08.0 - 2100 Barton Springs Rd — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Permits in National Register Historic Districts February 4, 2026 HR-2025-145729 Zilker Park National Register Historic District 2100 Barton Springs Road 8 – 1 Proposal Construct a new bridge in place of the existing contributing bridge. Reconstruct trails. Restore stream bank. Project Specifications The proposed new bridge will replace the existing 1925/1946 Barton Creek bridge at Barton Springs Road and Azie Morton Road. Extreme deterioration and deferred maintenance necessitate bridge removal, with structural elements’ degradation beyond repair and safety concerns, including flood control and pedestrian safety issues, driving Council approval in 2023. The selected design appears to be the most compatible of three options. Proposed materials will match the existing bridge’s concrete and asphalt construction. The proposed bridge utilizes a set of arched piers, reflective of the existing bridge’s design, oriented transverse to the superstructure of the bridge. This orientation provides a maximum amount of visibility through the bridge. The abutment at the park side has been pushed back to create open space accommodating the park train and pedestrian path. The handrail on the park side of the bridge utilizes a robust steel design with heavy concrete pilasters that pay homage to the existing bridge and divert debris during flood events. The bridge has been widened to accommodate two lanes of traffic, planters, and seating with shade devices on either side. Streetscape elements have been selected to blend with the bridge’s surroundings and will be minimally visible above the handrail. Proposed lighting is simple in design. The proposed stream bank and pedestrian pathways are supported by ashlar masonry and stone veneer retaining walls. Design Standards The City of Austin’s Historic Design Standards (March 2021) are based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and are used to evaluate projects in National Register districts. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Sites and streetscapes 1. Vegetation, topography, and landscaping 1.1 Do not grade, fill, or excavate unless it is to solve a drainage or flooding problem. 1.2 Retain permanent landscape features that define the character of the property and the district. Protect them when constructing new buildings or additions. The proposed project slightly changes the topography surrounding the bridge to alleviate flooding and allow for pedestrian use of the surrounding bank. No additional character-defining landscape features appear to be affected at this phase of the project. Changes to character-defining landscape features will require additional HLC review. 2. Walls and fences 2.4 If constructing a new street-side fence or site wall, design it so that the materials, style, and scale are compatible with and differentiated from the architectural style and period of the building and are in keeping with historic fence styles and heights in the historic district. a. New front fences must be no more than 4’ high and have a high degree of transparency. The proposed site walls are compatible with the surrounding district. 5. Sidewalks, driveways, and parking 5.2 Construct new sidewalks and driveways that are compatible with the character of the district in location, size, width, pattern, and material. Proposed sidewalks are compatible with the surrounding district. 8 – 2 6. Streetscape elements 6.1 Retain character-defining public infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, bridges, planting strips, curbs, gutters, and alleys. 6.2 Retain character-defining streetscape elements such as historic gateway entrances, mosaic curb signs, lights, and street furniture. 6.3 Construct new streets, sidewalks, planting strips, curbs, ADA ramps, and alleys to be compatible with the style, scale, materials, and configuration of the historic district. 6.4 Install street lighting that is compatible with the design, materials, and scale of the historic district. If historic light fixtures exist, design new lighting to match their design, materials, and scale. 6.5 Do not introduce new materials or features to create a false sense of history. 6.6 Do not block pedestrian-level views of historic buildings with streetscape elements. 6.7 Constructing new sidewalks is encouraged, even if they were not historically present. The proposed project replaces the existing public infrastructure, deteriorated beyond repair. The historic park entrance pillar and half-wall does not appear to be affected by the proposal. Proposed street, sidewalk, planters, curbs, and accessible sidewalks appear compatible with the historic district. The proposed street lighting and under-bridge lighting appears compatible. New materials appear appropriately differentiated. No views of historic elements are obstructed. New sidewalks will be constructed for pedestrian access to trail underneath bridge. Summary The project mostly meets the applicable standards. Department Comments The proposed project is currently in review by the Texas Historical Commission and Texas Department of Transportation as part of the NHPA Section 106 and DOTA Section 4(f) processes. While no formal reports have been completed, representatives of both agencies have expressed preliminary support of the proposed design, given the advanced deterioration of the existing bridge and the sensitivity of the new design. Replacement of the bridge was approved by City Council in 2023 as part of the bond approval process. As the Historic Landmark Commission’s purview is ultimately to recommend structures slated for demolition to City Council, and City Council has already decided to allow demolition of the existing bridge, the demolition will not return to the Historic Landmark Commission. Staff Recommendation Comment on and release the plans, encouraging the applicant to comply with THC feedback when received. Request that the applicant follow the appropriate City process if other contributing structures are to be removed or modified. Location Map 8 – 3