Austin Parks Foundation pitches in for Norwood rehab

The Austin Parks Foundation announced yesterday that it will award $250,000 in a matching grant to the Norwood Park Foundation to pay for the ongoing restoration of the 1922 Norwood Home, which overlooks the south side of Lady Bird Lake just west of Interstate 35. A press release from the Austin Parks Foundation notes that the first phase of the project has been completed. “At present, the project is in permitting, and NPF is focused on raising the funds needed to complete Phase 2, which is the main construction and renovations of the property. If the Austin Parks Foundation grant is fully matched, it will take the project from permitting into being ‘shovel-ready.'” Restoration of the house is expected to cost between $6 million and $7 million, and will serve as a community and event space when completed. “This is a stunning property that serves everybody, no matter what district you live in,” said Colleen Theriot, president of the Norwood Park Foundation. “We have carefully crafted the Norwood project in response to the public input process conducted by PARD (Parks and Recreation Department) in 2011, and we’re putting forth an inspired vision that everyone can enjoy and donors can believe in. In restoring and repurposing the Norwood House, we will save this precious, historic place for our kids and future generations, and we’ll celebrate the incredible view from the cliff – all while renewing a public park asset that pays for itself!”