Domain/North Austin Development Updates

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by nixcity

I think if people were more apt to walk in this town more people living in the Domain would be using that station more, as of now it is a bit a ghost town.

My guess is it's capacity related more than anything else. By the time the trains get down to Kramer station during rush hour, it's SRO. That's bound to depress ridership from the lower stations.

The metrorail expansion should help with that.


Running trains later would help get Domain-bound trips (for dinner/evening entertainment) but that's going to be a longer time coming.

[_Matt]

Originally Posted by Novacek

My guess is it's capacity related more than anything else. By the time the trains get down to Kramer station during rush hour, it's SRO. That's bound to depress ridership from the lower stations.

The metrorail expansion should help with that.


Running trains later would help get Domain-bound trips (for dinner/evening entertainment) but that's going to be a longer time coming.

So would a stop within 3/4 mile of the domain. As it is, Google estimates 16 minute walk from the stop to Rock Rose. WTF Austin.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by _Matt

WTF Austin.

So what, the trains were supposed to magically teleport from the existing rail into the domain?

Or was "Austin" supposed to reroute the rail across burnet (adding a new crossing), through the Domain, and then back again (second crossing)?
The Domain that didn't even allow buses for the longest time?

A 15 minute walk is reasonable. A 4 minute bike ride is trivial.

[nixcity]

^The location is not ideal but was set since the existing line was already there. Redeveloping the industrial areas and last open lots with dense uses would help. I wonder if they will ever allow bikes on the red line, that would help as well. But as Novacek pointed out the trains are mostly full at peak hours by the time it reaches that stop, giving priority to those that don't even pay Capmetro taxes.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by nixcity

I wonder if they will ever allow bikes on the red line, that would help as well.

Uh, they always have, from the very beginning.

http://www.capmetro.org/bike/

[nixcity]

Ah, I see, bike racks, not too bad, I meant get on the train with the bike. In cities like Portland you see a lot of people do that, it really helps with the last mile at your destination stop.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by nixcity

Ah, I see, bike racks, not too bad, I meant get on the train with the bike. In cities like Portland you see a lot of people do that, it really helps with the last mile at your destination stop.

You can.


"Bikes on the Train

A cheerful cyclist exits the MetroRail with his bike
Bicycles are allowed on all MetroRail trains, and bringing one along is easy! If trains are full, bikes may be limited to eight total per train, or four per compartment.

When you arrive at the station, please use the designated crossing area to get to the station platform. For safety reasons, please walk your bike on the platform. When you hear your train announced, simply move to the area behind the white boarding line and wait to board. Please keep your bicycle close to you, and as a courtesy, wait until all passengers have cleared the doorway before getting on. Bike racks are located in each car near the entrances."

[nixcity]

Good to know, sure will be nice when they finish all the upcoming upgrades.

[ahealy]

I don't know the zoning rules for most of North Burnet, but I have a feeling we'll see it transform into a very connected and urban area within the next 10 years. Burnet below 183 is already very urban... it's my favorite drag in the city.

The Domain has even grown on me as of late. It's crazy how much is going up there right now...I....I actually find it....useful !

[drummer]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I don't know the zoning rules for most of North Burnet, but I have a feeling we'll see it transform into a very connected and urban area within the next 10 years. Burnet below 183 is already very urban... it's my favorite drag in the city.

The Domain has even grown on me as of late. It's crazy how much is going up there right now...I....I actually find it....useful !

I agree - that whole area (with the exception of the Domain) doesn't get a lot of attention, but it's rapidly changing. I agree that it is very likely to continue. I'm excited to see where it goes. I even think the Domain will grow on more and more people as the area around it (the "mall") changes.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I don't know the zoning rules for most of North Burnet,

Probably more than you ever wanted to know

http://www.austintexas.gov/page/north-burnetgateway

[Jdawgboy]

I'd say South Lamar between the 290/71&360 split and the river is my favorite corridor in the city. In terms of what has already been built, there really isn't any other stretch that can quite compare in urban vibe.

Having said that, I think Burnet Road Is only 5 years or so away from catching up. It will be neat to watch that corridor develop and build up.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I'd say South Lamar between the 290/71&360 split and the river is my favorite corridor in the city. In terms of what has already been built, there really isn't any other stretch that can quite compare in urban vibe.

Having said that, I think Burnet Road Is only 5 years or so away from catching up. It will be neat to watch that corridor develop and build up.

South Lamar's biggest advantage is physical proximity to downtown. That or possibly the non-interference of neighborhood associations (Lamar Union seems to be on a scale unmatched by anything along Burnet).

Burnet's (potential) advantage is the slightly wider RoW (at least the section above 2222). If Austin ever gets off its ass and funds/constructs the corridor improvements from years ago, in my opinion it'll be a significant step up from South Lamar.

[_Matt]

Originally Posted by Novacek

So what, the trains were supposed to magically teleport from the existing rail into the domain?

Or was "Austin" supposed to reroute the rail across burnet (adding a new crossing), through the Domain, and then back again (second crossing)?
The Domain that didn't even allow buses for the longest time?

A 15 minute walk is reasonable. A 4 minute bike ride is trivial.

A 15 minute walk means 30 minutes round-trip. Now you're doubling travel time. Also, spur lines are not unheard of. Neither are well timed buses. These are all options. If we want a one-trick pony red line as described above, then it's perfect.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by _Matt

Also, spur lines are not unheard of.

So you're advocating for them to have:

1) spurred off from the existing red line
2) added a new crossing (and interruptions) of Burnet Road
3) added new track into the Domain
4) added a bunch of new crossings into the interior roads of the Domain
5) Even though the Domain didn't want them!
6) then crossing (and closing) Burnet _again_.
7) And doing this brand new construction for the price of $0 (CapMetro was essentially bankrupt).
8) Even though the _existing_ track and station is more central to the overall North Burnet area (you'd be spending Million$ to move the rail, and then later you'd want to move it back anyway).

Originally Posted by _Matt

Neither are well timed buses.

Then it's a good thing that's what they did (added the 466 with timed transfers from the red line).

[ahealy]

I just love how Burnet feels like a sister to South Congress or S 1st without being super close to downtown. I've really come to fall in love with North Austin these past few years.

Does anyone have a render for the condos going in where the Omlettry used to be? I emailed the land owners a while back but never got a response about a start date.

Ps. Thanks Novacek...I'm breaking a sweat just thinking about that

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I just love how Burnet feels like a sister to South Congress or S 1st without being super close to downtown. I've really come to fall in love with North Austin these past few years.

Does anyone have a render for the condos going in where the Omlettry used to be? I emailed the land owners a while back but never got a response about a start date.

Ps. Thanks Novacek...I'm breaking a sweat just thinking about that

I guess I'm biased since I've lived on the southside since coming home from Seton where I was born. The northside just doesn't do it for me, though the closer to UT/DT the better. I can see how Burnet would have a similar vibe to S.1st. There is nothing that even comes close to SoCo except maybe the Drag though the Drag is mostly student based. It will be a long time if at all that we see a stretch of road come close to SoCo.

[the Genral]

I'm trying to remember fully, I think there was once a tug of war between the north and south part of town. The south was redneck tough and the north was full of tech geeks. Probably not so much today, but there was a north south friendly divide. I defected to the north in the late 80s when the South was cooler. For the record, I hate the 183 corridor from I35 to 620. But I really like what's happening on Burnet from Duval south and Lamar from 183 south. The fact that they transformed to a more chic, hipster vibe from run down shit avenues I used to take to get downtown when the streets weren't as crowded, makes me appreciate the northern part of town. Its evolving in a cool way. But I guess to truly "get it", you probably needed to live in the area 15, 20 years ago. The changes remind me of how the look of dt has changed dramatically over the years, so has the Burnet and Lamar corridors.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'm trying to remember fully, I think there was once a tug of war between the north and south part of town. The south was redneck tough and the north was full of tech geeks. Probably not so much today, but there was a north south friendly divide. I defected to the north in the late 80s when the South was cooler. For the record, I hate the 183 corridor from I35 to 620. But I really like what's happening on Burnet from Duval south and Lamar from 183 south. The fact that they transformed to a more chic, hipster vibe from run down shit avenues I used to take to get downtown when the streets weren't as crowded, makes me appreciate the northern part of town. Its evolving in a cool way. But I guess to truly "get it", you probably needed to live in the area 15, 20 years ago. The changes remind me of how the look of dt has changed dramatically over the years, so has the Burnet and Lamar corridors.

haha, that's hilarious. I kinda lightly have that with my BFF who lives off Monroe and S. 1st. All in jest tho. North Austin still does feel real geeky. **not tech bro geeky** and pretty queer

I guess I'm biased since I've lived on the southside since coming home from Seton where I was born. The northside just doesn't do it for me, though the closer to UT/DT the better. I can see how Burnet would have a similar vibe to S.1st. There is nothing that even comes close to SoCo except maybe the Drag though the Drag is mostly student based. It will be a long time if at all that we see a stretch of road come close to SoCo.
Yesterday 5:03 AM

No shade, but I don't think Burnet should aspire to be the next South Congress. S Congress is touristy, and that works for it... I really appreciate Burnet because it has the urban framework while being off the beaten path. That's something more main streets outside of the CBD should work towards.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by ahealy

No shade, but I don't think Burnet should aspire to be the next South Congress. S Congress is touristy, and that works for it... I really appreciate Burnet because it has the urban framework while being off the beaten path. That's something more main streets outside of the CBD should work towards.

I agree with this - no need to compare much beyond saying both are seeing a lot of growth - and that's a good thing.