Originally Posted by urbancore
I believe that Austin has a LONG way to go far as skyscrapers go.
Because of our zoning laws, the population of Austin "proper" may never reach much higher than it is...$1.3m (is my guess in the next 20 years)....but I believe we will see a steady supply of new construction as the years tick by. At least 1-2 skyscrapers breaking ground each year. The burbs, of course, will continue to explode.
Jobs drive the residential real estate market, we all know this. But I believe that retiring Boomers will make a significant impact to our skyline as some of them slowly give up their SFH to purchase condos in vibrant cities. NYC and SF are the best of course, but they are unattainable to most. Austin will always be a more affordable option than the coasts, apples to apples. Many Texas based Boomers who are still active and "fun", will look to our skyline, nightlife, music, comedy, nature...and increasingly shopping....and decide downtown Austin is amazing. As prices moderate in the near term, the sales will only increase. We have seen this movie a few times before. Boomers have the $, and they aren't getting younger.
All of this to say, I think Austin is sitting pretty. And I'm very proud of my city. I know it doesn't appeal to a LOT of people (conservatives who hate Austin, and liberals who hate Texas), and we will have a shit ton of problems to solve, but we are set to grow (downtown) into something unique in the US.
Austin hasn't lost anything. We are not going to turn into Phoenix in my or my children's lifetime, jobs will not dry up, water will not dry up, the musicians will still play, young people will continue to flock here for opportunity, diversity, jobs, and school. Its the young people that make the future of your city bright, and from what I see...the young people LOVE it. (at least till they get older and can't party as much and have a stack of bills....but that's not unique to any generation)
So with all that, I propose the only voter ID requirement that every Austinite must prove is; to be able to sing one Willy song by heart, name any SRV song in 3 notes, own 1 "Hi How are You" t-shirt, and complete the lyric....."who were you thinkin of when you were......" No further identification needed.
Now off to find my Willy songbook......RIP Doug Sahm
|