AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 497

BevoLJ · #**9921** Posted **Feb 9, 2012, 4:04 AM**

I am pretty sure I have heard Tovo go against other developments. Didn't she go all NIMBY to save the pecan tree from that evil development on 5th and Bowie?

Anyway, most of Tovo's support in the election came from NIMBYs so until I see her support something I care about, I'll just keep throwing her in with Morrison.

The ATX · #**9922** Posted **Feb 9, 2012, 4:17 AM**

Tovo seemed to be against to me. I saw her on one of the local newscasts this week and she didn't like the idea of public money being used for it.

MichaelB · #**9923** Posted **Feb 9, 2012, 5:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Tovo seemed to be against to me. I saw her on one of the local newscasts this week and she didn't like the idea of public money being used for it.

Two different subjects.

I Love the thought of the project. Love the design. Hope it happens

BUT ......

Question how it was introduced .... then tied to need for public money when we have many pools in the city that needs funds. I think how it would be funded when we have facilities that already need help has to be asked.

So, lets see what the issues are and how it can responsibly be done.

Jdawgboy · #**9924** Posted **Feb 9, 2012, 6:40 PM**

Tovo is a NIMBY plain and simple so do not set her aside lightly. You will hear more of her positions going into May as she is likely to support Bridget Shea for mayor.

BevoLJ · #**9925** Posted **Feb 9, 2012, 7:00 PM**

I am curious about Bridget Shea. I remember her from the old SOS days. I would be interested in her take on urban infill and how best to accommodate all of the new people moving to Austin. She was never a fan of pushing people out of Austin in sprawl. Very very much against it. Somehow I just can't see her as your typical NIMBY. I would assume she would be a huge supporter of urban rail and urban downtown development.

MichaelB · #**9926** Posted **Feb 9, 2012, 7:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

I am curious about Bridget Shea. I remember her from the old SOS days. I would be interested in her take on urban infill and how best to accommodate all of the new people moving to Austin. She was never a fan of pushing people out of Austin in sprawl. Very very much against it. Somehow I just can't see her as your typical NIMBY. I would assume she would be a huge supporter of urban rail and urban downtown development.

First the disclaimer: No politicain is perfect or will ever represent any of us the way we totally want to be represented. Human nature.

Having said that. I always found her smart and sensible. Development friendly. She was key in getting the new Zach theatre past the likes of Jeff Jack and company. Sooooo that is not a person who is beholding strickly to Neighborhood associations. And she seemed to be on the side of an environmentalist that realizes density is your friend. So, yes, As much as Austin has changed so rapidly, it will be interesting to see what her take on things are today.

Jdawgboy · #**9927** Posted **Feb 10, 2012, 10:00 PM**

Fact is she was stubborn to change while she was in city council, the one good thing she did was create SOS but she is not a friend to urban infill not sure where you are getting that info, even recent articles about her in the statesman show her to be very narrow minded even though she claims she can change with the city. She was against road infrastructure bonds, I doubt that she will be a friend for Austin growth and there is no reason to vote for her. Mayor Leffingwell is a good mayor and has been able to run the city on budget and our economy continues to grow so I don't see the point of anybody running against him and that is why until Bridget Shea, nobody entered the race.

Bridget Shea thinks this city is going in the wrong direction? What other direction would she take us if we are doing well economically and growing fast. She wants to lower property values but how do you lower property values? Stop growth is one way but I don't see many other options to do that since property values go up when the area is in high demand or is safe and clean and desirable to live. She is against Formula One but its too late to make a big deal about it, its going to happen whether they like it or not. Her take on urban infill is to not do it especially where neighborhood associations complain and whine. There is a reason why she was a one term council member and believe me we don't need her as Mayor.

One good thing I am noticing is Re-elect Mayor Leffingwell signs popping even in the urban core neighborhoods, so far I have yet to see any Shea for Mayor signs.

So for record here is a site to give you an idea of who she is. While she is a champion of the environment which I support, you can plainly see who will be supporting her for Mayor... Be warned people who want to take a look at her closer...

http://www.theaustinbulldog.org/index.ph...ring-run-for-mayor&catid=3:main-articles

From the above Link: "Shea filed a statement with the city clerk’s office late yesterday to appoint Danette Chimenti as her treasurer. Chimenti supported Kathie Tovo’s campaign that unseated Council Member Randi Shade this year, as well as the re-election campaign of Council Member Laura Morrison."

Paul in S.A TX · #**9928** Posted **Feb 11, 2012, 8:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

the first thing that came to my mind was the spire. i'm not sure it's the end design since i remember that they were going to place a helipad on this building. it seems impossible to place a spire along with a helipad, unless the helipad will be placed on the lower second tower?

When and where is this being built and can they move it over to SA?

Jdawgboy · #**9929** Posted **Feb 11, 2012, 10:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul in S.A TX

When and where is this being built and can they move it over to SA?

First off no they can not and will not move it to SA

I am sure you are just joking.

It is planned to start construction in June or July of this year and will be built on the east end of Downtown a block over from I-35 as part of the massive redevelopment of Waller Creek into a major destination. Austin is in major need of Hotel rooms and this is just one of 2 1,000 plus hotel rooms being built due Austin's rapid increase in tourism. When built it will be the tallest hotel in Texas and one of the tallest in the United States.

JACKinBeantown · #**9930** Posted **Feb 11, 2012, 10:34 PM**

It will be a great addition to the skyline, but please... please don't anyone ever mention it as being taller than the Austonian.

wwmiv · #**9931** Posted **Feb 11, 2012, 10:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACKinNYC

It will be a great addition to the skyline, but please... please don't anyone ever mention it as being taller than the Austonian.

Totally agree.

Jdawgboy · #**9932** Posted **Feb 11, 2012, 11:28 PM**

I agree as well, I know we have argued about spire height tons of times but I consider this a second tallest for the city.

WestAustinite · #**9933** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 1:23 AM**

They had an article in the ABJ today saying that the new JW Marriott had booked its first major convention for the new hotel in 2015. So it looks like that hotel is going to happen for sure.

Jdawgboy · #**9934** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 4:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

They had an article in the ABJ today saying that the new JW Marriott had booked its first major convention for the new hotel in 2015. So it looks like that hotel is going to happen for sure.

Well we knew this hotel was going to happen for sure already. Construction will begin this summer.

WestAustinite · #**9935** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 1:27 PM**

Given the very long list of high rises that were going to "happen for sure" I am not inclined to actually believe anything until a bulldozer shows up on the site.

The ATX · #**9936** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 3:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

Given the very long list of high rises that were going to "happen for sure" I am not inclined to actually believe anything until a bulldozer shows up on the site.

To take that one step further, just remember Intel and La Vista on Lavaca.

Jdawgboy · #**9937** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 6:49 PM**

I will always be the one to assume it will happen unless there is evidence that it wont like a major market issue or economic problems neither of which Austin has. But you are right, we have had our fair share of no goes or construction halts before. Some of the no goes though are mostly the fault of the company either they did not get the right financing or some other issues with the company came up I.E. La Vista. It would have likely been complete had it been from another company that did not have any internal issues. We can hear of several proposals but only the companies that have the backing and the money will be the ones to have their projects built in the end while others will fall to the wayside.

ahealy · #**9938** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

Given the very long list of high rises that were going to "happen for sure" I am not inclined to actually believe anything until a bulldozer shows up on the site.

Good point, but I am pretty damn sure both convention center hotels will be built.

Dale · #**9939** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 7:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

Given the very long list of high rises that were going to "happen for sure" I am not inclined to actually believe anything until a bulldozer shows up on the site.

I can be more skeptical than you! I won't believe it until I see the helicopter lowering the spire!

migol24 · #**9940** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 7:51 PM**

just what i've been wishing for!!!

http://www.slashfilm.com/san-franciscos-historic-mission-theater-alamo-drafthouse/

Quote:

San Francisco’s Historic New Mission Theater Might Become An Alamo Drafthouse
Posted on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 by Germain Lussier

Los Angeles might be the movie capital of the world, but another city in the same state could be the first in California to open an Alamo Drafthouse. SFist.com is reporting there’s a proposal on the table to turn San Francisco’s historic New Mission Theater into a five-screen Drafthouse. However, because the theater – which has been closed since 1993 – is a historical landmark, a Historic Preservation Committee must first approve a proposal the property’s owner and Alamo executives have devised. That will go down on Wednesday. Read more after the jump.