Quote:
Originally Posted by migol24
Yes, that's the contention that's being made. Many include the Domain, or at least some here on ssp, as a neighborhood, when what we are saying is that it is nothing more than just a shopping mall with condos.
Its original plan was intended to be a 2nd downtown. The current plans would be to develop the entire area just like the Domain. So imagine if the entire area becomes one huge block of a mall and all of it is designed to where no transportation passes through it. Essentially the entire area from Mopac to Braker Ln would be catered to rich people who drive to it in their Prius. That doesn't sound like a good plan at all.
The entire area was envisioned to promote density and mixed-use projects. What its beginning to sound like, is the same thing that happened in the 60s when they built I-35 segregating essentially the minorities from downtown. Only instead of a freeway, you're building wide parking lots and make it increasingly difficult for foot traffic to get there.
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I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I think it's a pretty bad development if what you wantted was an urban development or 2nd downtown. These outdoor mall concepts were all the craze 5-10 years ago because people got this really foolish notion that they were urban. When they look and smell like a shopping mall.
You can't force an "urban" environment where there isn't one and density doesn't make it urban or pedestrian friendly. Throwing apartments onto the top of a shopping mall and connecting parking garages to sidewalks was never going to make that part of Austin Urban. The Triangle is a better attempt at an Urban environment in Austin, and the new mixed use stuff on South Lamar near downtown even better. 2nd street a roaring success. The things these have in common is they are already in largely walkable parts of town with good retail, dining and nightlife in the area.
You can't just decide to build an urban core in the middle of a field.
I would argue that the Riverside development in Clinton/Upper West Side or Battery Park City are both largely "suburban" despite being in the most densely populated island in the country for many of the same reasons. I was looking at an apartment for a friend this weekend on 11th avenue and 57th street. 5 blocks from Columbus circle.. and I had to walk most of the way to Columbus Circle before anything approaching street life reared it's head. Lots of 600 unit high rise apartment buildings, but nothing "Urban".
A strong urban core is something you can foster or encourage, or even stimulate... but it's not something you can will into existance.