This is great... see the responses at the bottom. You see the few loud extremists, then the majority.
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/02/28/0228anderson.html
VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER
Developer plans makeover of Anderson Lane shopping center
Plans call for more retail, larger theater; vertical mixed use with residents may follow.
By M.B. Taboada
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A 1970s shopping center on West Anderson Lane is in line for a makeover.
The new owners of the Village Shopping Center are seeking to rezone the 12-acre site for vertical mixed use development, which could mean more shops, housing and offices.
According to a concept plan submitted to the city, developer Joe Lamy could put more than 88,000 square feet of retail, 100,000 square feet of office and more than 400 apartments on the site.
However Lamy's lawyer, Steve Metcalfe, said that would be a long-term plan.
"At first, it will be a retail-oriented center with existing tenants," Metcalfe said. "Long term, that site probably is a good site for vertical mixed use. It's just a good location."
The center houses an Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, the Korea House and other restaurants, the Academy of Oriental Medicine, a fitness center and several small retailers. The buildings are grouped around a courtyard.
It's across the street from Northcross Mall, where a citizens group tried unsuccessfully to stop a new Wal-Mart Supercenter.
The Village redevelopment would expand the Alamo Drafthouse from four to six screens and would more than double the 131,000 square feet of space at the existing shopping center.
The city is trying to encourage more dense development along major transit corridors, such as Anderson Lane, and last year created the vertical mixed-use zoning category. That designation allows developers to erect multistory projects that mix retail, offices, housing and other uses.
But Allandale-area neighborhood groups have voiced opposition to development that would add traffic on already busy streets.
Lamy approached the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association in October to talk about his plans.
Neighbors are "guardedly optimistic," said Betsy Todd, who chairs the development committee for the North Shoal Creek association. It represents residents who live north of Anderson Lane.
Todd said the outcome of negotiations with Lamy will determine what position the group takes on the project. The neighborhood's issues include keeping a green-space element in the center and creating ways to make the project "walkable" for nearby residents.
"They've been receptive to what we've asked for," she said.
Todd also said traffic may be compounded by the other developments going in the area, which include the Wal-Mart and a new Walgreens on Anderson Lane near Rockwood Lane. An Office Depot is under construction just east of the Village Shopping Center.
"Traffic is always an issue, but we recognize that there are limits to what the developer can do about that," she said. "That's something the city really needs to be more involved in."
The Academy of Oriental Medicine, which teaches acupuncture and runs a clinic that sees 10,000 patients a year, has been in the center for about 10 years. The lease for its four buildings doesn't expire until 2014.
Linda Fontaine, vice president of operations and development, said the school hopes that Lamy invests in the center and makes repairs.
Fontaine said the school is "curious about is how any redevelopment might impact us."
"I think we're like many of the people involved or potentially affected in that we hope it's a good thing and we want to work with them to create a good outcome," Fontaine said. "We won't be able to support it if it means a disruption of the student learning or the quality of the patient care in the clinic."
The Korea House has been at the center since 1978 and has eight years left on its lease, sushi chef and manager Ji Park said.
"We want to stay here," Park said. "We want to know what (the) next plans (are)."
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Comments
By LC in Crestview
Feb 28, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
As a young and new resident of Crestview, I'm very excited to see what this development will do to the area in terms of beautification and property values. I hope that the developers will ensure that the local stores are part of the plan to offset the Wal-Mart. It will also hopefully spur other local retailers, boutiques, art shops to come to North Central.
PS - I heard that there was going to be an outdoor theater for the Alamo Drafthouse as part of the plan. Is this true?
By kenny
Feb 28, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
I think the developer should completely encircle Austin with high rise condos, then there would be no way you could have a view of the tower, the capital etc.etc...but you would have a great view of some construction cranes. Wait....you already have that! Construction cranes are NOT A VIEW! To hell with "progress"..building (and crane) moratorium now! Thanks to little Napolean Kirk Watson.
By Ricky DarDar
Feb 28, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
To Phil, whatever pal. Freedom of speech and all. By the way, who died and made you the moderator?
By LCDG in Crestview
Feb 28, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
As a young resident of Crestview, I'm excited to see what happens to this area. I think this new development will be good for the area (property values and beautification). It would be great if the developers can ensure that the local stores are part of the plan, providing an alternative to the walmart across the street. Hopefully it will also spur other local art shops, boutiques and retailers to come to North Austin.
PS - I heard there was also going to be an outdoor theater included in the Alamo drafthouse design. Is that true?
By Staci
Feb 28, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
While I'd love to see the Village expand, I hope they maintain the lovely courtyard in the middle and keep Texpresso. You can not get better coffee anywhere in this town. The courtyard is very special to us. My family has been going there for picnics and walks for many years now. My daughter calls it "the turtle pond place". It's one of the few beautiful places left in Austin. Please protect it.
By Phil
Feb 28, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
To RickyDarDar. Please refrain from vulgar, personal attacks when posting comments. It only serves to undermine any legitimate argument you may posess, and demonstrates a lack of genuine wit.
By Brentwood Resident
Feb 28, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
This development sounds intriguing and like it will offset some of the negatives of a big box store across the street. I just hope that someone is planning some traffic mitagation for Anderson and Burnet. The time it takes to get from Lamar to Mopac now is horrible. With all this new stuff, it'll be 10 times worse. Oh, and for those of you down on RG4N, you don't understand the issues. All we were looking for was some compromise. And the bullys won.
By FWM
Feb 28, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
This type of development will bring more desirable mid-to-upper level income people to this area of town to reside. Much better than a giant retail monstrosity that will act as a magnet for poor persons who only will be in the neighborhood temporarily for their discount shopping needs. I'm sure RG4N will be strong supporters of this development.
By Alan
Feb 28, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
PREDICTION: RG4N nuts will complain and protest about this, despite claiming that this is supposedly exactly what they wanted for Northcross.
By James
Feb 28, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
The housing part of the proposal is especially good. Housing has gotten so expensive in central neighborhoods due to zoning laws that effectively ban development, that any new supply will slightly help meet demand.
It'd be nice if 'progressive' neighborhoods such as Hyde Park and Travis Heights did their part to allow denser development instead of using privileged historical preservation claims to increase the value of their properties, at the expense of poorer people who wish to live the central city, who must pay ever higher rent due to the lack of housing supply.
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