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Town Lake Park Master Plan

Summary

On November 3, 1998 Austin residents voted for two related bond propositions. The first authorized the City of Austin to finance, construct and develop the Town Lake Park Community Events Center venue project, which includes building a new Community Events Center, parkland development and the construction of parking facilities. The second authorized the lease of Palmer Auditorium for the purpose of renovation as a Performing Arts Center. The approximately 54 acre Town Lake Park (see map) is bounded by: Riverside Dr. on the north; South First St. on the east; Barton Springs Rd. on the south; and Lee Barton Dr. on the west.

Schematic plan from the April workshops. Map of Master Plan Area

Status

The project is on a fast track process. The consultants have held a series of public workshops in February, March and April. The next workshops are tentatively scheduled for June 14 and 15. The completed master plan is expected to be presented to the City Council in late June or early July.

Issues

Major issues to be addressed in the master planning process include:
  • Siting of the two new buildings (Community Events Center and parking structure) and their relationship to Palmer Auditorium and parkland.
  • Mitigation of traffic impacts on adjacent neighborhoods and roadways.
  • Definition of the character and elements for the development of a signature cultural park at Town Lake Park.

Description

Objectives of the project include:
  1. To plan a signature urban cultural park on the 54 acres of parkland surrounding Palmer Auditorium and the City Coliseum.
  2. Plan for creation of a new Community Events Center of approximately 95,000 square feet, with appropriate common areas, meeting rooms, support and service areas. Included will be 70,000 square feet of exhibit space on one level.
  3. Allow for renovation of the existing Palmer Auditorium for use by ARTS*CenterStage as a Performing Arts Facility.
  4. Plan for creation of a new urban Parking Garage to accommodate the new Community Events Center, Palmer Auditorium and park related retail/concession space.
  5. Plan for demolition of appropriate buildings, streets and existing ground surface parking.
  6. Plan for the spatial connections and site circulation between all of the above, as well as the relationship and connections to Auditorium Shores, the surrounding urban edge and the downtown area across Town Lake.
  7. To develop the urban design character for improvements to the Urban Edge adjacent to Town Lake Park, including Barton Springs Road, Riverside Drive and S. First Street.

Basic Data

  • Project Contact: Michael Knox, Development Services Process Coordinator, Planning, Environmental and Conservation Services Department, 499-6418
  • Project Manager: Laura Wiberg, EDAW Inc.
  • Anticipated Completion Date: July 1, 1999
  • Project Budget: A budget of $10,800,000 has been established for the parkland development

    Revised April 30, 1999
    Back to the April 1999 Contents

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