PIR evidence shows that the bathhouse is coming in at a total cost of about $22M, including all aspects of design and construction (see below). As of today (09-23-2026), about $2M is "encumbered" (not spent) but dedicated to the completion of the project.
However, the completion has been postponed several times, and the current culprit appears to be the exhibits funded by Barton Springs Conservancy — total exhibit costs are internally estimated at $750,000, including $75,000 from Austin Water and a dedicated Watershed Protection Department "Exhibit Contribution" line of $290,750 in the City's own funding records, among other sources.
The bathhouse rehabilitation was originally contracted for completion by August 29, 2025. Internal emails obtained by public information requests show that a tentative date for the bathhouse grand opening is Oct. 17, 2026.
Even assuming the currently pending Change Order 11 is approved — pushing the contractor's completion date to on or about January 14, 2026 — that still puts the bathhouse rehab project at least nine months (about 276 days) past deadline by the time it opens.
The Exhibits
Internal emails and a project budget (below) help explain the current delays.
Here, Barton Springs Conservancy board member Karen Brimble anticipates a grand opening of the Bathhouse in October 2026:
Source (above): PIR #C330322
However, a City staff member is concerned that the Bathhouse might not be completed by the opening date:
Source (above): PIR #C330322
Encumbered funds show that money for the exhibits has not been fully paid out. The exhibits, as noted by Brimble above, are possibly dragging the project past another "completion due date."
Source (above): PIR #C330131
