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Seaholm Power Plant Reuse
SummaryThe Seaholm Power Plant is located on an eight acre site on the north shore of Town Lake. The plant is currently no longer being used to generate power. Private sector groups, including the R/UDAT Team and Implementation Committee have recommended that Seaholm be converted into a cultural facility. In 1991, the City Council committed to the preservation of Seaholm for cultural/civic uses after it is no longer used for power production.StatusThe Austin Electric Utility is working with contractors on remediation and decommissioning efforts at the plant. The City Council approved the contracts during their October 15, 1997 meeting. Total remediation and decommissioning costs are estimated to be $13 million and will be completed by the end of 2000. The Seaholm Re-Use Planning Committee continues their work identifying the plant's best future use. The Committee is scheduling public meetings in November, 1997 for soliciting community input and ideas.IssuesA wide range of issues are associated with the future use of the Seaholm Power Plant, including hazardous materials at the site, legal and regulatory issues concerning ownership and use of the plant, cultural facilities planning and financing, and ongoing Electric Utility operations at the Seaholm site. Current activities related to Seaholm include: 1) development of a Community Arts Plan by the Austin Arts Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department, and 2) construction of additions to the electric substation located on a portion of the Seaholm site.DescriptionThe Seaholm Power Plant, constructed between 1951 and 1958, is located on W. First Street fronting Town Lake in Downtown Austin. It is composed of five gas/oil generation units (100 megawatts total) which are no longer being used. An Electric Utility substation, transmission and distribution facilities, and a utility microwave communications center are also located at Seaholm.A number of planning efforts have recognized Seaholm's significance and potential for adaptive reuse. The City of Austin's 1984 Historic Resources survey targeted Seaholm for its highest priority rating of buildings to be preserved. The City's Town Lake Park Comprehensive Plan suggests that the plant be "converted into an activity center complementary to the area". The R/UDAT Team and Implementation Committee recommend reuse as a museum or center for the visual arts. An Austin Community Arts Plan is currently being developed by members of the arts community and City staff. Future requirements for cultural facilities will be considered in this process, and the City Council asked that any final decision on Seaholm's future be delayed until this arts plan is completed. Basic Data
Revised October 26, 1997 Back to the October 1997 Contents |
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