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Republic Square Park Tomorrow

Austin Parks Foundation is engaged in a project to revitalize Republic Square Park and protect the square's historic Auction Oaks. The first phase began in July and expected to be completed in early October, 2008

Auction Oaks Project Continues into Early October.

Diagram of tree transplanting

Beginning July 17, 2008, a portion of Republic Square Park was closed as part of efforts to improve the health of the historic Auction Oaks. Work completed and coming up includes:

Parks Forestry crews pruned dead wood from the Auction Oaks
Bartlett Tree Experts mapped the root zones of the oaks by using an air spade.
Austin Parks Foundation intended to have four street trees transplanted, as shown in the diagram to the right, but none of the trees were good candidates for transplanting. So, in early October, we'll be replacing these trees with a variety of new trees varying in size as well as species.
Removal of the berm on the west side (San Antonio St) and a portion of the berm on the 4th St. side, as well as the stone wall and sidewalks around the oaks to allow for root zone mapping. Following work, the ground will be mulched.
All trees will be treated for pests, fed, and mulched monthly for the next two years.
The fence will remain up throughout fall 2008 to allow the trees a chance to recover as well to set the stage for phase two - which is planned to include a 3,500 square foot deck under the central auction oak.

Phase 1 Work is being performed by the City of Austin Parks Forestry Division, Bartlett Tree Experts and Environmental Design, Inc, with TBG Partners, Inc. coordinating overall efforts. Funding is provided by the Austin Parks Foundation, through generous donations from C3 Presents, Inc from the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association and the General Services Administration.

Project updates will be posted on our Parks Blog. Photos of the work being performed will be posted on our Flickr page.

More About the Project

Street view of TBG Partners design
for Auction Oaks area

Since early 2006, The Republic Square Partners, a group of local and federal government representatives as well as business and property owners and the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Austin Parks Foundation have been meeting monthly to discuss improvements to Republic Square Parks.

Thanks to the GSA (General Services Administration) the owners of the future Federal Courthouse site, a two-day workshop produced by the Project for Public Spaces generated many ideas and suggestions from over 75 participants.

Beginning in January 2007, the Austin Parks Foundation began working with TBG Partners, Inc. to develop some conceptual ideas. TBG quickly focused on a portion of the park that could be improved in the short term, the historic Auction Oaks area in the southwest corner of the park. After many presentations, feedback sessions and meetings with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Republic Square Partners, plans for revamping and restoring the Auction Oaks area are now making their way through the city boards and commissions approval process.

Work includes berm and sidewalk removal in and around the oaks, transplanting of several street trees that are impacting the oaks' growth, and restoration of the area beneath the oaks. Design elements will include stone bollards and native plantings beneath the oaks. A specially constructed deck under the central oak will protect the tree roots and allow visitors to enjoy the shade on moveable chairs.

Next steps are to seek approvals from the Parks Board, the Landmark Commission and City Council. Funding for the project, estimated at $350,000, comes from the Austin Parks Foundation via proceeds from the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Andrews Urban and Novare Companies, and the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association. Construction, if all approvals are received, is expected to begin in 2008.

Detail of TBG Partners design for Republic Square Park, showing
Auction Oaks area (SW corner of the park)

TBG detail view

View larger image

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