Should Austin have a super-tall observation tower?

[_Matt]

And run it through CVCs so it doesn't impede future vertical growth.

[OtherKevin]

Should Downtown Austin have a super-tall observation tower? Yes!

Will regional rail ever break ground? Maybe. :/
If so, should Downtown Austin get a world-class train station? Yes.

What if we were to combine these???

Imagine with me... the current Amtrak station. Now demolish it, build a large underground parking lot, and cover it with a giant one story building that encompasses the train tracks. I could serve as the downtown station for all out-of-town rail trips, as well as a station for the new urban rail line. It could contain shops, restaurants, and other retail.

Now part of the land is covered by the Barton Creek bridge Capitol View Corridor, but it still has room for a slender observation tower. It would offer Austin's visitors amazing views of Town Lake, Zilker Park, and downtown; while also serving as a beacon identifying our commitment to public transportation and transit-oriented development.

Hey, I can dream can't I!

[lzppjb]

This idea sounds interesting. I like the idea of a large building encompassing the trains.

[KevinFromTexas]

I've always wanted an observation tower and always thought the space between Butler Park and the Long Center would be a good place. As far as design goes, I'd leave that up to the architects. I just want a tower. A Ferris wheel is a nice idea, but what I don't like about it is you pay to go up and you only get a set amount of time to enjoy the view before your pod comes down and you have to exit. You could hang out in an observation tower all day if you wanted to. Plus I could see a Ferris wheel being really popular with long lines for a short time and then forgettable later. They also don't strike me as being permanent, but maybe I'm wrong.

A big Ferris wheel would be neat at COTA, but then again they already have their observation tower.

[lzppjb]

Why not both?

[OtherKevin]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

This idea sounds interesting. I like the idea of a large building encompassing the trains.

A mini Grand Central Terminal would be nice. I think we deserve to spoil ourselves with this project!

[MightyYoda]

Originally Posted by OtherKevin

Should Downtown Austin have a super-tall observation tower? Yes!

Will regional rail ever break ground? Maybe. :/
If so, should Downtown Austin get a world-class train station? Yes.

What if we were to combine these???

Imagine with me... the current Amtrak station. Now demolish it, build a large underground parking lot, and cover it with a giant one story building that encompasses the train tracks. I could serve as the downtown station for all out-of-town rail trips, as well as a station for the new urban rail line. It could contain shops, restaurants, and other retail.

Now part of the land is covered by the Barton Creek bridge Capitol View Corridor, but it still has room for a slender observation tower. It would offer Austin's visitors amazing views of Town Lake, Zilker Park, and downtown; while also serving as a beacon identifying our commitment to public transportation and transit-oriented development.

Hey, I can dream can't I!

You have made me sad because I doubt this will happen. However, getting light rail going and proving its viability will go a long way towards this dream. I loved traveling by train in Spain.

[ahealy]

next decade type stuff y'all. IT'LL HAPPEN

[Jdawgboy]

It's not an observation tower but let's not forget about the observation hill at Butler Park. I've been taking my dog for a walk around there the past two nights and you really can't beat the view from that hill.

[KevinFromTexas]

Speaking of the observation hill, you can see the Colorado Tower from it now. Also IBC Bank Plaza is showing up nicely there, and 5th & West should really make an impact from that view.

[Jdawgboy]

The skyline view from the Observation hill is filling in nicely. I love how 311 Bowie has added so much already in filling the western edge of Downtown.

[KevinFromTexas]

While looking for the Genral's arena photo in his "What if" thread, I found this image that he had made for that thread.