A.4.0 - 301 W 6th St — original pdf

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A.4 – 1 ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET HLC DATE: February 28, 2022; March 28, 2022; May 4, 2022 CASE NUMBER: TBD APPLICANT: Historic Landmark Commission (owner-opposed) HISTORIC NAME: TBD WATERSHED: Urban—Shoal Creek, Lady Bird Lake ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 301 West 6th St. ZONING CHANGE: CBD to CBD-H COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Historic Landmark Commissio consider recommendation of the proposed zoning change from central business district (CBD) to central business district-Historic Landmark (CBD-H) combining district zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Architecture and historical associations HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: February 28, 2022: postpone (Koch, Larosche; 10-0-1, Wright off dais) March 28, 2022: initiate historic zoning based on community value and historical associations (Koch, Valenzuela; 11-0). PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Kalan Contreras NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, City of Austin Downtown Commission, Downtown Austin Alliance, Downtown Austin Neighborhood Assn. (DANA), Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Old Austin Neighborhood Association, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, West Downtown Alliance, Inc. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. PHONE: 512-974-2727 301 W. 6th St. is a single-story brick warehouse with rhythmic fenestration, a corner entrance, and Art Deco cornice detailing. The building is a good example of early twentieth century industrial architecture and is named as a high- priority warehouse in a 2009 study by Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky.1 It is associated with the earliest period of modern refrigeration in Austin, and, though some fenestration modifications have taken place over the years, it appears to be the only intact, purpose-built structure remaining of this type and era within the downtown 1 Sadowsky, Steve. 2009. “Austin’s Warehouse Districts: High Priority Buildings.” A.4 – 2 warehouse district; thus, it represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city, particularly as Austin’s nearby Warehouse District faces ever-mounting development pressure. The building at 301 West 6th Street was constructed around 1919, though the lot appears to have been in use as commercial and dwelling space since at least the 1890s, per Sanborn fire insurance maps and occupancy histories. Prior to the construction of this building, there had been a two-story store here operated by Frank Raggio, taken down around 1919. This two-story building is shown in photographs taken during the construction of the Post Office at 6th and Colorado Streets in 1913. Frank Raggio lived upstairs above his store, which faced 6th Street. The 1935 Sanborn map shows the current building, one story with a cutaway corner. The building originally had an awning or canopy which wrapped around the corner and followed the lines of the cutaway corner; this awning or structure had been removed by 1961, was replaced in 1968 and 1980, and was removed again sometime after 1997.2 § 25-2-352(3)(c)(ii) Historical Associations. The property has long-standing significant associations with persons, groups, institutions, businesses, or events of historic importance which contributed significantly to the history of the city, state, or nation; or represents a significant portrayal of the cultural practices or the way of life of a definable group of people in a historic time. The property is associated with the Riegler Ice Cream Company, Austin Ice Cream Company, Violet Crown Ice Cream, and Capital Seed Company. These businesses represent an era of technological advancement in building construction and food production, as well as a vital resource for Victory Gardeners during the second World War. The building at 301 West 6th Street was constructed around 1919, though the lot appears to have been in use as commercial and dwelling space since at least the 1890s, per Sanborn fire insurance maps and occupancy histories. Onorato Del Curto sold the corner lot at 6th and Lavaca to the San Antonio-based Riegler Ice Cream Company in 1919. It became a manufacturing and sales center, with plate-glass windows to display the state-of-the-art facility and enameled interior3 to pedestrian traffic. By the 1920s, the Austin Ice Cream Company had purchased the building as their Austin headquarters, manufacturing Violet Crown Ice Cream products. In 1926, a group of Temple investors with the Bell Ice Cream Company had purchased the company, though the building kept the Violet Crown name. By 1931, the expanding Bell Company planned to construct a new factory at 10th Street and Guadalupe,4 and the Roy Rather Refrigeration Company purchased 301 W. 6th Street. During the 1930s, after a brief stint at 201 W. 6th Street, Morris and Curtis Mosteller moved their seed business into the former factory.5 During the late 1930s and early 1940s, their advertising focused on the wartime Victory Garden effort, and Morris Mosteller dispensed regular planting advice as part of his role as garden committee chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.6 In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the building was occupied by the electronics department of Durham’s Business College. Throughout the historic period, the secondary building sharing a party wall with 301 W. 6th Street—known through the years as 502, 504, and 506 Lavaca Street—served a variety of business and industrial occupants, most notably the Lindsey Auto Electric Company. Lindsey Auto Electric remained at the Lavaca Street address for at least twenty years. The building appears to have been completely remodeled at some point between 1935 and 1961; the 1935 map shows the building as having iron beams; the 1961 map shows it as having wood trusses, and the area to the north of the current building had been filled in during that same period of time. This building does not retain sufficient integrity or architectural interest to be included as part of the recommended historic zoning overlay. As a building on the outskirts of the Warehouse District—an area historically associated with Austin’s LGBTQ+ businesses, gathering spaces, and community nexus—that currently houses an LGBTQ+-centric business, it is important to recognize and examine any possible connections within the historic period under the Community Value criterion outlined in Land Development Code §25-2-352(3)(c)(iv). 2 Sadowsky, Steve. 2009. “Occupancy History: 301 W. 6th Street.” 3 "Ice Cream Firm Will Erect New Building Here." The Statesman (1916-1921), Mar 09, 1919. 4 "Bell Ice Cream Ice Lets Contract for Building." The Austin American (1914-1973), Feb 08, 1931. 5 "Owned And Managed." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Dec 06, 1938. 6 "Workers in Over 5,000 Victory Gardens in Austin Toil in Hot Sun these Days." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Apr 20, 1944. § 25-2-352(3)(c)(iv) Community Value. The property has a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, a neighborhood, or a particular group. The building’s documented association with Austin’s LGBTQ+ community does not appear within the historic period. The property may possess a unique location and physical characteristics as a warehouse adjacent to the Warehouse District which retains a use consistent with the area’s historic LGBTQ+ spaces, but this association in itself is not sufficient for the building to individually qualify for landmark designation. A.4 – 3 PARCEL NO.: 0206011308 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 7 BLOCK 053 ORIGINAL CITY ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX ABATEMENT: $10,747.85 total (non-homestead, no cap); city portion: $3773.18 APPRAISED VALUE: $2,572,492 PRESENT USE: Bar, gathering space CONDITION: Good PRESENT OWNERS: SIXTH & LAVACA 2018 LP 100 CONGRESS AVE STE 1450 AUSTIN TX 78701-4072 DATE BUILT: ca. 1919 ALTERATIONS/ADDITIONS: Awnings applied during the historic period have been removed and were replaced in 1980; non-historic replacements were removed after 1997. Brick painting may have occurred in the historic period. Windows have been replaced; three-light transom windows visible in early twentieth-century aerials appear to have been merged with fenestration below at side elevation without change to the overall rhythm of window openings. Entry modification may have occurred as part of a 1968 remodel. The front window opening contains a metal grille. ORIGINAL OWNER(S): Onorato Del Curto, Riegler Ice Cream Company OTHER HISTORICAL DESIGNATIONS: None LOCATION MAP A.4 – 4 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos A.4 – 5 Google Street View, 2021 Source: Applicant, 2022 A.4 – 6 Historic streetscape image, ca. 1930s, showing transom windows at side of building. Source: Owner’s agent via Austin History Center, C01955. Historic aerial photo showing side and rear of building with awnings. The Congress Avenue streetcar, removed in 1941, is visible. Awnings were later re-applied in 1980 per permits, then removed after 1997. Source: Owner’s agent via Austin History Center. A.4 – 7 1940 aerial image 1958 aerial image 1976 aerial image A.4 – 8 1997 aerial image 2017 aerial image A.4 – 9 Occupancy History City Directory Research, January-April 2022 1992 Vacant 1988-89 Financial Services of Austin Business brokers Bradley A. Fowler, proprietor 1985-86 Financial Services of Austin Inc. Business brokers FSA Properties Inc. Commercial and industrial real estate Celesta Cullen, realtor 301 not listed. 305 W 6th St: Harrison-Pearson Associates Inc., real estate Durham’s Business College Electronics Department Durham’s Business College Electronic Department Durham’s Business College Electronics Department Sam E. Myhem, Jr., president NOTE: The main address of Durham’s Business College was at 600 Lavaca Street. 1981 1978 1974 1970 1968 1964 1959 1957 1955 1953 1952 1949 1947 Vacant 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House 506 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric Parts and repairs 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House Austin’s complete garden supply store Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor 506 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House 506 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor 506 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor 506 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Clinic 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor 504 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric Capitol Seed House Austin’s complete garden supply store. Garden, flower, and field seeds, bulbs, plants, insecticides, fertilizers, and garden tools Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor A.4 – 10 1944 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 1922 1920 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor 504 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House Morris D. Mosteller, proprietor 504 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St.: Capitol Seed House 504 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St: Paul Williams, accountant Austin Federation of Musicians Tax Assessors & Collectors Association 504 Lavaca St.: Lindsay Auto Electric 301 W 6th St.: US Department of Labor National Reemployment Office 301 W 6th St.: Roy Rather Co. Electric refrigeration and appliances 502-504 Lavaca St.: Robert E. Whiting battery and electrical supply 301 W 6th St.: Bell Ice Cream Co. of Austin Ice cream manufacturers and dairy products Ralph W. Button, manager 502-504 Lavaca St.: Robert E. Whiting battery and electrical supply Bell Ice Cream Company of Austin Ice cream manufacturers and dairy products John B. Gasser, manager 502 Lavaca St.: Johnson Rubber Co. 301 W 6th St.: Austin Ice Cream Company Manufacturers, Violet Crown Ice Cream “Pasteurized” J.W. Etter (San Antonio), president 502 Lavaca St: Johnson Rubber Co. and Firestone Service Station Austin Ice Cream Company Manufacturers, Violet Crown Ice Cream J.W. Etter (San Antonio), president 301 W 6th St.: Riegler Ice Cream Co. John B. Gasser, manager 301 ½ W. 6th St.: Onnorato Del Curto, owner 502 Lavaca St.: J.O. Buass & Sons Sheet metal works Permits A.4 – 11 Water service permit, 1927 Building permit, 1968 Voided inspection card, 1969 Building permit, 1980 Historical information A.4 – 12 Sanborn maps, 1961, 1935, and 1900 Ca. 1913 photograph taken during the construction of the old Post Office on W. 6th Street – the buildings shown in the photograph were in the 200 block of W. 6th Street; all of them have been demolished. In the background is Frank Raggio’s two-story store building at the corner of 6th and Lavaca. Source: Sadowsky, Steve. 2009. “Occupancy History: 301 W. 6th Street”. A.4 – 13 "ICE CREAM FIRM WILL ERECT NEW BUILDING HERE." The Statesman (1916-1921), Mar 09, 1919. A.4 – 14 Ainsworth, J. S. "PROPOSED HOTEL, OTHER ENTERPISES, BOOST AUSTIN." The Statesman (1916-1921), Apr 20, 1919. "Reception Tomorrow." The Statesman (1916-1921), Aug 13, 1919. A.4 – 15 "Display Ad 9 -- no Title." The Statesman (1916-1921), Aug 13, 1919. A.4 – 16 "MRS. O. DEL CURTO." The Statesman (1916-1921), Sep 16, 1920. "The Dead." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Dec 01, 1925. "Display Ad 9 -- no Title." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jul 15, 1922. A.4 – 17 Advertisement for Violet Crown Ice Cream made by the Austin Ice Cream Company, the predecessor of the Bell Ice Cream Company. Violet Crown Ice Cream was made here by several manufacturers from the early 1920s through the early 1930s. Source: Austin American-Statesman, May 3, 1925 Advertisement for peach Violet Crown Ice Cream, manufactured by the Bell Ice Cream Company, which took over the Austin Ice Cream Company around 1926. Source: Austin American-Statesman, July 17, 1927 A.4 – 18 "Austin Ice Cream Company Sold to Temple Business Men." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Nov 01, 1926. A.4 – 19 "Display Ad 68 -- no Title." The Austin American (1914-1973), Nov 14, 1926. https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/display-ad-68-no- title/docview/1616979271/se-2?accountid=7451. A.4 – 20 "New Company Takes Over Violet Crown Ice Cream Co." The Austin American (1914-1973), Nov 14, 1926. A.4 – 21 "BELL EXPANDS AUSTIN PLANT: VIOLET CROWN ICE CREAM IS LOCAL PRODUCT." The Austin American (1914-1973), Aug 14, 1927. "Bell Ice Cream Ice Lets Contract for Building." The Austin American (1914-1973), Feb 08, 1931. A.4 – 22 "Display Ad 2 -- no Title." The Austin American (1914-1973), Jun 19, 1932. A.4 – 23 "Mosteller Brothers Open Capitol Seed House." The Austin American (1914-1973), Oct 08, 1933. "Display Ad 21 -- no Title." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Sep 22, 1932 and "Display Ad 53 -- no Title." The Austin American (1914-1973), Jun 27, 1937. A.4 – 24 "OWNED AND MANAGED." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Dec 06, 1938. A.4 – 25 "Officials of Capital Seed House." The Austin American (1914-1973), Mar 26, 1939. "Tuneup of Car Motor Advised by Lindsay." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Nov 23, 1940. A.4 – 26 "Display Ad 27 -- no Title." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Oct 13, 1943 and "Display Ad 23 -- no Title." The Austin American (1914-1973), Nov 22, 1953. "Workers in Over 5,000 Victory Gardens in Austin Toil in Hot Sun these Days." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Apr 20, 1944. A.4 – 27 "Greater Need for Gardens Emphasized." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Mar 20, 1945.