DiNino Statue in Austin, TX

The University of Texas completed a $630,000 renovation at 2110 San Jacinto Blvd in Austin, transforming the southwest corner of 23rd and San Jacinto into a new public space. The project, filed under the name DiNino Statue, incorporated a new statue, landscaping, and hardscape across approximately 2,200 sq ft of the campus perimeter. This work aligns with the institution’s broader commitment to enhancing the physical environment around the University of Texas at Austin.

Project Scope and Design

Studio Balcones served as the design firm of record for this renovation and alteration. The scope specifically targeted the intersection area to integrate aesthetic and functional improvements, including the installation of the named statue and associated ground-level features. The estimated cost of $630,000 translates to a density of $286 per sq ft, a figure that sits above the county median for similar renovation filings in Travis County.

Elaine K Andersen was the registered accessibility specialist associated with the filing. The project utilized public funds and took place on public land, adhering to standard regulatory requirements for such developments. The University of Texas, as the owner of record, has registered six other projects with TDLR in recent years, ranging from residence halls to fabrication buildings, with total values exceeding $7 million.

Construction was scheduled to begin in May 2025, with a completion date set for August 2025. The scheduled build window of 102 days was close to the county median of 98 days for comparable renovation projects. TDLR closed the project file in April 2025, which marks the end of the accessibility review process for this construction. This administrative closure confirms that the regulatory review phase is complete, though it does not independently verify the physical completion of the site work beyond the filing dates.

Context and Location

The site is located within the University of Texas at Austin area, a neighborhood characterized by academic and recreational facilities. Nearby businesses and institutions include the Jamail Texas Swimming Center, Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field, and the Texas Team Shop at DKR. The ZIP code 78712, where the project is situated, has an estimated population of about 206 according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates, reflecting the specific residential density of that immediate block.

Travis County’s unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in August 2026, providing a labor market context for the period surrounding the project's scheduled construction window. The project’s cost and size place it within the typical range for university-led aesthetic renovations, though the per-square-foot cost is notably higher than the median of $103 per sq ft observed in other Travis County filings. The DiNino Statue project stands as a specific instance of campus improvement, distinct from the larger structural renovations also registered by the university.