AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III - Page 45

photoLith · #1 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 2:32 PM**

^
I like that, the area beneath overpasses is so underutalized everywhere.

photoLith · #2 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 5:44 PM**

So, whats the schedule on the bridge then?

austin242 · #3 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 6:08 PM**

Its dumb. As a rower i would burn this motha fffin bridge down. If they want a bridge at least have a middle section that goes up so boats can go under. Plus that bridge is really cheapy looking. Not exactly world class in anyway.

JoninATX · #4 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 6:39 PM**

The bridge looks cool, but they just need to raise it for kayakers, and boaters to pass under. Also check out the design underneath E. 8th street.

http://www.mvvainc.com/project.php?id=99&c=urban_design

migol24 · #5 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 7:46 PM**

Well, it does look very nice but I agree with other people's sentiments. I don't think it should block off other boats or kayaks. They should definitely raise it.

kingkirbythe.... · #6 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 8:27 PM**

Looks like the rowers in the rendering are about to hit the bridge. A retracting pontoon sounds terrible. Things with moving parts (clasp able or retractable) break quicker.

I like the idea of the lights, but come on. Remember the lights on Congress that were supposed to have dancing patterns and lighting schemes for lots of holidays? It didn't have happen. They were rarely on, and when they were...they didn't work right.

KevinFromTexas · #7 Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 9:59 PM**

I'm in love with that bridge. Oh man, I so want to see this happen!

Where are you guys hearing/reading that this will be a movable pontoon bridge? It just looks to me like the rendering got it a bit wrong and made it appear too low. Look at the bridge in that other rendering showing the overall view of the creek (with the bats). It appears to have pylons in that rendering, which would make it permanent.

If they are planning a bridge that is too low for boats, then I can't support that idea. And I'm surprised APD would allow that either since they also have a police boat that they use to patrol the river with. I also would not like or support the idea of a bridge that is movable and is only there at certain times of the day. That just seems stupid. And as kingkirbythe.... said, I would worry that a movable/mobile bridge would have maintenance issues/costs that wouldn't be maintained. I would really hate to see a pedestrian bridge that was designed, paid for and built not actually being used just sitting along the bank being an eyesore. Make it a permanent bridge or else don't disgrace us with it. Plus a movable bridge would require someone operating it.

And the lights, I like the idea. I'm usually not a fan of bridges with overhead structural features that might obstruct the view. After all, you know we'll be loving that view. But I don't mind the arches. They add something interesting to the design while not really obstructing it too much. I don't mind the design of the lights, I just don't want them being too overbearing at night so that they ruin the view of the skyline. And also the view out there on the water with the stars and the moon will be nice. I just don't want the lights being "too much". And of course they should last. I guess they would use LEDs.

LoneStarMike · #8 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 5:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Where are you guys hearing/reading that this will be a movable pontoon bridge?

Kevin, go here for the diagram and then click to zoom in. I think it's that bridge on the north side of Lady Bird Lake between that peninsula to the west and the MACC (?) to the east. Looks like it might be intended to make a swing to the southwest to connect to the boardwalk on the south side of the lake.

NYC_Longhorn · #9 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 12:04 AM**

I think that the boats will be routed through the little island on the north side of the bridge.... that could be cool... like a little Venice portion for kayakers to access the other side of the lake... it also could blow for them if it is too narrow and restrictive... I say just have a little hump like portion in the middle that slopes up a bit and allows people to pass under the middle.

austin242 · #10 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 1:27 AM**

If this is anything like green which I personally believe it is then none of this is going to happen. Just a whole lotta somethin else.

migol24 · #11 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 1:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin242

If this is anything like green which I personally believe it is then none of this is going to happen. Just a whole lotta somethin else.

Do you mean to say that most of it will change or do you mean that none of this will happen at all?

If you mean that most of it will change just like Greenwater Treatment Plant well then I think its good news, because the first green proposals were hideous and looked very much like a sims city design. What is going on now with the designs are much better even if the heights were shortened. If the Waller Creek designs change just like the Greenwater, then its gonna be a whole lot something else but much better. If that's what you're comparing, of course.

austin242 · #12 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 2:05 AM**

Most of it will change. It will all probably be better and more thought out.

migol24 · #13 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 4:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by austin242

Most of it will change. It will all probably be better and more thought out.

I just hope that it doesn't get delayed... Austin needs something real and legit already. F1 is right around the corner and Marriott is underway, but damn... there just needs to be that cherry on the top. Something that says bam motherbitch! Hell yes.

Myomi · #14 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 4:03 AM**

The Austin CultureMap website had what seemed like the best breakdown of this projects and proposals. They had a feature that listed the top 5 components of each design. Their analysis included information about the retractable pontoon bridge. I am a rower too; that's why I was so struck by such a ridiculous idea.

http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdet...-waller-creek/

Of all the projects, I definitely liked the CMG and Public Architecture team. They had a real bridge (with rail) and had a very urban design. I am supportive of the path that the current winners are taking (except for the bridge). However, let's be clear: these designs were for winning a contest. Now begins the hard work of making a feasible and executable plan. There will be many changes, just like with Green. Remember, there is no very little money allocated as of yet for all these changes.

kingkirbythe.... · #15 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 7:11 PM**

A pontoon bridge will also be unusable during floods and large water releases from other Colorado River lakes (which will eventually happen again).

JoninATX · #16 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 7:37 PM**

I took a picture yesterday of the crane base at the Skyhouse site. I'll see if I can crop it because the picture turned out dark and really can't see anything. This week I will be downtown again for a movie that I'm doing.

JoninATX · #17 Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 7:39 PM**

I started filming last night at the park, I have to say that is one of the best locations for filming the skyline.

JoninATX · #18 Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 5:53 PM**

I facebook Ace Hotels and got a responds back saying " We do love Austin-- it would be awesome to have a hotel there one day!"

KevinFromTexas · #19 Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 7:36 PM**

^They told me they don't have any concrete plans, but that they are very interested in entering the market. She even asked if I had any opportunities they might be interested in. Ha!

KevinFromTexas · #20 Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 4:41 AM**

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne....html?page=all

Quote:

Austin to plan for coming decades in development code revision

Austin Business Journal by Robert Grattan, Staff Writer
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2012, 2:19pm CDT

Robert Grattan
Staff Writer- Austin Business Journal

The Austin City Council has begun a two-year process that will reshape Austin's aging land-use code and replace it with a more accessible set of ordinances designed to carry the city into the future envisioned by the Imagine Austin plan.

The revision will be led by a steering committee of city staff, City Council-appointed stakeholders and an outside consultant. The city has a $2 million budget for the consultant, and plans to submit a request for quotation in the coming weeks, said George Adams, the city's assistant planning director.

Once a consultant is on board, the city will solicit input from developers, business owners, citizens and community groups. By March 2014, city staff expects to have an outline and preliminary draft completed. The process is expected to result in a new code by September 2015.

-

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl....html?page=all

Quote:

Downtown Austin: A new river will run through it

Austin Business Journal by Jan Buchholz, Staff Writer
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2012, 9:12pm CDT

Jan Buchholz
Staff Writer- Austin Business Journal

As a newcomer to the Austin area, it was hard for me to envision a series of parks connected seamlessly along the eastern edge of downtown Austin in an area known as Waller Creek. Though I’ve driven I-35 numerous times — and Red River Street, too — and navigated my way around downtown, somehow I’ve never quite sensed that there is a creek that meanders from the University of Texas south about 1.5 miles to Lady Bird Lake.

From what I can tell, there are quite a few people who didn’t know that Waller Creek exists. For much of the time, it’s a dry creek bed, but bring a little rain and Waller Creek roars with destructive force that over history has killed a dozen or so people. I guess there really is a creek there.

Now a mile-long, $146.5 million flood control tunnel is under construction to mitigate those destructive forces.