Recommendation: 20250428-002 Austin Convention Center Redevelopment — original pdf

Recommendation

DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250428-002 Date: April 28, 2025 Subject: Austin Convention Center Redevelopment Motioned By: Commissioner Wittstruck Seconded By: Chair Salinas Recommendation Motion to recommend that the Austin Convention Center Redevelopment project complies with and elevates the City’s Sustainability Standards and substantially complies with the City’s Design Standards; however, with respect to the unique size and civic importance of the project, the Design Commission recommends that the project team continue to strengthen the urban design for the project specifically to more ardently and comprehensively address the following Urban Design Guidelines: · PS.1 – Protect the Pedestrian Where the Building Meets the Street, including but not limited to providing more consistent and larger awnings protecting pedestrians around the full building rather than solely at building entrances. · PS.12 – Provide General Street-Level Windows, including but not limited to providing more street level fenestration in general and avoiding major grade separations between the building plinth and street. · PZ.1 – Treat the Four Squares with Special Consideration, including but not limited to more strongly articulating the plaza space’s relationship to Brush Square, including for future phases; and situating outdoor seating and retail uses facing the square. · PZ.2 – Contribute to an Open Space Network, including but not limited to more strongly articulating and emphasizing the project’s relationship to the Red Line Parkway, Palm Park and Waterloo Greenway. · PZ.3 – Emphasize Connections to Parks and Greenways, including but not limited to providing a direct connection to Waller Creek and the Waterloo Greenway and creating a direct, physical connection with the Greenway and creek. · B.2 – Provide Multi-Tenant, Pedestrian Oriented Development at the Street Level, including but not limited to providing third-party mixed commercial and retail uses on all building facades facing streets; and anchoring all corners of the building with tenants that will contribute to general street life. Vote: 7-0 For: Chair Salinas, Vice Chair Meiners, Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Gelles, Commissioner Ladner, Commissioner Murkes, Commissioner Wittstruck Against: Abstain: Recuse: Commissioner McKinney 1 of 2 Absent: Commissioner Howard, Commissioner Khan, Commissioner Luckens Attest: Jon Salinas, AIA Chair – Design Commission District 2 2 of 2