03.0 - C14H-2026-0045 - 2300 Rosewood Ave - Doris Miller Auditorium — original pdf

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ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H-2026-0045 HLC DATE: July 1, 2026 PC DATE: TBD CC Date: TBD APPLICANT: Historic Landmark Commission (commission-initiated) HISTORIC NAME: Doris Miller Auditorium WATERSHED: Boggy Creek ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 2300 Rosewood Avenue, Austin, Texas 78702 ZONING CHANGE: P-NP to P-H-NP COUNCIL DISTRICT: 1 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change from public- neighborhood plan (P-NP) to public-historic landmark-neighborhood plan (P-H-NP) combining district zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture, community value, and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Austin Lukes, 512-978-0766 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Neighborhoods Council, Del Valle Community Coalition, East Austin Conservancy, Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Overton Family Committee , Preservation Austin, Red Line Parkway Initiative, Residents of E 12th St, Rosewood Neighborhood Plan Contact Team DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey recommends the building as eligible for designation as a local landmark and individually eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as contributing to a potential local or National Register historic district. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. As a civic building in its park setting, Doris Miller Auditorium occupies a prominent location in the neighborhood and the larger East Austin context. Originally constructed in 1944, with ownership transferring to the city in 1946, it first served as a facility for returning Black service members during World War II. As a USO recreation center, the facility (named for U.S. Navy cook Doris Miller, originally from Waco, who served during the attack on Pearl Harbor, earning the distinction of being the first Black servicemember receive the Naval Cross for his heroism) hosted events, including dances, concerts, and other social events. Additionally, there were facilities provided for athletics and stage performances, making the auditorium a multi-use facility which required an architectural design that was adaptable and large enough to serve disparate functions. Designed by Danze & Davis Architects1, the auditorium facility was constructed with six large concrete ribs that spanned the eventual width of the building, allowing for a large opening space that fit a basketball court, for which the wood floor could be used for numerous functions without substantial changes aside from moving furniture or risers for seating. Along the broad sides of the auditorium, double height brick walls were constructed to house bleacher-style seating, with the space between each concrete arch designating a bay. Each bay had three windows near the top of the walls, above the uppermost bleacher seats. As this facility was used for sporting events, each window had metal bars on the interior side of the assembly to avoid broken windows. To enclose the space, a wooden roof structure, utilizing curved materials such as plywood board, allowed for a relatively lightweight cover that allowed for passive ventilation to cool the space when windows were open. Photos from shortly after construction show some sort of fabric coverings affixed to the roof structure, likely serving an acoustical purpose. In the decades since construction, an acoustical tile ceiling and fluorescent light system has been installed to service the space. Given its prominent location and multi-use requirements for the space, the architecture of Doris Miller Auditorium has significance as a civic-oriented space that was severely lacking in East Austin at time of construction. The techniques and engineering of the space, which allowed for numerous types fo social and cultural events, has been well maintained and continues in service to today. The overall site of Rosewood Park in which it is located retains integrity, and the auditorium can continue to be a pillar of the community for generations to come. § 25-2-352(3)(c)(ii) Historical Associations. The property has long-standing significant associations with persons, groups, institutions, businesses, or events of historical importance that contributed significantly to the history of the city, state, or nation or represents a significant portrayal of the cultural practices or the way of life of a definable group of people in a historic time. The history of Doris Miller Auditorium weaves itself throughout numerous histories found in the East Austin community. Its genesis as a facility was in the idea that there weren’t sufficient facilities for Black Austin servicemembers, and that any existing buildings of adequate size, such as the Cotton Club on East 11st Street, were not sufficient for the uses or condition required2. With some funding for facilities paid for by the city, along with significant advocacy from the East Austin community members, the USO began construction of a facility to house operations for both active service members as well as the community in Rosewood Park. Facilities for Black and Hispanic communities east of East Avenue, later Interstate 35, were often “homegrown” or otherwise provided by the community themselves rather than the city. Doris Miller Auditorium, and Rosewood Park generally, served as one of the few facilities that have continued their close association with civic events with these communities. As mentioned elsewhere in this review, organizations and events as wide ranging as USO, 4-H, nationally renowned musical acts, and local Christmas pageants all found a home at Doris Miller. By being one of the go-to destinations for any and all events in East Austin, the park and auditorium served to tie the community together 1 Dudley, Tara.. “Rosewood Park Historic District, Travis County, Texas.” National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. May 16, 2026. 2 East Austin Centers of Swing: The Royal Auditorium and the Cotton Club, 817 E. 11th – local memory: A history of music in Austin. (n.d.). https://local-memory.org/athens-on-the-colorado/narratives/east-austin-centers-of-swing/ is a way that extends across time and numerous historical associations. § 25-2-352(3)(c)(iv) Community Value. The property has a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, a neighborhood, or a particular group. After the end of the Second World War, the facility’s ownership was transferred to the City of Austin, and use of its amenities continued to be used by East Austin residents. While it is unknown what the expected uses for the auditorium may have been at time of this transfer, Doris Miller became the gathering place for any and all events that required a large facility. Concerts, including national acts such as B.B. King, James Brown, and Big Momma Thorton, were held at the venue. It has been described as being on the “Chitlin Circuit3,” a nickname for venues that showed relative acceptance of African-American entertainers in the early-to-mid 20th century. Arts and crafts events, including 4- H shows, used the auditorium space for displays and performances4. Christmas pageants and services used the stage, with chairs and tables brought out for seating and sharing of food. Basketball tournaments and political rallies were held at the facilities, and in between all these different events, any number of small gatherings were able to use this city facility, especially those residents who may not otherwise be allowed to use similar facilities in other parts of the city during a time of segregation. Doris Miller Auditorium is a structure that is integral to the story and history of East Austin, as well as the community that lived (and lives) in this area of the city. As a center of recreation, entertainment, and civic engagement, it is noteworthy for its long history and continued use, as well as a reflection of the groups that made it significant. For these reasons, this building meets landmark criteria for architecture, historical associations, and community value, and staff recommends its designation. PARCEL NO.: 0208111801 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 0.34 acres of LOT 1-3 ROSEWOOD VILLAGE SEC 4 & .246AC OF OLT 59 DIV B ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX EXEMPTION: N/A APPRAISED VALUE: Land: $24,020,726; Improvement: $3,950,245; Total: $27,970,971 PRESENT USE: Auditorium DATE BUILT/PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1944 / 1944-1976 INTEGRITY/ALTERATIONS: Building has good integrity. Small additions have been made since original construction, mostly for systems improvements, additional facilities, and some additional material cladding for protection. Air conditioning, along with all necessary ducting and mechanical equipment, was installed some time after construction, with an equipment pen located to the north of the building, as minimally visible as possible from the main entry. A small brick addition was constructed at the southern end of the building in the early 1970s to house interior facilities, and a similar addition was made at the northern end in the early 1980s. The original concrete masonry wall at north and south ends has been covered with metal paneling. 3 Entertainment, arts returning to former 'Chitlin’ Circuit’ Hot Spot in East Austin. Austin Monitor. (2024, February 27). https://austinmonitor.com/stories/2017/05/entertainment-arts-returning-former-chitlin-circuit-hot-spot-east- austin/ 4 Irvin M. May, Jr., “Texas Agricultural Extension Service,” Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association, https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/amtpw, accessed March 10, 2019. PRESENT OWNERS: City of Austin ORIGINAL OWNER(S): City of Austin OTHER HISTORICAL DESIGNATIONS: Doris Miller Auditorium is included as part of a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for Rosewood Park, which is currently under review for designation by the National Park Service. It is also listed in the City of Austin’s 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey with a recommendation for landmark eligibility, as well as contributing to a potential local or National Register historic district. Exterior, Doris Miller Auditorium, June 2026 Aerial view of Doris Miller Auditorium, 1976 (top) and 1965 (bottom). Note the construction to facilities to the south of the building.