East Austin Developments

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Block 16 & 18

Two finalists for Block 16 & Block 18 are receiving community feedback. Both presentations include renderings.

https://www.austinedc.org/16and18

ARA Legacy:

https://austinedc-my.sharepoint.com/...entations&ga=1

Pleasant Hill Collaborative:

https://austinedc-my.sharepoint.com/...entations&ga=1

Urban Renewal Board makes pick for Council from two redevelopment plans for Blocks 16 and 18

plan that looks to combine housing, retail, restaurants and assorted cultural facilities has received an important vote of support in the effort to redevelop two signature blocks of East Austin.

On Monday, the Urban Renewal Board voted 4-1 to recommend the Pleasant Hill Collaborative development plan to City Council as the preferred package for Blocks 16 and 18 on East 11th Street. That plan, which is composed of professionals from Servitas LLC and the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation, was one of two under consideration to remake the area that has been eyed for redevelopment for roughly three decades.

City Council is expected to consider the matter on July 18, which would lead to the start of entering into an exclusive negotiating agreement with PHC.

That plan would incorporate the Historic Victory Grill music venue as well as an unspecified African American cultural and heritage facility, multifamily housing, live/work townhomes, and assorted hospitality and cultural venues on the two blocks.

https://youtu.be/A4TLA4xcshA?si=eEIc64iaKf0DmhA5

[IluvATX]

Is Austin trying to look like LA circa 1966 now?

[wwmiv]

I’m not opposed to it, but I don’t think it is exactly befitting of such a prominent and important site and purpose. The amenities are great, but the architecture neither evokes African American heritage nor is it aspirational in design.

[Geckos_Rule]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

I’m not opposed to it, but I don’t think it is exactly befitting of such a prominent and important site and purpose. The amenities are great, but the architecture neither evokes African American heritage nor is it aspirational in design.

I agree. I'm all in favor of having a special kind of development here, but this doesn't seem like that. The portion that would be Block 16 isn't bad, but looking at it together -- if you removed the murals from the walls, there isn't any other aspect of this that separates it from any other 5-over-1 development.

[wwmiv]

https://austin.towers.net/clarksvill...-sixth-street/

[Urbannizer]

I mean, what more could you do architecturally for it to signify African American heritage? Only thing I can think of—have it designed by the largest African American architecture firm Moody Nolan. Either way, I’m sure it’d still give that 5-over-1 look. Victory Grill will remain and a cultural museum on site signifies more importance to the community than exterior design.

That being said, I think it looks great. Stands out more than most mid-rises here.

[gillynova]

[enragedcamel]

Originally Posted by gillynova

This thing is taking forever. They finished construction nearly nine months ago.

[Echostatic]

Would you be in a hurry to bring 872,500 square feet of spec office onto the market in 2024?

[Urbannizer]

La Vista De López

[gillynova]

Nice capture Urbannizer

[Jdawgboy]

I thought for the longest time how empty (perceptionwise) that side of I35 looked, but now it really feels like the city is enveloping 35, rather than 35 being the demarcation line between higher density and low density. In a few more years, besides the reconstruction of the expressway, that side will have even more decent sized buildings.

[Geckos_Rule]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I thought for the longest time how empty (perceptionwise) that side of I35 looked, but now it really feels like the city is enveloping 35, rather than 35 being the demarcation line between higher density and low density. In a few more years, besides the reconstruction of the expressway, that side will have even more decent sized buildings.

Also worth mentioning that a few of these buildings are set back a bit, partly because of easements/utilities, etc., but likely also because they don't want to put someone's living room windows and balcony quite so close to the road noise from the highway -- once the reconstruction is complete, we'll hopefully start seeing some tighter spacing like you'd see elsewhere downtown and in East Austin to cut down on the demarcation line a bit.

[zrx299]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

La Vista De López

Imagine how furious the people who bought one of those 500sqft Tyndall shoeboxes that faces downtown are right now, losing their view and natural light.

Tyndall would've been a great development had they included balconies and stopped trying to normalize 'micro units at full size prices.'

[Urbannizer]

Affordable Housing Plan Moving Forward at East Austin School District Site

Efforts by the Austin Independent School District to repurpose one of its large land holdings for affordable housing development are moving forward, with a rezoning case for a nearly 20-acre AISD property in the Govalle neighborhood of East Austin known as the Anita Ferrales Coy Facility at 4900 Gonzales Street securing the approval of Austin’s Planning Commission earlier this week.

The rezoning, now scheduled for a hearing at Austin City Council’s upcoming July 18 meeting, would grant the property a vertical mixed-use designation under the city’s DB90 density bonus program, allowing the district’s contracted developer the NRP Group to pursue the construction of up to 700 units of multifamily workforce housing focused on the needs of AISD employees, including teachers, librarians, support staff, and maintenance workers.

Alongside new housing, the redevelopment of the property would provide public outdoor recreational space, a number of community commercial uses, and a new facility for the district’s Alternative Learning Center, which currently occupies a building at the site. With the rezoning of the property expected for approval at City Council next week, the district could potentially see a groundbreaking at the property by 2025.

[Urbannizer]

Innovative, Mixed-Use Development Provides More Affordable Housing in East Austin

Austin (Travis County) — The Austin Housing Department recently celebrated the groundbreaking for more affordable housing units in East Austin. The Ivory is located in District 1 at 1309 Chicon Street.

It is Austin’s first carless community, designed with 100% electric needs produced with on-site solar. The property will consist of 3 commercial condos and 53 residential condos, with 40 units available to households earning at or below 70% Median Family Income (MFI) and the remaining 13 units available at market rate.

“We are excited to announce the groundbreaking of The Ivory, said Mandy DeMayo, interim director of Austin Housing Department. “This innovative development offers much-needed affordable housing and encourages a carless lifestyle to improve the quality of life for our residents. We are proud to partner with the Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation on this development and are eager to continue our efforts to build a more inclusive and sustainable Austin.”