Representatives from local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and City Council were in attendance Dec. 3 for the dedication of “Cascade,” a new sculpture in the heart of Northline. The piece was created by Augustina Rodriguez, an Austin-based artist, architect and educator and founder of the firm Agi Miagi.
In addition to Rodriguez, speakers at the ceremony included Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle; Leander Chamber of Commerce President Bridget Brandt; Alex Tynberg, master developer of the Northline Project; and Meredith Powell, president and CEO of the public art firm Public City.
The big picture
Rodriguez said she wanted the piece to promote community and togetherness, and took inspiration from the city itself.
“Leander has a very unique geography,” she said. “It’s where the Blackland Prairie and the Hill Country come together. Hill Country is known for its waterfalls, and that’s what ‘Cascade’ was inspired by. Water is a symbol of health and vitality for the community, so I wanted the design to reflect that.”
Rodriguez said she used heirloom-quality materials to ensure the piece would have longevity and designed the sculpture with seating so it would serve as a communal space.
This is Rodriguez’s second public art installation in Leander; her first is the interactive sculpture Phoenix Trail in Lakewood Park.
Zooming out
The Northline development has been in the works since 2019, and the city is hoping it will be a major community destination. The 116-acre mixed-use space, situated near the station at the far north end of the MetroRail line, is designed to be a walkable retail, residential and community hub. Construction began in 2020 on residential buildings and the central community space, in which “Cascade” is featured. The city anticipates the full project will be completed by 2031.
Mayor DeLisle said that many residents of Leander already think of Northline as the new downtown.
“Northline isn’t just another development,” she said. “It’s not a humdrum shopping center like you can see in other cities. It’s an opportunity to create a place where people can gather, connect and build memories. Residents who have visited feel a sense of pride and connection with what’s happening here. That kind of excitement doesn’t happen every day, and it speaks to the thoughtfulness of this project.”
Having a robust public art presence in Northline was always part of the developer’s vision. The city contracted with public art firm Public City in 2020 to develop a 42-page public art strategy to coincide with the planning of the district. Public City then worked in partnership with Tynberg LLC to incorporate their vision of public art into the design strategy for the development. Future public art projects will be developed in tandem with construction as the development grows.
What they’re saying
“This truly is a catalyst for Northline,” Brandt said. “Of course we say that anytime we get something new in Northline, but this piece is truly the heart of this program, and it’s the heart of what will make Northline such an incredible space.”
