AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by H2O

It could be located anywhere from Austin to DFW, since it is so close to I-20.

It all sounds like Austin except for the I-20 part. I'm guessing he simply misspoke on which interstate. Or it was a typo?

[The ATX]

This could be for another big project. A demo permit was filed today for the recycling center at the corner of 9th & I-35:

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11507132

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Haven't seen this here. Was able to determine the location of this one thanks to the second rendering. Its the NE corner of E 12th and Red River.

Austin Lifestyle Hotel Development



http://www.gmr-llc.com/austin-lifest...-austin-hotel/

This is the "Brick Oven" site development...across the street from Waterloo Park...adjacent to Brackenridge.

Thus, not quite a "new" project. We're just seeing the first concept renderings.

[wwmiv]

We may be seeing the first signs of development because of the Waller Creek tunnel, really, since development on the eastern side of downtown is picking up steam relative to the western side.

[427MM]

These guys have been betting on Waller:

[Urbannizer]

More: Discussing Austin's Two Major Issues: Affordability and Transportation

Austin’s wild success is creating some challenges, and panelists at Bisnow’s Austin State of the Market yesterday didn’t shy away from the tough topics.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler’s chief of staff, John-Michael Cortez, says Austin’s tremendous growth isn’t benefiting everyone equally, and maintaining affordability is an important part of keeping the soul and quality that’s sparked Austin’s success. Austin’s job growth has been in an hourglass—lots of top-end high-skill/high-paying positions and lots of low-end service spots—which comes with challenges in affordability and infrastructure.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://jimnicar.com/2016/03/31/tower...ecome-digital/

Posted on March 31, 2016

Tower Clock to become Digital

These days, the University of Texas campus is undergoing a serious transformation. The Dell Medical School is entering its final phase of construction, a 2,000 space parking garage is rising just west of the UFCU Disch-Falk Baseball Stadium, a new 12-court Texas Tennis Center is under construction east of Interstate 35 – where the old UT Press building once stood – and the long-planned pedestrian renovation to Speedway Street is underway. Now, campus planners have released details of another change, one that’s likely to be controversial: modernizing the 80-year old UT Tower clock for a digital display.

Installed in 1936 when the Main Building and its iconic Tower were under construction, each of the four faces of the clock are 12-feet in diameter, with the rims, numbers, and clock hands gilded with gold leaf. The white, translucent face is back-lit for nighttime viewing. But when viewed in the bright Texas sunshine or lit at night, there have always been complaints about reading the time, as the location of clock hands isn’t always easy to see. University officials hope to solve the problem with a digital display.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://jimnicar.com/2016/03/31/tower...ecome-digital/

Surely this is a joke??? Oh, APRIL FOOLS DAY tomorrow. Silly me.

[lzppjb]

It's gotta be April Fools. I know kids are dumb, but are they so dumb they can't read a clock? Wait...maybe this is true. lol

[the Genral]

I'd like to see them replace the round faced clocks with square box led lit numbers that are red, like on an alarm clock, and instead of bell, an alarm that goes re re re re.

[lzppjb]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I'd like to see them replace the round faced clocks with square box led lit numbers that are red, like on an alarm clock, and instead of bell, an alarm that goes re re re re.

lmao the alarm sound would be real classy.

[drummer]

I was thinking one face for each digit of a digital clock...you have to go all the way around to see what time it is. It encourages walking more - healthy life and all.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by drummer

I was thinking one face for each digit of a digital clock...you have to go all the way around to see what time it is. It encourages walking more - healthy life and all.

You would have to run, though, since several minutes would pass once you got to the other side. lol

[drummer]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

You would have to run, though, since several minutes would pass once you got to the other side. lol

Very true...so even healthier. We could have a circular running track around the tower for this purpose. I like where this is going.

[drummer]

So I was scoping out Google Earth since it updated the Austin area recently. Someone take a look at MACC...are they expanding their surface parking lot? It seems like they are between the current lot and the lake. Can anyone verify this?

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by drummer

So I was scoping out Google Earth since it updated the Austin area recently. Someone take a look at MACC...are they expanding their surface parking lot? It seems like they are between the current lot and the lake. Can anyone verify this?

You apparently have an updated Google Earth view that not everyone has. In my view of the MACC the Hotel Van Zandt is barely above ground.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by The ATX

You apparently have an updated Google Earth view that not everyone has. In my view of the MACC the Hotel Van Zandt is barely above ground.

Both the one on my Mac and the one on my phone are updated to, I think, February 2016 now. Definitely within the past few months in any case. I can't see a date on my phone, but I know it's the same image.

Edit: Finally got back to my computer. The GoogleEarth Pro is updated to February 4, 2016, for much of the Austin metro area. The GoogleEarth app on my iPhone is updated to the same imagery. Van Zandt is finished, Fairmont is well above ground, Millennium Rainey looks mostly finished (cars parked on the top level of the garage - probably workers), there are a couple small projects on Rainey Street, one on East Ave. (facing I-35), 70Rainey is beginning to be cleared but the food trucks are still around...etc. It's really cool to see this view of a lot of the projects as they have a greater impact on the density of the area - as well as other parts of downtown.

I just wanted to check to see if it was indeed an enlargement of their surface lot. Technically, it's their land and they can do what they want, I suppose...but it's a double standard because they're complaining about traffic and growth in the neighborhood - all while bringing more traffic by encouraging more folks to drive to their place. I'm all about the MACC preserving cultural heritage and bringing awareness to the history of the area. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of hypocrisy.

[lzppjb]

I have a little bit of a possible rumor/scoop re: HEB buying Twin Oaks shopping center across the intersection from the Oltorf HEB location.

Apparently, there have been rumblings within HEB of them possibly trying a mixed use project at that location. HEB at street level + a few levels of living quarters (not sure if apartments or condos). The person I talked with said they had heard these rumblings, but at the time it went around, it was just an idea. When I told this person about what was posted here (HEB buying Twin Oaks), they said that would make sense and jive with the ideas/rumors that had gone around at work.

[Urbannizer]

82-84 Rainey Street

Located in The Rainey Street District adjacent to the elegant 70 Rainey luxury condominiums. This highly visible mixed-use development which includes 75,740 square feet of multiple exciting uses will soon be the most talked about project in the Heart of the District. Rainey District will offer an eclectic tenant experience from the outdoor patios, restaurants, music venue and stunning office space.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

82-84 Rainey Street

Yikes!! It will be talked about for certain. Kevin is right. It does look a lot like the northern exposure of that former Ramada Inn on Ben White, this time clad in trendy steel siding. I think I hate it. At least they seem to be planning to retain some of the original(?) bungalow structures fronting on Rainey.