Republic Square

Situated in the southwest quadrant of downtown Austin, Republic Square is the most prominent of the four original city squares laid out in the 1839 "Plan for the City of Austin."

In 1999, the Austin Parks & Recreation Department in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance created a Republic Square Task Force, made up of surrounding business owners, residents and members of the arts community. The task force developed a plan known as the Republic Square Task Force Final Recommendations. Shortly after that, the Austin Parks Foundation joined the partnership to provide technical and fundraising assistance.

The Republic Square Task Force's Final Recommendations outline recommendations for short-term design criteria and uses for Republic Square. The Task Force also made long-term recommendations for issues concerning transportation, parking, history and cultural opportunities, and identified possibilities for linking the park to the surrounding environs and Plaza Saltillo.

In February 2001, a partnership between the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Parks Foundation was formalized through a signed memorandum of understanding. The purpose of the partnership is to revitalize the downtown historic parks, beginning with Republic Square, creating beautiful public gathering places that attract a variety of citizens with cultural (dance, music, arts), political, civic, historic, outdoor film, and family oriented programs.

In October, 2001, a landscape architectural firm, TBG Partners, was hired to do a conceptual design for the redevelopment of Republic Square. The design will be utilized by the Austin Parks Foundation for fund raising. TBG Partners will work in concert with Jesus Moroles, an internationally known sculptor. Mr. Moroles has been commissioned by the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) to do an artistic piece for the park. TCA will also create a cultural endowment in order to sustain the artistic elements of the park.

A design charrette for Republic Square Park was held Monday, November 26, 2001. Hosted by the Austin Parks Foundation, the Downtown Austin Alliance, and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, the charrette was facilitated by TBG Partners, the selected landscape architect for Republic Square. Also participating was Jesus Moroles, granite sculptor.

Based on this input, a preliminary design was developed. During December, 2001, and January 2002, various boards and commissions were updated on the progress of the design ideas for Republic Square. These included the Historic Landmark Commission, the Design Commission, the Downtown Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Board.

Two alternative designs, one more naturalistic, the other more geometric, were developed and presented to the partnership in February 2002.

A final conceptual design for Republic Square Park has been completed. The proposed plan is a collaborative effort between the artist, the landscape architect, and the Republic Square partners. The design combines green space with hardscape paths and a plaza, with a promenade between a double row of trees on all four sides of the park. The artwork is a water wall and three monumental columns with water coursing down them. The conceptual design will be presented to the same four boards and commissions that saw it in the preliminary design stage. The Texas Commission on the Arts, in conjunction with the Austin Parks Foundation and the Downtown Austin Alliance, will then use this design to raise funds for construction.

It is envisioned that Republic Square, while retaining its historic value, will be the city plaza of downtown Austin. Its location within a rapidly growing, vibrant, metropolitan setting creates a rich environment for the creation of a civic square with a unique appeal and personality. Republic Square will be a place where downtown visitors, employees and residents can gather to eat, relax and enjoy a variety of activities.

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