When:   7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2002 Where:   Hyde Park United Methodist Church 4001 Speedway Who:   YOU and your neighbors Note:   HPNA general meetings take place on the first Monday of each month. HPNA General Meeting June 3rd Agenda Presentation by Public Works regarding two beautification projects on Guadalupe Discussion of Hyde Park Homes Tour planning progress Discussion of City of Austin noise measurement issue Discussion of the board of adjustment letter for 4101 Avenue H

June, 2002   National Register District Neighborhood   Vol. 28, No. 6 2002 Hyde Park Homes Tour The 26th annual Historic Hyde Park Homes Tour, sponsored by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association will take place Father's Day Weekend, June 15-16, 2002. Tour hours Saturday are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Tour begins at the Hyde Park Church of Christ, 310 W. 43rd Street, corner of 43rd & Ave. B. Tickets are $10.00 through June 14th at the following merchants: FreshPlus Grocery at 408 E. 43rd St., Express Alterations in Highland Mall, Ace Custom Tailors at 916 W. 12th St. and at the Hancock Recreation Center at 41st and Red River. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $12.50. Tickets can also be purchased via credit card at www.austix.com or by calling 454-TIXS. Tickets purchased through Austix carry a $2 service fee.

The Homes Tour is the Neighborhood Association's principal fund raiser for the year so participating in the Tour is supporting the neighborhood. A portion of the proceeds this year will go to benefit the Austin State Hospital Volunteer Program.

The Hyde Park Homes Tour provides a unique opportunity to visit historic homes in the Hyde Park neighborhood that have been updated to accommodate modern lifestyles. This walking tour of the neighborhood showcases eight homes in the area east of Speedway and west of Caswell, between 40th and 49th streets. Included on the tour this year is a bed-and-breakfast and a home moved intact from a previous location. Free shuttles will be available between the homes.

Refreshments will be available at the starting point, along with this year's striking poster by neighborhood artist Marc Burckhardt and books on Hyde Park history. Refreshments will also be available at lemonade stands along the tour route. Many of the homes on the tour will feature live music. In addition, the Ariel Dance Theater Company will perform at various locations throughout the tour.

Hyde Park was originally developed as a street car suburb beginning in the mid-1890's and contains houses from every era since then creating a diversity of house type, style, age and size that we believe adds strength and interest to our neighborhood. Since the late Seventies when individual families began to rediscover the logic of living near the central portion of the Austin metropolitan area, one or more renovation, restoration, remodeling or expansion projects has nearly always been underway as people adopt the best parts of 19th and 20th century housing to meet their current needs and preferences. This year we are showcasing both old and new homes as well as an old structure recently moved to a new location. This mix should provide an interesting tour as well as a real look at Hyde Park as it exists today. This year there are eight houses on the tour. These are:

Magness-Allison House
4815 Avenue H
ca. 1926   A one-story eclectic Tudor Revival stone cottage with stone floors, a round arched front door and a massive stone chimney.
House Captain: Denise Girard 454-6584

Barder-Brooks House
4900 Ave. H
Built ca. 1926   An Arts and Crafts home that was extensively remodeled and expanded in the last two years.
House Captain: Glen Coleman 407-9357

Patterson - Strickland House
604 East 47th Street
Built ca. 1904-08   An American Foursquare style home that was originally the center of a 20 acre farm and is now used as a bed and breakfast.
House Captains: James and Barbara Strickland 454-4310

Straight House
515 East 49th Street
Built: 2000   This is a brand new house built in the Craftsman style by active neighborhood builder Mike Linnane.
House Captains: Earl Straight & Mike Linnane 371-7494

Williams-Weigl House
4107 Avenue H
Built: 1911   This home, recently designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, is a bungalow combining Art and Crafts with Classical Revival influences. It was the long time home of iron work artisan Lee Weigl.
House Captains: Don and Vallorie Balsamo 454-4310

Trenckmann-Barrett House
513 East 49th Street
Built: ca. 1923   Recently moved out of harms way from 23rd Street this is a work in progress that provides an opportunity to look first hand at the 'before' part of a house restoration project. We hope to have the completed house on a subsequent tour.
House Captains: Stan and Rae Kozinsky 451-4455

Johnson House
4109 Speedway
Built: 1925   This is a bungalow built by the real estate firm of Monroe Shipe and Son, the developers of Hyde Park.
House Captain: Martha Campbell 452-2815

Hubbard House
4104 Avenue H
Built: 1999   This two-story structure by architect James Dunaway and Associates and Builder Priscilla Gibson blends farmhouse and Craftsman elements.
House Captain: Celeste Cromack 451-7739

As always the success of the Homes Tour is dependent on scores of volunteers coming forward to serve as docents, sell tickets, act as conductors on the buses and otherwise do the work necessary to make the weekend a success. Please contact the 'House Captains' listed with the individual houses to volunteer to work at that house or contact Neighborhood Association Co-President Gary Penn at 452-3103 or garypenn@swbell.net to volunteer in another capacity. As a thank you all volunteers receive a free ticket to the tour.

For color verson of these photos and more information, visit the website at www.hydepark-na.org

-- Gary Penn
HPNA Co-President
(512) 452-3103
garypenn@swbell.net

From the Co-President's Desk:

Well, ladies and gentlemen, as I write this article, the preparations for the historic Hyde Park Homes Tour are approaching full steam. We've got the homes selected, the brochures are done, the house captains are in place, ads have been sold, the buses have been arranged for, etc., etcÉ.you get the picture. All of the Hyde Park volunteers have really pulled together to produce a very fine homes tour. I'm hoping that all of you folks reading this article will take the time to either go to your Internet browser and point it to http://www.hydepark-na.org/ to find out more info about the tour and to buy your advance tickets, or else will be thinking about volunteering to assist. Just drop me a line if you are interested in participating in this fun neighborhood event. I'm am just as impressed with the effort that folks are putting into this tour as I am with the homes that will be on the tour this year.

On another issue, the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is just now beginning the process of establishing the official development codes for the upper regions of Hyde Park; that is, the area of Hyde Park that is north of 45th Street. You may remember that recently, the City Council passed an ordinance that codified the development guidelines for the area of Hyde Park that is south of 45th Street. This was a great help to us in that this ordinance will help to protect the neighborhood area that it covers from inappropriate real estate development. Since we are now seeing a great many new houses being erected and old ones being either torn down or remodeled in the neighborhood, it is very important that the rest of Hyde Park have the same protection that the southern sectors of Hyde Park have. To get this additional coverage, there is a significant amount of work that needs to be done by my fellow Hyde Parkers who are interested in neighborhood planning issues. So if you are such a person, I heartily ask you to attend our next general meeting. We would be glad to have you.

Well, enough for now. I've got to get back to planning the Homes Tour some more.

Bob Breeze
HPNA Co-President
breeze99@texas.net

Shipe Pool Hours

Summer of 2002 Schedule

Big pool: Friday, May 24th - Sunday, August 18th (inclusive)

Wading Pool: (Now chlorinated!) Wednesday, June 5th - Sunday, August 11th (inclusive)

May Minutes

Follow the above link to that report.

Planning Team to Meet June 6

The Hyde Park Planning Team met on May 9th. After a very brief update on the HPBC Site Plan submittals, we discussed the possibilities for rezoning the neighborhood north of 45th St. We discussed using the same revisions that were developed for the area south of 45th. This approach would be appropriate since the areas are similar in patterns and use. It would definitely be the easiest to accomplish since the HP NCCD has now been converted into ordinance language. It was agreed that the 13 who attended would review the ordinance relative to the areas north of 45th and we will hold another meeting on June 6. The agenda will include discussing the adopted ordinance and its applicability and also considering a schedule for this project. We will also decide what planning information will be available at the Homes Tour.

Anyone interested should plan to attend on June 6, 7:30-9:00 PM. Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 4001 Speedway. If you cannot attend but would like to be added to the email update list let me know.

Karen McGraw
Chairman, Hyde Park Planning Team
Contact mcmararc@onr.com

Guadalupe Beautification Project

(Editor's Note: Project representatives will be on hand at the June HPNA meeting)

May 13, 2002

Dear Hyde Park Neighbors,

The City of Austin Public Works Department will start reconstruction and improvement projects along Guadalupe Street just south of your area in the not-so-distant future. This letter is to give you information about the projects and their construction dates as we now know them.

You have doubtless heard about the Guadalupe Beautification Project, discussion about which has been occurring for several years. Construction for the "Drag" project should start late this year and is expected to take about a year. Design is now underway.

The goal of the project is to improve the aesthetics and safety of the three-block area (21st to 24th streets) and to define it as a pedestrian-dominant area.

Improvements will start just south of 21st Street and extend to just north of 24th Street along Guadalupe. They include extending the sidewalk on the west side of the street and installing trees and concrete pavers behind the curb, also on the west side. Decorative lighting will be added to both sides of the street. Concrete paver treatments will be installed at the intersections of 21st, 22nd, 24th streets and the west mall crossing. Adjusting the existing utilities will be the first phase of construction for this project.

Black and Vernooy, AIA, of Austin is the design consultant for the project.

The second Guadalupe project is a street reconstruction project just north of the beautification project, between 24th Street and 38th Street. Design for this project is also now underway.

The work will consist of rehabilitating the street to improve the riding surface and maintain the roadway. It will include replacement of broken curb and gutter and deteriorated sidewalk. The existing waterline will be replaced with a new 12-inch waterline and existing utilities will be adjusted.

This project is designed to run almost concurrently with the beautification project and is expected to start early next year. It also will take about 12 months to complete.

HVJ Associates of Austin is the design consultant for this project.

If you have questions or concerns, please call Paulinda at 974-7178 about the 24th to 38th Street road reconstruction project or Renee at 974-7241 about the 21st to 24th Street beautification project.

As planning and then construction progress for these two projects, we will keep you updated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Paulinda Lanham-Mackie
Project Manager, N. Guadalupe Project (24th -38th Street) Public Works Department

Renee Orr
Project Manager, Guadalupe Beautification Project Public Works Department

More letters:

Ms. Casey Checks In, Does Great

Editor's Note: From Long-Time Hyde Parker, current Retirement and Nursing Home (RNC) resident, and HPNA Treasurer Emerita Josephine Casey, this recent report:

Greetings! I've been floating on Cloud 9 for several reasons and am enclosing proof thereof. The annual Nursing Home Games on April 13 saw our contingent of about 25 residents and escorts busing to the St. Edward's gym for a morning of competition with 14 other homes with a total of 340+ residents plus many other volunteers. This was the 20th year for the Games. RNC incorporated that fact along with a patriotic theme -- it took first place. RNC also took first place for a group crafts project -- picturing OZ, complete with Toto, yellow brick road, etc. Really, a credit to the residents who worked on it and kudos to the activity assistants and artistic volunteers (who did most of the work).

RNC took second place in Sweepstakes. RNC won in several categories -- races, Olympic events, crafts, Spelling. One by one, the spellers missed their word, and finally, only three of us had at it. My team member, a man from another home, and me. Then he missed and there was ME, and I've got a medal to prove it. Some fun. Another brag: I won first place in prose and second place in poetry. Also a page-long poem highlighting the Games' categories closes the printed program. My Activity Director had asked me to write such. I admit to a little conceit.

If you want to, use the poem in the Pecan Press (Editor's note: We did!) . The prose is too long for that but I thought you might like to see it. Doing these exercises my gray matter.

Nothing special in regular program. Bingo and 42 continue, volunteers bring music programs, as do dance classes, etc. I go to what appeals to me. The Bell Ringers is perhaps my most enjoyable of all, mainly because of the two leaders, both of whom have been activity directors for some years. Overflowing with amiability and musical knowledge and just plain good humor, they are "great." They have just returned from presenting a seminar/workshop at some conference in Kansas City. They gave me an autographed copy of a well-used brochure because they used pictures of my hands holding the bells to illustrate how certain sounds could be made. James is the pianist/vocalist and Linda is the director. Grand people, and special friends -- I love 'em!

I must stop -- numb fingers tell me to. Greetings to the family, and a Howdy to HPNA in general.

- Josephine

News from the Ney

A Midsummer Night's Dream At The Elisabet Ney Museum

Excerpts of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed by Austin Shakespeare Festival actors on the Elisabet Ney Museum grounds on Friday, June 21, at 8 PM. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket. Following the performance, there will be a brief night-time viewing of the interior of the Museum where the panel exhibit Shakespeare, The Globe & The World, based on an exhibit produced by the Folger Shakespeare Library, will be on display. The exhibit is loaned courtesy of the Texas Council for the Humanities. Elisabet Ney's portrayal of Lady Macbeth that she called her "best legacy to posterity" can also be viewed at this time. The rain date for the production is Sunday, June 23. The evening is free courtesy of the Elisabet Ney Museum, Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin. For further information, call 458-2255.

Portrait Sessions At The Elisabet Ney Museum

Pick up that special keepsake of an original portrait sketch in charcoal, pencil or pastels on Sunday, June 2, at the Elisabet Ney Museum where professional Austin portraitists will be at work from 2:00 to 4:30 PM. Fee for the sketch is $50 with all proceeds going to the artists. Sittings last approximately thirty minutes. Reservations are not required. For further information, call 458-2255.

Children's Hour At The Ney

June 8, 15 and 22

The Elisabet Ney Museum will hold its popular Children's Hour at the Ney summer fairy-tale series on Saturdays, June 8, 15 and 22. Story hours, featuring well-loved fairy tales told by local storyteller Kim Lehman, will be begin at 10 AM each day. Children will be invited afterwards to go on a brief tour of the Museum featuring Elisabet Ney's portraits from life of Jacob Grimm of the Brothers Grimm and King Ludwig II of Bavaria whose fairy-tale castles in the Bavarian Alps continue to inspire people of all ages to this day. Refreshments will be served. A Fairy-Tale Costume Party will conclude the series on Saturday, June 22, 7-9 PM. Guests are invited to attend dressed as their favorite fairy-tale character and enjoy an evening of classical music, theatre and storytelling. Zilker Theatre Productions will preview scenes from Into the Woods to be presented in full July 11 - August 10 at Zilker Hillside Theater. There will be a special appearance at the costume party of Clifford from the popular PBS program Between the Lions, aired locally on KLRU mornings and evenings. Reservations are not required for either the story hours or costume party. Both are free of charge. For further information, call 458-2255.

There will be a special appearance at the costume party of Clifford from the popular PBS program Between the Lions, aired locally on KLRU mornings and evenings.