AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 295

downsouthman1 · #**5881** Posted **Apr 7, 2019, 2:28 AM**

Is Freedmen's open again? Or is the owner still just catering?

urbancore · #**5882** Posted **Apr 9, 2019, 9:38 PM**

Anyone know what work is going on at Butler Park?

futures · #**5883** Posted **Apr 9, 2019, 11:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancore

Anyone know what work is going on at Butler Park?

They are finally building the new kids area. Looks like a big improvement to me.

https://austin.towers.net/dig-into-p...lyn@towers.net

Sigaven · #**5884** Posted **Apr 10, 2019, 10:29 PM**

For what it's worth, 3rd year in a row.

https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/pr...ing-to-us-news

Jdawgboy · #**5885** Posted **Apr 11, 2019, 3:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaven

For what it's worth, 3rd year in a row.

https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/pr...ing-to-us-news

Urbannizer · #**5886** Posted **Apr 11, 2019, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Texas Association of Counties Expansion

https://www.gscarchitects.com/GSCwor...on-of-counties

Demo work is ongoing. New 3-story building at 1205 Nueces; while the larger building in the background is a renovation to the existing structure.

Turns out the building in the background will be a new structure as well.

Urbannizer · #**5887** Posted **Apr 11, 2019, 9:13 PM**

701 Rio Grande

Urbannizer · #**5888** Posted **Apr 12, 2019, 6:54 PM**

Butler Park

Renovations now underway:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69651241@N03/33716962178/

The ATX · #**5889** Posted **Apr 14, 2019, 10:09 PM**

This project will probably be worthy of its own thread when we get more info.

A while back there was some talk about the the Horizon bank site at 5th & Nueces being redeveloped. That faded away, but this past Wednesday a site plan was filed for "Replacement of current bank with a multi-story office building" at the site. The site is not in a CVC.

Here's the site plan:
https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...ertyrsn=128678

The location on Streetview:

We vs us · #**5890** Posted **Apr 14, 2019, 10:21 PM**

So a question — I know Council has floated getting rid of parking minimums. Might not that dramatically change what is possible on a 1/4 of a CBD block (such as this one)?

427MM · #**5891** Posted **Apr 14, 2019, 10:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

So a question — I know Council has floated getting rid of parking minimums. Might not that dramatically change what is possible on a 1/4 of a CBD block (such as this one)?

Yes and no. The CBD already waives parking restrictions (thanks to former Council Member Chris Riley and his more progressive colleagues). But! Because the rest of the city still has tremendously outdated parking reqs we subsidize auto usage to such a degree that it's difficult for an employer to build downtown without parking. There are other things at play here, banks and office space are laggards, but there comes a time in the not so distant future where we're going to have to start treating the planet better and build/live more responsibly. I'm optimistic.

We vs us · #**5892** Posted **Apr 15, 2019, 1:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427MM

Yes and no. The CBD already waives parking restrictions (thanks to former Council Member Chris Riley and his more progressive colleagues).

Thanks, that's actually good to know. I've always thought that parking requirements were behind the over-the-top podium garages we see so often here. And one reason we don't see higher floor counts for smaller footprints, like this one.

Gonna have to look for another scapegoat now, I s'pose.

papertowelroll · #**5893** Posted **Apr 15, 2019, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Thanks, that's actually good to know. I've always thought that parking requirements were behind the over-the-top podium garages we see so often here. And one reason we don't see higher floor counts for smaller footprints, like this one.

Gonna have to look for another scapegoat now, I s'pose.

There was a big discussion about this is in the West Campus thread. That's a place where I think parking requirements might have a substantial effect.

For downtown, I believe that there simply is that much demand for parking. Why? Well, because Austin is geographically large and spread out, and even adjusted for density we have relatively weak public transit... I can't see this begin to change unless Cap Metro's 2020 plan is passed and successfully implemented.

427MM · #**5894** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 12:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by papertowelroll

There was a big discussion about this is in the West Campus thread. That's a place where I think parking requirements might have a substantial effect.

For downtown, I believe that there simply is that much demand for parking. Why? Well, because Austin is geographically large and spread out, and even adjusted for density we have relatively weak public transit... I can't see this begin to change unless Cap Metro's 2020 plan is passed and successfully implemented.

The parking reqs in West Campus have been incredibly out of whack since day one. There really is no better place to eliminate all parking reqs, not that they really make sense elsewhere.

We could be much less dependent on autos if we allowed for responsible land development in the urban core. Instead, we suffocate what is built with endless over regulation in the hope of protecting centrally located suburban lifestyles from change. This then leads to more suburban development. It's really getting old and Austin has got to adopt more forward thinking land use policies that foster transit instead of starve it.

Urbannizer · #**5895** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 8:06 PM**

Office concept for Highland Resources:

http://zieglercooper.com/confidential-client/

Quote:

This Confidential Client engaged Ziegler Cooper Architects to design a new 23-story office tower in Downtown Austin, Texas. The building features 3 levels of below-grade parking, as well as 10 levels above grade. A sky lobby is located on level 12, with 11 floors of office space located above. The top floor features several unique amenities, including a rooftop garden with sweeping views of the Austin skyline.

We vs us · #**5896** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 9:24 PM**

7th and San Jacinto, I'd bet my life on it -- facing southeast. That's the Hilton Garden Inn down on I-35 in the background.

GoldenBoot · #**5897** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 9:34 PM**

Sweet! I like the design. Looks like it could have some vertical LED lighting on it.

In any case...Another 300+ footer.

KevinFromTexas · #**5898** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 9:44 PM**

I think it's for the northeast corner of 7th & Trinity - on the block east of the St. David's Episcopal Church (that appears to be it to the left). I think they flipped the image to misidentify it. I don't know how they thought that would work, though, since there's a view corridor that most of that block.

Also, this is not the first time we've seen this tower pop up here. Someone had posted that same rendering a couple of months ago.

Jdawgboy · #**5899** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 10:20 PM**

I'm holding judgment on this one for now. Honestly it reminds me of the Pinnacle Campus building in Oak Hill. Don't ask me why, it just does..

Wait I know why, it looks very 80s in design.

ATXboom · #**5900** Posted **Apr 17, 2019, 10:30 PM**

Looks like the surface lot on the south side of 7th between San Jac and Trinity... across from the Episcopal church. The downward sloping street toward 6th, and the footprint gives it away IMO.