3.0 - Fannie Davis Gazebo — original pdf

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ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H-2024-0102 HLC DATE: November 6, 2024 PC DATE: CC Date: APPLICANT: Historic Landmark Commission (owner-supported) HISTORIC NAME: Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo WATERSHED: Lady Bird Lake ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 9307 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail ZONING CHANGE: P-NP to P-H-NP COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change from public-neighborhood plan (P-NP) to public-historic landmark-neighborhood plan (P-H-NP) combining district zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture, community value, and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: July 3, 2024 - Initiate historic zoning (10-0). PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Kalan Contreras, 512-974-2727 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, Bouldin Creek Zoning Committee, Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Perry Grid 614, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, South Central Coalition 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. The Town Lake Gazebo, as a unique example of Modernist architecture, is an icon of Austin’s Colorado River waterfront. Since its design and construction in 1969, it has been one of the most recognizable Town Lake touchpoints, as one of Austin’s only hyperbolic paraboloid structures, and has changed very little since its construction. Commissioned by the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction in 1965, the gazebo project was supported by Over a dozen construction firms with donations of materials and labor. In her 2024 summary of the site, historian Lori Martin describes the building’s architectural significance in detail: Construction commenced in 1969, and the gazebo was dedicated in June 1970. Project architect J. Sterry Nill (and husband of NAWIC Austin Chapter president Lori Nill) designed the gazebo in keeping with the Town Lake master plan and described it as a “structure with a view.” The gazebo features a striking hyperbolic paraboloid roof with folded plate ridges and valleys. The design reflects diverse architectural trends of the 1960s, and playfully references Frank Lloyd Wright’s geometric experimentation and combination of organic materials with modern forms, the thinshell innovations of Felix Candela, and the rustic park architecture found in central Texas... The Town Lake Gazebo stands as one of the most prominent examples of 1960s exuberant modernism in Austin, featuring a striking hyperbolic paraboloid roof with folded plate ridges and valleys, and a central spire. Architect Sterry Nill referred to his final design for the gazebo as an “inverted morning glory.” Stylistically, the gazebo is difficult to categorize, but it reflects diverse architectural trends and influences…This national phenomenon (sometimes categorized as “Googie” or “Populuxe” architecture) also took root in Texas and was at its peak in 1965 when NAWIC introduced its concept of a gazebo to the City of Austin. Architect J. Sterry Nill was a modernist, but no other work attributed to him is as expressive and whimsical as the Town Lake Gazebo, perhaps due the Austin Chapter of NAWIC’s desire to construct a memorable landmark and set a standard for future lakeside improvements. Nill did not attribute the inspiration of his design to any particular buildings, but well-known examples of postwar architecture help illustrate the eclectic nature of design during the period in which he worked. The gazebo’s striking angular plan and dramatic profile are tempered by the application of rough-cut native limestone in irregular courses on the piers that support the roof…The gazebo’s octagonal roof set on stone piers carries on the tradition of exotic park structure design seen in the Japanese Sunken Garden (1917) in San Antonio’s Breckenridge Park. The gazebo’s plywood folded plate roof, supported by laminated wood (glulam) beams, is an angular variation of a true hyperbolic paraboloid form…The hyperbolic parabolic form – whether built of concrete or wood – appealed to a public desiring space-age form…Texas experienced a small movement in vaulted roof structures in the early 1960s, particularly emanating from Corpus Christi and along the Coastal Bend.1 § 25-2-352(3)(c)(ii) Historical Associations. The property has long-standing significant associations with persons, groups, institutions, businesses, or events of historical importance that 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 Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo was the first public structure built with the express purpose of beautifying Town Lake’s south shore, spearheaded by the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. Thus, it represents a significant public planning effort, is associated with a unique and forward-thinking women’s movement, and plays a central part in the Town Lake beautification effort inspired by Ladybird Johnson’s statewide endeavor to enhance and celebrate Texas’ natural vistas. Martin describes the gazebo’s associations as follows: The 1960 completion of the Longhorn Dam on the Colorado River, approximately 2.5 miles downstream from the gazebo, created Town Lake, which served as a reservoir for the Holly Power Plant. The Austin Chamber of Commerce promoted the public bond measure that financed the Longhorn Dam, as well as planning and development of the lakefront. In 1961, the Austin City Council formed the Town Lake Study Committee (TLSC), charged with overseeing and guiding development on the city’s public land. Town Lake beautification efforts were inspired in part by Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson. From the beginning of her tenure as First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson expressed interest in environmental conservation issues, working to beautify the national highway system, which was then visually cluttered with billboards and junkyards…Lady Bird’s efforts began with her formation of the Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, where she emphasized community participation, stressing that “It is in our own communities that we can best participate in creating an environment which has beauty, joyousness, liveliness, as well as dignity.” … Lady Bird’s appeal to beautification inspired projects large and small, including the Town Lake Gazebo. In 1953, sixteen women working in the construction industry in Fort Worth began the organization “Women in Construction of Fort Worth.” Understanding that women had very limited participation in the construction industry, the group was formed as a support network for its members… the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), [was established] to enhance women’s success in the industry. In 1957, the Dallas chapter contacted Fannie Davis, executive secretary of the Austin Associated General Contractors, to gauge interest in starting an Austin chapter…The Austin chapter received its charter of February 15, 1958… Austin architect J. Sterry Nill, designer of the Town Lake Gazebo, was married to Austin Chapter president Loretta Nill, the project coordinator for the gazebo… Nill worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several architecture firms, including her husband’s... Lori began supporting John’s career even before he [became] a licensed architect…In 1965, while serving as the chapter’s president, Lori persuaded John to design the Town Lake Gazebo...Lori retired from the Architecture division of the Texas Department of Transportation [and] played a significant [fundraising] role in many organizations…including the Austin Association of Home Builders, the Women’s Architectural League and the Texas Society of Architects’ annual meeting.2 § 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. As a community-led, community-funded project, the Town Lake Gazebo is an excellent example of a public project that overcame initial skepticism and construction difficulties through the hard work of its organizers, supporters, and craftspeople: Encouraged by the President Johnson and the First Lady, the Austin chapter of NAWIC approached…Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, for suggestions on how they could contribute to the city. After this meeting, the group decided to build a gazebo as their beautification construction project.…Mayor Lester Palmer observed that “not a 1 Martin, Lori. “Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo.” Historic zoning application, 2024. 2 Ibid. member of the Council knew what a gazebo was, but we all felt every city ought to have one.”…Vice President Wilma Williams explained that…“the city provides the view, and we wish to provide the structure to enjoy that view.” …Progress was slow because all the work was provided pro bono. The Statesman offered an explanation: “It’s a rare thing to see anyone at work on the gazebo, as the structure is called, and progress seems tantalizingly slow…It’s a labor of love for all concerned. Probably any one of the builders could finish the job in a week if that’s all he had to do.” …With plans for a June 1970 dedication ceremony underway, representatives of NAWIC urged the city to complete site work and objected to the covering of a cascading fountain in the center of the gazebo…At the ceremony, Lori Nill summarized the efforts to build the gazebo, describing it as a “lasting tribute to the construction industry,” and hoping that it would “spur other organizations to contribute to the beautification of Town Lake and of Austin.” The Town Lake Gazebo was the first of many Town Lake beautification projects… Although Lady Bird Johnson was not involved with the project, [it] is associated with her national beautification initiative as First Lady…in 1975, Lady Bird was photographed at the gazebo at two separate events promoting Town Lake beautification, an indication of the gazebo’s symbolic connection to the overall program.3 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 13.46 ACR BLK A BOULDIN JAMES E ESTATE ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX EXEMPTION: None. PARCEL NO.: 0203000103 APPRAISED VALUE: N/A PRESENT USE: Recreational DATE BUILT/PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1969-1974 INTEGRITY/ALTERATIONS: High. PRESENT OWNERS: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ORIGINAL OWNER(S): City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department OTHER HISTORICAL DESIGNATIONS: The gazebo was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. 3 Ibid.