Historic Landmark Commission Votes To Demolish Graffiti Park

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — In a unanimous vote, members of the Historic Landmark Commission on Monday approved the demolition of the concrete makeshift canvases comprising the recreational space known as Graffiti Park.

The move approves a demolition permit for the paint-scrawled walls and slabs at 1012 Baylor St., the site commonly known as Graffiti Park. The recreational space where artists, both amateur and professional, have descended since March 2011 to contribute to a large-scale, communal mural sparked after a SXSW event. The three stories of concrete-turned-canvas there are the remnants of a defunct multi-family development originally at the site in the 1980s.

The vestiges of that development gave rise to the community focal point, which will be relocated to 9507 Sherman Rd. at Carson Creek Ranch in East Austin, close to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according to a previous announcement by its operator, HOPE Outdoor Gallery. The future six-acre site — more expansive for large-scale installation than the current location, yielding greater space allotted for artistic expression — is expected to open by year's end.

The application for a demolition permit at the park's land that's valued at $5 million was filed by JB Cumby Construction. The operator of the site, HOPE Outdoor Gallery, is a city entity.

Plans call for one of the slabs at the current site to be relocated to the future park as something of a memorial, officials previously announced.

>>> Image via HOPE Outdoor Gallery