Update Meetings with City of Round Rock Staff, 30 April 2013

 
U-Shaped Sitting Area to the south end of the Old Stagecoach Inn

UPDATE WITH CITY STAFF (30 Apr 2013)

On Tuesday afternoon, Shirley Marquardt (local preservationist) visited the City of Round Rock Historic Preservation Office and the City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department to check for updates on the status of Old Statecoach Inn.

Meeting between Shirley Marquardt & Joelle Jordan (Senior Planner-512-218-5422) & Kerstin Harding (Planner Technician-514-218-5421).  The City of Round Rock now owns the Old Stage Coach Inn building.   The Historic Preservation Office (Kerstin Harding) has collected some history on the inn and will share the info with us. The Historic Preservation Office has a list of contractors, who have the capability of moving the Old Stage Coach Inn.  The Historic Preservation Office did informally check with one of these contractors, who stated the cost to move the structure could range between $75,000-$125,000.  Joelle mentioned one shortfall in the past in accomplishing Historic Preservation Projects within Round Rock is the lack of a nonprofit organization whose charter is to further historic preservation in the City and who could help raise funds or assist with historic preservation projects. If the city moves the structure, the city has to have a firm use for the building.  Any ideas?  Could the purpose be a tourist info center, a bath house, a restaurant, a snack bar, a museum, or have another purpose.

The City is currently accepting applications for members of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission.  Application deadline is May 15, 2013. Application forms are available on the City’s website. 

Meeting between Shirley Marquardt & David Buzzell (Parks DevelopmentManager, 512-341-3345).  The master plan for the City’s Beach Project does include a footprint location for the Old Stagecoach Inn at the proposed Beach Area.  Mr. Buzzell stated he believes members of the Round Rock City Council basically like the idea of moving the Stagecoach Inn to the Beach Area; however, the one issue is funding for the project.  Another option discussed at the city is using the stones from the Old Stagecoach Inn on another structure; possibly in the beach area.  The Parks Departments expects to schedule a special meeting with the City Council prior to the end of May 2013 to give an update on the project.  The meeting will be posted on the City's website.

Questions for us:  How do we obtain the City Council's approval to fund the movement of the Stagecoach Inn?  What is our proposed use for the structure if it is moved to the Beach Area?
Can we form a group and be a deciding force to help the City make the appropriate decision on the future of the Old Stagecoach Inn.  Please share your ideas.