The Seaholm Intake Facility is an iconic Art Deco building that once was the pump house for the Seaholm Power Plant, which operated as a power plant until 1989. In 1996, Austin City Council authorized the decommissioning of the plant and all the associated buildings in preparation for future adaptive reuse.

In the fall of 2016, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and key partners discussed strategies to achieve the greatest public benefit for the Seaholm Intake and surrounding parkland that could best harness the energy and resources of the non-profit and philanthropic sector. A collaborative planning study, led by internationally recognized architecture and urbanism firm Studio Gang, began in June 2017 and was completed in 2018. The study provides PARD and The Trail Conservancy (TTC) with the programming, phasing, operational, and financial model needed to develop a world-class public facility that protects and celebrates the architectural and historical significance of the Seaholm Intake Facility.

intake facility image from the south shore of Lady Bird Lake prior to phase 1 rennovation

The plan, which relies heavily on public input via online platforms, stakeholder meetings, and public open houses, has served as a roadmap for future park improvements and the repurposing of the decommissioned Seaholm Intake structures for public use and recreation. The plan is ambitious and broken into several phases that will incrementally bring the entire Seaholm Waterfront site to life. 

As of September 2022, Phase 1 has been completed. Phase 1, funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue and 2018 bond funding, restored the building to a level that allows small groups to now visit the site safely with the support of City or TTF guides. The scope of this phase included building exterior cleaning and removal of graffiti, window restoration, enclosing large openings in the floor with the installation of new flooring atop a modular steel system, noise reduction with the installation of new acoustic ceiling ties, new interior and exterior lighting, ADA accessibility improvements, and a new roof. Building 3 (an accessory building) was also updated, providing restrooms and a staging area.

Ultimately, full access to the Seaholm Intake Facility will begin upon completion of Phase 2, bringing the facility to life and providing the amenities and maintenance needed for daily operations. The Trail Conservancy in partnership with PARD is launching a $10,000,000 capital campaign in 2022 to fund Phase 2 and will begin the construction of this phase once the campaign goal has been reached.

Seaholm Facility Photo Gallery

Programming the Seaholm Intake Facility Lawn

The City of Austin Parks Department and The Trail Conservancy have planned a variety of programs that will allow safe, managed access to the space and surrounding parkland until Phase 2 is completed. These current programs will include, but are not limited to:

The Trail Conservancy

  • Music on the Trail series
  • Flow & Thrive fitness series
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • ecological restoration volunteer events

Austin Parks and Recreation Department

  • Historic Tours
  • Exterior Film Permitting and Commercial Photography

Ultimately, full access to the structure interior will begin upon completion of Phase 2, bringing the facility to life and providing the amenities and maintenance needed for daily operations. The Trail Conservancy is launching a $10,000,000 capital campaign in 2022 to fund Phase 2 and will begin the construction of this phase once the campaign goal has been reached.

Contacts for Programming

Ultimately, full access to the structure interior will begin upon completion of Phase 2, bringing the facility to life and providing the amenities and maintenance needed for daily operations. The Trail Conservancy is launching a $10,000,000 capital campaign in 2022 to fund Phase 2 and will begin the construction of this phase once the campaign goal has been reached.

Seaholm Waterfront Planning

Austin Parks Foundation (APF), The Trail Conservancy (TTC), and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) completed a planning study in 2017 for the future of Seaholm Waterfront, the historic Seaholm Intake structure and its surrounding parkland. The study, completed by internationally recognized architecture and urbanism firm Studio Gang, reveals a potential concept for future park improvements and the repurposing of the decommissioned Seaholm Intake structures for public use and recreation.

Sign-up for Seaholm Waterfront Updates

Background

The Seaholm Intake facility is an iconic Art Deco design and once was the pump house for the Seaholm Power Plant. The Seaholm Power Plant, a City-owned retired power generation facility, was designed by Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. and built of cast concrete in two phases in 1950 and 1955 by Odom Construction. Seaholm Intake is part of that overall structure. The Seaholm Power Plant represents a strong civic presence in the cityscape of downtown Austin and showcases a unique period of American Art Deco municipal architecture and Public Works engineering. Seaholm operated as a power plant until 1989. In 1996, Austin City Council authorized the decommissioning of the plant and all the associated buildings, in preparation for future adaptive re-use. The Seaholm Intake Facility is located on the banks of Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

About the Project

The planning phase, which began in May 2017, was designed to provide PARD and the City of Austin with a highly adaptable, long-range vision for the historic Seaholm Intake structure and underutilized surrounding parkland by developing the Seaholm Intake into a public facility, while respecting the historic significance of the structure. The study area spanned between the Pfluger Bridge and Shoal Creek, and from the lake’s edge to Cesar Chavez. To learn more about community engagement on this project, please visit www.austintexas.gov/page/seaholm-intake-public-engagement.

Project Scope

The study’s goal was to develop a highly adaptable, long-range vision for the historic Seaholm Intake structure and underutilized surrounding parkland.  Work on early phases including safety requirements and code compliance improvements could begin in the near future and the other phases and amenities would be built out in the coming years. The preferred design concept for the adaptive re-use of the building features an open and flexible space that can be used any day by the public, or periodically for events, and on occasion for large gatherings with the ability to serve food and beverages. Additional features of the proposed plan include the addition of support structures, flexible lawn space, multiple water access points, trail improvements and an amphitheater. Several important principles guided the planning process and potential design of the Seaholm Waterfront including embracing and preserving the historic integrity of the building, engaging with the local community and experts, restoring and diversifying the ecology in the area, and building sustainable principles into the design and operational models.

Objectives

The goal was to develop a long-range vision for the project with particular focus on the programming model to:

  • develop a public and civic facility;
  • identify a phased approach to the project so that work can begin in the near future;
  • and build out the project in the coming years.

Precedent Projects and Qualifications

The project team identified precedent projects and key attributes to be considered:

Experience with similar projects in similar settings, experience understanding projects in the public realm and specifically parklands, experience with developing feasibility studies encompassing economic, environmental and cultural vitality, and experience with public participation and outreach

Studio Gang has collaborated with 8 local Austin sub-consultants, including Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Datum Engineering, Urban Design Group and GO Collaborative partnered with Civic Collaboration to facilitate public involvement.

The effort included inventory and analysis of the physical attributes of the site along with all completed work to date on site conducted by PARD, with specific consideration paid to the historic integrity of the building;  Develop precedent studies of similar, national projects;

With these attributes in mind, Studio Gang was identified to move forward to lead the effort. An internationally recognized architecture and urbanism firm founded by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang has developed such landmark urbanism projects as Civic Commons, a set of design strategies and techniques that communities can use to renew their public assets, created as part of the national initiative Reimagining the Civic Commons; two boathouses on the Chicago River; the Nature Boardwalk and Pavilion at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago; and the framework plan for Northerly Island, a public park and former airfield on Lake Michigan.

Conduct stakeholder meetings and public open houses to determine the best recreation and public use for the site and building based on public input;

Develop construction cost models to determine overall project costs and likely phasing opportunities; and

Explore precedents for partnerships for programing, operations and the management of public facilities.

Seaholm Waterfront Community Engagement

To learn more about community engagement on this project, please visit the Seaholm Intake Community Engagement webpage.

The original Public Engagement Plan can be viewed here (PDF).

Seaholm Intake Facility - Phase 1

Current Project Updates

Phase 1 Rehabilitation: The City executed a construction contract with Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC to complete the work as selected through a Competitive Sealed Proposal solicitation in Spring 2021. Construction commenced in September 2021.

Community engagement for Phase 1 Rehabilitation was collected by email and webpage updates. Phase 1 included the necessary upgrades for the building to be safe, and code compliant as outlined in the Council-approved plan for the Seaholm Waterfront. Extensive engagement was completed as a part of the planning process, as well as a robust series of Boards, Commissions and City Council approvals. All Phase 1 work was granted approval by the Historic Landmark Commission and City of Austin Historic Preservation Office.

Phase 1 Community Engagement

Background

The Seaholm Power Plant, a City-owned retired power generation facility, was designed by Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. and built of cast concrete in two phases in 1950 and 1955 by Odom Construction. Seaholm Intake is part of that overall structure. The Seaholm Power Plant represents a strong civic presence in the cityscape of downtown Austin and showcases a unique period of American Art Deco municipal architecture and Public Works engineering. Seaholm operated as a power plant until 1989. In 1996, Austin City Council authorized the decommissioning of the plant and all the associated buildings, in preparation for future adaptive re-use. The Seaholm Intake Facility is located on the banks of Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

The planning phase began in May 2017 and was completed in 2018. Phase 1 Rehabilitation will begin soon. Planning for Phase 2 in partnership with The Trail Conservancy, is in its initial stages.

Phase 1 Rehabilitation Description

The Seaholm Intake Facility required extensive renovations after sitting vacant and decommissioned as a power plant building for decades. The focus of the Phase 1 Rehabilitation was to provide the necessary upgrades to make the building usable, such as exterior cleaning, interior safety, and ADA accessibility improvements. In addition, Building 3 will be retrofitted as a support structure for events at the intake facility.

These renovations allow for rejuvenation and activation of the space in the short-term, while preparations for the next phase of the Seaholm Waterfront Plan are developed.

Phase 1 Anticipated Schedule

Overhead drawing of intake facililty showing Building 1 and Building 2 as well as surrounding streets, trail, and lake

Funding

The funding for the Rehabilitation of the Seaholm Intake Facility is made possible through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funding to support projects and initiatives that meet allowable uses as defined under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code.

HOT revenue is an essential tool for the promotion of tourism and supports the growth of the tourism, convention and hotel industry. PARD is an important partner in this effort as public parks, museums and cultural centers are among the top tourist attractions in the City.

Learn more about Historic Preservation and Tourism in Austin Parks.