16.0 - 606 Copeland St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 4, 2025 PR-2025-044852; GF-2025-049021 606 COPELAND STREET 16.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1935 house. ARCHITECTURE Described in the 2015 Bouldin Creek Survey as a wood framed bungalow, the house features a steep pitched hipped roof with a small gable at one corner indicating the front entryway. Like its neighbor at 604 Copeland Street, there is no front porch, though this property does feature a covered carport to the left of the entryway. Until early 2025, the walls were clad in some sort of shingle, though this material has been removed as of May 2025. The house appears to be in stable, if weathered, condition. RESEARCH The house at 606 Copeland Street was occupied by renters for the first ten years after its construction around 1935. After being vacant in the mid-1940s, it was purchased by Mrs. Hazel Thompson, a widow and saleswoman at Hutchins Bros, a San Antonio menswear store with locations in Austin. Mrs. Thompson lived in the house for several decades and was involved in the Order of the Eastern Star at the city’s Scottish Rite Temple. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2015 Bouldin Creek Historic Resource Survey lists the property as a medium priority and as contributing to the potential Copeland historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is an excellent example of vernacular bungalow architecture in South Austin. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations. 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 does not 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. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Strongly encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then material salvage and reuse, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 16.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 16.0 – 3 Site visit, May 2025 Google Streetview, January 2025 Occupancy History City Directory Research, April 2025 16.0 – 4 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 Mrs. Hazel B. and Henry Thompson, owners; Saleswoman at Hutchins Bros Mrs. Hazel B. Thompson, owner; Saleswoman at Hutchins Bros Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above 1944-45 Vacant 1941 1939 1937 1935 Thomas G. and Nora Serur, renters; Assistant manager at Hage & Co #2 Will Harold and Opal L. Taylor, renters Jack P. and Lovey E. McKinney, renters; Salesman and Secretary for Austin Girl Scouts Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 June 1972: 17 (left, center) and 06 May 1973: H5 (right) Permits 16.0 – 5 Water Tap Permit, November 15, 1927