04.1 - 6706 Bluff Springs Rd - backup — original pdf

Backup

July 18, 2025 Kim McKnight Division Manager, Historic Preservation City of Austin PO Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 Via Email Re: Recorded Texas Historic Landmark project review, The Governor Horton Place (Horton—Duval House), Austin, Travis County (RTHL) Dear Ms. McKnight: Thank you for sending information regarding proposed project work to the Governor Horton Place, which is designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. This letter represents the comments of the Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission. The review staff, led by Alexander Shane, has completed its review of the project documentation provided on June 5, 2025, and has the following comments, recommendations, and expectations: On June 9, 2025, Texas Historical Commission staff met with staff from the City of Austin at The Governor Horton Place (1972) on Bluff Springs Road. The City of Austin Planning Department provided documentation prior to the site visit indicating the historic property at 6706 Bluff Springs Road had deteriorated beyond salvage. The building succumbed to fire in 1996 and was left in a state of disrepair for many years with partial exterior walls remaining. We understand the proposed exterior scope of work to be the demolition of the remaining masonry walls and clearing of the site. The 1996 fire, along with no additional care of the building, led to further deterioration of the structure. The City of Austin Structural Engineer submitted a report dated June 9, 2025, in which it was noted that between October 2022 and June 2025 two stabilizing walls collapsed at the building, increasing the instability of the remaining walls. Our office understands the growing concern by the community and by the City of Austin that the site of The Governor Horton Place has become a safety issue due to the weakening of the remaining walls. Since there is no security at the site, fears have been expressed over potential injury, due to the large tract of property and numerous access points. Normally, the Texas Historical Commission would encourage the property owner to attempt a rehabilitation effort to stabilize the weakened walls and look for ways to pull in monies to assist with building preservation. Based upon the deteriorated condition shared by the City of Austin in information submitted and noted during the site visit by Texas Historical Commission staff, we understand the demolition and clearing of The Governor Horton Place. Because this property is not owned by the City of Austin, the Texas Historical Commission attempted to contact the owner of record, MT Properties, LLC, by certified mail on June 24, 2025. Staff confirmed receipt of the letter and subsequently spoke to the owner’s agent, CSC of Wilmington, Delaware, by phone on July 10, 2025. To date, the owner has not replied to oppose or agree to the proposed demolition, and as such, we are now proceeding to respond to the City’s request. According to Texas Government Code 442.006.(f) “A person may not damage the historical or architectural integrity of a structure the commission has designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark without notifying the commission at least 60 days before the date on which the action causing the damage is to begin. After receiving the notice, the commission may waive the waiting period or, if the commission determines that a longer period will enhance the chance for preservation, it may require an additional waiting period of not longer than 30 days. On the expiration of the time limits imposed by this section, the person may proceed, but must proceed not later than the 180th day after the date on which notice was given or the notice is considered to have expired.” Particularly because the City of Austin is not the property owner, and in consideration of the fact that the City’s Historic Landmark Commission must also take action on this case, the Texas Historical Commission hereby imposes the waiting period. Demolition work may not begin before September 3, 2025, and must proceed by December 2, 2025, or additional notification will be required. As a form of mitigation and memorialization, our office understands that the City of Austin is prepared to create and display interpretive signage at The Governor Horton Place to recognize the location and former appearance of the building. We would fully support the installation of interpretive signage, either now or in conjunction with future redevelopment of the property. Archeology Division review staff, led by Tiffany Osburn, has also reviewed the proposed demolition and has the following recommendations prior to any future ground disturbing activities or removal of local designations. We recommend that an archeological survey be conducted to record the location of historic features related to the Governor Horton, including outbuildings, privies, cellars, wells or cisterns, landscaping features, etc. This archeological survey should be informed by extensive review of maps and archival documents. Should any significant and informative historic features be identified through survey, every effort should be made to fully recover data through testing or detailed mapping of such features before they are lost to development. THC will accept and curate a draft report summarizing the investigations. We look forward to further consultation with your office and hope to maintain a partnership that will foster effective historic preservation. Thank you for your interest in the cultural heritage of Texas, and for the opportunity to comment on this proposed project in accordance with Recorded Texas Historic Landmark legislation. If you have any questions concerning our review or if we can be of further assistance, please contact Alexander Shane at 512.463.8952. Sincerely, Bradford Patterson, Deputy Executive Director for Preservation Programs Cc: MT Properties, LLC, c/o CSC Bob Ward, Chair, Travis County Historical Commission To: Marlayna Wright Code Supervisor | Case Review & Escalations Division Austin Code Department Re: 6706 Bluff Springs, Austin, Texas 78744 Existing Structure Observation Mrs. Wright, June 9, 2025 This letter is in regard to a follow up visit to 6706 Bluff Springs, Austin, Texas 78744 to assess the structural integrity of the existing structure. The original letter regarding the structural assessment of the existing structure was issued October 4, 2022. A site visit was conducted on March 19, 2025, to perform a structural observation of the existing building. The existing structure did not improve and is considered a dangerous environment and life safety concern to those living on the property and those that have access to the priority. Since the last site visit conducted October 4, 2022, two (2) of the walls that were standing have collapsed. The wall along the south side of the building and west side of the building are no longer present. See Figures A and B. These walls provided lateral support for the adjacent walls. The failure of the walls adds to the instability of the remaining walls. There were needles and hazardous material on the ground in several locations of the site that is a health safety concern. See Figure C. At the time of our site visit there were several people living on the property and within footprint of the dilapidated building. See Figures D and E. The existing structure is a life safety concern to those living on the property and those that have access to the property. The structural integrity of the existing structures at 6706 Bluff Springs, Austin, Texas 78744, have been compromised, creating imminent hazard and danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public. This property is a health risk to those living on the property and for the neighborhood that is adjacent to the property. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you, Karim Helmi, PE City Structural Engineer Office of the City Engineer Transportation Public Works Department │ City of Austin 512.974.6539│ karim.helmi@austintexas.gov Photo A (West Wall) 2 | P a g e Photo B (South Wall) Photo C (Needle) Photo D Photo E 3 | P a g e