AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[StoOgE]

Astroworld had a lot of problems. Size was a huge factor, bad weather another.

It doesn't help that all of it's "New" rides were used rides from other six flags parks. Six Flags under Time Warner didn't give Astroworld a new ride for over 20 years. It became a dumping ground for the crap rides of every other six flags. Premier Rides (now known as Six Flags) bought it a relatively cheap cookie cutter inverted coaster that is available at around 20 other parks that I am aware of.

I loved it because at one point it had 3 or 4 Schwartzkopf designs (and now my nerd status is secured since I know of [and have met] a man who did most of his work before I was born).

In any case, Astroworld had a *lot* of problems that led to it's decline including Six Flags economic problems.

[Northcrossed]

Originally Posted by zx14

The climate of houston...twice as much rain as Austin...

NOAA reports that Houston has 105 days per year with at least .01" of precipitation while Austin has 85. Houston's average annual precipitation is 46", while Austin's is 32". So not twice by either measure, and we can attribute Houston's slightly-higher inches per day on days-when-it-does-rain to the occasional tropical storm and hurricane, which greatly increase the average rainfall but have minor impact (if any; it might have rained that day anyway) on the average annual precipitation-day count, and it's the latter that keeps people from spending a day at the amusement park.

But Houston is slightly more humid, though not enough to make or break an amusement park vs. Cedar Park or Round Rock.

[NYC_Longhorn]

Dear Lord, The toothless teabagger photo just made me want to hurl... I mean if "Europeans and Asians" were the only ones laughing at these fools, that's just scary. I love myself some Texas, but people talking secession just makes me angry for anyone who has loved ones fighting in the military... Besides, it's hard to make a good argument if you're missing teeth...

[Dan Denson]

Originally Posted by Northcrossed

NOAA reports that Houston has 105 days per year with at least .01" of precipitation while Austin has 85. Houston's average annual precipitation is 46", while Austin's is 32". So not twice by either measure, and we can attribute Houston's slightly-higher inches per day on days-when-it-does-rain to the occasional tropical storm and hurricane, which greatly increase the average rainfall but have minor impact (if any --- it might have rained anyway) on the average annual precipitation-day count, and it's the latter that ruins days at the amusement park.

But Houston is slightly more humid, though not enough to make or break an amusement park vs. Cedar Park or Round Rock.

The 46 inches for Houston seems low. I wonder which location that was measured at? I'm pretty sure Hobby Airport receives considerably more than that on average. I'll do some looking.

[Dan Denson]

Originally Posted by Northcrossed

NOAA reports that Houston has 105 days per year with at least .01" of precipitation while Austin has 85. Houston's average annual precipitation is 46", while Austin's is 32". So not twice by either measure, and we can attribute Houston's slightly-higher inches per day on days-when-it-does-rain to the occasional tropical storm and hurricane, which greatly increase the average rainfall but have minor impact (if any; it might have rained that day anyway) on the average annual precipitation-day count, and it's the latter that keeps people from spending a day at the amusement park.

But Houston is slightly more humid, though not enough to make or break an amusement park vs. Cedar Park or Round Rock.

I found various references online indicating 48 inches on average at IAH and 54 inches at Hobby. Of course, it varies a lot from year to year, just like it does in Austin. There have been years when the Houston area received more than 100 inches of rain, and in drought years there have been times when far less than average occurred. Having lived in Houston in my earlier years, I can say that during the summer, there were many more thunderstorm days than in Austin, even in absence of tropical storms or hurricanes. That's no surprise. Humidity-wise, yes, Houston is extremely humid during the warm and hot months. What's interesting to me is that Austinites often don't like to acknowledge that it's humid much of the time here, too, but not quite as humid as East Texas.

I've never heard of anyone refraining from going to Astroworld because of the summer climate. To me, the bottom line is that Astroworld was not a first rate operation. Never was, when compared with places like Six Flags in Arlington.

[OU812]

Originally Posted by ATXboom

Have said all of that I could see MLS being feasible in Austin in the next decade. In the next 2 decades I could see MLB feasible in Austin. Maaaaaaybe NHL but I don't think so. No way NBA or NFL.

If Austin completes its boom period and becomes stagnant like a rust belt city it may decide to offer incentives and agressively pursue a franchise?? If not any team would most likely locate between Round rock and Cedar Park.

My 2 cents.

That'll be sad if a pro sports team finally arrives in the area only to set up shop outside of Austin. I'm already pissed that Cedar Park is getting a new arena and hockey team, while Austin is stuck with UT's Erwin Center and no more Wranglers football. Also it appears the Ice Bats might have went belly up as well.

Sometimes I wonder if the CTRMA had something to do with that new arena in Cedar Park considering it's near the new and VERY expensive 183-A toll road. Surreptitious way to boost toll revenues perhaps?

By the way, I'll jump in and agree that MLS would be a good fit here, and hopefully WILL be here soon. And I'll repeat myself on a great location for a sports stadium: at the southeast intersection of Hwy 290 and 183 East. Wide open land.

[OU812]

Originally Posted by tgbAustinite

awesome photos guys! our skyline keeps getting more and more beautiful.

Thank god for forums like this where people can appreciate the beauty of skyscrapers. Ever get into arguments with people that think all these new high rise buildings are a blight to the city? These are same types that hate all forms of growth no matter what and always lament on the old hippy sleepy days of 1960s Austin.. "Armadillo World Headquarters"!! ...ad nauseum lol

[OU812]

Originally Posted by photolitherland

Tea baggers at the capital today. Man, these people are about as redneck as they come. Seriously, do these people think that a bunch of rednecks with half their teeth missing are going to be able to draw the attention of the majority of Texans to secede from the Union? Didnt the south do this about 150 years ago? As I recall, it didnt go too well for em. I thought it was hilarious though seeing all of these people around and having the tourists laughing at them.

Absolutely hilarious- ROFL!! This almost looks like something out of a movie. Are these hicks for real? I assume these are all Rick Perry supporters- who I hope is enjoying his last 1.5 years in office because I don't think he'll make it past 2010. Hicks like the ones in that photo are the last of a dying breed (or inbreed ). Actually, there might be a small minority of them always present in small town USA though right?

[Scottolini]

Originally Posted by zx14

Austin could support with its economy a large park. We are a metro with almost 2 million and well over with killeen and waco included. Built on the north side it will be more attractive for waconians( is that right?) than six flags over texas.

I agree with the sentiment about people not considering the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood and Waco MSAs when thinking about the Austin market for pro sports or an amusement park. That's ~ 600,000 more people less than 70 miles and 100 miles respectively from their downtowns to downtown Austin. When considering the fact that any team or park almost assuredly would go to Williamson County, the distances become substantially less. Just some more info. to wrap your minds around.

[OU812]

Sorry to spam my replies. One more and I'll shutup.

Originally Posted by StoOgE

1) Surrounding areas are still very rural on the whole. Just an hours drive will get you into very "red state" territory.

I think Jeff Foxworthy or Larry The Cable Guy has a joke about this. Which applies to any big/mid-sized city in the U.S. A half hour's drive in any direction and you're in redneck territory...Something like that..

Originally Posted by StoOgE

4) We are also home to Adam Jones and his merry band of crazy conspiracy nuts that think the secret society is controlling us all.

I believe you mean Alex Jones. Yes he IS a nut. I can't stand to listen to that wacko for one second. It's a shame that KLBJ AM gives him any airtime. I believe he's a self-centered ego maniac that allows cares about hearing himself talk. He always rambles on about how the government is spreading fear, but HE'S actually the one perpetuating "fear". He should really move to another country since he's so distrustful of America. I don't want to get off on a rant about this idiot so I'll just leave it at that.

[photoLith]

Originally Posted by OU812

Absolutely hilarious- ROFL!! This almost looks like something out of a movie. Are these hicks for real? I assume these are all Rick Perry supporters- who I hope is enjoying his last 1.5 years in office because I don't think he'll make it past 2010. Hicks like the ones in that photo are the last of a dying breed (or inbreed ). Actually, there might be a small minority of them always present in small town USA though right?

I go to school in Arkansas now, a small town, about 24,000. It was a terrible terrible terrible decision. The morons like the ones in my photo are everywhere. I am used to these people and it makes me sick that when most of the world thinks of the US they still think of it as being composed mostly of idiot rednecks. But I can assure you that these people are for real and there are many of them and its scary but yes, they are dying out in most places. But in states like Arkansas, a lot of the kids I know are just like these tards. Its truly sad.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by OU812

I believe you mean Alex Jones. Yes he IS a nut. I can't stand to listen to that wacko for one second. It's a shame that KLBJ AM gives him any airtime. I believe he's a self-centered ego maniac that allows cares about hearing himself talk. He always rambles on about how the government is spreading fear, but HE'S actually the one perpetuating "fear". He should really move to another country since he's so distrustful of America. I don't want to get off on a rant about this idiot so I'll just leave it at that.

Aw, don't be dissing on Alex Jones. He's keeping Austin weird! People tune in for conspiracy theories... the radio part is an extension of his old cable-access TV show (used to be a cornerstone of local cable access in the 90's, that's where he predicted 9/11.. sort of ), and IMO it's much better than the typical right-wing propaganda machine radio. At least he spouts an equal amount of suspicion/hate upon Republicans as he does Democrats. You should hear what he says about Rick Perry. And the weirdest thing about the KLBJ show? The CIA ads. Not kidding, there are real CIA career ads that run during his (and other KLBJ) shows.

Early on, he did a couple of "civil disobedience" style stunts that were really good... like taking his camera crew to the DPS then refusing to get fingerprinted for his license. Or when he had a camera crew at a sobriety checkpoint (which weren't legal at the time but the cops did them anyway), and he was interviewing and distracting the cops. He did some great interviews of the surviving Branch Davidians. But alas, he hasn't done anything like that recently.

Still, I find it fun to listen to.

[KevinFromTexas]

Guys, let's get back to talking about Austin development, mainly skyscrapers.

Some skyline shots from yesterday around my neck of the woods.

From Cooper Lane near William Cannon.


From Emerald Forrest between Stassney & William Cannon. This is right inside my neighborhood.


From South Congress & Stassney. Also note that you can see the very top of Frost to the right.


Next, I rode up to the Lowes on Stassney Lane just east of Congress near I-35. It sits on a hill with a view. Frost didn't show up very well, but it is there to the right. The Austonian was quite visible though.


Saint Ed's top.


Ben White & I-35 development.

[Mopacs]

Great shots Kevin. It will be very interesting to see where the Austonian pops up in in areas downtown was not previously visible. I drove around far northeast Austin last Friday and found some interesting views of the skyline (from as far out as Pflugerville) You can now make out the Austonian from I-35 between Wells Branch Parkway and Howard Lane.

Where I would be most interested in "Austonian Spotting" is along the northwest 183 corridor, beyond the escarpment (N of Mopac). Due to the topography (sitting atop a high plateau), downtown is not at all visible from 183, except for a brief glimpse near Oak Knoll Drive.

[AustinSkyscrapers]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

Great shots Kevin. It will be very interesting to see where the Austonian pops up in in areas downtown was not previously visible. I drove around far northeast Austin last Friday and found some interesting views of the skyline (from as far out as Pflugerville) You can now make out the Austonian from I-35 between Wells Branch Parkway and Howard Lane.

Where I would be most interested in "Austonian Spotting" is along the northwest 183 corridor, beyond the escarpment (N of Mopac). Due to the topography (sitting atop a high plateau), downtown is not at all visible from 183, except for a brief glimpse near Oak Knoll Drive.

Yes I have been wondering about that too. Where the Austonian will pop up in places where downtown was previously wasn't visible. It will be interesting...

[Downtown_Austin]

iBidCondo had their first "auction" yesterday. Apparently a $690,000 condo sold for $87k. This ranks an 11 on my bullshit meter that only goes to 10. The developer is a corporate affiliate of the auction and also registered the domain (ibidcondo.com), btw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSLO3i2jmX4

//just posted here

[AustinSkyscrapers]

Originally Posted by photolitherland

Man, these people are about as redneck as they come. Seriously, do these people think that a bunch of rednecks with half their teeth missing are going to be able to draw the attention of the majority of Texans to secede from the Union? Didnt the south do this about 150 years ago? As I recall, it didnt go too well for em. I thought it was hilarious though seeing all of these people around and having the tourists laughing at them.

I can't believe that people wanted Texas to secede from the nation!
It's just unbelieveable.
Some people wanted Texas to secede, on Tax Day.

I was just laughing.
This act is just ridiculous and hilarious.

[Myomi]

Originally Posted by Downtown_Austin

iBidCondo had their first "auction" yesterday. Apparently a $690,000 condo sold for $87k. This ranks an 11 on my bullshit meter that only goes to 10. The developer is a corporate affiliate of the auction and registered the domain, btw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSLO3i2jmX4

Yea, I have to agree with you. The entire thing seems really messed up. For one, those condos can't be worth that much. Maybe before the market correction, but certainly not now. Also, you have to take into account a lot of that view has been compromised by the building of legacy right in the middle.

[zx14]

Great angle Kevin. It is now obvious to see that frost is now 3rd place on the totem pole. Crane will depict the true height when raised again plus 50 feet. if you can see that much of the crane when they raise it then you will be able to see the austonian. How about the 620 183 1 loop. From the top to see the austonian would be amazing.

[Strayone]

To my surprise while driving on Mopac North over the lake one of my pals said something to the effect that he wished the Capitol would have had all it's site line views left alone. I suspect he isn't into "building porn" as per this threads followers! But I suspect secretly he thinks the skyline is ez on the eyes.

Originally Posted by OU812

Thank god for forums like this where people can appreciate the beauty of skyscrapers. Ever get into arguments with people that think all these new high rise buildings are a blight to the city? These are same types that hate all forms of growth no matter what and always lament on the old hippy sleepy days of 1960s Austin.. "Armadillo World Headquarters"!! ...ad nauseum lol