Anchors Aweigh: New Waller Boathouse Opens

The city’s nascent plans for re-envisioning Waller Creek took another step forward today, in the form of a new, $3.4 million boathouse on the north side of Lady Bird Lake.

In March of this year, city officials authorized Austin Rowing Club to operate the facility. Boat storage and office areas of the new boathouse will be reserved for the ARC, but according to KXAN , “builders say it is designed to be accessible to the public, with a scenic observation deck, vending area, and public restroom.”

The 10,800 square foot, two-story boathouse was built new, in part, because previous facilities had to gain way for construction of the Waller Creek tunnel.

The tunnel project broke ground in August 2011, and is expected to take three years to complete. The tunnel is designed to run west of Interstate 35 between Fourth and Fifth Streets, and grant Waller Creek with a reliable source of water to prevent unpredictable flooding in the area. The project will also remove 48 acres from the 100-year floodplain, allowing development and a riverwalk. Four teams are vying for the design job in a contest that will conclude this October.