Texas graffiti park to be demolished, replaced

A well-known graffiti park in Austin, Texas, is being demolished with plans of relocation, a report by the Austin American-Statesman says. The Historic Landmark Commission unanimously approved the demolition of the HOPE Outdoor Gallery Jan. 29.

The park will remain open through June while developers determine a timeline for construction of its replacement, a multifamily unit development. The gallery will be relocated near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The new location spans six acres and provides approximately 48,570 square feet of extended wall space for artists.

The Historic Preservation Office is requiring comprehensive photo documentation of the outdoor gallery for preservation at the Austin History Center before demolition, the report says. Mid-City Development, the Bethesda, Maryland-based developer in charge of the current HOPE Gallery location, is responsible for the documentation.

A wall from the current gallery will be moved to its new location as a memorial wall commemorating the park’s origins, the report says. Brian Cumby, Mid-City owner, has agreed to delay development at the new location until the gallery found a permanent home. Cumby also donated an undisclosed amount of money to fund the new park.