18.0 - 8401 Hathaway Dr — original pdf

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18 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS DECEMBER 4, 2024 DA-2024-088952; GF-2024-147530 8401 HATHAWAY DRIVE PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE Demolish a ca. 1961 school and associated outbuildings. A 1960 Statesman article describes architect J. Roy White’s design for Burnet Middle School, then Lanier Junior High School, in detail: The sprawling, modern school will contain 49 teaching stations…on a 25-acre site, properly oriented for adequate cross- ventilation in all areas. A feature of the plan involves the gymnasium stage which can be viewed from [the] interior…or from a large outdoor courtyard…classroom areas can be locked off making it accessible for school and community use at night. An off-street driveway…allows students to be discharged under covered passageways…the administrative office is centrally located with the cafeteria and gymnasium on one side and three classroom wings on the other. These parallel wings are connected by covered walkways which create four courtyards. The first of the classroom wings is two-storied…the design of the school is contemporary with the exterior red face brick with aluminum windows and doors…The sloping, gabled roof was designed to give the school a homelike feeling, blending with the residential neighborhood.1 RESEARCH As Austin’s postwar population swelled and suburban neighborhoods crept northwards during the mid-twentieth century, new schools were required for the next generation of Northwest Austinites. This demographic and development change ushered in a new wave of Modern designs by innovative architects taking advantage of new technologies and design sensibilities, often on sprawling new campuses. David G. Burnet Junior High School, originally Sidney Lanier Junior High School, was designed by noted Austin architect J. Roy White during his tenure at Kuehne, Brooks, and Barr (later Brooks, Barr, Graeber, and White). Cottingham and Hale Engineers completed the structural design, and B. L. McGee was the general contractor. The school was contracted by AISD in 1960 and was initially intended to house both junior and senior high school students until a larger school could be built to relieve crowded McCallum High. When Lanier High School, designed by Fehr and Granger, was completed in 1966, 8401 Hathaway Drive became Burnet Junior High. Primary architect J. Roy White graduated from the University of Texas in 1929 and practiced in Austin until his retirement in the 1980s. White’s work often focused on institutional and civic buildings: he designed the original Austin Public Library in 1933 as part of Kuehne, Brooks, and Barr, and worked for the City to renovate municipal buildings and parks during World War II. By the mid-twentieth century, his portfolio included several Huston-Tillotson University buildings, the reconstruction of Lyndon Johnson’s birthplace and the master plan for its accompanying state park, and several AISD schools. According to the Austin History Center’s biography of White, his architectural philosophy was straightforward: "It should be honest—an interpretation of people and life—and it should have a certain warmth of character."2 White’s design for Burnet Junior High School, with its “homelike”3 gable, indoor-outdoor activity spaces, and low-pitched roofline, illustrates this ethos in its ability to blend into its low-rise residential surroundings and its open, grassy campus. The school employed noted Austin educators, including Navy SEAL and Silver Star recipient Commander Henry K. Henley and photographer and vice-principal Morris J. Crawford. According to the Texas African American Photography Archive, “Crawford, a self-taught photographer, began shooting at L. C. Anderson High School…Photographic work multiplied, and during the 1950s and 1960s…he met fellow teacher and photographer Robert Whitby. When Whitby died in 1979, Crawford accepted many of his clients and became one of the principal photographers in the African American community in Austin. When Anderson High School closed in 1971, Crawford went to Burnet Junior High School where he was vice-principal until his death December 30, 1983.”4 Crawford’s wife, Lanier High School teacher Mrs. Lucille Crawford, was also the founder of Black Austin Democrats and the first Black woman president of the Austin Association of Teachers. 1 "Bids Decided, Work Starts on Sidney Lanier School." The Austin American (1914-1973), Aug 14, 1960. 2 “J. Roy White Drawings: An https://txarchives.org/aushc/finding_aids/00316.xml. 3 The Austin American (1914-1973), Aug 14, 1960. 4 The Texas African American Photography Archive, https://www.truthinphotography.org/uploads/1/4/2/6/14264399/taap_guide-8.pdf Inventory of the Collection.” Austin History Center via Texas Archival Resources Online, 18 – 2 DEPARTMENT COMMENTS PROPERTY EVALUATION This demolition application was submitted as part of a 2022 voter-approved AISD bond approved in accordance with the facility project sheet at https://bond.austinschools.org/sites/bond.austinschools.org/files/2022- 09/Burnet%20Middle%20School.pdf. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high to moderate integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it may meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of institutional Mid-century Modern architecture designed by lauded Austin architect J. Roy White. b. Historical association. The property is associated with the development of Northwest Austin: as postwar populations swelled and suburban neighborhoods began creeping northwards at midcentury, new schools were required for the next generation of Austinites to call this area home. This demographic and development change ushered in a new wave of Mid-century Modern designs by contemporary architects taking advantage of new technologies and design sensibilities, often on sprawling new campuses. The school also employed photographer Morris J. Crawford, though only for three years during the historic period; the Crawford family home on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is still extant. 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 does not appear to have a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Consider whether the building’s historical associations are sufficient to initiate historic zoning. If not, encourage material salvage where possible and require completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package prior to release of the demolition permit. LOCATION MAP 18 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 18 – 4 18 – 5 Google Street View, 2022-2024 18 – 6 Homes.com, 2024 https://www.homes.com/school/austin-tx/burnet-middle-school/jjx8le2se4ctl/ Historical Information "Legal Notice 1 -- no Title." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), May 17, 1960. "Two Austin Engineers Organize a New Firm." The Austin American (1914-1973), Jul 03, 1960. "Legal Notice 1 -- no Title." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Aug 02, 1960. 18 – 7 "Bids Decided, Work Starts on Sidney Lanier School." The Austin American (1914-1973), Aug 14, 1960. 18 – 8 "DEATHS, FUNERALS." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Sep 15, 1960. "Bids Rejected on 2 Schools." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Nov 22, 1960. "School Expects to Okay Pact with Council." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jan 09, 1961. "Architectural Exhibit Goes to Driskill for Two Weeks." The Austin American (1914-1973), Apr 30, 1961. "School Fund Depository to be Picked." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), May 08, 1961. 18 – 9 "Storm Sewer Bids Sought." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jul 25, 1961. "Paving Studied for 2 Streets." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jul 28, 1961. Brewer, Anita. "School Eyes Mud Problem." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Aug 16, 1961 18 – 10 "LANIER FLAG RAISING." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Oct 19, 1961. "Longer Day Eyed for City's Schools: Buildings use Hike Said Need." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Apr 10, 1962. 18 – 11 "Fees, Tuition Boosted for Night School." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jul 09, 1963. Brewer, Anita. "Some 40,000 Now in 61 City Schools." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Sep 03, 1963. "Austinites to Attend White House Dinner." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Dec 07, 1964. "New Lanier HS Coming Up First." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jan 12, 1965. 18 – 12 "Architect Firm Tells Partners." The Austin American (1914-1973), Jan 31, 1965. 18 – 13 "Former Lanier is Burnet JH." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Jul 21, 1966. "Completion of New Lanier to Bring on Name Change." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Aug 17, 1966. 18 – 14 BOB BANTA. "Schools: Citizens Oppose Proposed Student Shift." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), May 14, 1968. "Schools at Quail Creek Charm Owners, Investors." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Aug 17, 1969. 18 – 15 "Burnet JH Afro-Day Fete Held." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Mar 03, 1972. "Racial Talks due for School Retreat." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Mar 17, 1972. "Group Picks J. Roy White as President." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), May 21, 1972. 18 – 16 "Burnet Junior High show Band to Present Concert Thursday." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Aug 07, 1972. 18 – 17 NELL SHEFFIELD "New Northwest High School Gets First Black Principal." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Feb 01, 1973. "Contributions of Blacks Observed." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Feb 15, 1973. "A Weekend in Austin." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), May 07, 1973. 18 – 18 "School Trustees Consider Desegregation Plans Tonight." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Aug 22, 1973. "Cheerleader Integration 'Solved' at Junior High." The Austin American - Statesman (1973-1980), Apr 26, 1974. 18 – 19 Felice, Nanci for the Villager. “Blacks Reprsented on Four Presidential Slates.” The Villager (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, April 23, 1976. "Winning Band Director Leaving." The Austin American - Statesman (1973-1980), Jul 28, 1976, Evening ed. 18 – 20 ARNOLD GARCIA JR, Staff Writer. "NAACP Probes School Racial Friction." The Austin American - Statesman (1973-1980), Apr 23, 1977, Evening ed. Wyatt, Tommie L. The Villager (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, January 6, 1984, newspaper, January 6, 1984. 18 – 21 J. Roy White Drawings An Inventory of the Collection - TARO (txarchives.org) Reconstructed Birthplace - Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Brooks, Barr, Graeber and White Drawings An Inventory of the Collection - TARO (txarchives.org)