{"id":237311,"date":"2026-04-06T16:06:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/237311\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T16:06:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:06:34","slug":"joan-means-khabele-bathhouse-rehabilitation-at-barton-springs-pool-austin-parks-and-recreation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/237311\/","title":{"rendered":"Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation at Barton Springs Pool | Austin Parks and Recreation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool partially reopened on Tuesday, October 28. Renovated restroom and shower spaces are now available inside; please enter from the pool side of the building. The front parking lot is also reopened, except one small area that will remain fenced off for ongoing construction work. The building main entry at the rotunda and site work on the west side will remain closed to the public for construction. Read more about the partial reopening<\/a>.Background<\/p>\n

The Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool was constructed in 1947 after the previous structure was destroyed by flood. Its original service design included a mechanized basket system that was removed circa 1968 after another flood damaged the system. About this time the primary entrance was moved from the rotunda to the southeast corner of the building where it remains today. Several other minor additions have been made to enhance accessibility and service to the pool. In 1998 the Beverly Sheffield Educational Center and the SPLASH! aquifer exhibits were added within the original basket area. The mission of Sheffield Education Center and\u00a0Splash! into the Edwards Aquifer Exhibit\u00a0is to foster stewardship of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer through education.\u00a0The Barton Springs area is covered under Federal, State, and City historic designations of which the Bathhouse is a primary architectural feature. After 75 years of service, many of the internal features of the facility have deteriorated and need major repairs. The Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation was a major task identified in the Barton Springs Master Plan<\/a> (PDF, 24 MB) (completed in 2009).<\/p>\n

Project Description<\/p>\n

The goal of this effort is to rehabilitate the existing Bathhouse to provide a first-class facility for Barton Springs visitors for the next 75 years while maintaining the historic integrity of the facility and meeting program needs. Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) with the assistance of Austin Transportation and Public Works has engaged a professional design consultant team led by Limbacher & Godfrey Architects to complete design and construction bid documents.<\/p>\n

As a part of\u00a0the Bathhouse Rehabilitation project, the Sheffield Education Center and Splash! exhibit will be redesigned and updated. The main entrance to Barton Springs pool will move back to the central rotunda near the original entry, creating an opportunity for swimmers to visit the exhibit space as they enter the pool. Visitors will be able to learn about the importance of protecting the watershed and aquifer, preserving the salamander habitat, and how they can play a role.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/p>\n

Q: How long will the bathhouse be under construction?
A: \u00a0Construction will take about 14 months with a scheduled start in early 2024 with substantial completion anticipated in spring of 2025. As with any construction project, schedules may change as the work progresses.<\/p>\n

Q: Will Barton Springs pool be open during the construction on the Bathhouse?
A: \u00a0Barton Springs pool will follow the regular schedule and remain open to swimmers during the Bathhouse Rehabilitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Q: How will swimmers enter Barton Springs Pool during construction on the Bathhouse?
A: A temporary pool entrance will be provided on the north side near the Bathhouse. The south pool entry will remain unchanged.<\/p>\n

Q: Will swimmers be able to use the Bathhouse during the rehabilitation project?
A: \u00a0Renovated restroom and shower spaces are available inside as of October 2025. Please enter from the pool side of the building.<\/p>\n

Q: \u00a0Will swimmers be able to park in the lot in front of the Bathhouse during construction?
A: \u00a0The front parking lot reopened as of October 2025, except one small area that will remain fenced off for ongoing construction work.<\/p>\n

Q: Why won\u2019t the public be able to use all parking lots during construction?
A: There will be extensive work in and on the parking lot to add ADA\/TAS accessible parking, upgrade the plumbing lines, reduce impervious paving,\u00a0 restripe parking spaces, and provide staging areas for construction deliveries and storage of building materials.<\/p>\n

Q: \u00a0Will the lifeguards have a manager\u2019s office and a breakroom during construction?
A: Temporary facilities will be provided for lifeguards on either end of the Bathhouse.<\/p>\n

Q: \u00a0Will the Violet Crown Trailhead Restrooms (west of the Zilker Hillside Theater) remain open?
A: \u00a0Yes.<\/p>\n

Q: Will the playground east of the bathhouse remain open?
A: \u00a0Yes.<\/p>\n

Anticipated Schedule2018: Community Engagement (Complete)2019: Schematic Design (Complete)2020: Design Development (Complete)2021: Construction Documents (Complete)Summer 2023: Bidding and Permitting (Complete)Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) solicitation issued on Austin Finance Online on June 26, 2023\u00a0(info here<\/a>)Winter 2024: Construction StartFall 2025: Construction Complete on Restrooms\/Shower Spaces (Open to Public!)Spring 2026: Construction on Rotunda Complete<\/p>\n

The interpretive planning and revitalization of the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center<\/a> will occur within this timeline.<\/p>\n

Please note that as in any construction project, schedules are projected as accurately as possible. All dates are subject to change due to the nature of construction and the weather.<\/p>\n

Funding and Resources<\/p>\n

Funding for this rehabilitation project is provided through 2012 GO Bond funds, the Historic Preservation Fund, and contributions from the Barton Springs Conservancy<\/a>.\u00a0Additional exhibit contributions are provided by Austin Watershed Protection and Austin Water.<\/p>\n

The Historic Preservation Fund is Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue for projects and initiatives that meet allowable uses as defined under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code and is an essential tool for the promotion of tourism. Public parks, museums, and cultural centers are among the top tourist attractions in the City and APR works in partnership with the Heritage Tourism Division<\/a> of Austin Economic Development, which manages the Historic Preservation Fund.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/p>\n

The community engagement phase of the Bathhouse design effort has concluded. The process included opportunities for community members to provide input and comment on design schematics and progress\u00a0through stakeholder meetings, multiple open houses, and on-line updates all with opportunities for comments. See the schedule of meetings previously held below.<\/p>\n

Design Kick-off Meeting<\/p>\n

April 3, 2018<\/p>\n

Community Survey<\/p>\n

A community survey was conducted online and at Barton Springs. Over 1,000 participants contributed their ideas.<\/p>\n

Project Values and Program Workshop<\/p>\n

Tuesday August 14, 2018<\/p>\n

Meeting #3 and Open House (Stakeholder Meeting)<\/p>\n

Thursday, October 18, 2018<\/p>\n

Preliminary Concepts and Values Survey<\/p>\n

Below are the preliminary concepts\/schemes that were presented.<\/p>\n

Schematic Design Survey<\/p>\n

Final Schematic Design Survey results<\/a><\/p>\n

Community Meeting #4: Updating the Process<\/p>\n

October 30, 2019<\/p>\n

Board and CommissionsJoint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation BoardPresentation on October 16, 2019Parks and Recreation BoardMemorandum from Director on April 23, 2020Design CommissionHistoric Landmark Commission Architectural Review CommitteePlanning CommissionJune 27, 2023: Initiated a site-specific amendment to the Land Development Code, specifically including amendments to Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as necessary to allow for the rehabilitation of the Barton Springs Bathhouse facility. SpeakUpAustin page<\/a>July 25, 2023: staff report<\/a>, presentation<\/a> and meeting recording<\/a>Codes and Ordinances Joint CommitteeCity CouncilPassed Resolution No. 20230914<\/a>, Amendment to Land Development Code, September 14, 2023Passed Resolution No. 20230223-018<\/a>, finding the use of the Competitive Sealed Proposal method of contracting, as authorized by Subchapter D, Chapter 2269 of the Texas Government Code, is the project delivery method that provides the best value to the City for the Zilker Metropolitan Park Barton Springs Bathhouse Rehabilitation, February 23, 2023<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool partially reopened on Tuesday, October 28. Renovated restroom and shower…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":237312,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133],"class_list":{"0":"post-237311","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-austin","8":"tag-austin","9":"tag-austin-headlines","10":"tag-austin-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237311\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}