09.0 - 902 W Johanna St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 PR-2025-086196; GF-2025-094899 902 WEST JOHANNA STREET 9.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1935 house. ARCHITECTURE The Craftsman-inspired bungalow located at 902 West Johanna Street is currently a side-by-side duplex with a shared front porch. This porch stretches across the middle half of the front elevation and is covered by a front-facing gable roof, which is inset within a gable covering the main house. Decorative brackets are present at both gables, along with latticework attic vents. The walls are clad in narrow teardrop siding, and the house is elevated on piers. A 1948 addition is present at the rear of the property. RESEARCH It isn’t known whether the house was originally constructed as a duplex, or if it was converted to such an orientation shortly after being built. From its construction around 1935 until the mid-1950s, the house was owned by Cecil & Daisy Naven, who had moved to Austin from Wichita Falls around the start of the Great Depression. Cecil Naven worked for several years at Southwestern Bell before being listed in city directories as a mechanic and repairman. During this time, they periodically had renters living at the address, presumably in the other half of the house. A work permit for a rear addition was filed with the city in 1948. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2015 Bouldin Creek historic resource survey lists the property as a medium priority. 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 a good example of Craftsman bungalow architecture. 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 deconstruction and reuse, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 9.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 9.0 – 3 Demolition application, 2025 Occupancy History City Directory Research, August 2025 1959 1955 1954 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1940 1939 1937 1935 1932 Ruy & Carolyn Wallace, owners John & Bennie Riojas, owners; mechanic Cecil & Daisy Naven, owners; maintenance & repairman Same as above Same as above, with Chester & Margaret Wallace, renters Same as above Same as above, now at Southwestern Bell Same as above Same as above Same as above, with Wesley & Juen Collier, renters; driver Same as above Same as above, with Mattie Barnett, renter Address not listed Historical Information 9.0 – 4 Aerial image, 1958. Rear addition is present at property Aerial image, 1940. 902 W Johanna St. is at the southeast corner of the block Permits 9.0 – 5 Permit for construction of addition, 1948 Water tap permit, 1954