Proposed improvements to Covert Park at Mount Bonnell in Austin Texas

1. Founded in 1802, West Point is the nation’s oldest engineering
school. The West Point Association of Graduates was founded in
1869. West Point Societies exist to further the ideals of the Military
Academy, to perform community outreach, and to assist with
Academy admissions.
In 2010, the West Point Society of Central Texas adopted Covert
Park at Mount Bonnell and began improvement projects under the
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Adopt-A-Park program.
There are over 600 West Point graduates in the Austin area.
Contacts:
Stan Bacon Fred Bothwell
WPSCT , Class of 1958 WPSCT, Class of 1962
sbacon58@sbcglobal.net frebo3@yahoo.com
512-345-5964 512-635-4433
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2. MOUNT BONNELL
•“The Best View in Austin”
•One of the most popular parks in the city:
•775 feet above sea level.
COVERT PARK
•5.36 acre City park at summit of Mount Bonnell
•Donated to Travis County for use as a public park in
1938-39 by Covert family of Austin
•Deeded in memory of Frank M. Covert, Sr., by
Clarence Covert and F. M. Covert, Jr
•Marker erected in 1938
•Deeded to city of Austin in 1972
•Adopted by West Point Society of Central Texas in 2010
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3. BACKGROUND
2010-2011
1. WEST POINT SOCIETY OF CENTRAL TEXAS ADOPTS MOUNT BONNELL IN 2010
(PARD Adopt-A Park Program)
Formed Friends of Mt Bonnell
Fundraising $3K+
APF Grants $1.5K
View Restoration
Supervised cleanups
Manned Oyster Races
Developed proposal to repair and enhance park facilities – kiosk, marker, dais,
benches
2. JANUARY 2011 WPSCT SUBMITS PARK IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL FOR PARD REVIEW
Remove broken limestone Covert marker
Replace with permanent granite replica marker
Add benches and paving around marker
Project cost: $100,000+, to be paid by donations and in-kind support
Covert Family $20K+
Friends of Mount Bonnell $TBD
Austin Parks Foundation/Austin City Limits $50K
In Kind Support: O’Connell Robertson. KC Construction $40K
3. OCTOBER 2011 PARD RESPONDS TO REQUEST FOR REVIEW
Proposal requires approval of City Historical Landmark Commission
City Historian opposes replacement of marker
PARD can not approve without concurrence of Historic Commission
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4. CURRENT SITUATION
DECEMBER 2011
1. NOVEMBER 2011 - WPSCT MEETS WITH PARD STAFF TO DISCUSS PROPOSAL
Mt Bonnell is a NATURE PRESERVE
Managed jointly by PARD and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve
Only current plan for Mt Bonnell/Covert park is conservation of flora & fauna
PARD has no long range plan for Mt Bonnell/Covert Park
PARD is unlikely to agree to enhancement of facilities
No action can be taken until a long range plan is developed
No action can be taken unless Historical Commission grants Certificate of
Appropriateness, after review by COA Committee
2. NOVEMBER 2011 WPSCT REVIEWS PROPOSAL WITH COA COMMITTEE
COA FINDINGS:
Improvement of the park is inconsistent with the way the park appeared in 1938
Removal, restoration, and display of original marker off site is inappropriate
Replacement of original marker with permanent granite marker is inappropriate
Adding amenities around marker is inappropriate
The original marker should be repaired and remain on site
3. NOVEMBER 2011 WPSCT DISCOVERS POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST
COA Committee is chaired by Laurie Limbacher, owner of an architecture firm
The Historical Commission is also chaired by Ms. Limbacher
LIMBACHER & GODFREYdoes historic restoration, preservation, and planning for the city
The WPSCT proposal was developed by O’Connell Robertson, Architectural, Engineering
and Design firm, winners of the Texas State 9/11 Monument competition.
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5. ISSUES
1. HISTORICAL: MOUNT BONNELL - A RECREATIONAL PARK FOR NEARLY 150 YEARS
According to Libby Custer’s biography, Mt Bonnell was used for hiking, riding,
picnicking, social gatherings and band concerts as early as 1865
Today, Austinites still enjoy Covert Park/Mt Bonnell as a site for diverse activities:
physical fitness training
aerobic exercise
portrait photography
fashion shoots
wedding ceremonies
engagement photos
picnics
romantic rendezvous
urban adventure racing
sunset wine tastings
sightseeing
entertaining visitors
2. MOUNT BONNELL HAS BEEN A NUTURE PRESERVE FOR LESS THAN 20 YEARS
The BCP and PARD are concerned with the preservation of the flora and fauna on
Mt Bonnell
The Covert family gave the park to the people of Travis County for their enjoyment
The bracted twistflower is now reproducing abundantly in other locations
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6. THE PARD/BCP PLAN FOR THE PARK IS TO
“PROTECT” BIRDS AND FLOWERS
“FROM HUMAN IMPACT”
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7. The Bracted twistflower
****
****
ENDANGERED?
From 42 seeds to 72,251…
IN A BEE CAVE BATHROOM!
November 29, 2011
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8. CITY OF AUSTIN CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS DISCUSSION
Name of historic property: Covert Park at Mount Bonnell
Address of historic property: 3800 Mount Bonnell Road; Austin, TX
Brief description of proposed work:
0. Remove, restore and display 1938 marker in City Museum (PARD)
1. Install Replica of 1938 marker on site
2. Install new landscaping and amenities around marker
APPLICANT: West Point Society of Central Texas, representing Covert Family of Austin,
Austin Parks Foundation (ACL Grant Committee), and Friends of Mount Bonnell
OWNER: City of Austin
ARCHITECT : O’Connell Robertson, Austin
CONTRACTOR: KC Construction, Georgetown
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10. In 1865-66 the crest of Mount Bonnell was a site for recreational social
gatherings , picnics, and concerts
~70 years later, 1936-38 the Covert family gave the site to the people for use as a
public park. A limestone marker was installed to commemorate the gift
 ~70 years later, the limestone marker has disintegrated and the park has
become a “nature preserve,” no longer planned for use as a recreational site
“In our daily rides we found the country about Austin delightful…Indeed,
there was one high hill, called Mount Brunnel, where we had picnics and
enjoyed the fine view, far and near, taking one of the bands of the regular
regiments from the North that joined us soon after our arrival…The band
played the “Anvil Chorus,” and the sound descended through the valley
grandly. The river, filled with sand-bars and ugly on close examination,
looked like a silver ribbon. At that height, the ripened cotton, at certain
seasons of the year, looked like fields of foam. The thermometer was over
eighty before we left the lowlands; but at the altitude to which we climbed
the air was cool.” Elizabeth B. Custer, Tenting on the Plains
(1887)
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11. WEST POINT SOCIETY OF CENTRAL TEXAS
“ADOPTED” COVERT PARK IN 2010
MOUNT BONNELL/COVERT PARK PROJECTS
2010-2011
•PARD Adopt-a-Park Agreement signed.
•Supported Austin Oyster Urban Adventure Race.
•Service Austin Days Fall Clean-up, 33 volunteers and 2 firefighters.
•Used $1500 APF grant to restore views with PARD and community support
•Raised funds for base of new kiosk in Covert Park
•My Parks Day, APF, 23 volunteers.
•Clean Sweep, KAB, 31 volunteers.
•Supported Austin Oyster Urban Adventure Race.
•Received KAB grant of $850 to apply to Kiosk Base payment.
•Planned Clean-up w/Central Texas Mountaineers.
•Service Austin Days Fall Clean-up
.
MOUNT BONNELL WEB SITE MAINTAINED BY WEST POINT SOCIETY
http://www.west-point.org/joseph_bonnell/mount_bonnell
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12. PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL MEETING
OBJECTIVES
REVIEW current proposal of the Friends of Mount Bonnell and the West Point Society of Central
Texas for $100,000+ gift to the city of Austin in support of restoration and improvement of Covert
Park at Mount Bonnell.
DISCUSS How WPSCT can improve likelihood of being awarded Certificates of Appropriateness
for proposed Covert Park projects:
•Installation of replica Covert Marker, funded by Covert family
•Landscaping and other amenities
THE PROPOSED GIFT:
$116,630 ($73,370 cash plus $43,260 in-kind support)
The West Point Society, in cooperation with the Covert family, APF, the Austin City Limits Music
Festival, O’Connell Robertson of Austin, KC Construction of Georgetown, and other Friends of
Mount Bonnell, proposes to give to the citizens of Austin gifts with a value in excess of $100,000,
comprised as follows:
•~$20,000 donated by the Covert Family plus additional funding from Friends of Mount
Bonnell and the West Point Society of Central Texas
•$44,000+ in professional services and labor donated by O’Connell Robinson, KC
Construction, and others
•$50,000 in matching funds granted by Austin City Limits and the Austin Parks Foundation
•Other in-kind support provided by PARD
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13. THE PROPOSED PROJECT
PART ONE – COVERT MARKER: $28,000 plus in-kind support
•Removal of the existing 1938 marker to a site where it can be restored, protected from the
elements, and preserved indefinitely (at PARD expense)
•Erection of a granite replica of the original 1938 marker, donated by the Covert family,
commemorating and rededicating the previous Covert family gift of the park and the 1938
marker.
PART TWO - DAIS: $38,700 plus in kind support:
•Landscaping and additional amenities around the marker, final design in cooperation with
PARD.
•APF has informally announced the award of an ACL grant in the amount of $32,745 for the sole
purpose of implementing PART TWO of the plan, pending resolution of the marker status.
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14. COVERT PARK MARKER CONDITION:1938-2011
Marker is no
longer
vertical
1938 2010
Marker is
disintegrating
2008 12/3/2011
2010
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18. FACTS:
•The public, as reflected in the views of the neighborhood associations, the Friends
of Mount Bonnell, and the grant committees of the Austin Parks Foundation and
Austin City Limits support the WPSCT proposal.
•The original 1938 limestone marker commemorating the Covert family gift of the
park to Travis County has deteriorated, a possible matter of “Demolition by Neglect”
Ch 25-11-211(6)
•It is in the interest of history that the original marker be restored, preserved, and
protected from future damage.
•The Covert family has agreed to fund the installation of a durable replica of
the original Covert marker so that the original may be restored, preserved
and protected from future damage.
Installation of a replica would allow the original marker to be
removed, repaired, restored, and displayed in a suitable, protected
environment in a city museum or public building, as in the case of
many other historic artifacts: the Rosetta Stone, The Stone of
Scone, the Elgin Marbles, etc.
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19. Over 70 years ago, the Covert family of Austin, then owners of
the tract of land on which Mount Bonnell stands, gave the
summit of the mountain to the people of Travis County for use
by residents and visitors. Known as Covert Park at Mount
Bonnell, the site was dedicated in memory of the family patriarch,
Frank M. Covert, Senior.
Carrington-Covert House (1857)
Now in their sixth generation in Central Texas, the
Covert family continues in their civic-minded
tradition, playing an important role in support for local charitable
organizations and the restoration of the pre-Civil War
Carrington/Covert House in Austin, now headquarters for the
Texas Historical Commission.
Restored by Covert family, now occupied
By Texas Historical Commission
The Covert family would like to see the 1938 marker protected from further
deterioration, to be replaced on site with a more durable granite replica of
the original marker, funded by the Coverts.
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20. Objects with historic significance may be placed in protective enclosures….
PLYMOUTH ROCK (1620)
MASSACHUSETTS, USA SUENO’S STONE (800-900 AD)
FORRES, SCOTLAND
Sueno's Stone stands about 21 feet high.
It is the largest surviving Pictish stone of
its type in Scotland. In the early 1990s the
stone was encased in armored glass to
prevent erosion.
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21. ....or displayed in museums
THE ROSETTA STONE (196 B.C)
British Museum, UK
STELE OF NARAM-SIN (2450 B.C.)
Mesopotamia
On display in The Louvre, Paris
ELGIN MARBLES
5TH CENTURY B.C.
Removed from Parthenon
1801-1812. Put on display
in the British Museum,
planned for return to
Acropolis Museum in
Athens
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22. The original historic artifact may be placed in a protected location….
THE STONE OF SCONE (1249 A.D.?)
Original Stone in Westminster Abby
REPLICA STONE OF SCONE
at original site at
Moot Hill, Scotland
REPLICA ROSETTA STONE
at original site at
Rosetta (el-Rashid) Egypt
….AND A REPLICA INSTALLED AT THE ORIGINAL SITE
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23. CONSIDERATIONS:
•If allowed, Covert family gift can set an example to encourage other
sources of private funding for city improvement projects, e.g., Waller
Creek development.
•If disallowed, it may prevent any proposed enhancements, due to
APF/ACL matching grant requirements.
•If installed in an unprotected outdoor location, can future
deterioration of the 1938 marker be prevented? For how long?
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24. DISCUSSION
How can WPSCT improve likelihood of being awarded
Certificates of Appropriateness for proposed Covert Park projects?
•PARD removal and restoration of original Covert Marker,
to be displayed in City Museum
•Installation of replica Covert Marker
•Landscaping and other amenities
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25. BACKUP CHARTS
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26. MUSEO NACIONAL DE ANTROPOLOGIA, Mexico City
MEXICA EXHIBIT ROOM
Reproduction of the Tikal Stela
(250 – 650 A.D.)
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27. ARCHITECTURAL PLANS AND PROJECT SUPPORT: O’CONNELL ROBERTSON:
•Established in 1950: Award-winning Austin-based,
architectural/engineering/interior design firm
•. Specializes in education, healthcare, and sports facility design
•Known for developing innovative design solutions
•Won statewide competition for design of Texas 9/11 Memorial
Covert Park Planning Support 2010-2011
•Estimated value of pro bono support to date: ~$10,000
•OCR design staff site visits to Mount Bonnell
•Joint design conferences and site study
•Preliminary design concept and presentations
•Plan reviews with Covert family, PARD, WPSCT, FOMB
•Plan amendments and cost estimates, bids, renderings, continuing,
ongoing support
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28. ARCHITECTURAL PLANS AND PROJECT SUPPORT: O’CONNELL ROBERTSON:
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
•The Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, North End Zone Expansion
•Texas State University Baseball/Softball Complex Enhancements
•New University of Texas Softball Training Facility
•New Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Residence Hall
•New Texas A&M University McFerrin Indoor Athletic Center A/E
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29. ARCHITECTURAL PLANS AND PROJECT SUPPORT: O’CONNELL ROBERTSON:
TEXAS STATE CEMETERY 9/11 MEMORIAL, AUSTIN
•The Texas State Cemetery 9/11
monument is dedicated to all Texans who
died during the September 11 terrorist
attacks
•Commissioned in 2002, numerous designs
were submitted from artists, architects and
private citizens from around the state.
•The final design by O’Connell,
Robertson and Associates of Austin
was chosen by the Governor’s Office
and the Texas State Cemetery
Committee.
http://www.oconnellrobertson.com/
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30. GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
KC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF GEORGETOWN
Eric Klingemann, West Point ’95, President
PAST PROJECTS RECENT CUSTOMERS
(New Construction/Site Remediation) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Williamson County Parks Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD)
UT Wetlands Education Center and Park City of Austin
Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas Austin Energy
Travis County East Metro Park Travis County
Communication Tower Sites Williamson County
Water Treatment Plant Physical Security City of Georgetown
Improvements City of Cedar Park
Parking Lot Improvements City of Taylor, TX
Water Treatment Plant Construction City of Rogers, TX Housing Authority
Drainage Channel Construction Williamson County MUD #10
Detention Pond Construction Newland Communities of Texas (TeraVista)
Drainage Culvert Construction Woodlawn Condominiums Home Owners
Water Meter Vault Association
KB-CK Limited Partnership
Oak Bluff Estates, Round Rock, TX
Forest Creek, Round Rock, TX
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31. PHASE ONE: REPLACE BROKEN HISTORIC MARKER
BROKEN EXISTING LIMESTONE MARKER PROPOSED GRANITE REPLICA
PHASE TWO: ENHANCE VISITOR FACILITIES: CREATE PAVED DAIS
EXISTING MARKER AREA PROPOSED DAIS AND SEATING SPACE
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32. 2/09/2011 32

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37. From the Handbook of Texas Online:
George Armstrong Custer, West Point graduate,
Civil War general and western Indian fighter, won
distinction in the Civil War as a cavalry officer.
From 1865 to 1866 he was assigned to duty in Austin
where, as commander of US troops, he strictly
enforced regulations prohibiting foraging,
lawlessness, and destruction of private property. He
won the gratitude of many Texans, who found him a
generous and courtly soldier.
Custer's wife, Elizabeth travelled with him after the
war. Her Tenting on the Plains (1887) presents a
charming picture of their stay in Texas.
The Texas Legislature was the only state legislature
to send official condolences to General Custer's
family following his death at the Battle of The Little
Big Horn on June 25, 1876.
12/3/2011 37

38. The Arno-Novotny House in Austin Texas, formerly the Texas Institute for the
Blind, was used by Major General George Armstrong Custer as his headquarters
during the start of Reconstruction in 1865-66. The structure is beautifully
preserved on the University of Texas campus.