07.0 - 709 Rio Grande St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Certificate of Appropriateness April 1, 2026 HR-2026-027581 Sayers House 709 Rio Grande Street 7 – 1 Proposal Rehabilitate a City of Austin landmark for use as a school. Project Specifications 1) Repair or rehabilitate exterior character-defining features, including windows, doors, masonry, and balconies. 2) Construct life safety, accessibility, and systems updates as required. Work will take place at both the interior and the exterior of the building. Architecture This landmark is an excellent example of a high-style American Foursquare form, with several Classical Revival elements that make it stand out from other examples of the same building form. It features a prominent front porch and balcony, with several 12-over-1 windows on the front and narrow 1-over-1 fixtures at the sides and rear. There is a decorative cornice element that wraps around the house, and the balcony balustrade features embellishments as well. The structure remains in good condition. 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 at historic landmarks. The following standards apply to the proposed project: Repair and alterations 1. General standards The application describes the priority to retain and repair where possible, and replacement of historic material to occur only when necessary due to material loss or cumulative damage over time. Alterations made for safety or accessibility reasons will read as distinct but will not overwhelm the historic forms or material. 2. Foundations Foundations are to undergo significant reinforcement and shoring to support the continued weight of the building, but none of the work will be visible from the street due to the exterior foundation walls. No plans are included to raise or lower the overall height of the foundation, and no visual changes are anticipated as a result of the work. 3. Roofs No work is proposed at the roof, as it is determined to be in good condition. 4. Exterior walls and trim Existing stucco and brick is currently painted, and the proposed work includes a new color paint to be installed. Due to the existing situation, there are no additional concerns with adding another layer. 5. Windows, doors, and screens First floor windows, currently covered, will be uncovered and the existing material repaired. Otherwise, windows are to be retained and repaired. One window, to be converted to a door for egress, is on the less visible south side. This is an ideal location for life safety measures and meets the design standards’ intent. 6. Porches Besides appropriate repair and patching, a glass rail is proposed behind the existing rail to meet handrail requirements. This is specifically called out in the design standards as a best practice to reduce visibility while 7 – 2 retaining the historic material. 11. Commercial storefronts A monument sign is proposed to serve as commercial/identification, not to be located on the building. A subsequent sign application is expected to be submitted and will be reviewed by Historic Preservation Office staff. Sites and streetscapes 1. Vegetation, topography, and landscaping Excavation and levelling work is in service of proper drainage, considering the existing basement and concerns about vapor permeability. 3. Mechanical equipment and site appurtenances New exterior HVAC equipment is to be located at the side of the building, and will be minimally visible from at one side. 4. Accessibility An egress stair is proposed at the less visible side elevation. While one window on the second floor is proposed to be changed into a doorway, the intervention is as least visible and non-invasive as possible, given the location of the structure on a street corner. Except where it meets the doorway, the stair is not to be tied into the building and may be removed in the future with minimal impact, apart from the egress door. Summary The project meets the applicable standards. Department Comments This application will time out on June 15, 2026. Staff Recommendation Approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. Location Map 7 – 3 Property Information Photos 7 – 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, March 2026 Permit application, 2026 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 Tyre Jeffrey, owner Ernest & Harriett Jackson, owner; Chairman at the Steck Company Same as above Same as above Apartments: Vivian Ragsdale (owner); court reporter, with Maurine Willis, John Brooks Apartments: Same as above, with Everett Leland and Douglas Bergman Vacant Orline Sayers (widow of Joseph), owner Same as above Same as above Same as above Joseph & Orline Sayers, owners; member of the State Board of Pardon Advisors Same as above, now working as a lawyer at the Littlefield Building 7 – 5 Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Joseph Sayers, lawyer Same as above Same as above Same as above 1927 1924 1922 1920 1918 1916 1914 1912 1909 1906 Historical Information Sayers, Joseph D.  Austin Daily Statesman (1891-1902); Austin, Tex.. 23 Apr 1898: 4. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 09 Dec 1956: C17. Permits 7 – 6 Water service permit, 1933 Permit to divide building into apartments, 1947 7 – 7 Water service permit (for apartment conversion), 1947