The Waller Creek Conservancy celebrated the official ground breaking of its $230 million project to transform a 1.5 mile stretch of the downtown creek into a high-design chain of urban parks.
The ground-breaking launched the construction of the Moody Amphitheater, the centerpiece of Waterloo Park, an 11-acre park that will see a complete transformation that include a central great lawn, a restaurant, a promenade and a water feature. The amphitheater will accommodate 5,000 people for concerts, cultural and performing arts events.
In February, the Moody Foundation announced a $15 million donation to Conservancy for support of the amphitheater, the largest philanthropic gift for parks in the city’s history.
Construction on Waterloo Park is estimated to cost $64 million and be finished by late 2019.
“As our city continues to grow and thrive, we must ensure that our beloved green spaces do the same. The Waller Creek project will create a world-class green space that will be the legacy we leave for future generations to enjoy,” Austin Mayor Steven Adler said.
Designed by architects Thomas Phifer & Partners, the Moody Amphitheate features sleek overlapping layers of steel beams, covered by a translucent polymer roof that will provide rain protection for the stage while allowing natural light to filter in during day time. When illuminated at night, amphitheater roof structure
The Conservancy is the non-profit partner to the City of Austin working to restore more than 37 acres of public green space along Waller Creek.
