AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 372

jowens · #**7421** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 1:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Denson

What about that enclave off of St. John just east of I-35? I haven't been through there in about 15 years, but back then it was in pretty bad shape.

There's some areas off of St. John west of I-35 thats pretty rough.

Mopacs · #**7422** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Denson

What about that enclave off of St. John just east of I-35? I haven't been through there in about 15 years, but back then it was in pretty bad shape.

There was a newspaper feature a few years ago that discussed the demographic transformation of that neighborhood. It was a historically African-American enclave, but in time has shifted to primarily Hispanic. I found that very interesting. East St. Johns is still sort of a rough neighborhood. You may recall there was a nightclub fire in that area perhaps 4 or 5 years ago, which drew all sorts of controversy based on the police reactions to the fire.

priller · #**7423** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 3:31 PM**

Saw this on DAB today:

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2010/04/16/new-downtown-office-tower-announced-next-to-gables/

A new office tower is planned for the area next to Gables apartments, at Lamar and CC:

Quote:

Dubbed Park Plaza, the planned 15-story tower will feature 189,000 square feet of predominately Class A office space off the northeast corner of West Cesar Chavez Street and Lamar Boulevard — next to the newly opened Gables Park Plaza residential complex. Gables owns the 1.8-acre tract where the new office building is planned, and has contracted with Capital City to build and lease the structure, which will also include approximately 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Dirt could turn as early as October.

So is this different from what was originally planned? I think it was called Gables Park Plaza Phase II at one time. And this building looks to have the same overall shape and height. But I seem to remember it was going to be residential at one point.

ahealy · #**7424** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 4:04 PM**

It was supposed to be primarily condo from what I remember Priller. I am happy to see this proposal, and really hoping it pulls through. It's about time Downtown gets a new office tower..and if I've counted correctly we have 3 (pretty legit) office projects on the table now

Mopacs · #**7425** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 4:08 PM**

I like that proposal... It's a great location that I think would be very attractive to potential tenants. This makes Park Plaza a true mixed-use development...Live, Work, Shop and Play. Always good to see that balance. I'm guessing it will be some time before this would break ground.

EDIT: Well I stand corrected... dirt could turn as soon as October. Great news.

ahealy · #**7426** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 4:21 PM**

From the article: "Capital City Partners says construction on Park Plaza could begin as early as October 2010 for an April 2012 delivery."

wwmiv · #**7427** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 5:11 PM**

Looks like we won't be having a crane free skyline for quite some time! By the time this is finished we'll be well into recovery and there'll certainly be other projects under construction.

Downtown_Austin · #**7428** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 5:24 PM**

What's most exciting to me about this proposal is how this could be the catalyst to finally punch Bowie Street through. The pedestrian experience should be fantastic. Come down from the Pfluger bridge, continue walking in between the buildings, Gables would have retail on the left, walk under the [future] train over pass, on end up on 3rd and Bowie at Spring condos.

I really like the look of the office tower next to Mean Eyed Cat and it seems this would carry some of that design. The traffic patterns this will create won't be fun, but I can live with that.

jordan · #**7429** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 6:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

I think he was referring to your sentence structure and grammar. I had a hard time trying to figure out exactly what you were saying too.

Ok
Which sentence grammar or structure are you reffering to?
It seems now were are grading quotes. (just my opinion) no biggie.
Thanks for the feedback.

jordan · #**7430** Posted **Apr 16, 2010, 7:09 PM**

Previous reply from Hill Country:
Which sentence and grammar structure are you reffering to?
What I stated was factual. I do see there are a few who will throw simple grammatical error and structure, into the quotes. To make themselves appear intellegent.

But I do Thank you for your feedback.

I do apologize for the double post.

Jdawgboy · #**7431** Posted **Apr 17, 2010, 7:20 PM**

That is a great location for that building and Im glad they are changing some of these projects over from residential to office. Its the perfect height for that area and will bring in more mid rise density to the west end to counter balance the Spring Tower. While I love tall buildings, Spring does kinda stand out all alone there so this will help fill it in, plus with the office building planned for Bowie and 6th, the West End will have a pretty nice skyline in its own right.

wwmiv · #**7432** Posted **Apr 18, 2010, 1:41 AM**

I agree that Spring does stand out. Another tower that, if built, will help fill in that area (though not as far west) is 7Rio.

WAustinResident · #**7433** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 5:12 AM**

Since i'm moving downtown, its always nice to have a new potential employer.

MichaelB · #**7434** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 2:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

Since i'm moving downtown, its always nice to have a new potential employer.

A: Welcome downtown!

B: sorry am not sure I followed the logic.... new potential employer? Referring to offices by Gables?

WAustinResident · #**7435** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 4:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

A: Welcome downtown!

B: sorry am not sure I followed the logic.... new potential employer? Referring to offices by Gables?

referring the the possible tenants of the building. If I worked there I could walk to work.

Hillaryrocks · #**7436** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spw1965

Great pictures Kevin. Did anyone else notice that it looks like they are only watering half of Republic Square Park!

^^^^What is being built right next to Republic Square Park?

m.

brackenridge · #**7437** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 6:05 PM**

An ugly 8 story federal courthouse

wwmiv · #**7438** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 7:30 PM**

I disagree. The design of the federal courthouse is amazing.

Downtown_Austin · #**7439** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 8:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

I disagree. The design of the federal courthouse is amazing.

I'll give the design a vote of "highly tolerable"

MichaelB · #**7440** Posted **Apr 20, 2010, 8:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

referring the the possible tenants of the building. If I worked there I could walk to work.

Yep! Good luck! That would be great!