Take a look at Republic Square’s new makeover

Republic Square, the Downtown park and public space at 422 Guadalupe Street, recently experienced what those in the restaurant and retail industries might call a “soft opening.” The space, which played a vital role in the establishment of Downtown and Austin’s culture, had been neglected for decades (serving as a de facto parking lot) before undergoing an ambitious renovation that started last year.

While parts of the redevelopment have yet to be completed, many areas of the park were opened to the public on Oct. 4 (most likely, in part, because that was the hub for shuttles to and from the past two weekends’ ACL Fest).

The redevelopment includes preserving an existing deck under large oaks and creating a series of low, curved walls following the circular pattern of the park to provide new seating. An promenade area will provide generous space for strolling, seating on almost all edges, park furnishings, and views across the park.

Parts of the renovation relate to the park’s history. Blackbird, a new public artwork designed by local artist Holly Young-Kincannon, is already in place. It’s meant, in part, to reference to the square’s history; in the early 1900s, the area was identified with and used by residents in the largely Mexican-American neighborhood that was then located west and south of the square, where many of them sold handmade tamales and Mexican candies. Walker's Austex Chile Company also employed residents from nearby neighborhoods.

Blackbird draws inspiration from the Oaxacan pottery of Mexico. Carved from Texas Cordova Cream limestone and coated with a black lacquer buffed to a luster finish, the bird’s tail has a cast bronze seating area with a black patina finish—a bit of a shoutout to the Austin’s grackles as well

The park has been designed to allow events, classes, and other organized activities in different zones—ranging in size from the Grove, containing 1,500 square feet, to the 17,625-square-foot Central Lawn.

The Sustainable Food Center’s Farmers Market will return to the park’s promenade. When complete, the park will offer daily programming, modern amenities, and a full-service café, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, and wine and open seven days a week.

Republic Square will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and will be staffed by Downtown Austin Alliance ambassadors, who will keep the park and restrooms clean and will be available to answer visitors’ questions.

The park is a first for Austin in terms of public-private partnership. The city’s Parks and Recreation department funded and managed the master plan; Austin Parks Foundation raised the $5.9 million needed to build the park, established a $1 million endowment, and oversaw design and construction; and the Downtown Austin Alliance will be responsible for park operations, management, and programming. All three will continue to provide oversight of the park via the Republic Square Management Committee.

The grand opening of the completed park is expected to take place in spring 2018.