The old Central Library on Guadalupe could become a city landmark. Five council members propose historic zoning for the Faulk Building

The building that served as Austin's Central Library for nearly four decades could get the same local protection as its older neighbor. A resolution on the City Council's Nov. 19 agenda would start the process of adding historic landmark zoning to the John Henry Faulk Building at 800 Guadalupe St.

Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri, whose District 9 includes downtown, is the lead sponsor. Co-sponsors are Council Members Marc Duchen and José Velásquez, Mayor Kirk Watson and Mayor Pro Tem José "Chito" Vela. With five of 11 members already signed on, the item needs one more vote to pass.

What the resolution says

According to the draft resolution:

• The Faulk Building was built as the Austin Central Library, next to the 1933 Austin Public Library building. Both stand on Block 101 of the original city plan.
• The 1933 building is already a City Historic Landmark and a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It used to house the Austin History Center.
• After the Central Library moved to 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. in 2017, the city used bond money to rehabilitate the Faulk Building. Now the two buildings operate together as the Austin History Center campus.
• The council named the building for John Henry Faulk in 1996. Faulk was an Austin native, folklorist and broadcaster, a "defender of First Amendment freedoms," and gave the building's dedication address in August 1979.

The resolution says historic zoning "would give both buildings on Block 101 consistent local protection." It directs the city manager to process the rezoning, coordinate with the Austin History Center Association, and return with an ordinance within 120 days.

What historic zoning does

In Austin, the historic landmark ("H") combining district adds a layer of review on top of a property's base zoning. Changes to the outside of a landmark, and any demolition, generally go through the Historic Landmark Commission. Because the city owns the building, the city would be both applicant and owner. A rezoning initiated by the council still goes through the usual commission review and a council hearing.

What our records add

The council has done this before. On Aug. 27, the council voted 11-0 to start historic zoning for city-owned property at 201 Red River St., next to the Austin Convention Center site.

The History Center campus is already busy. On April 9, the council voted 10-0 to lease about 12,072 square feet at the Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St., to the Mexic-Arte Museum for $100 a year. The lease runs 36 months with one 12-month extension option, while the museum is temporarily relocated. Council Member José Velásquez was absent.

The draft resolution does not say why the building is being proposed now.

What's next

The council takes up the item Nov. 19, as Item 69. If it passes, staff would prepare the rezoning case for the Historic Landmark Commission and a land use commission, then bring an ordinance back to the council within 120 days, or by about mid-March.