exemptions for city landmarks and supermajority to pass. Win or lose, Blue local historic districts; and in developing Bonnet Hills’ organizers have given their regulations for demolition by neglect. She all to determine their neighborhood’s has also fought for the preservation of Longtime preservation advocate Lin Team. future and deserve recognition for their East Austin, affordable housing, revisions efforts. to the city’s Planned Unit Development and Brackenridge Street, these blocks ordinance, the downtown density bonus encompass 109 properties, 75% of which program, and many more preservation contribute to the proposed district. The LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT and community advocacy issues. most prominent style is the Craftsman H Lin Team bungalow, followed by Minimal As a Realtor Lin focuses on historic Preservation Austin’s Executive Traditional and Tudor Revivals built homes and properties. She created a Committee is thrilled to honor Realtor between 1928 and 1946 for working class Buying and Selling Historic Properties and longtime preservation advocate Lin families. Realtors’ training course, transforming Team with this award. The organization the professional perception of historic The coordinating team emphasized expresses its sincerest thanks for her properties in this area. She has also public awareness to gain support. decades of tireless work protecting served on the Central Austin Combined They held monthly meetings at United Austin’s heritage. Through her advocacy, Neighborhood Plan Team, working to Methodist Church and Twin Oaks Library she has been instrumental in shaping uphold that plan’s recommendations, as well as “open houses” to engage and city policy regarding historic preservation and as President of the Hyde Park and inform. They embraced social media and and this is a well-deserved thank you. Eastwoods Neighborhood Associations. launched www.HistoricTravisHeights.org, Lin Team has been a tireless advocate for still a vital neighborhood resource. The Those who are lucky enough to work historic preservation and neighborhood group’s popular Centennial Chicken yard alongside Lin learn a great deal from planning in Austin. She is a treasured signs are a common sight throughout her not only about city policy and and essential part of the preservation Travis Heights, raising awareness of the neighborhood planning, but leadership community having served thirteen years neigh¬borhood’s historic identity. and communication. Hers is a lasting on Preservation Austin’s Board and This is the first local historic district legacy, and we are eternally grateful for fifteen years steering PA’s Preservation to use Preservation Austin’s design the vision, expertise, leadership, candor, standards template and the first to go Committee. As that committee’s long- and camaraderie of our dear friend, Lin before the new 10-1 City Council. As such, time co-chair, she has been instrumental Team. organizers, with help from Preservation in shaping city policy regarding historic Austin, have steadfastly sought to preservation and neighborhood Many thanks to our outstanding educate incoming Council Members on development. This involved meetings Preservation Merit Awards Jurors Joe the value of local historic districts for with concerned citizens, property owners, Lanane, Editor, Community Impact stabilizing property values, preserving design professionals, Realtors, elected Central Austin; Sara Luduena, Project affordability, and retaining community officials, and other city representatives Design Reviewer, Texas Historical character. as well as presentations to the Historic Commission; Marcel Quimby, FAIA, Landmark Commission, Planning Principal, Quimby McCoy Preservation Blue Bonnet Hills is widely considered a Commission and City Council. Architecture; Catherine Sak, Executive bellwether case for future local historic Director, Texas Downtown Association; districts. Advocates have overcome Lin was instrumental the preservation of and Alyson McGee, President, significant obstacles created by the 3805 Red River, the Dabney-Horne House, Preservation Austin. Their talent and convergence of development pressures the Maverick-Miller House, and Hancock experience made this year’s program and shifting public opinion, obtaining Golf Course. She was key to insuring possible! H

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 7 Caroline Wright and Tere O’Connell, H Preservation Committee Co-Chairs

he Preservation Committee meets twice-monthly to PA issued a letter to the HLC regarding the proposed T discuss preservation projects brought to our attention demolition of 3800 Balcones Drive, a mid-century residence by the public, by architects, developers or planners needing designed by nationally recognized Austin architect Roland assistance, or by PA members and staff. The committee Roessner. In October the HLC voted to release the demolition provides advocacy, makes policy recommendations and forms permit for this property given its demonstrated structural partnerships with other neighborhood or preservation groups. problems. PA urged the HLC to undertake a survey to identify Committee members are restoration architects, historians, and consider historic designation for the most significant realtors, developers, planners, experienced neighborhood remaining Roessner buildings. advocates, and other professionals with expertise in various Parks and Recreation Department staff gave PresCom an aspects of historic preservation. Our process is to discuss and update on the project to redevelop the Seaholm water intake sometimes debate items that come to our attention, then building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic vote on a position for that issue for PA’s Board or Executive Places along with the larger power plant property. PA will Committee approval. Only then does Preservation Austin state continue to monitor the progress of this proposal and looks a position on any given issue. forward to celebrating the preservation of this unique and important resource. Over the last several months: Representatives from the Austin Creative Alliance and Members of PresCom have continued to support the SXSW met with the committee to discuss the results of the proposed designation of the Blue Bonnet Hills Local survey conducted by Austin Music People on the state the Historic District. We have engaged in many public music community in Austin. One of the initiatives proposed meetings and meetings with individual city officials to is the creation of the Austin Creative Trust, which will work advocate for the value of the district and integrity of the to identify and preserve small venues through funding process. At the time of this writing the district is opposed assistance, easements, development trade-offs, and other by 21% of the neighbors, therefore requiring a supermajority means. The group intends to make the Red River area their of the City Council to ratify the district. initial focus. PresCom encouraged greater recognition and The committee, in response to issues with the designation appreciation for the older and historic venues and sites within of Blue Bonnet Hills as a local historic district and pressure the Red River Cultural District. from other community groups, has formed a small working We have had multiple discussions about the potential group to study the challenges of the district and landmark demolition of St. designation process. We have put together a draft of Martin’s Evangelical recommended changes to city preservation processes, and Lutheran Church, the will be working to discuss these recommendations with remarkable Modern appropriate city offices and officials. church on West 15th We hosted two staff from the CodeNEXT team within Street. The church was the city’s Planning and Zoning Department. PresCom and designed by Jessen, other guests had a lively open discussion session with Jessen, Millhouse, the team about the progress and schedule of CodeNEXT and Greeven and and about ways that preservation policy can or will be constructed in 1960. developed within the future city code. The public is invited In 2007 it received to participate in a variety of upcoming activities that will the 25 Year Award be testing some of the ideas that become part of the code. from AIA Austin. The Preservation Austin members are encouraged to attend. congregation has discussed seeking a

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8 Fall 2015 H President’s Message H Alyson McGee

I am looking forward to my and partners, Neiman Marcus, the tenure as President in 2016 and Elisabet Ney Museum, Pioneer Farms, to working with our Board, staff, Amy’s Ice Cream, Alamo Drafthouse, members and volunteers who carry Terra Toys, and Pterrys, as well as out the mission of Preservation to our staff, Education Committee Austin throughout the year, every members, and volunteers! Look for year. Their efforts include educational future “hunts” to be held in other programing, advocacy and social historic neighborhoods – events that experience the diverse and rich history events that support the protection of will teach children to look more closely of our community. our community’s rich and many-layered at the historic architecture in their own Increasing development pressures history. neighborhood. mean our Board members, staff and Preservation Committee spend For example, during the summer Returning in February will be our countless hours each year working with we held a three-part series titled acclaimed Realtor® training. This neighborhood groups and individuals “Greening Your Vintage Home”. all-day course not only provides real to educate them and our elected Sponsored by TreeHouse and the estate professionals with credits officials about how protecting our built Austin Energy Green Building program, toward license renewal, it also teaches heritage benefits Austin’s commercial these Saturday morning workshops them how to identify architectural and residential neighborhoods focused on how to sustainably retrofit styles and features, what preservation economically, environmentally, and older homes for the 21st century. We regulations apply to different historic demographically. We do this by invited experts from across the fields designations, how to market historic working with groups such as the of architecture, historic preservation, properties, and how to advise clients Blue Bonnet Hills neighborhood, who sustainable design, and landscape on sensitive improvements and have spent more than a year seeking design to share with home owners the additions to vintage homes. This is a local historic district zoning. We also latest methods and technologies for must attend course for agents working meet with City Council members sensitively and efficiently incorporating in central Austin. and their staff to inform them about energy efficient, solar and water historic preservation best practices, conservation improvements into their We’ll also continue to educate attend Historic Landmark Commission historic and vintage homes. Our very residents and visitors about our meetings to speak on individual cases, talented and knowledgeable Education heritage through our Historic Austin and participate in public forums such Committee will be coming up with Tours apps, which we introduced in as CodeNext and the Construction ideas for our next home owner series 2013 with the Congress Avenue, E. Material Recycling Ordinance, to help for summer 2016. Sixth Street and Old West Austin tours. We’ve expanded these self-guided shape public policy that includes This past fall we held our inaugural audio-visual tours to include Iconic provisions to preserve our community “History Hunt” – an architectural Music Venues, the Tejano Trail and character. In the coming year we’ll scavenger hunt for K through 5th African American sites. These tours continue to take a leadership role in graders in the Hyde Park Local allow users to experience our city’s ensuring preservation policies are Historic District. Thirty children, with diverse heritage at their own pace with protected and improved by providing their parents and siblings in tow, technology we all own – a cell phone. elected officials with accurate data, participated. The families walked The tours are available for free through research and examples of best nearly two miles to find all six of the Otocast iPhone and Android devices. practices from other communities, all highlighted architectural features. We hope to continue to add more tours with the goal of helping make ours Special thanks goes out to sponsors so Austinites and our many visitors can Continued on page 11

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 9 Zilker Park: Preservation and Recreation Alive and Well Brandon Tucker Photo: in 1953, Eliza Spring Portal to Texas History nother Austin City Limits Fest recreation like A has come and gone with tens of hiking, picnics and thousands of visitors and residents horseback riding. coming to Zilker Park. If you’ve been to the park lately, Chances are, you’ve been to Zilker there has been yourself, whether it’s to cool off in plenty of work Barton Springs Pool, fly a kite, play disc going on. That’s golf, or bring a picnic and your dog and mostly due to the enjoy a fine sunny day on “Rock Island.” 2012 bond that set Zilker makes up such a huge piece of aside investment the central Austin lifestyle - figuratively for Barton Springs, and literally. The foundation and Eliza Spring is located behind Zilker Café adjacent to Barton Springs Pool. and projects are preservation of green space in any Andrew Zilker built this concrete amphitheater for his Elk’s chapter in ongoing thru 2019. 1903, though it has been altered over the years. It is an important habitat urban area takes a great deal of for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander and no longer open to foresight and commitment. Andrew The two main the public. Zilker, a businessman from Indiana who entrance piers, built with Texas This site is also a protected area for moved to Austin and quickly became limestone in 1934, are just one of many the salamander, so public access is no a prominent ice maker, made a series elements that are points of interest longer permitted. of three deals in the 1917 to secure in the park’s official National Register Barton Springs Bath House: The original and donate to the city what is now 350 Listing. On your next trip to Zilker and Bath House at Barton Springs is gone, acres of designated parkland, which Barton Springs, keep an eye out for but the current one was built shortly includes 50 acres of Barton Springs, as these other historic highlights: after World War II. It’s the current well as some areas on the western side Rock Garden: dating back to 1934, the subject of a restoration project by the of MoPac. Rock Garden is on the northern slope City of Austin Parks Department. MWM of Barton Springs and is terraced with What was particularly significant about Design Group was awarded the project footpaths, stone chairs and pond this deal is that at the time, Austin had by the city. This fall, the city is receiving system. If you look close, you can find a no parks or recreation departments public input and plans to come up with “Zilker Ponds” inscription on the south and very few designated parks at all. a design by 2016, when they intend to bank of the westernmost pond system. Zilker’s largest contribution 250-300 begin construction. Sunken Garden: Located just acres in 1932 coincided with the downstream on the south side of The Zilker Clubhouse: This clubhouse is implementation of Austin’s first-ever Barton Springs, Sunken Garden is one located on the western side of MoPac, city plan, and also included a new of the three principal springs of Barton and has one of the finest views of commitment to park space. Springs (look for Eliza Spring on the Austin anywhere. Originally built as a Perhaps part of what makes Zilker Park north side). It’s a historical element Boy Scout Hut, it’s a one-story limestone so great is how modestly developed of the park, built in 1937 by the Youth building with a gabled roof, two large it remains to this day. In fact, much Progress Administration. You’ll notice chimneys and one large, rectangular of what you see in Zilker to this day concentric retraining walls 6-12 feet room inside. Residents of Austin can is due largely in part to the public tall, and even a small, elevated stage. rent the space out for events for as little works projects of the Great Depression It used to be a popular picnic spot as $850 for four hours. in the 1930s. The scale of projects in (with tables to accommodate up to the 1930s, despite a large budget, 300 people), but has since become Zilker Cabin: To find the Zilker Cabin, was meant to be modest and lightly overgrown and fallen into disrepair. you’ll have to head south of the springs developed, serving mostly passive Continued on page 11

10 Fall 2015 Preservation Committee, continued from page 8 demolition permit for the property, for the possibility of from vandals and further deterioration. The preservation selling the land for redevelopment by another entity. PA office has been communicating with the property owner has not yet made an official statement on this issue as we about securing the site and stabilizing the ruins. Members wait to see whether or not the congregation opts to purse a of the committee will continue to watch this project and demolition permit. offer assistance to the city. Members of PresCom, along with city preservation staff, the A subset of PresCom and the chair of the Travis County chair of the Travis County Historic Commission and other Historical Commission visited endangered historic sites to concerned citizens met at the Sneed House to get a better the east of the Convention Center, including Palm School understanding of the current conditions of the house ruins. and two houses on East 3rd Street that are threatened with PA has previously issued a letter to the HLC urging them demolition. We will be advocating for the preservation of to begin demolition by neglect proceedings against the these resources to Travis County and the HLC in the coming property owner, for failure to protect the landmarked site months. H

President’s Message, continued from page 7 a world-class city. Our efforts will outreach from Lin, and we are all a membership and supporting our continue to assist elected officials in grateful for her counsel and example. programming helps us to continue to making informed decisions that both We’ll also host other fun events, such work together to “Save the Good Stuff” protect our heritage and address other as House Cocktails, Waterloo member that makes Austin so special! important community needs. events, our spring Homes Tour, and In the coming year we will also hold Inherit Austin events, including the Sincerely, fun social and entertainment events Somewhere in Time dinner. I look forward that bring existing and new supporters to seeing old friends and meeting new together to celebrate preservation ones at our workshops, tours, and social Alyson McGee victories and learn about our built events, and to continuing to educate H heritage. Next week we’ll host our our Austinites and visitors about what 55th Annual Preservation Merit Awards makes our City the best place to live, luncheon at the Driskill Hotel. You work and play! can read about the award recipients in this issue, but I want to personally If you want to be part of our education congratulate Lin Team for being the and advocacy mission, I urge you to ask recipient of a lifetime achievement your family, friends and colleagues to award for her many years of dedicated become Preservation Austin members service to preserving our community’s at the student, individual, family, heritage. Many of our current and business or Waterloo level, or to sponsor former Board members and volunteers one of our many events. Your support have learned the art of advocacy and of our mission through purchasing

Zilker Park, continued from page 10 on Columbus Road, or possibly catch Barton Creek. Like the clubhouse, there of Austin’s website and searching for a glimpse of it from the Barton Creek are two massive chimneys dominate Zilker Park Improvements Projects at Trail. Dating back to 1934 and likely the gable ends. Barton Springs. H built as a Girl Scout Lodge, it’s a rectangular masonry building with You can view more information on a gabled roof and cantilevered over Zilker Park news by going to the City

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 11 H Education Committee Ann Graham, Chair P assionate and enthusiastic Photograph by Lindsey Derrington members of the Education Committee (EDU) continue to roll out activities and events to support Preservation Austin’s education and public engagement goals – all while having fun! What’s the EDU been up to and what’s ahead?

Hands-On Workshops In July, EDU hosted three hands-on Dr. Robert E. Mace, Deputy Executive Administrator of Water Science and Conservation at the Texas Water Development Board, presents as part of our Greening Your Vintage Home workshop series at workshops as part of “Greening Your TreeHouse.

Vintage Home.” Area professionals in Photograph by Whitney Bayers Photograph by Lindsey Derrington preservation, architecture, landscape architecture and sustainable practices presented topics ranging from solar installation to water mitigation. TreeHouse generously provided the venue and Alyson McGee/Realtor® and Austin Energy Green Building sponsored the event.

The Committee plans to offer these Architectural Memory Game at the History Hunt workshops for vintage and historic in Hyde Park. History Hunters and their families await their prizes at the Ney Museum. homeowners annually and we’re always looking for hot topics. If you back to the Ney Museum for prizes! supports other Preservation Austin have a workshop idea, please email Special thanks to all of our first-ever events with planning and volunteering Lindsey Derrington at programs@ H “History Hunt” sponsors, including the including the Annual Homes Tour, preservationaustin.org Elisabet Ney Museum, Neiman Marcus Cocktails at Historic Homes, the Merit First-Ever History Hunt In and local businesses that provided Awards Luncheon, Preservation Speaker Hyde Park generous prizes. Night and the soon to be scheduled Preservation Tax Credit Workshop and In September, EDU hosted Preservation Based on the success of this first Realtor’s Preservation Course. So many Austin’s first “History Hunt,” a family- Hunt, EDU is already talking with other ways to get involved! centric scavenger hunt in the Hyde historic neighborhoods to encourage Park Local Historic District. The Hunt youngsters (and their families) to see Join Us! started at the Elisabet Ney Museum, how history and preservation go If you’d like to be a part of increasing where participants received their hand-in-hand. public engagement in preservation, and neighborhood “passports.” Then it was helping our community acknowledge What’s Ahead for 2016? a race against the clock over a 15+ and appreciate the benefits, tools and block area to find architectural features EDU has plans to expand and practices of preservation in Austin, in the neighborhood. Stops included coordinate communications – from get involved with the Education the fire station, Shipe Park’s dog trot blogs and newsletter articles, to social Committee! H cabin, and historic homes. Then it was media and app development. EDU also

12 Fall 2015

H HERITAGE QUIZ Rebekah Dobrasko

P reservation Austin presents our Facebook Heritage Quiz the first Friday of every month. The first respondent to correctly identify a local landmark receives a $5 gift card to Cenote courtesy of your favorite preservation organization, so look out for our upcoming quizzes and throw your hat in the ring!

Congratulations to summer’s winners for correctly spotting the following properties: Paggi Blacksmith Shop

Paggi Blacksmith Shop – 503 Neches Street Italian businessman Michael Paggi moved to Austin around 1871, when he leased a waterwheel, mill, and ice house on Barton Creek south of Barton Springs. In 1872 he became superintendent of the Austin Ice Company and also ran a bathing house for swimmers on Barton Springs. Paggi established a carriage and wagon shop in 1875 on the south side of Pecan (now Sixth) Street and sold wagons, buggies, and surreys. The Alliance Wagon Yard near Paggi’s Carriage Shop rented and sold horses. Paggi also constructed a blacksmith shop to paint buggies and shoe horses. Paggi died around 1911, after which the building became an African American-owned funeral parlor. The Paggi Blacksmith Shop remains in business use today and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Some even say that the building is haunted! H Winner: Mollie Cleveland

Scholz Garten – 1607 San Jacinto Boulevard Generations of Austinites have gathered at Scholz Garten for meetings, celebrations, and as the informal “student union” of the University of Texas at Austin. Businessman August Scholz opened a tavern on this site in 1866. After his death in 1891 it was sold to the Lemp Brewing Company of Saint Louis, which then sold the property to the Austin Saengerrunde, a German singing group, in 1908. The Saengerrunde demolished and rebuilt Scholz Garten in 1909, with the “new” building similar in appearance to the original with Scholz Garten patterned brickwork, a pediment, and awnings. The tavern is still owned by the Saengerrunde, established in 1879 and Austin’s oldest registered ethnic organization. H Winner: James Canup

Wesley United Methodist Church – 1164 San Bernard Street The current Wesley United Methodist Church is the third church building for this 150-year-old congregation. African Americans established Wesley UMC in Austin at the end of the Civil War and worshiped in the basement of the Tenth Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1929, the congregation moved to the San Bernard Street location and built the current church building. The church Wesley United Methodist Church is constructed of brick and cast stone and has a tall tower marking the sanctuary entrance. Wesley United Methodist Church is a City of Austin Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. H Winner: Amanda Dotson

Pemberton Castle – 1415 Wooldridge Drive Did you know that Austin’s Pemberton Castle was not originally a castle? It began life in the late nineteenth century as a water cistern. In 1927, developer Samuel Fisher turned the cistern into sales offices for the surrounding Pemberton Heights neighborhood. Subsequent owners of Pemberton Castle, including architect Samuel Gideon and filmmaker Robert Rodriquez, expanded the limestone house, adding turrets and crenellations to the roofline. Pemberton Castle is only one of several castles across Austin, including Chateau Bellevue downtown, Formosa in Hyde Park, and the old Texas Military Institute on Castle Hill. H Winner: Bryan Jobe Pemberton Castle

(Photos by Rebekah Dobrasko)

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 13 Inherit Austin Michelle Slattery, Chair of Inherit Austin

INHERIT AUSTIN is Preservation Austin’s membership level for young professionals. t’s been a busy season for Inherit Austin! In August we celebrated Its purpose is to cultivate a new generation I the 100th Anniversary of the Paramount Theatre with a screening of of PA members by hosting social, cultural Amadeus and behind-the-scenes tour led by Director of Development Lori and educational events that appeal to young Martin, who took our group backstage and up to the reel room. Many thanks singles, married couples, and families. Inherit to Lori and to the Paramount for generously hosting this great event! Austin shares the same mission as Preservation Austin - preserving Austin’s architectural and Most recently, we hosted our 6th Annual Somewhere In Time – An Evening cultural past by not only protecting the city’s on the Green at Lions Municipal Golf Course on September 27. This year’s important landmarks and historical fabric, but fundraiser included refreshments, music, a silent auction, and dinner, along safeguarding its unique character as well. with guided walking tours of the site’s historic landscape and surrounding Annual Inherit Austin membership dues structures. Muny is considered to be the first desegregated, publically- include all the benefits of PA membership, plus owned golf course in the South and is under review for listing in the National additional Inherit Austin members-only events. Register of Historic Places. We love introducing old places in new ways, and Individual Membership $65 Muny is a great example of a lovely and historic site that many know of but Dual/Family Membership $95 haven’t experienced firsthand. Proceeds from Somewhere in Time will support Preservation Austin’s efforts to preserve and protect Austin’s historic and To join Inherit Austin please visit cultural landmarks as well as continue its advocacy and education programs. preservationaustin.org/get-involved. A portion will also benefit Muny for continued maintenance. Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, The Gill Agency, and Gold Sponsor, Cornerstone Home Thanks to Our Generous 2015 Lending – The Beth Thompson Team, for their support! Somewhere In Time Sponsors:

Inherit Austin is always looking for individuals to join our membership level of Preservation Austin. If interested in becoming a member please go online to join. If you would like to get more involved at the IA Board level, please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] for more information and an application package. H

Scenes from An Evening on the Green, IA’s 2015 Somewhere In Time Fundraiser

Inherit Austin’s 2015-2016 Board. From left to right: Michael McGill, Audra Tiemann-Iturbe, Nanette Labastida, Guests enjoy dinner on the terrace Guests practice their putting while Michelle Slattery, Caroline Wright, Stacie Rychlik, Susan waiting to take the walking tour Armstrong, Kelley Russell, and Blake Smith (Not Pictured: John Hindman and Killy Scheer) (Photographs by Patrick Wong, Atelier Wong Photography)

14 Fall 2015 Many Thanks to H Our New & Renewing Members

Contributor H Household H Partner H Friend H Sharon Albrecht Rita & Martin Broad Melissa Barry Christine & John Butler, IV Margarine Beaman Johnsie & John Bryan William Bingham Ann & Frederick Dure Barry Beeson Liz & Jeff Carmack Caroline Blackwell Bob Frachtman Janice Burckhardt Nina & Boyd Covey Terrell Blodgett Al Godfrey and Laurie Limbacher James Canup Carl Daywood Gayle & James Browne Paula & Thomas Hern David Conner Mandy Dealey Cheryl & Nick Covelli Carol & David Jones Margaret Cowden Susan & David Erickson Rowena Dasch Tadd Lanham Randy Dalton Edwin & Nanci Felice Susan Driver Steve Macon Donald G. Davis, Jr. Gary Greenblum Sally Fly & John Nyfeler Travis McCutcheon Debra Drescher Andrew Heller Chandler Ford Fran & George Ramsey Sarah Duncan Kent Hemingson April Garner Kimberly Renner Donna Edgar Kim Henning - Zenor Maralyn Hare Karen & David Saadeh Carolyn Gallagher Jeremy & Jamie Hunt Julia & Sherman Hart Custis Wright Don Garner Sally & David Hunter Alegria & Charles Hibbetts William Garner Lola & Coleman Jennings JoAnn Jentz Advocate H Sutton Giese Sara & Mark Kennedy Russell Korman Carolyn Schilthuis Gay Gillen Betty & Robert Knight Lori Martin Connie Todd Amy Hammons Patti Kubala Wynnell Noelke Linda Henderson Sarah & David Marshall Joe Osborn Inherit Austin H Jeff Hunt Bob McBee Charles M. Peveto Jane Bloor Cammy Jones Marilyn McBee Moore Thomas Phillips Lynn & John Burks Jane Karotkin Bill Monroe Kelsey Richardson Robert Fisk Barbara Langham Chuck Oswalt Lisa Rickenberg Janan Ghaddar Erica Laughlin Gary Overbeck Rudy Robinson III Kelly Molak Annette S. Lucksinger Kristy Ozmun Randall Soileau and Oscar Mike Smith Maline McCalla LaTrelle Peterson Rodriguez Blake Smith Joy & Steve Menyhert Peggy Pickle & Don Cook Mary Heather Telo Virginia Boswell Ida Miller Linda & James Prentice Christine Warren Milton Felger Rick Mitchell Angela Reed & Ian Reddy Gail & Andy Weatherby Andy Gill Kathleen Reiff Mary Reed & Rodney Root Kay & Leon Whitney Tahinee Felix Marin Robert Rekart Peggy & Steve Ryder Paul & Patricia Youngdale Jason Haskins Chris Riley Carol Ann Sayle Lesley Hiles Linda Rivera J.C. Schmeil Ami Hooper Kirsten Ronald Robert Schmidt & Kevin Koch Luisa Mauro Austin Saengerrunde Chris Taylor Jack O’Quin Jacqui Schraad Margot & Grant Thomas, Jr. H. Glenn Reed Beverly Scott Karen Thompson Anne – Marie Roldan Greg Sells Abby & Brandon Tucker Hannah Simonson Jo Carol Snowden Tracy Warren John Smith Jenny Stewart Dale West C. Lynn Smith H SJ Van Sickle Ann & Michael Wheeler Mary Helen Walcutt Jonathan Williams Jennifer Weatherford Chris Wilson Michele Webre Nancy Whitworth Jennifer Wieland John Wilhelm

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 15 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TX PERMIT NO. 2100

P.O. Box 2113 Austin, TX 78768

www.preservationaustin.org [email protected]

H PA CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 2015-2016

NOV 55th Annual Preservation Merit Awards Celebration JAN Waterloo Society 20 Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos Street), 11:30am-1:30pm. 21 Additional details TBA. Awards luncheon featuring Stacey L. Mickelson, Vice President of Government Relations for JAN Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Workshop Artspace Projects. 29 for Nonprofits Creative Action (Bldg B, 2921 E 17th Street), 9-11am. NOV What’s Out There Weekend Austin Additional details TBA. 21 Over two dozen expert-led tours will feature historic 22 landscapes throughout Austin. Free, but JAN Inherit Austin Happy Hour reservations through The Cultural Landscape TBA Additional details TBA. Foundation are required (tclf.org).

FEB House Cocktails in Aldridge Place DEC Red Chair Workroom Meet the Artisan Preview Party TBA Additional details TBA. 4 Benefitting Preservation Austin Red Chair Workroom (11100 Metric Blvd., Building 7, FEB Realtor Training Suite 100B). Reception and silent auction featuring TBA Additional details TBA. the work of local artisans. Additional details TBA.

DEC Inherit Austin’s Cookies with Santa 6 Additional details TBA. H For information, visit: www.PreservationAustin.org or 512-474-5198.