AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 398

KevinFromTexas · #**7941** Posted **Sep 30, 2010, 6:45 PM**

Good article on the future growth of Austin.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=185409

migol24 · #**7942** Posted **Sep 30, 2010, 11:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Good article on the future growth of Austin.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=185409

Good read. I don't know.... I'm no expert but it seems like there's going to be disadvantages any way Austin grows. It sucks that it has to be political. You'd think that you're just going to put some buildings here and there and we're good, but anyway you put it someone is getting screwed.

wwmiv · #**7943** Posted **Sep 30, 2010, 11:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

Good read. I don't know.... I'm no expert but it seems like there's going to be disadvantages any way Austin grows. It sucks that it has to be political. You'd think that you're just going to put some buildings here and there and we're good, but anyway you put it someone is getting screwed.

I'm for Plan C.

Jdawgboy · #**7944** Posted **Oct 1, 2010, 9:43 PM**

Im going to vote either C or D.

hookem · #**7945** Posted **Oct 1, 2010, 10:11 PM**

I'd love plan C. Surround the central area with preserved greenspace, that will make a geographic barrier helping property values, decreasing sprawl and increasing QoL for people living in the city.

But I'm afraid the land deals involved in the whole 130 thing would preclude ever getting significant greenspace there. That zone is meant for sprawl and land flipping profits, people have invested too much in their local politicians to let them take that away.

migol24 · #**7946** Posted **Oct 2, 2010, 4:20 AM**

I saw this on the news on KXAN. So I thought I'd post the article here...

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/seaholm-re-development-moving-forward

Quote:

Seaholm redevelopment moving forward
New office and retail space, a new hotel & condos

Updated: Friday, 01 Oct 2010, 11:14 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 01 Oct 2010, 10:03 PM CDT

Jarrod Wise
AUSTIN (KXAN) - The $2 billion Seaholm District redevelopment project in well under way. The next step, starting as early as next year, will be the redevelopment of the Seaholm Power Plant into residential and office space, and the groundbreaking of the new Central Library .

"The Seaholm Power Plant is, of course, the center piece of the Seaholm District," said Fred Evins with the City of Austin's Economic Growth and Redevelopment Department....

KevinFromTexas · #**7947** Posted **Oct 2, 2010, 7:48 PM**

A video showing the designs for the proposed planetarium and science museum. I like the two designs that feature the reflective sphere in the plaza. It reminds me of Chicago's famous "bean". I like the low sleek designs more than the taller boxy one. Besides, the plaza area seems to be more inviting with those two.

http://www.austinplanetarium.org/

• Video Link

KevinFromTexas · #**7948** Posted **Oct 2, 2010, 8:31 PM**

Video from 1986 showing the new Goddess of Liberty being flown to the Capitol to be placed on top. I remember watching this on tv.

http://www.texasarchive.org/library/inde...y_Returns&gsearch=Goddess%20of%20Liberty

nixcity · #**7949** Posted **Oct 2, 2010, 10:06 PM**

How is the planetarium supposed to be funded?

ahealy · #**7950** Posted **Oct 3, 2010, 7:41 AM**

The last one is amazing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

A video showing the designs for the proposed planetarium and science museum. I like the two designs that feature the reflective sphere in the plaza. It reminds me of Chicago's famous "bean". I like the low sleek designs more than the taller boxy one. Besides, the plaza area seems to be more inviting with those two.

http://www.austinplanetarium.org/

• Video Link

StoOgE · #**7951** Posted **Oct 3, 2010, 8:34 PM**

I prefer the last two for sure.

The last one especially is just *fantastic*.

In any case I am glad to see that there is some movement in getting some museums into Austin.

I would really like if the state (or university) would give us a surface parking lot for an aquarium as well. Last I heard there was some thought of putting these off of Lake Austin.. it looks like the planitarium is moving DT.. I would like to see the aquarium do the same.

Also, Botanical gardens and a larger natural history museum would be nice

crewer · #**7952** Posted **Oct 4, 2010, 12:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Video from 1986 showing the new Goddess of Liberty being flown to the Capitol to be placed on top. I remember watching this on tv.

I remember standing in the middle of Congress Avenue taking pictures of it. Traffic came to a standstill that Saturday morning. I also remember watching the first attempt from I-35 which failed. The Texas National Guard helicopter had no visual capabilities under it, and they couldn't see what they were doing. The statue is mounted on a thick pole, so it was a tough target. Plus, I remember it was windy that day. They finally had to borrow a helicopter from the Louisiana National Guard.

I'll see if I can find a few of those pictures for sharing.

KevinFromTexas · #**7953** Posted **Oct 4, 2010, 1:19 AM**

That would be great. I have two issues of Texas Highways that showed both attempts. Other than that video I posted, and the live coverage, I haven't been able to find another video. Even photos of it are rare. There's a picture of me standing in front of it as a little kid back when they had it on the Capitol grounds on display.

NYC2ATX · #**7954** Posted **Oct 4, 2010, 7:41 AM**

In regards to the planetarium: I'm not gonna lie, at first I was won over the most by the second one, the tall box. I think that was because I am a New Yorker, and low-slung buildings are far more popular in Sunbelt cities like Austin.

However, it also reminds me a lot of the Rose Center for Earth and Space here in NY, as well as the Wyly Theatre in the new Dallas Arts District, which makes me worry about it coming off as unoriginal.

Then I saw the last one and I was blown, especially by that sped-up night render!

As much as I don't usually go for lower buildings, that looked straight out of the Jetsons

and the transparency and openness it appears to have makes it's low and wide shape feel extremely light and airy. I think that it would definitely boost Austin's profile to have a planetarium and science museum that is truly ultramodern.

Pretty much dope as hell hahaha

StoOgE · #**7955** Posted **Oct 5, 2010, 5:07 PM**

Well, that part of town is all state office buildings and the University of Texas. That particular section doesn't have any building that really get about 8-10 stories, so low slung really would fit the area better than something tall and boxy.

In any event, it is replacing a surface lot so I will be glad to see anything there.

Though, my tailgate is in that parking lot, so I don't know what I'll do during football season :lol

Were it in the core of downtown, I would probably prefer the taller building.

Dale · #**7956** Posted **Oct 5, 2010, 5:19 PM**

What is the status of the planetarium ? Does it have funding ?

StoOgE · #**7957** Posted **Oct 5, 2010, 7:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

What is the status of the planetarium ? Does it have funding ?

They seem to have some money, but I doubt they have enough to build. I'm sure the next step is to try and get some large corporate sponsors and attempt to get funding for construction. The renderings and videos were most likely produced to try and solicit donations.

I'm honestly not even sure how (or if) they got the state to agree to give up that lot for sure and what cost it will have associated with buying a lot that should be worth a ton.

I seriously doubt the state is financing any part of this outside of the potential for a lease on the block.

KevinFromTexas · #**7958** Posted **Oct 5, 2010, 10:08 PM**

From the "aerial" rendering, the boxy one seems to be around 120 to 130 feet tall. The Bob Bullock History Museum across the street is 110 feet tall, and their model for the planetarium was a tad bit taller than it. Besides the Capitol, the tallest buildings in that area are around 181 feet. Other than the Capitol, there's nothing over 200 feet for at least 4 blocks in all directions.

migol24 · #**7959** Posted **Oct 6, 2010, 3:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

From the "aerial" rendering, the boxy one seems to be around 120 to 130 feet tall. The Bob Bullock History Museum across the street is 110 feet tall, and their model for the planetarium was a tad bit taller than it. Besides the Capitol, the tallest buildings in that area are around 181 feet. Other than the Capitol, there's nothing over 200 feet for at least 4 blocks in all directions.

I personally don't care about height in this part of Austin, but boy I sure wish that there was more activity around there. Especially on Lavaca and Guadalupe.... when it's not rush hour this part of downtown is dead! Hopefully a planetarium like this can bring some more business.... hopefully in the near future there'll be some more redevelopment that will bring more life to this area. Whatever works, boxed buildings, or whatnot just so long as they bring people in this area.

I doubt it will happen anytime soon though. Not in the next 10 years at least.

Syndic · #**7960** Posted **Oct 6, 2010, 3:26 PM**

I didn't like the low buildings either. I'm with StatenIslander237. The Sun Belt city architecture has got to go. Making it "Modern" doesn't make up for it being too short and wasteful. That's really the problem; their poor use of space. But the last one is my favorite. It may be somewhat small but it makes the most of the space. If you see it from the bird's eye view, you can see it pretty much takes up the whole lot. I like that. Not to mention, it's fancy! I hope that one gets built.