Current Downtown Projects

501 S. Austin Ave. – Block 28 Infill Project

July 10, 2009 by Historic District Planner Robbie Wyler

Downtown’s Block 28 is once again coming back to life with the help of a multi-phase infill project.  Phase one, the new and larger Monument Cafe, is now finished and open for business.  Along with the cafe, there is new landscaping, sidewalks, benches, trash receptacles and antique street lights.  Phase two, with a possible start date of late 2009, will include an office building, street level retail and an organic market.  The organic market will be located in the shell of a former car dealership that relocated elsewhere in Georgetown several years ago.  Phase two, along with Monument Cafe, will one day be part of a unique recylcing program that will produce 0% trash with the help of a future onsite bio-tower.

718 S. Austin Ave. – Stromberg & Hoffman building

July 10, 2009 by Historic District Planner Robbie Wyler

Work is well underway on the major renovations to the northwest corner of Austin Avenue and 8th Street. The owner has exposed the original windows and doors that were covered up decades ago. Major interior renovations are also taking place that include exposing the stone walls and refinishing floors, ceilings and fixtures. There has been no word on when exactly the project will be complete but this building will add even more to the unique and picturesque courthouse square.

1105 S. Church St. – The Georgetonian

July 10, 2009 by Historic District Planner Robbie Wyler

The old Wesleyan nursing home along University Avenue has now become the Georgetonian, a multi-story office building serving Georgetown. Construction is nearing completion and includes a new first story stone facade, window treatment and a complete interior renovation to allow for both large and small office use.  The only work to be finished is landscaping and parking at the rear of the property.  The owner has worked closely with City staff to save as many of the large trees as possible while still providing adequate parking for a future business.  This was accomplished by utilizing existing parking surfaces and 11th Street by applying renovations to both that include adding new sidewalks, benches and landscaping.  Also, an adjacent 1800s bungalow was saved from becoming more parking thanks to the cooperation of all parties involved.

213 W. 9th Street – Georgetown Palace Theatre Annex

July 10, 2009 by Historic District Planner Robbie Wyler

The Georgetown Palace Theatre has announced it is undergoing a multi-phase renovation project to a structure currently located behind the Austin Avenue theatre at 213 W. 9th Street. The existing building will receive both interior and exterior renovations to help aid the theatre with needed space and to create a more pedestrian friendly look from 9th Street and nearby Austin Avenue. Interior renovations include the addition of a set build area, rehearsal stage, new dressing rooms, storage areas, restrooms and a green room for small shows. Exterior renovations include repainting the 9th Street facade, updating windows and doors, extending the canopy, adding decorative light fixtures and screening utilities. Current plans call for starting work on the interior and exterior sometime in late 2009.

116 W. 8th Street- Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation Building

July 20, 2009 by Main Street Program Intern Nicole Madden

Work has already begun on the repair and painting of all current tan areas on the facade of the building to match the limestone upper facade of the building, and repair and painting of all the teal green areas of trim pewter.  Previous window lettering has been replaced with new light oyster colored vinyl lettering on the lower windows and includes:  the Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation logo on the door to the second floor; New Caledonia font for the building address on the main entrance; list of offices with corresponding suite numbers on the window right of the main entrance.  The blue fabric awning has been removed and a projecting sign on a black welded wall bracket that features the Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation’s logo in matching colors of the building paint trim with charcoal gray lettering will be added.

816 S. Main Street- Old Firehouse Bays

July 28, 2009 by Historic District Planner Robbie Wyler

816 S. Main Street, more commonly referred to as the old firehouse bays, will be getting a new look.  Unoriginal to the historic firehouse next door, the bays were constructed in the 1960’s.  The Historic and Architectural Review Commission recently approved a facade renovation proposal that will remove the beige bricks and replace them with a more fitting coursed Texas limestone.  Keeping the contextual details of the existing building, the four metal and glass bay doors will be replaced with new windows, transoms and Mahogany doors.  Other details that will be incorporated into the facade renovation include a new metal canopy, goose neck lights for a future sign, pedestrian and facade lighting for below the canopy and an accent band and roof cap.

The facade renovation is only part of a larger project to bring this building back to life, bringing yet another charming building to Main Street Georgetown.  The inside of the bays will receive a major update to accommodate a retail oriented business, restaurant or winery.  There are also plans to replace the driveway approach in front of the bays with a new sidewalk and outdoor seating area, including decorative fencing, lights and landscaping that will all tie into surrounding Main Street features and the Downtown Master Plan.

Austin Avenue Streetscape Project

July 31, 2009 by Historic District Planner Robbie Wyler

A utilities project will soon take place along the west side of Austin Avenue from 5th Street north to 2nd Street.  Once complete, Downtown will have a new and improved stretch of sidewalk.  The Streets Department will replace the existing aged sidewalk with scored concrete and brick pavers, tying into the new sidewalks in front of Monument Cafe.  Along with new sidewalk, decorative street lamps, benches, receptacles, and landscaping will be installed.