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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 is bounded by Town Lake on the north, South First St. on the east, Barton Springs Rd. on the south, and the Union Pacific Railroad on the west.

Final Illustrative Master Plan Final Illustrative Master Plan

Status

On July 29, 1999 the City Council approved the conceptual Master Plan for the park, increasing the spending authorization from $10.8 million to $18.5 million. In addition the Community Events Center has been authorized to expand to 121,000 square feet from 95,000 square feet in order to accommodate the necessary support space for the 70,000 square feet of exhibit space. To accomplish this change, the budget for the Community Events Center and parking garage will increase from $40 million to $46.885 million.

The Parks and Recreation Department, with the assistance of the Public Works and Transportation Department, will begin immediately to move ahead with the design process for the park. As part of the design process, a phasing plan for the different park components will be developed. The specific next step will be for Parks to solicit and contract with a firm to begin the design process.

Issues

While the recommendation of the Master Plan was to close the section of Riverside Drive through the park, the decision on the closure of Riverside Drive will be scheduled for Council action after further analysis and testing of alternatives. We do not contemplate bringing this decision to the City Council until the Downtown Access and Mobility Plan as well as the construction of the new Community Events Center and parking garage is completed.

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.

Basic Data

  • Project Contact: Michael Knox, Development Services Process Coordinator, Planning, Environmental and Conservation Services Department, 499-6418
  • Project Manager, Master Plan Consultant: Laura Wiberg, EDAW, Inc.
  • Project Budget: A budget of $18,500,000 has been established for the parkland development

    Revised July 30, 1999
    Back to the July 1999 Contents

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