The Seaholm Power Plant on E. Caesar Chaves and Lamar looks like it is straight out of Gotham City. I have always liked the look of the red lettering on the outside so I decided this would be a perfect place to write about.
This power plant is not in use anymore. It ceased operations in 1989 ( it was actually built in the 50’s). I learned that instead of tearing it down they decided to transform it into a center of activities such as concerts. In the future they plan to implement retail, office space, and possibly even residential space. Seaholm Power Plant Project.
In viewing this place from the outside it reminds me of Jenny Price’s essay on Los Angeles. It is industry and it is “necessary” and it has the image of being destructive to nature. But now that it is off, I can’t imagine Austin without that distinctive feature now. And now, disposing of all the hazardous materials safely and refurbishing the material ( this included discarding properly asbestos materials) , they are reusing the building instead of using more materials to destroy and recreate. This site is the best example of “the Austin environment.” This old power plant is right on the edge of downtown with all its modern skyscrapers, surrounded by large areas of grass ( or should be grass eventually , which is uncommon downtown) . It also is right next to Ladybird Lake. This area is an intersection of nature and industry. It combines our wants and needs with a natural feeling still lingering.
Above are images from http://www.austinpixels.com/2010/07/seaholm-power-plant-austin-tx/
Above are images from http://www.tribeza.com/myblog/thank-you-mother-falcon-autumn-ashley
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