A consultant is suggesting that Austin’s Historical Landmark Commission recommend demolition for the historic Norwood House in Travis Heights.
The report was delivered Monday night at the Historical Landmark Commission’s monthly meeting at Austin City Hall.
Historical Landmark Commissioners suggested that consultants go back to the drawing board and bring them more information before the Commission makes a recommendation regarding the Norwood House’s future and that of the adjacent dog park to Austin city council.
The Historical Landmark Commission had three options regarding the Norwood House and its neighboring dog park: Either restore the Norwood House to its original splendor, tear it down and build a park on the near 9-acres, or tear the house down and build a brand new structure.
The Norwood House was built in 1922 on a cliff overlooking what was then the Colorado River years before it became Lady Bird Lake. The bungalow featured hanging gardens, a spring-fed pool and tennis court.
The City of Austin bought the property in 1985 with the intention of one day renovating the estate but that has not happened.
In the meantime, some people in Travis Heights believe the dilapidated building and its adjacent dog park are both eyesores which don’t fit into the scheme of the neighborhood.
Other Travis Heights residents like Wolf Sittler disagree. The president of the Norwood Posse, a group of neighbors who’ve spent the last three years trying to save the Norwood property is working on a plan to submit to the Historical Landmark Commission, part of which includes using volunteers, grant money and a donation from an Austin couple who is agreeing to put up half of the money for renovation themselves.
Sittler estimates with the Posse’s plan the renovation of the Norwood House could cost $300,000 or less.
“If the city is willing to engage in a public/private partnership that doesn't rely on taxpayer funds that are scarce enough already we can get something done here and in the future it will provide a revenue stream for the city,” said Sittler.
The Historical Landmark Commission will get another briefing on the Norwood property at its next meeting in July.
The Austin city council will have the final say in either October or November.
