AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[migol24]

Originally Posted by gardensoul

Having said that... wouldn't it be cool if we had even 1/2 of this?

Exactly! Even if it were just half it would be so awesome!! Only if I had so much money like that McCombs guy, I'd bring a subway to Austin and name it after me!

[Nickelplate]

"This city has '2' 1000 room hotels looming, an F1 racetrack and aspirations for a subway system."
"What is Austin, Texas Alex."
"Correct"
" I'll take 1000' office towers for 500"

[Jdawgboy]

LOL... Love it!

[llamaorama]

Despite being a crazy fantasy, I love seeing a transit vision that is really...ambitious would be the right word.

I've long thought a subway below Congress would be preferable to a light rail.

I used to think, why not LRT in a downtown subway tunnel like the Muni Metro in SF or the Boston Green Line? It would be maybe 2 or 3 miles long, enough to go from 6th and Congress to north of UT where there would be a portal to the rest line on the surface.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by llamaorama

Despite being a crazy fantasy, I love seeing a transit vision that is really...ambitious would be the right word.



I used to think, why not LRT in a downtown subway tunnel like the Muni Metro in SF or the Boston Green Line? It would be maybe 2 or 3 miles long, enough to go from 6th and Congress to north of UT where there would be a portal to the rest line on the surface.

A subway would indeed be amazing in Austin. I have this on/off theory that if Austin just had extremely advanced public transit, people would no longer have an excuse to drive. We just need to go for it! Can I borrow 52 billion anyone?

[JoninATX]

Construction set to begin on second phase of Gables Park Plaza

ByShonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Published: 8:26 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Gables Residential says it plans to start construction Monday on the 18-story second phase of its Park Plaza apartment project downtown, with 222 units to be built just east of its eight-story, 290-apartment complex near North Lamar Boulevard and West Cesar Chavez Street.

The second phase of the project will also have 14,000 square feet of retail space, said Jennifer Wiebrand, development director with Gables in Austin. A projected cost was not available Thursday for the project, which is just west of the former Seaholm Power Plant. The project is expected to be completed by late 2013, Wiebrand said.

The new Gables phase comes amid a flurry of development in the Austin apartment market, which is the hottest part of the area's real estate sector.

Demand for apartments is healthy, experts say, but few new units are being added to the market, although 10,000 to 12,000 are in the planning pipeline.

Austin-area rents rose to an all-time high this year, and local real estate expert Charles Heimsath predicts that the Austin area will end 2011 with a 97 percent occupancy rate.

Wiebrand said the company has told residents in the existing complex not to be surprised if they see activity on the site Monday, when Gables plans a "soft start" on the second phase.

http://www.statesman.com/business/construction-set-to-begin-on-second-phase-of-2035043.html

[JoninATX]

Council approves multi-million dollar 2nd Street project

AUSTIN -- It started nearly ten years ago. An idea to turn 2nd Street into a downtown destination. Thursday morning at City Hall, council members took the final steps to finish what they started.

At Jo's Coffee downtown, baristo Jake Pinon stays busy with a steady stream of coffee and customers. Since he started at their 2nd Street location last year, Pinon has seen some changes.

"There's been a lot more foot traffic coming down through here," smiled Pinon. "We've definitely seen a much wider demographic come through with the addition of the residences like the W and the Austonian."

The boost in business is no accident. Jo's was one of the first businesses to be a part of the 2nd Street Streetscape Project. The plan was to create a restaurant and retail-friendly area near downtown residences.

Thursday morning at Austin City Hall, council members took their last step to finish it, approving $5 million to take the project from Congress to Trinity Street.

"Iif you've been down there in the blocks that are completed, it's a great atmosphere," said project manager Randy Harvey, who says the biggest changes start by widening sidewalks.

To accomodate wider sidewalks, plans called to eliminate one of 2nd Street's two westbound lanes. The decision came after Caesar Chavez became a two-way street several years ago, taking much of 2nd Street's traffic with it.

http://www.kvue.com/news/Council-approves-multi-million-dollar-2nd-Street-project-135696518.html

[Jdawgboy]

So it looks like the 5th and Bowie Tower is still kicking or at least thats what it mentions in the article. Im assuming the developers are redesigning or re-working the building placement to keep that oh so lucky tree from being cut down...

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Construction set to begin on second phase of Gables Park Plaza





http://www.statesman.com/business/construction-set-to-begin-on-second-phase-of-2035043.html

notice they did not include Spring or Monarch in this rendering! I remenber back when all the spring renderings and even their model did not show all the know buildiings that would surround it. Oh, developers.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

So it looks like the 5th and Bowie Tower is still kicking or at least thats what it mentions in the article. Im assuming the developers are redesigning or re-working the building placement to keep that oh so lucky tree from being cut down...

Hum.... missed that article.... can you direct me? ( howdy btw)

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Council approves multi-million dollar 2nd Street project



http://www.kvue.com/news/Council-approves-multi-million-dollar-2nd-Street-project-135696518.html

Three thoughts; Glad it's happening, glad they are waiting until SXSW is finished. Wonder if part of the Marriott plan will complete their block? I assum they will since that part of 2nd looks to be the actual front door.

[nixcity]

That is great news about Gables, now if only we can get Seaholm and Green moving then we will have the west side completely tied in to central downtown.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Council approves multi-million dollar 2nd Street project



http://www.kvue.com/news/Council-approves-multi-million-dollar-2nd-Street-project-135696518.html

Now they just need better retail (excluding my wonderful place of employment-- Violet Crown )

[crewer]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Three thoughts; Glad it's happening, glad they are waiting until SXSW is finished. Wonder if part of the Marriott plan will complete their block? I assum they will since that part of 2nd looks to be the actual front door.

It will definitely "complete" that section of 2nd Street, since they're taking the entire block. But I read that the new design has their entrance/exit drive, valet and garage access all on 2nd, which runs counter to the 2nd St. master plan. It's a shame that they couldn't have moved that to another street, keeping 2nd more pedestrian-friendly.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by crewer

It will definitely "complete" that section of 2nd Street, since they're taking the entire block. But I read that the new design has their entrance/exit drive, valet and garage access all on 2nd, which runs counter to the 2nd St. master plan. It's a shame that they couldn't have moved that to another street, keeping 2nd more pedestrian-friendly.

Yeah, I agree. It's unnecessary and dangerous for peds. I can't tell you how many times I've almost been run over by a valet hauling ass to Malaga or wherever. It should not be allowed.

Since they're extending it, I am wondering if AMLI will own that portion of 2nd? They seriously need to rethink what kind of stores they're bringing Downtown. I know I'm belaboring the point, BUT.....They really need more sensible stores. Not just hat shops and chain lunch spots I realize that's not the entire block by any means... There are plenty of great stores.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by crewer

It will definitely "complete" that section of 2nd Street, since they're taking the entire block. But I read that the new design has their entrance/exit drive, valet and garage access all on 2nd, which runs counter to the 2nd St. master plan. It's a shame that they couldn't have moved that to another street, keeping 2nd more pedestrian-friendly.

I hear ya. Guess 2nd was better than Congress..... and back side would have low visibility.

I just hope they do a better job thant the W Drive. As much as there is lots for me to love about that building.... trying to figure out where to walk around their entrance can be a hazard... and know it well!

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Hum.... missed that article.... can you direct me? ( howdy btw)

Hi If you read that article toward the bottom it mentions the 5th and Bowie location that will be around 34 floors and said that they still plan to build it but they don't have a set time to start.

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Three thoughts; Glad it's happening, glad they are waiting until SXSW is finished. Wonder if part of the Marriott plan will complete their block? I assum they will since that part of 2nd looks to be the actual front door.

I'm glad there holding off until after SXSW, I can imagine the nightmare effects it would have if they started right away. Also the Marriott from looking at it will should complete the block.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Hi If you read that article toward the bottom it mentions the 5th and Bowie location that will be around 34 floors and said that they still plan to build it but they don't have a set time to start.

yes! Thanks! I ended up finding it later...ding!

[crewer]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I hear ya. Guess 2nd was better than Congress..... and back side would have low visibility.

I just hope they do a better job thant the W Drive. As much as there is lots for me to love about that building.... trying to figure out where to walk around their entrance can be a hazard... and know it well!

I'm sure that's their logic, and I don't blame them. I think it will be nice to have the hotel's front door on 2nd Street. But there's no rule that says the parking garage entrance has to be part of the hotel's main entrance. I've been to hotels in large cities everywhere, and it's not uncommon to have rear or side entrances for the garage access. It seems like such a shame that a compromise took place on a street that Austin wants as the prime example of downtown development. It also doesn't make sense that so much hotel traffic will now be directed onto 2nd, which is limited to only two lanes.

Austin has been diligent with the 2nd Street rules for the other developers, but White Lodging gets their way. Interesting...