Austin's Mexican American Cultural Center overhaul nears completion
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Workers assembling a new section of the Mexican American Cultural Center. Photo: Courtesy of City of Austin's Capital Delivery Services
A key Austin cultural institution is on track to complete a major makeover.
Why it matters: The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center was built in 2007 but had insufficient space to host community activities.
- The center is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation and promotion of Mexican American and Latino cultural arts and heritage.
What they're saying: "We're long past having a small community center that's for one neighborhood or two neighborhoods," Austin City Council member Chito Vela told the Austin Monitor after work began on the project.
- "We really did need a larger place that a community-wide celebration can take place, and I think they're executing pretty well on the vision for that."
What's happening: The overhaul, meant to draw more patrons to the facility, builds connections to hike-and-bike trails and to Lady Bird Lake.
- It also includes a grand promenade "to signify this as a premier cultural destination for visitors and citizens alike," per a city project description.
- The renovated cultural center will be 19,000 square feet larger, with more classroom, kitchen, meeting and administrative space.
- A plaza will accommodate up to 5,000 people for concerts and festivals.
🚜 Flashback: Construction began in late August 2023.
Follow the money: The $27 million project is chiefly paid for by a 2018 $128 million bond to support libraries, museums and cultural arts facilities.
Zoom out: The remaking of the Mexican American Cultural Center comes during an overhaul of the once sleepy southeast corner of downtown.
- The Austin Convention Center will shortly close for a major rebuild, before reopening in 2029.
- The portion of Waterloo Greenway, a parks system along Waller Creek, from Lady Bird Lake to Fourth Street is now under construction.
- And, of course, Rainey Street continues its transformation from modest old homes to soaring skyscrapers.
What's next: All major construction activity on the cultural center could wrap up this summer, with a grand opening in the fall.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show the renovated center will be 19,000 square feet larger (not twice as large).