The Parks and Recreation and Watershed Protection Departments are developing a feasibility study for the former Youth Hostel site at 2200 S Lakeshore Blvd. as the only viable site for the relocation of the Waller Creek boathouse facility currently located at 74 Trinity St. This is a step toward fulfilling Council Resolution 20220901-085 and will include environmental, engineering, and architectural services, resulting in preliminary design options and cost estimates. The feasibility study will lead to a vision plan and design work. Districts 3 and 9.
Background
The first phase of the Project Connect Light Rail Implementation Plan will require the relocation of the Waller Creek Boathouse from the north shore of Lady Bird Lake. The former Youth Hostel site on the lake's southern shore is the only viable alternative site for the boathouse facility.
The Youth Hostel building was constructed in 1966 as a community center for the Kassuba Apartments. The City of Austin acquired the property through CIP funding in 1985 and partnered with the Austin Rowing Club (ARC) for the use of the building to store boats. ARC relocated to the Waller Beach location when a previous boathouse’s construction was completed in 1988, and the City entered into an agreement with the Southwest Council of American Youth Hostels to convert the building into a Youth Hostel. Alterations to the building and its interiors were made through the years to enhance accessibility and improve service at the building. The hostel closed in 2020 with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. PARD Park Rangers currently use the Youth Hostel site for offices, storage, and other staff needs. The site also includes a dock with canoe rentals, a small parking lot, access to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, and nearby on-street parking. The building has been reviewed for historical designation, but after review, the building was not eligible.
The Waller Creek Boathouse opened at 74 Trinity Street in 2012, after the previous location was demolished for the construction of the Waller Creek Tunnel. The boathouse is owned by the City and managed by the Austin Rowing Club. It currently serves the community with indoor and outdoor rental spaces and is home to the ARC, Retro Boat Rentals ATX, Rō Fitness, ARC Kayak & Paddleboard, and Alta’s Café. Additionally, the boathouse includes equipment for the adjacent Waller Creek Tunnel’s Outfall Facility.
Project Description
The Feasibility Study’s purpose is to determine how the Youth Hostel site can reasonably become the new Boathouse site for the City and its residents, and how much it would cost.
The project boundary surrounds the 7,000 sf Youth Hostel building and includes the Peace Point peninsula at Lady Bird Lake Metropolitan Park and the adjacent Lady Bird Lake waters. It also contains portions of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, which is managed and maintained by the Trail Conservancy.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and the Watershed Protection Department are working to engage an architectural services consultant team and an environmental services consultant team to complete the feasibility study.
The feasibility study will include:
- Facility and site assessment
- On-the-ground survey
- Bathymetric survey
- Geotechnical engineering evaluation
- Phase 1 Environmental assessment
- Code analysis
- Research of local and state regulations, programming identification, and preliminary design options with conceptual level cost estimates.
Options to be evaluated include the reuse of the existing Youth Hostel building with or without additions, demolition of the existing building and construction of a new boathouse, and the option of two separate buildings. Additionally, the Watershed Protection Department is a partner in the feasibility study to determine the challenges and opportunities of shared storage space and boat docks at this proposed facility for their crews who regularly access Lady Bird Lake to remove trash and debris, and who monitor and conduct studies on algae, etc.
Anticipated Schedule
The Feasibility Study will consist of two scopes of work: Environmental and Architectural Services. The timeline and integration of these two separate scopes of work with the accompanying engagement are described below. The Feasibility Study is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2024. Note: All meeting timelines are tentative based on ongoing contract negotiations.
- Website launch: February 2024
- Environmental Services: February to May 2024
- Stakeholder engagement begins: Spring 2024
- Architectural Services: Summer to Fall 2024
- Council Office Briefings: Summer and Fall 2024
- Parks Board Briefings: Summer and Fall 2024
- Community Meeting: Fall 2024
Funding and Resources
Funding for the feasibility study came from the City of Austin's Project Connect Office and the Watershed Protection Department. The funding for the new boathouse will be identified during the Feasibility Study process.
Community Engagement
As a citywide asset, community and stakeholder input plays an essential part of this process. The project team will regularly seek to engage stakeholders in the local community including park users, recreational groups, nearby neighbors, businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders.
PARD will lead accompanying community engagement throughout the project:
Community Meeting
A community meeting (virtual or in-person, to be determined) will introduce the Youth Hostel Boathouse Feasibility Study to the community, discuss the findings of the assessment and research phase, and present the preliminary designs and cost estimates. Questions and discussion from community members and stakeholders received at the Community Meeting will be used to influence the next phase of the project, which will include a vision plan and design work. The Austin Transit Partnership and PARD will co-sponsor this meeting.
Stakeholder Meetings
The project team will coordinate closely with the community throughout this process, identifying stakeholders who represent diverse interests and groups and who have relationships to the current boathouse or the proposed relocation site. The project team will set up individual meetings with stakeholders and attend events to share presentations, brief project updates, and gather feedback and concerns.
The project team will work directly with the public and stakeholders to:
- ensure that public concerns and issues are directly reflected in the alternatives developed, and
- provide feedback on how public input will influence the preliminary design options and programming identification.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or comments, please email Brianna Frey, Senior Planner, Parks and Recreation Department, or call at 512-703-0688.