04.1 - C14H-2025-0077 - Application — original pdf

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City of Austin - Historic Preservation Office Historic Zoning Application Packet A. APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC ZONING PROJECT INFORMATION: DEPARTMENTAL USE ONLY APPLICATION DATE:__________________ FILE NUMBER(S) _____________________________________________ TENTATIVE HLC DATE: TENTATIVE PC or ZAP DATE:_________________ TENTATIVE CC DATE:_________________ CASE MANAGER _______________________________ APPLICATION ACCEPTED BY:________________________________________ CITY INITIATED: YES / NO ROLLBACK: YES/NO BASIC PROJECT DATA: :________________________________________________________________________________ 2. PROJECT NAME:________________________________________________________________________________ 3. PROJECT STREET ADDRESS (or Range): __________________________________________________________ ZIP__________________________ COUNTY:______________________________________ IF PROJECT ADDRESS CANNOT BE DEFINED ABOVE: LOCATED ____________ FRONTAGE FEET ALONG THE N. S. E. W. (CIRCLE ONE) SIDE OF ______________________________________ (ROAD NAME PROPERTY FRONTS ONTO), WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY _______________________________________ DISTANCE FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH _________________________________________ CROSS STREET. AREA TO BE REZONED: 4. ACRES _________________ (OR) SQ.FT._______________ 5. ZONING AND LAND USE INFORMATION: EXISTING ZONING EXISTING USE __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ TRACT# (IF MORE THAN 1) ________ ________ ________ ACRES / SQ. FT. PROPOSED USE PROPOSED ZONING _______________ _______________ _______________ _____________ _____________ _____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ RELATED CURRENT CASES: (YES / NO) 6. ACTIVE ZONING CASE? 7. RESTRICTIVE COVENANT? (YES / NO) (YES / NO) 8. SUBDIVISION? (YES / NO) 9. SITE PLAN? FILE NUMBER: ______________________________________ FILE NUMBER: ______________________________________ FILE NUMBER: ______________________________________ FILE NUMBER: ______________________________________ Adopted December 2012 6 City of Austin - Historic Preservation Office Historic Zoning Application Packet PROPERTY DESCRIPTION (SUBDIVISION REFERENCE OR METES AND BOUNDS): 10a. SUBDIVISION REFERENCE: Name: _____________________________________________________________ Block(s) ______________________ Lot(s )___________________ Outlot(s) _____________________ Plat Book: _________________________________Page Number:_________________________________ 10b. METES AND BOUNDS (Attach two copies of certified field notes if subdivision reference is not available or zoning includes partial lots) DEED REFERENCE CONVEYING PROPERTY TO PRESENT OWNER AND TAX PARCEL I.D.: 11. VOLUME:_______________PAGE:______________ TAX PARCEL I.D. NO. _____________________________ OTHER PROVISIONS: 12. IS PROPERTY IN A ZONING COMBINING DISTRICT / OVERLAY ZONE? YES / NO TYPE OF COMBINING DIST/OVERLAY ZONE (NCCD,NP, etc)____________________________________ 13. LOCATED IN A LOCAL OR NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? YES / NO 14. IS A TIA REQUIRED? YES / NO (NOT REQUIRED IF BASE ZONING IS NOT CHANGING) TRIPS PER DAY:_____________________________ TRAFFIC SERIAL ZONE(S):_________________ ________________ _________________ ________________ OWNERSHIP TYPE: PUBLIC 15. ___SOLE ___COMMUNITY PROPERTY ___PARTNERSHIP ___CORPORATION ____TRUST If ownership is other than sole or community property, list individuals/partners/principals below or attach separate sheet. OWNER INFORMATION: 16. OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION SIGNATURE:_______________________________________ NAME: _______________________________________ FIRM NAME:___________________________________________ TELEPHONE NUMBER: ______________________ STREET ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ______________________________ STATE: _______________ ZIP CODE: ____________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________ AGENT INFORMATION (IF APPLICABLE): 17. AGENT CONTACT INFORMATION SIGNATURE:______________________________________ NAME: ________________________________________ FIRM NAME:_____________________________________________TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________________ STREET ADDRESS:_______________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ______________________________ STATE: _______________ ZIP CODE: ___________________________ CONTACT PERSON:_____________________________________ TELEPHONE NUMBER: __________________ EMAIL ADRESS: _________________________________________________________________________________ Adopted December 2012 7 City of Austin - Historic Preservation Office Historic Zoning Application Packet D. SUBMITTAL VERIFICATION AND INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION SUBMITTAL VERICATION My signature attests to the fact that the attached application package is complete and accurate to the best of my I understand that proper City staff review of this application is dependent upon the accuracy of the information knowledge. provided and that any inaccurate or inadequate information provided by me/my firm/etc., may delay the proper review of this application. PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME BELOW SIGNATURE AND INDICATE FIRM REPRESENTED, IF APPLICABLE. __________________________________________________ Signature Date __________________________________________________ Name (Typed or Printed) __________________________________________________ Firm (If applicable) INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION As owner or authorized agent, my signature authorizes staff to visit and inspect the property for which this application is being submitted. PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME BELOW SIGNATURE AND INDICATE FIRM REPRESENTED, IF APPLICABLE. ___________________________________________________ Date Signature ___________________________________________________ Name (Typed or Printed) ___________________________________________________ Firm (If applicable) Adopted December 2012 8 City of Austin - Historic Preservation Office Historic Zoning Application Packet E. ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM concerning Subdivision Plat Notes, Deed Restrictions, Restrictive Covenants and / or Zoning Conditional Overlays I, ________________________________________ have checked for subdivision plat notes, deed restrictions, (Print name of applicant) restrictive covenants and/or zoning conditional overlays prohibiting certain uses and/or requiring certain development restrictions i.e. height, access, screening etc. on this property, located at ______________________________________________________________________________________ (Address or Legal Description) ______________________________________________________________________________________ If a conflict should result with the request I am submitting to the City of Austin due to subdivision plat notes, deed restrictions, restrictive covenants and/or zoning conditional overlays it will be my responsibility to resolve I also acknowledge that I understand the implications of use and/or development restrictions that are a it. result of a subdivision plat notes, deed restrictions, restrictive covenants and/or zoning conditional overlays. I understand that if requested, I must provide copies of any and all subdivision plat notes, deed restrictions, restrictive covenants and/or zoning conditional overlay information which may apply to this property. _______________________________________ ________________________________ (Applicant's signature) (Date) Adopted December 2012 9 City of Austin - Historic Preservation Office Historic Zoning Application Packet F. 1: Historical Documentation - Deed Chronology Deed Research for (fill in address) ________________________________ List Deeds chronologically, beginning with earliest transaction first and proceeding through present ownership. The first transaction listed should date at least back to when the original builder of any historic structures on the site first acquired the property (i.e., should pre-date the construction of any buildings/structures on the site). Please use the format delineated below. For each transaction please include: name of Grantor/Grantee, date of transaction, legal description involved, price, and volume/page number of deed records. document. If there is a mechanic's lien please copy the entire Example: Transaction John Doe to Mary Smith, Lots 1-3, Block B, Driving Park Addition March 13, 1882 $2500 Mary Smith, estate, to Ingrid Jones Lots 1-2, Block B, Driving Park Addition January 12, 1903 Vol./Page Vol. 52, pp. 22-60 Vol. 409, pp. 552-554 (Continue through the present) Adopted December 2012 10 F.1 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION: DEED CHRONOLOGY Transaction: E.J. Hofheinz to City of Austin Part of Lot 5, Block 12 February 11, 1929 $1,500 Robert J. Hammond to City of Austin Part of Lots 6, and 5, Block 12 Part of Lots 6 and 5, Block 12 Part of Lots 1 and 2, Block 12 March 22, 1929 $3,750 R.C. Lambie to City of Austin Lot 3 and Part of Lot 4, Block 13 April 29, 1929 $1,500 John Quist and Lena Quist to City of Austin Part of Lot 4, Block 13 April 29, 1929 $2,500 A.J. Raif and Margaret Mary Raif to City of Austin Part of Lot 4, Block 13 April 29, 1929 $2,000 Joe Macken, et ux to City of Austin Lot 8 and Part of Lot 7, Block 12 June 7, 1929 $2,500 Vol./Page Vol. 434, pp. 256-257 Vol. 434, pp. 255-256 Vol. 434, pp. 565 Vol. 434, pp. 565-566 Vol. 436, pp. 196-197 Vol. 436, pp. 501 Paul O. Simms and Earl E. Simms to City of Austin Part of Lots 1 and Two, Block 12 June 18, 1929 $1,400 Vol. 440, pp. 139-140 Dora Silberstein to City of Austin Lots 3 and 4, and Part of Lot 2, Block 12 June 26, 1929 $3,000 Vol. 436, pp. 579-580 Augusta L. Wende to City of Austin Part of Lots 1 and 2, Block 13 March 13, 1930 $3,000 Vol 450, pp. 55-56 F.2 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION: OCCUPANCY HISTORY Year: Occupant Name and Reference: Source: 1933-2023 Palm Park Shelter House open to Public, Owner, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Austin American Statesman; Feb 23, 1933 2023-Present Temporary Closed to Public while Palm Park serves as staging ground for Confluence construction City of Austin Parks F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS WEST ELEVATION, AT A DISTANCE, WITH PECAN TREES. UNDATED. F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS WEST ELEVATION. 09/01/2023 F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS SOUTH ELEVATION. 09/01/2023 F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS EAST ELEVATION. 09/01/2023 F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS NORTH ELEVATION. 09/01/2023 F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS STONEWORK AND KEYSTONE DETAILS. 09/01/2023 F.5 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - PHOTOGRAPHS ARCHED DOORWAYS. 09/01/2023 F.6 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION: ARCHITECT AND BUILDER INFO Architect The original plans for the shelter house do not indicate an architect, and instead note “G. S. Moore, B.I.”. G. S. Moore was the City’s building inspector during the design of the shelter house, and later served as the structural engineer for all Public Works Administration projects for the City of Austin.1,2 While the plans for the shelter house do not list an architect of record, there is strong evidence that prominent Austin architect Hugo Kuehne was involved in the design for all of the shelter houses designed and built the 1930’s, including Palm Park Shelter house. Kuehne was appointed Vice Chairman of the Parks and Playground Committee, which established as a result of the 1928 Koch & Fowler City Plan’s recommendations. Kuehne was a native Austinite who was recognized nationally as an architect and city planner. Many prominent Austin buildings were designed by Kuehne, including the Austin Public Library (now the Austin History Center), the Ritz Theater, buildings for the Austin State Hospital, and the Commodore Perry Hotel.3 He played a prominent role at the University of Texas School of Architecture, where he served as a professor and developed the school’s curriculum. Kuehne served as the president of the Central Texas chapter of the American Institute of Architect twice, and once as the director of the Texas Society of Architect. In 1944 he was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. His achievements were also celebrated locally; in 1954 was named “Austin’s Most Worthy Citizen” for his dedication and service to city planning efforts, including his work on the Parks and Playgrounds Committee. Kuehne was recorded as the designer for other local park structures with a similar National Park “Rustic” aesthetic, including the caretaker’s cottage at Zilker Park, the bathhouse at Barton Springs. He was also the architect of record for the shelter houses built at Eastwoods Park, Little Stacey Park, and West Austin Park, but because of his deep involvement with the Parks and Playgrounds Committee, he is presumed to have been involved with the overall design scheme for all of the eight shelter houses built during that time period.4 Builder The original plans indicate that “Brydson Bros” were the contractors for the Palm Park shelter house. The Brydson Lumber company was founded in 1914, after the brothers spent many successful years as general contractors. By the 1930s they operated a full lumber yard and planing mill on Guadalupe, and advertised their services in estimating, cabinetry, brickwork and wallpaper.5 The 1 RESIDENCE BUILDING FOR 6 MONTHS GREATER THAN IN 1930: 272 PERMITS GIVE $588,745.60 TOTAL. (1931, Jul 17). The Austin Statesman (1921- 1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/residence-building-6-months-greater-than- 1930/docview/1615597432/se-2 2 Eckert is named inspector here: G. S. moore appointed PWA design engineer. (1934, Dec 02). The Austin American (1914-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/eckert-is-named-inspector-here/docview/1612587103/se-2 3 “Architect Kuehne Funeral Is Today,” The Austin American, November 27, 1963; Roxanne Williamson, “Kuehne, Hugo Franz,” Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas, February 1, 1995, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/kuehne-hugo-franz. 4 Blackman, “Historic PARD Shelter Houses Historic Context [Unpublished Draft],” 3; Eliza Blackman, “Historic PARD Shelter Houses Multiple Property Form [Unpublished Draft],” November 27, 2019. 5 Pioneer builders of austin. (1937, Mar 28). The Austin American (1914-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/pioneer-builders-austin/docview/1611461857/se-2 company was particularly active in building the Hyde Park Neighborhood and was known for often handling the construction of purchased plans or catalogue homes. F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Historic aerial prior to 1933 Waller Creek realignment and park construction(future Palm Park location highlighted in orange), Austin History Center, undated F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Exhibit from Koch & Fowler City Plan for Austin, Texas; 1928 F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Palm Playground Shelter House Plans - Plan, Foundation Framing, Schedules, Section A-A and West Elevation F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Palm Playground Shelter House Plans - South Elevation, Section B-B and details F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Palm Playground Shelter House Plans - Details F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Young girls jumping rope on a concrete slab at Palm Park with shelter house behind, PICA-24192, Austin History Center, 1945-02-09 F.7 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION - HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS Dramatic production staged at Palm Park shelter house, Austin History Center, undated F.9 - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION: BREIF HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Background and Context: Prior to the creation of Palm Park in 1933, the alignment of Waller Creek differed from present day. The creek took a sharp bend between 2nd Street and 3rd Street, with the center channel running through what is now the interior of Palm Park. This resulted in frequent and problematic flooding of roads and structures along the lower Waller Creek. At the time, the district was home to a diverse and growing population, with a large Mexican American population interspersed with white and African American households.1 This area, which was then considered East Austin, was also understood as having problems with crime, particularly along Waller Creek itself. Given this context, the 1928 “City Plan for Austin, Texas” prepared by Koch & Fowler, proposed a solution intended to address both issues simultaneously – the creation of Palm Park, then referred to as Palm Playground. The plan recommended acquiring the land north of Palm School to allow for a channel realignment to straighten the bend in Waller Creek, creating a large open space directly to adjacent to the school to be used as a playground for the city’s youth.2 The new recreational opportunities provided by the playground were thought to be an antidote to criminal tendencies brought about by idle leisure time for the neighborhood’s youth, thereby addressing the issue of crime. This proposal for a new park along Waller Creek was one of just two case studies proposed in the 1928 plan and was intended as a model for neighborhood parks throughout the city. When it opened in 1933, Palm Park was complete with a pool, playground, and shelter house, which was described at the time as a ‘‘combination shelter house, open air theater, and dressing rooms” 3. As a part of the current redevelopment of Palm Park, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy applied for and was awarded a $30,000 2024 Heritage Preservation Grant from the City of Austin for the purposes of creating a plan for the shelter’s preservation and rehabilitation. A historic zoning designation for the shelter house is a prerequisite for receiving this grant funding. Justification of Historical Importance: Architecture The Palm Park shelter house’s design is emblematic of the National Parks ‘Rustic’ aesthetic, which was typical of Austin’s early twentieth century parks structures, including the seven other shelter houses built in Austin parks during this time. This style is characterized by the utilization of simple local materials that blend with the surrounding park setting, rather than stand apart from it. The building forms are typically simple, pulling from vernacular architecture of the region, and focus on hand building methods, organic lines, and unaltered natural materials.4 In the case of the Palm Park shelter house, this is articulated through the striking use of uncut field stone masonry walls, which put local, natural stone on full display. The shelter house features a dog-trot layout, with two enclosed areas connected by a central covered breezeway. This building form was favored by early European settlers of Texas for its simplicity and ability to provide natural passive ventilation. The structure is topped by a flat 1 HHM & Associates, Inc. (2018). Historic Context Study of Waller Creek. Waller Creek Conservancy. 2 Koch & Fowler, Consulting Engineers. (1928). City Plan for Austin, Texas. City of Austin Department of Planning. https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/items/f15262ac-77d6-4ef2-85bb-fa22c46085c7 3 Tom Gullette Written for, The Statesman. (1933, Feb 23). SHARP CONTRAST OF PLAYGROUND DESCRIBED. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/sharp-contrast-playground-described/docview/1610365668/se-2 4 Tweed, W. C., Soulliere, L. E., & Law, H. G. (1977b). Rustic Architecture: 1916 - 1942 [Online book]. National Park Service Western Regional Office Division of Cultural Resource Management. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/rusticarch/introduction.htm parapeted roof, which sits above arched, wooden doors to the storage space on one side, and two restrooms on the other. Along the west elevation of the building, facing the center of the park, the walls of the tower extent into low, decorative wing walls, terminated in stone square pillars. Today, the shelter house appears largely as it did upon its completion in 1933. Recent evaluation has determined that the structure’s stone walls are in good structural condition. However, the roof over the breezeway has been removed, and the roof sections over the flanking enclosed areas are on the verge of collapse. Pairs of small windows above the arched doors at the east and west elevations have been filled in with matching fieldstone. Nevertheless, the essential defining characteristics of the structure, namely its rustic fieldstone masonry, parapeted roof, and dog-trot layout remain intact, despite the current state of the roof assembly. The later addition of an access ramp and handrailing at the north restroom doors does not alter the structure itself and does not detract from the appreciation of its historic character. While the Palm Park shelter house is an excellent example of the National Parks ‘Rustic’ aesthetic, the historical architectural significance of the shelter house is best understood when considering the structure as a part of a larger network of historic park shelter structures in Austin from the same period. As noted in section F6 of this application, the eight shelter houses designed or heavily influenced by Huge Kuehne in the 1930’s present an even more compelling story of a distinct moment in architectural history when considered as a complete collection than when considered individually. It is therefore imperative that the Palm Park shelter house be preserved not just for its own sake, but to maintain the connections between these of historical assets within the city. Justification of Historical Importance: Historical Associations Palm Park’s shelter house holds historical importance in two separate, but related, dimensions: for its strong association with Austin’s Mexican American community, and as a physical manifestation of a national movement pertaining to parks and park programing in the early twentieth century. Historical associations with Austin’s Mexican American community Palm Park has served as a community hub for the families of the lower Waller Creek district since its construction in 1933. At the time of Palm Park’s construction, the surrounding area was an ethnically mixed neighborhood, with a growing Mexican American population. Many Mexican American children attended Palm School to the park’s immediate south, and various businesses and churches catering to the Latino population were in the park’s vicinity.5 Though the city’s segregationist policies barred Mexican Americans from using the pool, Palm Park, along with Parque Zaragoza in East Austin, became strongly associated with Austin’s Mexican American community, and that association continues today. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century and into the twenty first, several developments strained the connections between Palm Park and the Latino community. Mid-century urban renewal efforts encouraged redevelopment and removal of prominent Latino American businesses, residences and churches from the area, pushing the Latino community south and east; a trend that has only continued in recent years. The construction of I-35 in the 1960’s, followed by the closure of Palm School in 1976, and rapid development of the Waller Creek district in the past two decades further strained the direct physical connection between Palm Park and the Latino community. 5 Mitchell, R., & Pettis, E. (2022). Historical Resources Survey Report: Capital Express Central – Intensive-level Survey: Palm Park, 200 North Interstate Highway (I-) 35 (No. 0015-13–388). Texas Department of Transportation. Despite all of this, Palm Park remained central to the local Latino community and had even taken on the important role of representing the resilience of the Mexican American community in the face of discrimination. El Concilio, a coalition of Latino advocacy and neighborhood organizations, organized to keep the park’s amenities open, despite interest from Council in shuttering them in the mid-1990’s.6 Paul Hernandez, the founder of El Concilio, noted in 1996: “Many of us remember the racism we grew up with in Austin. We couldn’t even come to this pool … Now the pool is our symbol for the struggle to keep East Austin a viable minority community.”7 This sentiment is still deeply felt today. During 2016 community engagement sessions that specifically sought out Palm School alumni and residents of east Austin, 46.5% of respondents indicated that Palm Park’s history was among its greatest assets.8 Similarly, the park’s deep ties to the Mexican American community emerged as a recurring theme during the Palm Park Conversations series, which included several open-ended community engagement discussions held in 2024 9 It is also important to note that previous evaluations of Palm Park and its assets have reached similar conclusions of clear historical importance to the Mexican American community. A 2022 Texas Department of Transportation Report on Palm Park’s historic significance concluded that Palm Park met the National Register for Historic Places, Criterion A - “Significance in the areas of Ethnic Heritage and Entertainment/Recreation” for the important role it played for the Mexican American community throughout the twentieth century.10 While the Palm Park pool closed indefinitely as a result of the 2014 Aquatics Facilities Needs Assessment and was demolished in 2023, there is still the opportunity to preserve the shelter house. As one participant in the Palm Park community engagement session noted “it would be amazing to see the historic shelter house celebrated and lifted-up as both a park centerpiece and backdrop for communal gatherings.”11 As the shelter house is currently the only major original built structure that remains from this period of great importance to the Mexican American community, it’s preservation as an embodiment of that community history becomes even more critical. Historical associations with national progressive movement in recreation In addition to its significance to the citizens of Austin, the shelter house at Palm Park is emblematic of a larger national movement championing the civic and public health role of recreation and parks programming in the first half of the twentieth century. Following the widespread unemployment of the Great Depression, an interest in structured recreational programs emerged as a solution for the perceived problem of the increasingly urban population’s unfilled leisure hours. Providing recreational programming for the public, and youth in particular, was intended to keep the population physically healthy, prevent crime, and strengthen community cohesion.12 Organizations such as the National Recreation Association (originally known as the Playgrounds and Recreation 6 (Ibid.) 7 (Ibid) 8 Cortez Consulting. (2024). Public Engagement Report 2023-2024. Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Parks/Partnerships/FINAL-REPORT_PALM-PARK-Community-Engagement-Summary-Report.pdf. 9 (Ibid) 10 (Ibid) 11 (Ibid) 12 Mitchell, R., & Pettis, E. (2022). Historical Resources Survey Report: Capital Express Central – Intensive-level Survey: Palm Park, 200 North Interstate Highway (I-) 35 (No. 0015-13–388). Texas Department of Transportation. Association of America) were established to promote, study, and implement the construction of parks and playgrounds to address these issues.13 This national movement was visible in Austin’s 1928 Koch & Fowler plan, which dedicated an entire section to parks and their design; the design of Palm Park was used as one of two case study examples. Following the city plan, Austin established the Parks and Playgrounds Committee in 1928, which would later become the Parks and Recreation Department, to champion the building of municipal parks throughout the city. The local architect Hugo Kuehne was named as vice chairman, and James Garrison, who had recently completed the National Recreation Association’s graduate program, was appointed as Director of Recreation. Under Kuehne and Garrison’s leadership, the city’s new parks exemplified the national trends in park planning, with a strong emphasis on structured community recreation in the form of designated areas for athletics, play, and organized community activities, as an antidote to the negative effect of urban life. This ethos is readily apparent in the original design and programming efforts of Palm Park. When it opened in 1933, Palm Park was complete with a pool, playground, and the shelter house, which was described as a ‘‘combination shelter house, open air theater, and dressing rooms”14. In many ways, the Palm Park shelter house was the physical manifestation of this new recreation philosophy, serving as a flexible hub for community programming and recreation, that enabled decades of successful, structured park programming. During the early years of Palm Playground (as it was then called), the park was actively programmed and often supervised; the shelter house provided a natural center and staging ground for this programming. Newspaper features from the 1930’s through the 1950’s indicate that dramatic community productions were a frequent occurrence at Palm Park. These included marionette shows15, youth bands16, pageants17, dance exhibitions18, and plays put on by children and adults alike19. Photos from the time indicate that productions were staged in the open-air portion of the shelter house, with backdrops hung to frame the stage, and the storage and restroom areas serving as backstage areas. In many ways, the shelter house at Palm Park is emblematic of a critical moment of park and programming expansion in the city, echoing larger national trends in recreation. As a brick-and-mortar manifestation of the City and nation’s efforts to further public health, the shelter house demonstrates the influence of changing national conceptions of recreation on local park spaces in Austin. In this way, the Palm Park shelter house is a primary visible symbol of this era of park development in the city of Austin. 13 McKnight, Kim. “Zilker Park Caretaker’s Cottage.” National Register of Historic Places nomination, 2017. Texas Historical Commission, Austin, Texas. Pg. 19 “National Recreation Association Records.” National Recreation Association Records. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Social Welfare History Archives. Minneapolis, MN: https://archives.lib.umn.edu/repositories/11/resources/6084 14 Tom Gullette Written for, The Statesman. (1933, Feb 23). SHARP CONTRAST OF PLAYGROUND DESCRIBED. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/sharp-contrast-playground-described/docview/1610365668/se-2 15 Palm prepares marionette play. (1942, Aug 13). The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/palm-prepares-marionette-play/docview/1610068003/se-2 16 BOY BAND GETS GOOD RECEPTION. (1933, Jul 21). The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/boy-band-gets-good-reception/docview/1610383840/se-2 17 Pageant tonight closes city playground season. (1952, Aug 27). The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/pageant-tonight-closes-city-playground-season/docview/1559464876/se-2 18 Dance and novelties on Palm Park Slate. (1943, Jun 17). The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/group-singing-popular-at-athletic-club/docview/1609935831/se-2 19 ALL-DRAMATIC PROGRAM SLATED AT PALM PARK THURSDAY NIGHT. (1937, Jul 29). The Austin Statesman (1921-1973) Retrieved from https://atxlibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/all-dramatic-program-slated-at-palm-park- thursday/docview/1610346640/se-2 RESOLUTION NO. 20250508-042 WHEREAS, Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park ("Palm Park") dates back to the 1930s, making it one of the oldest and most historic parks in the city; and WHEREAS, Palm Park is best known as the playground, community gathering place, and sports field for the adjacent Palm School; and WHEREAS, since 2016, Austin Parks and Recreation and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy have engaged the community on the future of Palm Park, highlighting the importance of building upon its Mexican-American history and reinvigorating the park as a family-friendly space that celebrates nature, culture, and play; and WHEREAS, the Shelter House located within Palm Park is one of eight early City park structures still standing built between 1930-1951; and WHEREAS, the Shelter House is historically important to the community as a critical multi-purpose public space that operated as a community landmark, stage, lending library, restroom facility, and gathering place for families; and WHEREAS, the Shelter House will be restored, protected, and made fully functional again through Waterloo Greenway's improvements to Palm Park; and WHEREAS, the development of the Palm Park design is underway, and groundbreaking is anticipated in 2026, with a park opening estimated in 2028; and WHEREAS, steps to include historic landmark combining district for the Shelter House structure will eventually be pursued to comply with Austin Historic Preservation Grant funding; and WHEREAS, prior to zoning the Shelter House structure the entire Palm Park property should first be zoned to reflect the current uses on this property; and Page 1 of 2 WHEREAS, the Palm Park property is among existing City-owned park properly that is not currently zoned for parks and recreation services use; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: City Council initiates zoning for Palm Park to a base zoning that is appropriate based on its current use. ADOPTED: May 8 , 2025 ATTEST: q.F**L,r-- Erika Brady City Clerk Page 2 of 2 P BRAKE\SERVICE\CENTER 00-2092 C14-00-2092 CBD-CURE R I A P E R \ O T U A APARTMENTS CBD WHSE SP-02-0201T CBD SPC-03-0003C CBD E 4TH ST SPC-94-0330A SP-00-2088C CBD CBD C17-2022-0138 T S E N BI A S RESTAURANT CBD CBD E 5TH ST P M A R B S 5 3 H O T H T 6 E I P M A H R T O 6 B T 5 N N IH 3 TOD-NP C14H-02-0002 TOD-H-NP E 5TH ST TOD-CURE-NP C14-2016-0050 TOD-CURE-NP E 4TH ST E S. G N A A R R O T T S C14-2008-0029 NPA-2008-0002.01 TOD-NP JUNK YARD ( TOD-NP E G A R O T S TOD-NP D N A S R E AIL R T ( TOD-NP 79-142 E 3RD ST ( ( H C R U H C SF-3-NP ( ( ( ( ( SF-3-NP C14-00-2102 H C R U H C G KIN R A P SAW\SHOP ( CS-MU-CO-NP ( ( SF-3-NP ( ( ( E 2ND ST ( ( ( SF-3-NP 00-2102 ( S C ( 2 4 1 -0 4 -0 P S T Y S H S U R B -4 2 9 H CS-MU-CO-NP ( S R A C H C R U H C C A V C14-2009-0036 CS-MU-CO-NP A S CS-MU-V-CO-NP T ! ! S S ! ! O ( SF-3-NP C R A N M ! ! ! ! ! ! S C 7 3 0 -0 4 0 P S G U R D E R O T S CS-MU-CO-NP AIL T ( E SF-3-NP R CS-H-MU-CO-NP ( CS-MU-CO-NP P O H Y\S T U A E B USED\AUTOS P-NP C14-02-0077 00-2102 D E S U 0 0 -1 5 8 Z R CS-MU-V-CO-NP C14-2009-0036 N W A P VACANT 1 4 0 -0 8 9 LO-MU-CO-NP SF-3-NP ( SF-3-NP ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! CBD-H ! ! ( CBD ( CONTRACTOR CBD ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! PARK E 3RD ST ! ! ! ! UNZ 3 1 0 - 9 8 H C 8 2 -0 0 9 - P S ! ! ! ! CBD-H ! T S R E V I R D E R ! ! ! ! ! ! ! C 1 ! 3 1 ! -0 3 0 - P S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! SP-90-029C ! ! 8 1 0 - ! 9 8 H ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! CBD ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! CBD ! ! ! ! ! ! ! E 2ND ST ! ! ! ! ELECTRIC SALES SP89-0015 T. S E R CBD-CURE C14-2011-0113 T S E N I B A S REST. APTS. C14-00-2195(RCA) OFFICE E CESAR CHAVEZ ST UNDEV C14-2019-0138 CBD-CURE C14-00-2197 00-2197 THERMAL CO. DRISKILL ST WHSE SP93-0169C 90-007C CBD C14-04-0080 04-0080 74-135 BEARING SERVICE C14-04-0079 CBD 04-0079 AUTO REPAIR DAVIS ST C 3 2 1 0 - 7 0 P S T Y S E N AI R C14-04-0079 CBD C14-04-0081 CBD AIR C14-04-0081 COND. OFFICE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! UNZ PARK ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! B S D R V S 5 3 H I N ! AM Z R AVE H R C SA E ! ! ! ! ! B TO C N 35 S B 5 S N IH 3 P B N 5 3 H I N P M A R B N 5 3 N O T Z E V A H C R A S E C E B N D R V S 5 3 H I N 80-37 GR-H RZ83-03 OFFICE BLDG. C14-04-0078 ± SUBJECT TRACT ! ! ! ! ! ! PENDING CASE ZONING BOUNDARY HISTORIC ZONING ZONING CASE#: C14H-2025-0077 1 " = 200 ' This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent an on-the-ground survey and represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries. This product has been produced by the Planning Department for the sole purpose of geographic reference. No warranty is made by the City of Austin regarding specific accuracy or completeness. Historic Preservation Office City of Austin July 2, 2025 Subject: Request to consider initiation of historic zoning for Palm Park Shelter House We would like to include the 1933 Palm Park Shelter House, centrally located in the park that lies on the eastern side of downtown Austin between 1-35, Red River St., 3rd St., and Cesar Chavez St., on the Historic Landmark Commission's July agenda for consideration of initiation of historic zoning. The owner, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), has been notified of this request and has agreed to historic zoning of the Shelter House's footprint. The historic shelter house is a key feature of the park and is being preserved during the Palm Park redesign process. Palm Park played an important role in the lower Waller Creek community in the 1930s and 1940s. Critical to the park's history is the Shelter House structure. The Shelter House is centrally located in the park and is strikingly similar to those constructed by Hugo Kuehne in other important city parks of the same era. Kuehne designed a series of shelter houses to provide restrooms and spaces for recreational programming, utilizing the dogtrot design in a reference to Texas folk architecture. Many were constructed in the Rustic style employed in parks nationwide and showcased local building materials in their construction. The shelters provided a focal point for programming, from dances to performances to athletics, and became central to the recreational missions of the neighborhood parks and playgrounds. The fieldstone shelter building in Palm Park, completed in 1933, is one of just examples still extant in Austin. Its Rustic design meets the City's Architecture criteria for local landmark designation. In the era of segregated recreation, Palm Park and its amenities-excluding the swimming pool became known for serving Austin's Mexican American community. Despite this, people of color were barred from using the pool due to discriminatory segregationist policies. Hispanic advocacy groups later described the park and pool as a symbol of their community within Austin. As a crucial structure in a pivotal Central Austin park during the era of extensive recreational green space development, the Shelter House meets the City's landmark designation criteria for Historical Associations with the development of Austin's parks program. As a gathering place for the Mexican American community and a symbol of their resilience in the face of discriminatory policies, Palm Park and its Shelter House meet the City's landmark designation criteria for Community Value. Thank you for your consideration and feel free to reach out regarding any questions or concerns. ~ - - - ~~·,.w..~. ·- ' ~'-~ QA..o:,- Q,y I..IUI.( 9 ~