[Hill Country]

Not a bicycle, but it is pedal powered.

The PubCrawler

Portable pub lets pedalers get legally looped while touring Austin
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/portable-pub-lets-pedalers-get-legally-looped-while-1286784.html?plckItemsPerPage=25&plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:2fcecc40-a061-4543-a4b9-9af80576c237#pluck_comments_list

Wow, that's an accident waiting to happen. Even if they only drink at designated stops someone will get "tipsy" enough to fall off one of those barstools when the deathtrap starts going to the next stop. I also wouldn't feel safe with by backside exposed to the horrible traffic and drivers we have around here.

[MichaelB]

Not a bicycle, but it is pedal powered.

The PubCrawler

Portable pub lets pedalers get legally looped while touring Austin
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/portable-pub-lets-pedalers-get-legally-looped-while-1286784.html?plckItemsPerPage=25&plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:2fcecc40-a061-4543-a4b9-9af80576c237#pluck_comments_list

Can't wait! That's one big party foul waitin' to happen. I say we do a meet up and drink our way around town ....

[KevinFromTexas]

It's not really some wacky new invention. Those things are all over Europe. The company that makes them is based in The Netherlands. I would assume the bartender wouldn't serve drinks to someone who is too drunk for obvious reasons. The article also mentioned that if they even take a sip outside of a designated area that they're asked to leave. And I'm betting that for the price they pay to take the ride, they'll behave themselves.

Besides, I like it. Anything to make traffic have to slow down and pay more attention and be cautious in and around downtown can only be a good thing.

[priller]

The Pub Crawler. Awesome idea! I am there!

[MichaelB]

The Pub Crawler. Awesome idea! I am there!

I thought that might shake you out o' da woods!

[KevinFromTexas]

Gigapan from The Austonian. You can zoom WAY in on stuff. It's a cool website. They also have one from the roof of the Chase Tower in Houston and one of Hamilton Pool and others. Anyway, if you just type in Austin, Texas, you'll find all kinds of goodies. There's several pages of images from the hills, too, that show downtown.

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/27221/snapshots/82980/

[KevinFromTexas]

Fox7 just had a story on Rainey Street, and they mentioned a planned 16-story boutique hotel on Rainey Street. They showed the site next to The Shore. That's not really new news, but it is the first we've heard of that project in a while. Originally they had planned a 34-story "Hotel Van Zandt" on that lot, then rolled it back to 16 floors.

[MichaelB]

Fox7 just had a story on Rainey Street, and they mentioned a planned 16-story boutique hotel on Rainey Street. They showed the site next to The Shore. That's not really new news, but it is the first we've heard of that project in a while. Originally they had planned a 34-story "Hotel Van Zandt" on that lot, then rolled it back to 16 floors.

there is a link on ABJ for the hotel. Sorry I am not a link monster.

[austlar1]

Now that there are some amenities on Rainey St., the idea of a boutique hotel popping up in that location no longer seems so far fetched. I wonder whether the economy has improved enough to get the thing financed and built? I am glad to see that the city is recognizing the need to improve sidewalks and lighting back there. I am optimistic that Rainey St. might prove to be an eclectic mix of the new and the old. I would like to see some of the older structures remain as in-fill structures slowly materialize. I expect Rainey St. will really be buzzing with the visiting hipsters in the next few days. I don't know whether the street is ready for it's close up shot just yet.

[KevinFromTexas]

Here's the article.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/03/15/rainey-street-hotel-moves-ahead-in.html

Rainey Street District hotel moves ahead in Austin

Austin Business Journal - by Jacob Dirr, Staff Writer
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 10:25am CDT - Last Modified: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 11:26am CDT

Developers filed a site plan for Hotel Van Zandt in the Rainey Street area, initially planned in 2008, but stalled.

According to the developer JMI Realty’s website: Hotel Van Zandt will be a 327-room, 16-story Kimpton Boutique Hotel with three levels of underground parking, a three-meal restaurant, 6,800-square-foot pool deck and bar, about 12,000 square feet of meeting space and a 1,300-square-foot exercise facility.

[JoninATX]

Looks like we are in for another boom only on a smaller scale.

[austlar1]

I just received a Nordstrom's catalog in the mail, one of their very glossy numbers that seem to be mailed out every month or so. They are usually quite lavish in appearance and must cost a fortune to produce. This one was for men's clothing. Imagine my surprise to discover that the entire thing, maybe about 25 or 30 glossy pages, was photographed in downtown and/or central Austin! I never imagined Austin as a backdrop for a fashion shoot, but the town looks great. The male models are a little sleek looking for the ATX, but what the hell! It is pretty cool, and folks should check it out. I am pretty certain that the catalog receives national distribution.

[Hill Country]

I just received a Nordstrom's catalog in the mail, one of their very glossy numbers that seem to be mailed out every month or so. They are usually quite lavish in appearance and must cost a fortune to produce. This one was for men's clothing. Imagine my surprise to discover that the entire thing, maybe about 25 or 30 glossy pages, was photographed in downtown and/or central Austin! I never imagined Austin as a backdrop for a fashion shoot, but the town looks great. The male models are a little sleek looking for the ATX, but what the hell! It is pretty cool, and folks should check it out. I am pretty certain that the catalog receives national distribution.

Fox7 just had a fashion designer from New York who is here for SxSW showing stuff. Maybe fashion is the next big thing for Austin.

[BevoLJ]

The fashion part of South By is by far the most underrated aspect of the fest. It has become a really big deal and goes by a large part unnoticed. One of the big things that has come out of it is something called "sustainable fashion" which is really just fancy sexy clothes for hippies but still look quite nice. But because of all of the musicians there has been a lot of bit time fashion people coming here to try to get those musicians to use their fashion in their shows and such. That with the fashion shows has grown that part of it quite a bit, and led to some designers moving to and staying in Austin for good.

For an example of the sustainable fashion thing look at the new shop that was just opened by Rene Geneva (http://mycorset.com/).

[wwmiv]

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the city updated the emerging projects list in February.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/ep_data_2011-02.pdf

T. Stacy is still planned.
21c is still on the list.
Hyatt Place hotel should start construction this summer.
The boutique hotel on congress was added.
7Rio - my favorite on hold building - is still on the list.
The county courthouse is on the list.

[JACKinBeantown]

Gigapan from The Austonian. You can zoom WAY in on stuff. It's a cool website. They also have one from the roof of the Chase Tower in Houston and one of Hamilton Pool and others. Anyway, if you just type in Austin, Texas, you'll find all kinds of goodies. There's several pages of images from the hills, too, that show downtown.

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/27221/snapshots/82980/

That photo was taken at 1:13 p.m. (according to the clock on the UT Tower Building).

[Spaceman]

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the city updated the emerging projects list in February.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/ep_data_2011-02.pdf

T. Stacy is still planned.
21c is still on the list.
Hyatt Place hotel should start construction this summer.
The boutique hotel on congress was added.
7Rio - my favorite on hold building - is still on the list.
The county courthouse is on the list.

If Tom Stacy is involved, I have my doubts....My downtown realtor friends snicker when his name comes up these days...He's done a lot of good for the city in the past but now he just talks and doesn't deliver..

[wwmiv]

If Tom Stacy is involved, I have my doubts....My downtown realtor friends snicker when his name comes up these days...He's done a lot of good for the city in the past but now he just talks and doesn't deliver..

I have to agree in general with this. Stacy has always been all talk. However, he did deliver with Frost and I'm hopeful that because the city still churns this project out on list after list after list of still-viable projects that the project is still somehow in the works.

[KevinFromTexas]

This was the site of the planned 44-story 21C Hotel tower, before they moved it to another location in downtown.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/theticker/entries/2011/03/24/former_whitley_printing_site_u.html#comments

Former Whitley Printing site downtown under contract

By Shonda Novak | Thursday, March 24, 2011, 12:13 PM

The former Whitley Printing Co. site at Third and Brazos streets downtown is under contract to Riverside Resources, which is considering it for a potential apartment project.

However, Needham said it’s too early to say the company will definitely build a project on the 35,000-square-foot site. He said another possibility would be an office project there.

This week, Riverside Resources this week had civil engineers Bury + Partners resubmit an earlier site plan for the project that had been filed when the Poe Cos. had the site under contract for a proposed 44-story art-themed hotel and condominium project called 21c Museum Hotel.

[austlar1]

I have to agree in general with this. Stacy has always been all talk. However, he did deliver with Frost and I'm hopeful that because the city still churns this project out on list after list after list of still-viable projects that the project is still somehow in the works.

Are you sure that Tom Stacy had anything to do with the development now known as the Frost Bank Bldg? I don't remember his name being associated with that project, which was initially a spec office tower with no major or name tenant announced until the building was almost completed.

[austlar1]

To answer my own question, I found this in Wikipedia.

"In 1998, T.Stacy & Associates consolidated tracts of land at the building site and sold it to Cousins Properties in 2001.[5] Cousins Properties soon developed the plans for the Frost Bank Tower. The original plan called for a 352 ft (107 m) tall building with 27 floors, but the final plan called for a 515 ft (157 m) tall building with 33 floors.[7] As the building commenced on November 27, 2001, it became the tallest building in the United States of America to be constructed after the September 11 attacks.[7] Construction was finished about 2 years later in 2003, and the tower was officially dedicated in 2004. It officially became the tallest building in Austin, Texas, and the fourth tallest building outside of Dallas and Houston, Texas (excluding the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas).[8] In August 2003 cost of the building was estimated at 137 million U.S. dollars.[3]"

Looks like Stacy played a role in the beginning and then stepped aside or got moved aside after selling the property to Cousins.

[wwmiv]

Are you sure that Tom Stacy had anything to do with the development now known as the Frost Bank Bldg? I don't remember his name being associated with that project, which was initially a spec office tower with no major or name tenant announced until the building was almost completed.

Tom Stacy was definitely originally attached to Frost, but then sold the site to someone else to develop the project that he sortof put together.

[wwmiv]

To answer my own question, I found this in Wikipedia.

"In 1998, T.Stacy & Associates consolidated tracts of land at the building site and sold it to Cousins Properties in 2001.[5] Cousins Properties soon developed the plans for the Frost Bank Tower. The original plan called for a 352 ft (107 m) tall building with 27 floors, but the final plan called for a 515 ft (157 m) tall building with 33 floors.[7] As the building commenced on November 27, 2001, it became the tallest building in the United States of America to be constructed after the September 11 attacks.[7] Construction was finished about 2 years later in 2003, and the tower was officially dedicated in 2004. It officially became the tallest building in Austin, Texas, and the fourth tallest building outside of Dallas and Houston, Texas (excluding the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas).[8] In August 2003 cost of the building was estimated at 137 million U.S. dollars.[3]"

Looks like Stacy played a role in the beginning and then stepped aside or got moved aside after selling the property to Cousins.

Looks like you found your own answer. :)

[KevinFromTexas]

That quote from Wikipedia is from T. Stacy's website:

http://www.tstacy.com/development_casestudies_detail.php?case_study_id=4

[austlar1]

I just thought it was worth pointing out that, based on the 2010 census figures, Austin now has a population substantially greater than that of Detroit! Detroit came in a 717,000 after having lost well over 200,000 people in a decade. I guess Austin must have added about the same amount or more. Detroit was in the top 10 largest US cities list for the last 100 years or so. It was number four, slightly larger than Los Angeles, when I was born in 1946. It just goes to illustrate that a city's fortune can be quite fickle.

[JAM]

I just thought it was worth pointing out that, based on the 2010 census figures, Austin now has a population substantially greater than that of Detroit! Detroit came in a 717,000 after having lost well over 200,000 people in a decade. I guess Austin must have added about the same amount or more. Detroit was in the top 10 largest US cities list for the last 100 years or so. It was number four, slightly larger than Los Angeles, when I was born in 1946. It just goes to illustrate that a city's fortune can be quite fickle.

Dang austlar, you're older than the Balconies ! I wonder what Detroits GDP is compared to Austin. I also wonder if the unions had a indirect hand in the demise of Detroit?

[ATXboom]

I grew up in that area... IMO yes unions have had an indirect impact on the collapse of the rust belt. They are built to protect and defend the status quo... the problem is the world changed around the unions (employees) and they soon found themselves irrelevant and unable to adapt to the new world around them. Really too bad. Unions served a great purpose at the turn of the last century.

RE GDP - that is calculated on the metro area. Detroits metro population has been quite stable. We are just seeing a flee from the centeral city of detoit to the burbs forming a doughnut of population. This has happened due to crime/bad schools, bankrupt city, etc. The metro population is around 5.5M. Still quite large (almost a Houston)... so the GDP will be massive compared to Austin.

[wwmiv]

I grew up in that area... IMO yes unions have had an indirect impact on the collapse of the rust belt. They are built to protect and defend the status quo... the problem is the world changed around the unions (employees) and they soon found themselves irrelevant and unable to adapt to the new world around them. Really too bad. Unions served a great purpose at the turn of the last century.

RE GDP - that is calculated on the metro area. Detroits metro population has been quite stable. We are just seeing a flee from the centeral city of detoit to the burbs forming a doughnut of population. This has happened due to crime/bad schools, bankrupt city, etc. The metro population is around 5.5M. Still quite large (almost a Houston)... so the GDP will be massive compared to Austin.

Metro is 4.2, CSA is 5.2.

[austlar1]

Austin metro's GDP is $78 billion; Detroit metro's GDP is $185 billion. Since the Detroit metro is a little over three times the size of Austin in terms of population, it would appear that the ATX is economically more productive than Detroit on a per capita basis.

Here is a recent compilation of metro GDPs that makes for some interesting reading.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=25513.0

[DougRockstead]

How weird. I've been having that very same discussion on a friends facebook page. He talks about how the government crippled detroit, but I have to point out that the Unions and their unbending and antiquated policies broke the backs of the automakers and eventually the city. I"m surprised to see a couple of people on this forum making the same arguement.

[wwmiv]

Austin metro's GDP is $78 billion; Detroit metro's GDP is $185 billion. Since the Detroit metro is a little over three times the size of Austin in terms of population, it would appear that the ATX is economically more productive than Detroit on a per capita basis.

Here is a recent compilation of metro GDPs that makes for some interesting reading.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=25513.0

The Detroit metropolitan area is just over two-and-a-half times the size of Austin, not even close to being over three times as large.

Adjusting for that, Austin's metro is still more productive on a per capita basis.

[wwmiv]

I'm going to play the devil's advocate here, and say that I firmly do not believe that unions were a direct cause of Detroit's decline. Globalization was the cause of Detroit's decline. Unions just helped to speed it up.

[austlar1]

I agree with you about globalization being at the heart of Detroit's decline. Even without unions, there is no way for the US to compete with the low wages paid to workers in the places where industry and jobs have fled. Austin, Houston, DFW, or any other currently thriving metro should not feel immune to that "giant sucking sound" of jobs being exported to cheaper labor markets. Any city is vulnerable to these economic forces, and what happened to Detroit (or St. Louis or Cleveland or Pittsburgh) can happen down here unless we work really hard to innovate and continue to create jobs.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-edition/2011/03/25/downtown-developers-getting-ready.html

Downtown developers getting ready

Riverside Resources may be big player in years to come
Austin Business Journal - by Jacob Dirr , ABJ Staff
Date: Friday, March 25, 2011, 5:00am CDT

A spurt of quiet real estate activity in downtown Austin is under way, a precursor perhaps to the next wave of development in the area.

Austin-based Riverside Resources Corp., known as a stealthy, no-nonsense developer, is under contract to buy the half-block Whitley Printing Co. building at Third and Brazos streets, which is unencumbered by Capitol-view height restrictions, a broker confirmed, meaning the building could be a high-rise.

[wwmiv]

I don't remember in what thread it was that we were discussing graffiti, so I'm posting this article here.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2011/03/20/titas_wuz_here/?page=1

Titas Wuz Here

The essay accompanying these images does not invite prurient interest. These carvings, we learn, have a great deal to tell us about “social connectivity” and “cultic resonances” in the ancient world. The new book in which they appear contains 10 densely argued essays in all, covering everything from sports-related goading in Aphrodisias to shout-outs among friends in Pompeii. As for what people were etching and daubing back then, a good deal of it cannot be reprinted in a family newspaper. The first thing we learn is this: People in the ancient world were very, very sweary.

So maybe Winston Churchill had it wrong. Perhaps history isn’t written by the victors; maybe it is written by the vandals.

Claire Taylor and Jennifer Baird, coeditors of “Ancient Graffiti in Context,” would be irritated by that last remark. Phallic imagery on a public wall in the ancient world was not intended to cause shock and dismay, says Taylor, who teaches Greek history at Trinity College Dublin. Instead, these images were intended to express religious devotion and community. “Context,” she says, “is everything.”

[KevinFromTexas]

Capitol 10K run in Austin. 23,000 showed up in what was the 3rd largest attendance of the race's history.
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/cap-10k-draws-3rd-largest-crowd-in-race-1353726.html

Statesman gallery.
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/2011-capitol-10000-032711/#163050

Reader photos.
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/readers-2011-capitol-10000-photos/

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/01/21/00/slideshow_1002118884_klw_cap10K_10.jpg
(Kelly West AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
34th annual Capitol 10,000 on March 27, 2011.
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/2011-capitol-10000-032711/#162888

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/01/21/00/slideshow_1002118883_klw_cap10K_06.jpg
(Kelly West AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Runners participate in the 34th annual Capitol 10,000 on March 27, 2011.
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/2011-capitol-10000-032711/#162889

[Somnio]

Another VMU project announced for 78704...


Apartments, retail planned for S. First
Austin Business Journal - by Jacob Dirr, Staff writer
Date: Monday, March 28, 2011, 12:04pm CDT

A new mixed-use development is being planned on South First Street just north of Ben White Boulevard.

The project at 3715 S. First St., called Oak Meadows Apartments, will have 336 multifamily units and 4,700 square feet of retail, according to city records.

....


http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/03/28/apartments-retail-planned-for-s-first.html

Here's the location...

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/3483/78704vmu.jpg

[Jdawgboy]

Another VMU project announced for 78704...



http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/03/28/apartments-retail-planned-for-s-first.html

Here's the location...

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/3483/78704vmu.jpg

NIMBY ALERT! This project has already been noticed by the Southwood NA, as I just got an email about this project. I actually replied back and said this is a good project to me, fits well in the area, and is what is needed in the inner-city. I get so irritated by some of these people, this project is not even in the Southwood NA area and they are making a fuss about it so you can be sure that the Galindo or Bouldin NA's will make a fuss...

[KevinFromTexas]

There a lot of vacant lots like that on South First north of Ben White.

By the way, I was looking into those companies connected to that project, and found an 8-story project that is planned for the TMI Castle site on West 11th Street. It's called Castle East Condominiums. It's designed by Dick Clark Architecture.

http://www.bigreddog.com/experience.html

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5496/castleeastcondominiums8.jpg
http://www.bigreddog.com/experience.html

[Jdawgboy]

I really like that rendering, I think it will work well with the surrounding landscape. It actually fits in with the hill to blend in.

[KevinFromTexas]

And the funny thing is, even though it's 8 floors and technically is probably 100 feet tall or so, it won't appear so since it follows the natural slope of the steep hill. The backside of the project looks to be maybe 40 feet high since there's only 3 floors above the top of the hill, which would probably keep it within the height restriction for that area.

[KevinFromTexas]

Aerials.
http://www.justinwallacephotography.com/austin-aerial-photography/

Cool website here, that posts a new Austin photo daily.
http://austintexasdailyphoto.blogspot.com/

[bigcitydude]

^like the ariels a lot. Austin reminds me a bit of my city.

[KevinFromTexas]

Too bad this is in suburban space. 136,075 square feet is a lot - about a 1/5 of the space in the Frost Bank Tower.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/theticker/entries/2011/04/06/arthrocare_signs_136075_square.html

ArthroCare signs 136,075 square-foot office lease

By American-Statesman staff | Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 03:30 PM

Medical device maker ArthroCare Corp. is moving some operations from California to Austin and has signed an office lease for 136,075 square feet in Southwest Austin — by far the biggest new lease in Austin in some time.

CFO Todd Newton said the company will probably completely move into the new space in two freestanding buildings behind Advanced Micro Devices on William Cannon Drive. Currently, the company is headquartered in about 41,000 square feet on nearby 7500 Rialto Blvd.

[BevoLJ]

If it is R&D (or it mentions something about prototype development?) type stuff then downtown would probably be to expensive to find the kind of space they would need to move those operations from Caly to Austin. Sounds link more jobs for that part of Austin which is always a good thing though.

[Downtown_Austin]

http://icmib.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/idea/image/4d935406b3ec3730fb0000b7/large_bike_share.jpg

When the speakupaustin.org website went live I posted an idea to improve last-mile and recreational transit by installing bike share hubs throughout the urban core, and that a managed bike share system should be part of the transit discussion.

It has become the highest rated "idea," but it still needs more voting support and visibility. Please take a few seconds to support a managed bike share (http://austintexas.icanmakeitbetter.com/ideas/improve-last-mile-and-recreational-transit-by-installing-bike-share-hubs-throughout-the-urban-core) system throughout Austin's urban core.

thanks,

Jude

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/04/08/bartonplace-condo-gives-500k-for.html

BartonPlace gives $500K for low-income housing

Austin Business Journal
Date: Friday, April 8, 2011, 2:03pm CDT

BartonPlace Condominium donated $500,000 to The Legacy low-income housing project.

The Mary Lee Community in the Zilker neighborhood is developing the affordable housing project at 1340/1342 Lamar Square Drive. The group hopes to break ground by Jan. 1, 2012 once all funding is received.

[BevoLJ]

http://www.statesman.com/business/accs-purchases-brighten-the-future-for-highland-mall-1387623.html?cxtype=rss_business

ACC's purchases brighten the future for Highland Mall
By Shonda Novak, Barry Harrell and Ralph K.M. Haurwitz
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 9:29 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2011

http://www.statesman.com/multimedia/dynamic/00820/WEB0409acchighlandm_820633c.jpg

In less than a year, the outlook for Highland Mall has turned from troubled to promising.

The reason: moves by Austin Community College to buy two of the three major anchor store sites and — in a $14.5 million deal officially announced Friday — the 32.2 acres that the core of the mall sits on.

When that transaction closes next month, ACC will own 417,000 square feet of space and 63.5 acres — nearly 80 percent of the mall, on Airport Boulevard west of Interstate 35.

ACC officials don't have firm plans for the property but have said it could be used for offices, classrooms and a conference center.

Two years ago, the mall's future was in serious doubt. Tenants had been leaving for other area shopping centers, and longtime anchor Dillard's sued the owners, saying they had let the mall become a retail "ghost town."

The mall's owners essentially walked away, turning the property over to their lenders.

In a surprise move last May, Dillard's sold its main store in the mall to ACC; in January , Macy's sold its store to the community college.

With the newest transaction, ACC will own the land beneath the mall and become landlord to the company that owns what's left of the mall — the building that houses stores, the food court and other facilities.

Jill Rowe, president of an Austin real estate investment firm, said ACC's acquisitions at Highland bode well for the mall's future.

"What was there was not working, and it gives them a chance to start over — and to start over in the middle of town," Rowe said. "It's a huge piece of real estate."

....

[JAM]

http://www.statesman.com/business/accs-purchases-brighten-the-future-for-highland-mall-1387623.html?cxtype=rss_business

Something like this occurred in Dallas around 2002 time frame, I'm pretty sure it was Prestonwood Mall, but not 100% sure, it was in a big, dying mall in that area. - it didn't bode well for not only the mall, but the surrounding area - everything around that used to feed off the mall traffic looked like it was dying as well. The difference was they were trying to use part of the mall as a data center. I'm sure ACC is better than a data center, but still may cut down on foot traffic that is looking to spend. We were looking seriously at acquiring a business in the area due to cheap prices, and finally decided against it due to the slow death. Even though rent was cheap, it appeared that it would be a long time, if ever, that the area would come back and it would be a miserable existence. Not sure what ever happened to it, (looks like it was torn down) left Dallas and never looked back!

This guy has a pretty interesting site on dead malls: http://deadmalls.com/features.html (Highland hasn't made his list yet :)

[the Genral]

Interesting Site JAM, Thanks. 2 out of the 3 malls in my hometown are now "dead". It was the nicest of the 3 that caused the demise of the other 2. I would've said that overbuilding was the culprit, but actually, the Galleria, the one still thriving had the best architecture and cost the most to build than the other 2. Quality amd design, in this case, attracted more and better businesses and trumped convenience for patrons living closer to the "dead" malls mainly the Dutchess Mall serving south Dutchess County. Back in the 70's and 80's, designing structures that would still have relevance in the future was not a priority due to the expense of hiring a respected Architech and paying for the upscale materials, (see Austin's architecture of the 70's and 80's), but the companies that did spend more are still in a position to thrive like the Galleria Poughkeepsie, my hometown. The loss of revenue the other 2 malls suffered prevented them from what would have amounted to a needed total makeover. The South Hills Mall in Poughkeepsie, NY is a classic example of a design dated at its conception. There are pics of it on the Web Site JAM provided. Its the one I went to before the Galleria was built. If you check this out, after the last pic, go to the satelite link and check out where the Galleria chose to place their mall. You won't have to scan far.

[BevoLJ]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/04/12/state-offers-ebay-28m-incentive-for.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_austin+%28Austin+Business+Journal%29

EBay offered $2.8M to create 1,000 jobs in Austin
Austin Business Journal

The state has offered eBay Inc. an additional $2.8 million to create 1,050 jobs in Austin, sweetening an earlier deal from the city of Austin.

The announcement comes close to two weeks after local officials announced plans to extend a $1.2 million incentive to the Silicon Valley company (Nasdaq: EBAY) to add 1,000 jobs to its PayPal division during the next decade. The average annual salary is pegged at $122,576. PayPal currently employs about 250 people in Austin.

The state investment would come from the Texas Enterprise Fund. Officials said the company would invest $5.1 million in exchange for the money.

“Here in Texas, we’ve created an environment that allows companies from all industries and of all sizes to grow and create jobs for Texans, thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulatory climate, fair legal system and skilled workforce,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “Austin’s high-tech economy and skilled workforce are perfect for eBay, and I’m pleased to welcome this expansion and the more than 1,000 quality jobs it will bring to Texas.”

...


http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/theticker/entries/2011/04/12/austin_council_oks_incentives.html?cxntfid=blogs_statesman_business_blog?cxtype=rss_business

Austin council OKs incentives deal for eBay, PayPal
By Barry Harrell

The Austin City Council today approved $1.2 million in incentives for EBay Inc. and its PayPal subsidiary in a deal that would see the Internet companies agree to add 1,000 high-paying jobs in Austin over the next 10 years.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the economic development contract, which authorizes the city to award EBay and PayPal economic development grants of $250 for each local job created and retained, up to a maximum of $1.2 million.

To qualify for the grants, EBay and PayPal must create at least 1,000 jobs in the city in the next 10 years, make $430,000 in leasehold improvements and purchase at least $4.5 million in business personal property during that time.

The agreement calls for a staggered addition of jobs, with at least 50 created in Austin by the end of 2011, with an average salary of about $107,000. That average salary would rise to about $139,000 by 2020, according to the agreement.

The agreement with eBay and PayPal “meets all our standard criteria, in that it is … cash positive for our taxpayers and creates good jobs with good benefits for the people of this city,” Mayor Lee Leffingwell said.

Terence Spielman, director of PayPal’s Austin operations, said the company has already “enjoyed fantastic organic growth here in Austin.”
...

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.statesman.com/business/real-estate/oxford-commercial-to-move-38-employees-downtown-1398194.html

Oxford Commercial to move 38 employees downtown

What: Oxford Commercial leases 10,000 square feet downtown

Where: 200 W. Cesar Chavez St., one of two buildings that house the headquarters of Silicon Laboratories Inc.

The details: In mid-May, Oxford will move 38 employees from The Terrace on South MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1), where it has been for 12 years. The new space will allow the firm to grow to 45 employees downtown.

[KevinFromTexas]

Beautiful!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4408398397_b4c750f65c_o.jpg
Photo by John Rogers
http://johnrrogers.com/texas-buildings/new-austin-skyline-march-2010/

[wwmiv]

I hate that vantage point. The negative space around the dome is lopsided and ruined by the CVCs. Zoning should allow for taller buildings to be built on the west side of Congress akin to the BoA tower on the east side of Congress so as to fill that negative space.

The Austonian looks fake in that shot. Whatever enhancements were done shouldn't have been.

The electrical lines are also awful. There should some push for burying them and revamping the street signaling on Congress to be something more... modern. I like what has been done in San Antonio on the redone sections of Culebra and Bandera, it would look nice.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yes, the CVC creates an unbalanced look there with the buildings on the west (which were all built after 1980) being set back. The east side of Congress has much older buildings that were built right up to the street. Bank of America Center, 823 Congress and the Stephen F. Austin Hotel were all built before 1976. And then the buildings on that side of the street north of 8th Street were allowed to be built right up to Congress, while the ones on the southern end on that side were set back. I actually like the scene that unfolds on the east side with all the different styles of facades stepping back to reveal the next one. I think whenever some new buildings get built north of One American Center the gap on the west side should fill in a bit. It's crazy how you can still see some of the state office buildings in the north side of the Capitol Complex. That brown one to the left of the dome is more than 20 blocks north of where that photo was taken.

By the way, the One American Center's "tower shaft" is set 75 feet back from Congress. The new 416 Congress Hotel will be two blocks south of One American Center, and set back only 60 feet. So it may block part of One American Center from this angle and fill in some space between it and The Austonian. The only way we'll fill in that gap north of One American Center is with a building that is around 200 feet tall located between 9th & 11th Street. But since that area is mostly filled with older buildings, unless it's something like the new 416 Congress Hotel, it's not likely it'll happen.

The Austonian looks fake in that shot. Whatever enhancements were done shouldn't have been.


It's HDR. I like the affect it has on colors with some objects and with clouds, but that's about it. It can look too sharp sometimes.

[BevoLJ]

Compare that image Kevin with these from the late 40's.

http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth34181/m1/1/med_res/
http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth34182/m1/1/med_res/
http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth34182/?q=%22United%20States%20-%20Texas%20-%20Travis%20County%20-%20Austin%22

[KevinFromTexas]

Where did you find those? Make sure to post a link with them.

The theatre signs must have looked amazing back then. They get "a little" upstaged now.

[Downtown_Austin]

Where did you find those? Make sure to post a link with them.

The theatre signs must have looked amazing back then. They get "a little" upstaged now.

Great pics. I understand this could be considered heresy, but I've always believed it was mistake to plant trees on Congress Ave. You need only to look at the State Theatre today, and see that it is nearly completely blocked by a tree. While noble in intent, I think a lot of the "shrubs" on Congress Ave detract from the grandeur you see in the pic above.

:notacrook:

[Hill Country]

Great pics. I understand this could be considered heresy, but I've always believed it was mistake to plant trees on Congress Ave. You need only to look at the State Theatre today, and see that it is nearly completely blocked by a tree. While noble in intent, I think a lot of the "shrubs" on Congress Ave detract from the grandeur you see in the pic above.

:notacrook:

How dare ye to say anything bad about anything green in Austin!

[electricron]

Great pics. I understand this could be considered heresy, but I've always believed it was mistake to plant trees on Congress Ave. You need only to look at the State Theatre today, and see that it is nearly completely blocked by a tree. While noble in intent, I think a lot of the "shrubs" on Congress Ave detract from the grandeur you see in the pic above.
:notacrook:

You're correct, no trees is heresy. I believe the earlier photo of a tree lined Congress looks prettier.

[hookem]

Great pics. I understand this could be considered heresy, but I've always believed it was mistake to plant trees on Congress Ave. You need only to look at the State Theatre today, and see that it is nearly completely blocked by a tree. While noble in intent, I think a lot of the "shrubs" on Congress Ave detract from the grandeur you see in the pic above.

:notacrook:

Never noticed that. I think you might be right in the postcard-view sense.. but to an actual pedestrian walking along Congress, especially during the day... I thing the trees are a welcome addition.

[KevinFromTexas]

A lot of people don't realize that dog parks are really a bad idea. Besides inviting fights between dogs, they can also be habitats for all kinds of canine illnesses. All a dog would have to do is step on a patch of grass where a sick dog had peed or pooped, and then later lick its paw and contract it. Parvo is one of those, and its extremely contagious and lethal in about 80 percent of cases. Even if a human steps on fecal material and then takes it home on their shoe, their dog will be in danger of becoming infected.

But anyway, as for the park itself, yeah, that piece of land seems like it could be better used. And they have a point about it being a trailhead for the new boardwalk addition.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/popular-off-leash-dog-area-may-close-1404806.html

Popular off-leash dog area may close
Officials considering other uses for Norwood Park in South Austin.

By Sarah Coppola
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 8:15 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2011

Austin parks officials say they would like to eventually close the popular off-leash dog area at Norwood Park in South Austin.

The Parks and Recreation Department has hired a consulting firm to write a long-term plan for the 9.5 -acre park, which includes the dog area and the historical but dilapidated Norwood House .

The dog area has endured heavy wear and tear and is not visually appealing but is prominently situated on Riverside Drive, one of Austin's key corridors, park development coordinator Marty Stump said.

[migol24]

You're correct, no trees is heresy. I believe the earlier photo of a tree lined Congress looks prettier.

I myself am gonna go with Downtown_Austin. The sidewalks in my opinion aren't wide enough for the trees and pedestrians. Those older pictures make downtown Austin seem wider with more walking space and looks more like a downtown.

[KevinFromTexas]

I don't mind the trees, but the angled parking along Congress sucks up so much space that it leaves little room for the sidewalks and really isn't enough.

And plus, I wonder how those businesses would enjoy sweaty patrons.

[LoneStarMike]

I haven't been downtown on Congress at night for awhile, but on Friday night, I noticed a new lighting scheme at the Paramount Theater. The whole top portion of the building above the marquee is bathed in colored lights. One scheme is blue & green vertical stripes (blue, green, blue, green, blue, green, blue.) The green stripes highlight the vertical portions of the building containing the three gargoyle windows and the blue part is on either side and between the left & center window and the right & center window. It then changes to a red/yellow color scheme, (yellow for the windows) then to all purple, then to a regular white floodlight.

Has anyone else seen this and is it permanent or for some special occasion?

With regards to the trees on Congress Avenue debate, I can see both sides of the argument, but I'd vote for the trees. They really make a difference in the summer when you're waiting for a bus :)

I think that a good skyline represents a blend of architecture & nature. I've seen countless arguments on other forums as to who has the better skyline - Houston or Dallas. Although both cities have more impressive skylines (more buildings and taller buildings) than Austin, I still like Austin's skyline the best because of its' setting along Ladybird Lake and I think the trees on Congress Ave (and other streets downtown) just add to that.

BTW, does anyone remember the red oak trees that were planted on Congress Avenue in the 1980's? I found this from treeclinic.com (http://www.treeclinic.com/info/featured/index.html) about trees in Austin.

Many red oaks planted on commercial sites which are chlorotic (yellowish) and not growing well are species adapted to more acidic soil conditions. Red oaks planted along Congress Avenue in the 1980s were of the same family group and finally pulled out and replaced.

[Somnio]

Do some people actually believe this would be a better streetscape sans trees?
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/9215/congressavenue.png

[JAM]

Do some people actually believe this would be a better streetscape sans trees?


no, but sans the cars, YES!

[Somnio]

In urban areas, deep blue indicates that the population doubled (or more), pure red means that everyone left, grey denotes no change, and the intermediate tones represent the spectrum of increases and decreases in-between.

Below 5000 residents per square mile, these colors fade with the square root of density towards white, where no people lived in either year.

We created these maps from the official U.S. Census 2000 and 2010 block-level population data and boundaries using custom-built cartographic software.


http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1141/austinv.jpg

Here's the link to the website where this map was made. There are many more cities for you to look at if you're interested.

http://www.datapointed.net/

[the Genral]

I like the trees along Congress, but they do obstruct the view of the lower floors of many of the older buildings unless you are walking the sidewalks. From the pic Somnio posted, I still don't understand the thinking behind the building codes of the 80's. If you look at the 816 Congress building, (left of 823) what was accomplished by requiring the second setback, the top 7 or 8 floors? Why did the city prevent buildings during that time to be built straight up from the first setback away from the street? From what I remember, after so many floors, you had to start more setbacks. Why?

[Myomi]

Like all setbacks...it is to prevent the canyonization effect (sp?) of Congress. You debate the merits of urban canyons (I for one love them, but am not sure if it would be the best situation on Congress), but just imagine Congress with building strait up 20+ floors on each side. On that photo alone, you would lose about 1/3 of the blue sky that you see. It gets even more apparent when you get closer to the building at the pedestrian level. Again, the benefits are up for debate (at least on this forum). But I think for most Austinites, regardless of reason, would prefer the openness that setbacks are supposed to provide.

[KevinFromTexas]

Well, no, there wasn't a requirement for a 2nd set of setbacks in buildings. But there was a rule (still in place) that buildings had to step back from Congress. Part of what spawned so many stepped buildings during the 80s was that it was the popular design at the time since they were eager to get away from the boxy International style of the 70s. The Bank of America Center is a perfect example of what developers and architects were trying to get away from, and since so many buildings during the 60s and 70s were boxy, it encouraged them to create setbacks to break up the imposing facades.

The reason for additional setbacks was just to stay consistent in the design and complete the look with setbacks throughout a building. Some of the ones like 816 Congress, which seem really strange with its random setbacks, were just the result of poor architecture. I mostly like that style of architecture, - Postmodern. But there were some designs that were carried out poorly and came off clumsy and awkward.

[BevoLJ]

I don't mind the canyons to much, but I think it is great that along Congress it is more open with those setbacks and there is more sky. If other streets had urban canyons I don't think I would mind. I don't think I'd even mind 6th being canyon like as long as they kept the old buildings, and not sure how that would work. Doubt it could.

I also think the trees on Congress rock. I'm disappointed in you DAB you... you... TREE HATER!!

[wwmiv]

This has got to be the biggest news for Downtown Austin in years. I am elated.


http://www.austintowers.net/Austin_Downtown/files/t_stacy_5th_congress_super_tower_to_return.html

800 Foot 5th & Congress Super Tower to Return

We reported extensively on the original project when it was first announced. Although the details are likely to change dramatically between the first proposal and anything built today, the original plans called for a 925,000 square feet mixed use building which would be the largest downtown Austin project at nearly twice the square feet of the Frost Bank Tower. The project (rendering below) was to be designed by the world-famous architecture firm of Pelli Clarke Pelli, who also designed the Petronas Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world, and the Museum of Modern Art and Museum Tower in New York City.


http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/04/18/two-mixed-use-towers-garage-planned.html?ed=2011-04-18&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub

Two new mixed-use towers, garage planned downtown

T. Stacy & Associates and Walton Street Capital LLC announced Monday refinancing a loan that will free up cash for the project first revealed about three years ago. The pair closed on a new loan with lender Aareal Bank AG for their Bank of America Tower at 6th Street and Congress Avenue, according to a press release.
The new towers are planned for the same block bound by Brazos and 5th Street, plus a half block across the street. Construction on the first phase — the parking garage — is slated for early 2012.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/T-Stacy-and-Walton-Street-prnews-274592195.html?x=0
T. Stacy and Walton Street Capital Close on Refinance of Loan on Bank of America Building at 6th and Congress

T. Stacy & Associates and Walton Street Capital have closed on a new loan on its Bank of America Tower at 6th and Congress that frees up all development parcels of any debt.

The lender was Aareal Bank AG, a German bank that came to T. Stacy through mortgage banker Holliday, Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF).

"Austin has so much appeal that European banks are looking to invest," Tom Stacy said. "But they are demanding first-class projects that are well positioned for stability and growth in the future with strong sponsorship."

[JAM]

This has got to be the biggest news for Downtown Austin in years. I am elated.


http://www.hark.com/clips/xyjmtdjhlb-stop-sending-information-and-get-me-information

[wwmiv]

http://www.hark.com/clips/xyjmtdjhlb-stop-sending-information-and-get-me-information

What? ... ... ...

[electricron]

What? ... ... ...
:sly: What was JAM trying to link?:sly:

[wwmiv]

:sly: What was JAM trying to link?:sly:

I have no idea.

[wwmiv]

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/04/19/downtown-austins-railyard-district-getting-a-new-neighbor/#more-11073

Downtown Austin’s Railyard District Getting A New Neighbor?

Last month it was reported that Riverside Resources was under contract to buy the Whitley Building at 301 Brazos St. The downtown Austin development site is zoned Central Business District (CBD) with no Capitol View Corridor restrictions. According to reporter Jacob Dirr’s Twitter feed, the local development firm is planning a 20-story residential redevelopment of the site.


http://twitdoc.com/upload/JacobDirr/3rd-Brazos-JacobDirr.jpg

[Somnio]

nevermind...

[wwmiv]

nevermind...

Did you post the same thing as me?

This building will be visible in the skyline from the south and from the east. From the north it will be blocked by the Omni Hotel and from the west it will be blocked by 301 congress.

[Somnio]

Did you post the same thing as me?

Indeed1234.

[Jdawgboy]

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/04/19/downtown-austins-railyard-district-getting-a-new-neighbor/#more-11073



http://twitdoc.com/upload/JacobDirr/3rd-Brazos-JacobDirr.jpg

Too short for a no-height restricted area. IMO if developers are going to build in Downtown they need to take advantage of wether their lot is under height restrictions like the CVC's or not. Austin does not have a whole lot of land that can be built with no height restrictions and a development of a 20 floor building on a lot like that is a waste of space.

[BevoLJ]

I think a 20 stories for an apartment complex is pretty dang tall and impressive. I love the look of the building and think it really looks like something that should be there. I wish there was more street level interactions, maybe shops or something other than just those walls along the street and the main doors. But it is 3rd street, not 2nd so not as big a deal I guess. Although being that close to the convention center it just seems like they could do something else along the street than just walling off the street like that.

[wwmiv]

I think a 20 stories for an apartment complex is pretty dang tall and impressive. I love the look of the building and think it really looks like something that should be there. I wish there was more street level interactions, maybe shops or something other than just those walls along the street and the main doors. But it is 3rd street, not 2nd so not as big a deal I guess. Although being that close to the convention center it just seems like they could do something else along the street than just walling off the street like that.

According to Jacob Dirr, the reporter who broke the story, the building will have 10K sq. ft. of ground level retail.

[wwmiv]

http://twitdoc.com/upload/JacobDirr/Block-51-JacobDirr.jpg

This is the site plan for 6th and Nueces (Block 51). It was passed today, I think. Simply an office tower now (originally had condos or apartments). The height is as tall as it can go because of a CVC.

[MichaelB]

Too short for a no-height restricted area. IMO if developers are going to build in Downtown they need to take advantage of wether their lot is under height restrictions like the CVC's or not. Austin does not have a whole lot of land that can be built with no height restrictions and a development of a 20 floor building on a lot like that is a waste of space.

Yep.. and that is some snoozy boring crap. Looks like the same filler aesthetic as the Ashton. Blah and Blah.

[MichaelB]

http://twitdoc.com/upload/JacobDirr/Block-51-JacobDirr.jpg

This is the site plan for 6th and Nueces (Block 51). It was passed today, I think. Simply an office tower now (originally had condos or apartments). The height is as tall as it can go because of a CVC.

Did someone have the plan? This is a section of the building... so it does not even show the facade. Is this the south side of the Block or the whole parcel that wraps around Miller? ( I'm on the right block yes?).

[MichaelB]

WOW. So three development tid bits this week! Looks like there might be cranes on the horizon my fellow construction geeks!

[Somnio]

Too short for a no-height restricted area. IMO if developers are going to build in Downtown they need to take advantage of wether their lot is under height restrictions like the CVC's or not. Austin does not have a whole lot of land that can be built with no height restrictions and a development of a 20 floor building on a lot like that is a waste of space.

Yep.. and that is some snoozy boring crap. Looks like the same filler aesthetic as the Ashton. Blah and Blah.

A bit of NIMBYism I see. Only instead of what we're used to hearing ("It's too tall!") we're hearing "It's too short!", or "It's too boring!"

This building will probably end up with more apartments than Austonian, so I have a really hard time calling that a waste of space, even if it is only 1/3 as tall.

Now what's on the site now is indeed a waste of space, and I'll be glad to see it replaced asap.
http://www.ironwoodre.com/props/whitley1.jpg
http://www.ironwoodre.com/whitley.html

[MichaelB]

A bit of NIMBYism I see. Only instead of what we're used to hearing ("It's too tall!") we're hearing "It's too short!", or "It's too boring!"

This building will probably end up with more apartments than Austonian, so I have a really hard time calling that a waste of space, even if it is only 1/3 as tall.

Now what's on the site now is indeed a waste of space, and I'll be glad to see it replaced asap.
http://www.ironwoodre.com/props/whitley1.jpg
http://www.ironwoodre.com/whitley.html

Well, if wanting something better quality and better design is NIMBYism.... call me NIMBY! LOL!

[Somnio]

Okay, Nimby.

Is it your property? Are you lining up the financing, and spending the money to move this project forward? Is this project grossly misplaced, akin to putting an arena or huge office building in the middle of the Bouldin neighborhood?

So basically, if you had it your way this project wouldn't be allowed to move forward, if I'm understanding correctly. Thankfully that's not the case, but that is a trait I find despicable.

Of course I would rather see a building soaring 50+ floors, with a design that would be admired around the globe. However, as the saying goes, you can't always get what you want. This is a good project, on an extremely underutilized property in the heart of downtown. The positives outweigh the negatives by a huge margin, and yet some still find reason to complain.

Lol!

[Jdawgboy]

Okay, Nimby.

Is it your property? Are you lining up the financing, and spending the money to move this project forward? Is this project grossly misplaced, akin to putting an arena or huge office building in the middle of the Bouldin neighborhood?

So basically, if you had it your way this project wouldn't be allowed to move forward, if I'm understanding correctly. Thankfully that's not the case, but that is a trait I find despicable.

Of course I would rather see a building soaring 50+ floors, with a design that would be admired around the globe. However, as the saying goes, you can't always get what you want. This is a good project, on an extremely underutilized property in the heart of downtown. The positives outweigh the negatives by a huge margin, and yet some still find reason to complain.

Lol!

All I am saying is if you are a developer and you know there is only so much available land that has no height restrictions, then for goodness sake make the most of it... I am not a NIMBY but I also know if we keep getting projects like these that take up blocks that are not under height restrictions the tallest building Austin we will have will be T. Stacy.... hopefully... My point is take these buildings for areas of Downtown that have height restrictions for whatever reason, 20 years ago 20 floors would have been big for Downtown Austin, not anymore... That block was slated for a 44 floor tower, now look what we will end up with... If you don't want Austin to have any buildings taller than the Austonian, then by all means lets develop all the blocks that don't have height restrictions with 20 floor buildings or smaller perhaps.... :rant:

[Downtown_Austin]

This building will probably end up with more apartments than Austonian,

262 units are planned.

[MichaelB]

Okay, Nimby.

Is it your property? Are you lining up the financing, and spending the money to move this project forward? Is this project grossly misplaced, akin to putting an arena or huge office building in the middle of the Bouldin neighborhood?

So basically, if you had it your way this project wouldn't be allowed to move forward, if I'm understanding correctly. Thankfully that's not the case, but that is a trait I find despicable.

Of course I would rather see a building soaring 50+ floors, with a design that would be admired around the globe. However, as the saying goes, you can't always get what you want. This is a good project, on an extremely underutilized property in the heart of downtown. The positives outweigh the negatives by a huge margin, and yet some still find reason to complain.

Lol!

Hum, well I see my attempt to sidestep that initial comment with a bit of humor did not work. My apologies to the forum.
I under stand my initial comment was off handed and flippant. Some of us do get comfortable with our friends on here and just toss shit out at times.
So to to clarify a bit....

-First let me say we are all Nimby's to a certain degree in our own neighborhoods. That word is thrown around in a really unfortunate way and is usually meant to insult.
-Do I own the Whitley Property? No. Do I know the folks who own it. Yes. ( both the folks who bought the business and the folks who bought it to build 21 C ) Did I love the former design there? Yes.... And I helped make sure that property had no issues with having the design approved.
- Am I disappointed in what is replacing it , yes. Very. I think if you look at the 21c design and compare. Weather you like one style over the other you will see a major difference in effort.
-Do I live downtown and think I have a vested interest in my neighborhood: yes. Like any other resident of a neighborhood I care about how it develops.
-Am I pro growth, Hell yes.
- BUT, I have learned to be patient with the little land we have and wait for the better projects to rise to the top. I will say I am a fan of architecture before I am a fan of developers thought. It's why I am on the forum. ( yes, I understand we one to have the other)
-Do I think every building needs to be 50 floors or more? No....I actually like having some shorter buildings for contrast to the taller ones.
- But. The point was well made that is an economic mis-fortune for the city that one of the few blocks with no restrictions is not better taken advantage of. That is worth consideration..... If not simple disappointment.
-Do I think developers have absolute right to do what ever they want to with a property. It depends. A developer who demonstrates a consideration for the neighborhood they are developing in and profiting from? Yes.
A Developer who is indifferent to the area? No. Sometimes the greater good has to be forced on the greedy. ( learned that from a "good" developer...... yes, I have developer friends) I feel, and it is OK if it is just me, we have the right and responsibility to push developers to make sure they are contributing to the area they are benefitting/profitting from. ie: Great streets, Street level retail, Set backs on Congress.... etc.
-Now do they have the right to build ( only in my humble uneducated opinion) a generic ( or ugly) building.
Yes, They do. I have never been in favor of "design guidelines" from an aesthetic standpoint. They always backfire.

BUT, I do have the right and responsibility to push and lobby ( not just bitch on the forum) the best I can to make sure that what is built in downtown is something I enjoy looking at and interacting with on a street level. That for me will be the most cutting edge, environmentally sound and people friendly projects possible. I believe the city ultimately benefits from those of us who push developers who profit from our neighborhood to contribute to it as well. Smart developers know this. Others have to be wrangled. That is how we get a better downtown.

All that said... sorry I sometimes just throw out a "BLAH"! on the forum....
It;s not a simple comment for me.... even if it understandably did come off as pedestrian at best. . Sorry, it happens.. not meant to offend

m

[KevinFromTexas]

Did someone have the plan? This is a section of the building... so it does not even show the facade. Is this the south side of the Block or the whole parcel that wraps around Miller? ( I'm on the right block yes?).

At the bottom of the image it says East-West, so I'm guessing that is the north wall?

I really wish the image wasn't blurry so I could read the height figures!

And I'd LOVE to chat with whoever is scanning those building elevations.

[wwmiv]

At the bottom of the image it says East-West, so I'm guessing that is the north wall?

I really wish the image wasn't blurry so I could read the height figures!

And I'd LOVE to chat with whoever is scanning those building elevations.

Twitter him: http://twitter.com/#!/JacobDirr

It looks like it starts at around 460 and ends at 653 (sea level, obviously), so about 190 feet tall.

[KevinFromTexas]

Thanks. I've done my best to avoid having a Twitter account up to this point. I guess I'll have to.

[wwmiv]

Thanks. I've done my best to avoid having a Twitter account up to this point. I guess I'll have to.

I have a twitter account simply for guys like him who do 90% of their reporting through the medium. I hate it.

[KevinFromTexas]

I only have my Facebook account because most of my family is on there and a lot of the SSP forumers are on there, too. It's alright.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/04/15/downtown-spaghetti-warehouse-closing.html

Austin Spaghetti Warehouse moving, building sold

Austin Business Journal - by Cody Lyon, Staff Writer
Date: Friday, April 15, 2011, 12:25pm CDT - Last Modified: Monday, April 18, 2011, 10:50am CDT

Italian restaurant chain Spaghetti Warehouse is looking to move its 20,000-square-foot downtown location after it was sold in January.

Austin’s ASC Bear Creek Properties Ltd. bought the 117 W. Fourth Street property for an undisclosed price, freeing up 20,000 square feet of prime real estate in one of the city's most active markets. Spaghetti Warehouse President Azam Malik said the company would have preferred to stay in its Warehouse District location —which opened in 1975 — but the company is searching for a new spot.

Both brokers said the new owners hope to attract unique and creative tenants. The two-level structure built in 1905 once served as a grocery store and later a brothel.