The Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality cleared the Seaholm Power Plant Tuesday as "ready for reuse."
The announcement paved the way for the power plant's development team Seaholm Power, LLC, to begin its discussions about how to progress in terms of design.
"It really is going to change the face of downtown," John Rosato, Seaholm Power LLC Managing Partner, said.
Rosato welcomed dozens of stakeholders who attended a meeting Wednesday, the same people that will have a hand in Seaholm's renaissance. The goal will help shape the future of the building, from the cathedral-like ceilings down to its foundation as an energy source.
The renovated Seaholm will use "green" design, with sustainable building materials and clean energy elements.
"Because this is going to be such a public project, because of its relationship to Austin Energy and its history with Austin Energy it seems like a perfect place," Rosato said.
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Seaholm redevelopment
The former power plant will be redeveloped to earn an environmental design distinction.
 
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Seaholm Power LLC hired Baltimore-based Design Collectives. The urban designers helped reinvent an old power plant there.
"What's interesting is coming from out of town, I don't necessarily think Austin recognizes what kind of national precedent this project will be. That this is really one of the most unique projects in the country," urban designer Tom Liebel said.
The development team hopes to make the Seaholm project a LEED design, a standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design." The distinction builds in incentives to go green. In return, the development timeline speeds up.
Liebel said the project is taking the first and most important
step in environmental design: recycling an old building.
"To preserve as much of is as it is. When we start adding things
into it, it will respect the architecture and sort of the history that's already here and not make it something it's not," he said.
Plans include keeping most of the structure outfitted with pipes and its vast expanse. Project leaders hope Seaholm features demonstration projects: concepts that incorporate state-of-the-art green building.
"What we would really like to happen here is small shops of local
retailers, the hometown Austin retail market place," said Rosato.
"Ultimately everyone working together will create a far better
final building than anyone individually thinking they can do
it all," Liebel said.
Seaholm Power, LLC hopes to break ground by summer 2005, with completion slated for 2008.
