05/16/23 – This will be the last blog post for the Norwood Park Foundation. If you’re one of our wonderful Norwood supporters, warmest greetings to you. First of all, PLEASE SEE THE PREVIOUS POST (Summer 2022). It explains what occurred last year just as we expected to schedule groundbreaking at Norwood. I can’t say it enough: this project was shovel-ready.
I guess I’m proud to say it took a freaking pandemic to stop us. It’s HARD to work with the City on anything (I think we all understand that) and the Norwood site is dynamic and uniquely challenging. Over more than ten years we persevered through it all, determined to finish the permitting process and finally move into restoration. But the post-pandemic construction climate in Austin is not something we could overcome. A much bigger version of this, of course, has thrown a wrench in plans for the City’s light rail system, other parks projects, and even what was supposed to be the tallest tower in Texas. So we have company, but that’s small comfort. Our disappointment in not getting at least the exterior of the house fully restored is profound – not only because our board and volunteers worked so very hard, but because we were SO CLOSE to the initial restoration that would bring Norwood back.
The excellent work of our team stands. Over past months we’ve considered ways to move it forward in other hands. Ideally, it would be accomplished by one of our city’s larger parks or preservation nonprofits. For now, and ultimately, it rests with PARD to ensure that this PUBLICLY-OWNED ASSET is returned to the people. Through our advocacy, NPF secured $3m in public funding for Norwood – that money should remain with the project. And if you have not been aware of Norwood in the past, please peruse this website to understand why it makes all the economic sense in the world: the house is potentially a strong revenue-generator that could completely sustain itself. Meaning we don’t have to lose yet another irreplaceable icon of old Austin.
On behalf of our board, I extend deepest thanks to our funding organizations, major donors, past board members and officers, our awesome professional team, and ALL our contributors, supporters and volunteers. You’ll always be a legacy part of Norwood’s journey back to full beauty, use and enjoyment by the people. The house deserves it, and we the taxpayers are entitled to it! Somehow, some way, and hopefully soon.
Colleen Theriot, President