Design commission recommends Fiesta Gardens rehabilitation meets city design and sustainability standards

The Austin Design Commission voted May 18 to recommend that the Fiesta Gardens complex rehabilitation project comply with the city’s design and sustainability standards.

Leslie Perez, project manager for Fiesta Gardens, introduced the proposal on behalf of Austin Parks and Recreation, saying the project “focuses on preserving, restoring, and rehabilitating the existing Fiesta Gardens complex in alignment with the Council approved 2014 … Senior Park at Festival Beach Vision Plan.” Architect Nathan Quiring of Clayton Corti described the work as a historic rehabilitation of four structures with the goal of increasing usability, bringing historic facilities up to code and improving the site’s street presence.

The commission’s recommendation follows a presentation that outlined a phased approach. Phase 1 concentrates on structural repairs, mechanical-system upgrades and accessibility improvements; Phase 2 — which would convert the Mercado building into community rooms — is not currently funded. Quiring said the plan removes the existing solid cedar street-front fence, replacing it with a transparent wrought-iron entrance gate and creating pocket gardens, new plantings and shade trees to improve the walking experience.

Commissioners questioned several design details before voting. Commissioner Kevin Howard asked about the sidewalk alignment and the absence of a planting buffer between curb and walk, noting that “the planting zone is between the curb and the sidewalk to help ... shelter the pedestrians.” Quiring said most of the frontage will be pulled away from the curb to provide a buffer except for two accessible spaces that would remain adjacent to the curb and be brought into compliance with accessibility standards.

Commissioner Carroll asked about sustainability measures; the project team said they are pursuing LEED Silver certification, are reusing existing buildings to preserve embodied energy and plan to replace large areas of concrete in the plaza with pervious pavers and rain-friendly planting areas. Quiring said the team is not proposing fixture-level water-reuse measures or purple-pipe plumbing at this time.

Design changes included plans to increase accessibility at the grandstand by installing a ramp and removing several rows of bleachers to create a flat, wheelchair-accessible area. The architects also said the dining hall’s service areas would be reconfigured to create a larger event space while maintaining the historic building as the dominant element.

The commission moved, seconded and voted to recommend that Fiesta Gardens complies with city design and sustainability standards. The project will proceed through the usual City Council and permitting steps for Parks and Recreation projects.

The commission’s action was procedural: it recommended compliance with local design and sustainability standards; final approvals and funding for later phases will follow separate processes.