3.6 - PARD Letter of Support Fannie Davis Gazebo — original pdf

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Austin Parks and Recreation Department 200 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78704 July 3, 2024 Historic Landmark Commission City of Austin Subject: Fannie Davis Gazebo Dear Members of the Historic Landmark Commission: Please accept this letter of support from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the designation of the Fannie Davis Gazebo as a City of Austin Historic Landmark. The 1969 Town Lake Gazebo was the first public structure built in the effort to beautify the south shore of Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake), which was created after the construction of Longhorn Dam on the Colorado River in 1960. The Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), established in the 1950s for women working in the construction industry, spearheaded and raised funds for the project. Inspired by Lady Bird Johnson, a national leader in environmental beautification and later the honorary co-chair of the Town Lake Beautification Committee, the Austin chapter began planning and raising money for the structure in 1965. Nearly 100 contractors and suppliers enthusiastically supported the gazebo project with donations of materials and labor. The gazebo was dedicated in June 1970, and then in 1984, the structure was named for Fannie Davis, a founding member of the Austin chapter of NAWIC. The gazebo was designed by architect, J. Sterry Nill, to resemble an inverted morning glory flower and its design reflects diverse architectural trends of the 1960s. The Fannie Davis Gazebo was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. Noted for its historical and architectural significance, the Fannie Davis Gazebo joined other properties under the stewardship of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department system with historic designation. The Parks and Recreation Department Historic Preservation & Tourism Program appreciates the support of the Historic Landmark Commission and looks forward to collaborating on the historic designation process. Best regards, Kim McKnight, MSHP, AICP Program Manager, Historic Preservation & Tourism Program Cc: Alyssa Tharrett RA, NCARB, Division Manager, Architectural Development Liana Kallivoka, PhD, PE, LEED Fellow, Assistant Director Angela Means, MPA, Interim Director The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request.