What's the scoop on the latest lawsuit? I'm sure it is the usual cast of characters but what is their supposed legal angle this time?

Environmental group sues Austin over massive redevelopment project at old Statesman building:
https://www.kvue.com/article/money/e...f-00620a334f07

The "environmental group", Save Our Springs, is suing to prevent the redevelopment of the naturally occurring sea of parking and vacated building.

So their argument is that PUDs are illegal?

^^^Inhaling O2 and exhaling CO2 is illegal to these nuts!

The City Council votes on re-zoning the SCW District next week, and most of the area will have no height limit. I wonder if that will affect the case against the PUD?

https://x.com/TheATX1/status/1792969052475777400

Too bad - part of that site would be a perfect spot for a world class opera house with a different iconic architectural design - kinda like they did down in Sidney, Australia.

Dang that's bold! After all the wrangling over even 200 feet in that area over the years.

Why? The Long Center is right next door. There is no need for two, large performing arts centers.

I will say I was extremely disappointed when the original redesign of the Long Center was dumbed down to its current design. If I'm correct, I think it was going to be designed by SOM.

Is this Long Center expansion still in the works?

https://www.element5architecture.com/commercial-1

https://i.ibb.co/gjJpJBW/expansion.jpg

I hope so that looks cool!

The Long Center architecture is as notable as an outhouse.
The Capital of Texas deserves a landmark entertainment structure that is an actual work of art.

Amen.

I respect your opinion but would disagree. The Reuse of the Old Parmer event center tiles are a great architectural design. Not to mention the circle of pillars have become a landmark photography spot that showcases the Austin skyline in the background. Not sure about how the inside looks. Maybe that's not that impressive. At least from the outside is has many elements that are Austin.

I wish people would stop throwing around the word "deserve(s)." Especially when talking about a city.

As pointed out, the powers that be had a world-class design for the Long Center. However, those plans were axed for the current design.

Maybe, but, when viewed from afar, the Long Center and adjacent parking facility is a clunky looking mess. It is architecturally incoherent, and it drastically needs an overall facelift. The interior of the building could use some refurbishment as well. It is sterile and not particularly user friendly.

Agreed! While a LC expansion would strengthen the facility, it would be even better for the neighborhood to demo the parking garage along Barton Springs for a buried parking structure (including public access for the parks) with retail, hotel, and residential on top. It could generate significant tax revenue and land some affordable / mixed housing proximal to the S. Congress line / walking distance to downtown if done right.

I think the main structure of the Long Center isn't terrible - could be better, but not terrible. The parking structure and chaotic integration of everything (LC, Palmer, and parking) is what makes it awful. I don't think it's beyond repair, though. Any solution would be costly, especially if maintaining a certain amount of parking were involved - my though is any parking there should be subterranean - same with deliveries. Obviously that would be a massive overhaul, and there would have to be something to support such a huge investment.

The idea of putting the parking garage and Riverside Dr below ground through Auditorium Shores/Butler Park has been suggested before:
https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=227996

I would be all for it. Riverside cutting through this park space is as much of a detriment as Barton Springs Road is at Zilker.

I don't know. I think the exposed ring beam framing the skyline from the terrace has become an icon of Austin.

:cheers:

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...it-austin.html