Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | Facebook
Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | Facebook
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Capital Delivery Services are advancing the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) with three projects: adding movable wall partitions to the ballroom, constructing a new pavilion, and implementing elements of the Watershed Protection Department’s AARC/Rutherford Stormwater Improvements affecting Little Walnut Creek.
In 2022, Phase 2 Implementation began with the design of a performing arts theater and other improvements, guided by community engagement in the 2019 Plan and additional input in 2022. However, following schematic design and cost estimation, it became evident that the available funds from the 2018 General Obligation Bond were insufficient to cover these additions. Consequently, the project shifted focus to another component of Phase 2: a new pavilion identified in the 2019 Plan that could support additional programming on the AARC Great Lawn.
Design of the new pavilion is currently underway. The City of Austin aims to have schematic design completed by winter 2024 before beginning the permitting process. Construction is anticipated to start post-permitting with completion expected in 2026.
The Parks and Recreation Department, Capital Delivery Services, and Watershed Protection Department are collaborating to integrate the AARC/Rutherford Stormwater Improvements project with AARC’s 2019 Plan. This project element will improve water quality in Little Walnut Creek and provide site enhancements for visitors parking at Rutherford campus who walk to AARC. Additional components from the AARC Plan include a boardwalk, pedestrian trails, nature play area, pond improvements, and two pedestrian bridges.
The AARC will install a new partition system in its ballroom to offer various layout options for events and rentals. When installed, these partitions will allow division into halves or quarters for dedicated reception space, meeting space, or performance space. The project begins on August 19 with completion scheduled for early November. During this period, public access to the ballroom will be restricted.
Community members are invited to sign up for email updates regarding all projects here. Updates will also be posted on the AARC Phase 2 Implementation project webpage.
About Capital Delivery Services:
Capital Delivery Services builds public projects supporting community needs through engineers, architects, and construction professionals experienced in managing diverse-sized projects. They collaborate with community members, consultants, contracting teams, and other City departments ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery based on their "one City" philosophy.
About Watershed Protection:
The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department protects lives, property, and environment by mitigating flooding impacts erosion control measures reducing water pollution Visit AustinTexas.gov/Watershed for more information
About Parks & Recreation:
Austin Parks & Recreation seeks to inspire learning playing protecting connecting within sustainable natural spaces public places offering sports recreation educational enrichment arts programs cultural opportunities nature aquatic activities For more details visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks follow @AustinCityParks
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