11.0 - 516 E 6th St — original pdf

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12 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS MAY 1, 2024 HR-2024-043566 SIXTH STREET NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 516 EAST SIXTH STREET PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Remodel a ca. 1935 stucco commercial building associated with Louis D. Lyons. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The proposed alterations will convert the building from retail to restaurant, maintaining as much of the historic fabric as possible. The proposed design recommends repainting the painted stucco façade. It keeps the existing openings and replaces and reconfigures the new storefront and non-historic second-floor windows. A new painted metal awning is proposed Two-story building with a painted stucco façade and simple tile details. The existing storefront is altered from the original design; however, it maintains the historic fabric of 6th Street. There are two lion sculptures on the stop cornice of this building, and the initials LDL are carved into the stucco. In the 1930s, African American businessman and civic leader Louis D. Lyons purchased the building at 514 E. 6th Street and constructed a new “sister” building next door at 516 East 6th, which eventually became a paint store. L.D. Lyons is a well-known historical figure throughout Austin's history. Son-in-law to Edward Carrington (who originally owned the store at 520-522 E. 6th Street before Lyons took over the business in 1919), Lyons played a crucial role in helping Black business owners by extending lines of credit to them when many banks would not. Notably, either the upper floor or a rear building behind 514 and 516 E. 6th Street was the home of the American Woodmen, a Black fraternal and benefits organization begun in Austin by Cassius M. White and Granville W. Norman at the turn of the century.1 By the 1950s, the Woodmen boasted about 50,000 members.2 Lyons owned and operated community facilities for the Knights of Pythias, a charitable fraternity, and Lyons Hall, a gathering space above the grocery store; he also served as head of the Chamber of Commerce. By the 1960s, both buildings contained businesses owned by the Olson family under the Southern Investments umbrella. 516 housed the finance offices. DESIGN STANDARDS The design standards established by Ordinance No. 20230720-160 (July 2023) and based on the Citywide Historic Design Standards for properties in the 500 and 600 blocks of East Sixth Street apply. The proposed project was evaluated based on the following applicable standards: Rehabilitate and adaptively reuse contributing buildings, including at least the first 15 feet of historic facades. The proposed alterations include the retention of most of the building’s historic-age façade and do not appear to preclude potential future designation. While evidence of an awning was not found for this building during the historic period, the proposed awning does not appear to negatively impact the building’s existing fabric. The applicant has amended the proposal to better incorporate some Committee feedback. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Sixth Street National Register district. The 2020 East Sixth Street Snapshot Resurvey lists 1 “American Woodmen of Kentucky,” https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/3024, citing Schmidt, Alvin J., “Fraternal organizations,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database. 2 “Cassius M. Wright,” Civil Rights Memorials, 2018. https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMY4PC_Cassius_M_White_The_American_Woodmen_Denver_CO_USA 12 – 2 the property as contributing to the historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. The windows and storefront have been replaced. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it meets two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building, though simple, retains physical evidence of the Lyons legacy in its exterior materials and ornamentation. b. Historical association. The property is associated with L.D. Lyons. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property may possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular demographic group. e. Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Retain tile where extant, replacing in-kind where needed. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Comment on plans, concurring with Committee feedback. The proposed changes do not preclude future landmark designation. LOCATION MAP 12 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 12 – 4 Google Street View, 2022 514-16, nd: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth677300/m1/1/ Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2022 12 – 5 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932 1929 514-16 – Vacant 518 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans) 520 – Olson Auto Company (used cars) 514-16 – Vacant 518 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans) 520 – Olson Auto Company (used cars) 514-16 – Olson Auto Company (used cars) 518 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans) 520 – Olson Auto Company (used cars) 514 – Santa Fe Paint Company 516 – Olson Auto Company (used cars) 516 ½ - Vacant 514 – Santa Fe Salvage (paints) 516-18 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans) 516 ½ – J. M. Holloway (physician) 514 – Santa Fe Salvage (paints) 516-18 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans); Olson Automobile Company 514 – Joseph Ponton 2nd Hand Furniture 516-18 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans); Olson Automobile Company 520 – Leo Amaro (shoe repair) 520 ½ – Henry Williams (shoeshine); Lyons Hall 522 – L. D. Lyons Grocery 514 – Jack’s Place (restaurant) 516-18 – Southern Investment Company (auto loans); Southern Used Car Mart 516 ½ – American Woodmen; P. A. Williams (notary) 518 ½ – Lyons Hall; Reuben Jones; Pride of Austin Lodge No. 56; Knights of Pythias, Douglas Lodge No. 16; Eureka Lodge No. 14 (K.P.) 514 – Bert Williams Electric Company 516 – Southern Finance Company 516 ½ – American Woodman (colored); P. A. Williams (notary) 518 – Kenney Patterson (auto accessories) 518 ½ – Lyons Hall; Reuben Jones 516 – Southern Finance Company; L. W. Loden (plumber); Bert Williams Electric Company 518 – Williams Tire Service 518 ½ – Leo Amaro (shoe repair) 520 – L. D. Lyons (grocery) 520 ½ – Lyons Hall; Reuben Jones 514 – Vacant 514 ½ – Jordan Drug Store 516 – S. M. Lightsey (furniture) 516 ½ – Vacant 518 – Williams Tire Service 520 – L. D. Lyons (grocery) 520 ½ – Lyons Hall; Reuben Jones 514 – Vacant 514 ½ – Jordan Drug Store 518 – S. M. Lightsey (furniture) 518 – L. A. Hobbs (restaurant); A. Webster 520 – H. W. Admiral, renter; L. D. Lyons (grocery) 514 – Vacant 514 ½ – J. C. Barnes (locksmith); Furniture Exchange 516 – Joseph Slawson (furniture) 1924 1920 518 – Peoples Auto Livery 520 – Benjamin Jefferson (barber); L. D. Lyons (grocery) 520 ½ – J. B. Hill (dentist); Lyons Hall 514 – William Rogers (shoe shiner) 514 ½ – A. W. Rysinger (milliner) 516 – S. H. Patton (furniture) 518 – W. A. Rankin (2nd hand clothes); Benjamin Jefferson (barber) 520 – L. D. Lyons (grocery) 514 – Matthias Grein (baker); Addie W. Rysinger (restaurant) 514 ½ – A. W. Rysinger (milliner) 518 – Benjamin Jefferson (barber) 520 – L. D. Lyons (grocery) Historical information Sanborn map, 1961 Sanborn map, 1935 12 – 6 12 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 June 1924: A7. 12 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 23 July 1932: 1. 12 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Feb 1935: 6. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 07 Jan 1938: 1. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 03 Feb 1938: 1. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Nov 1940: 1 12 – 10 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Nov 1944: 16. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 06 Dec 1944: 8.