Plans for public plaza at historic Mueller control tower moving forward

A new public plaza surrounding one of the last remaining pieces of the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport is moving closer to groundbreaking.

Located off Berkman Drive in Mueller, the Studio Balcones-designed Tower Plaza project at the former airport's control tower will bring a new public space to what is now a patch of grass on the master-planned community's south side. As proposed, Tower Plaza would be surrounded by hundreds of new residences from Ryan Companies that are now under development.

The Fehr & Granger-designed control tower was highlighted in the original agreement between Austin and Mueller community developer Catellus, and is one of three original airport structures that have been targeted for historic preservation. Studio Balcones Principal Ilse Frank shared an overview of the firm's latest plans for Tower Plaza during a July 11 meeting of a Historic Landmark Commission subcommittee, with commissioners present stating their general support of the project.

Since three preliminary outlines for the plaza were shared publicly last year, Studio Balcones has moved forward with work on one final design. That "flight path" option features landscaped open space, a pedestrian ramp with observation platforms, and a new paseo with tower views running to the northeast between the new apartment complexes.

If the current plaza layout is built, pedestrians will be able to cross between two lawn areas sloped at different grades on either side of the old tower. Frank also said the design team is building a public deck around the structure at 21 feet high, matching the height of the now-demolished airport terminal building. That platform will give visitors a sightline similar to the views experienced in the past from atop the old terminal.

Frank said she expects the plaza will be completed and open to visitors in time for the launch of the adjacent Ryan-developed buildings, previously announced for late 2023.