[Urbannizer]

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...emium-referral

Originally Posted by Austin American-Statesman

Church has development plans for downtown Austin block
Posted: 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015

Episcopal Church leaders are seeking a developer to partner with them on a mixed-use project on a prime downtown Austin block.

The New York-based Episcopal Church organization owns the site, known as Block 87, which it uses as a revenue-generating parking lot. As one of the last undeveloped city blocks downtown, church officials said it provides “a historic opportunity for development.” The block is bounded by East Seventh, East Eighth, Neches and Trinity streets.

By next year, church officials say, they hope to select a developer to team with on a project on the site, which has the potential for more than 600,000 square feet of development. Church officials envision a building with office, residential, and retail uses, along with a permanent home for the church’s archives.

Height on much of the block would be limited to 75 feet, to comply with rules aimed at preserving Capitol views. However, “there is great opportunity to include a substantial high-rise section for residences or office space in other areas of the block,” church officials said.

*Preliminary rendering