AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 82

MightyYoda · #**1621** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 4:32 AM**

Downtown is never going to be able to just adds tons of people at a fast clip because you don't build 4-6 story apartment buildings downtown. At least in the reality Austin lives in, that's where your quick density is going to come from and that is happening in the areas just north, east, and south of downtown. Skyscrapers will ultimately add great density to downtown, but with all the red tape, it will continue to take time. The plus side is that all those areas surrounding downtown will continue to support and mesh with the fabric of downtown and support those businesses as well.

Tech House · #**1622** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 5:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

You don't think it cheapens the Christmas holiday season? Personally, I don't want Christmas lights up on these trees year-round. They're Christmas lights. For Christmas. What are they doing up in July? Seriously. I hate it. Just once I want to see what it looks like at night without the Christmas lights.

For those who don't think of those as Christmas lights, they're just very pretty and they add a very nice, soft, diffuse light and welcoming glow to outdoor areas. I don't know why you believe they are Christmas lights or why that holiday has such a grip on you, but please don't let it interfere with your enjoyment of the ambiance of 2nd St.

One of the many things I loved about Austin when I moved here in 1990 was the fact that so many people left up "Christmas lights" all year round. I don't see this as much now, but it still happens. If something is pretty for a month out of the year, why isn't it pretty the other 11? Breaking these types of suffocating cultural norms is a part of what makes Austin somewhat unique. Although, it's now de riguer for upscale retail areas to have year-round tiny white lights in abundance, so it's hardly anything unusual. Likewise, it's hardly anything Christmas.

KevinFromTexas · #**1623** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 7:17 AM**

^There are a least 2 houses I can think of in our neighborhood with "Christmas lights" up year round. One is just a set of rope lights draped on a fence in their front yard. That one is down the street from us. The 2nd is one on another street that has some rope lights in a tree next to their driveway. Also, I've had a string of multi-color lights up in my bedroom - hanging from the ceiling for over a decade.

Tech House · #**1624** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 7:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

^There are a least 2 houses I can think of in our neighborhood with "Christmas lights" up year round. One is just a set of rope lights draped on a fence in their front yard. That one is down the street from us. The 2nd is one on another street that has some rope lights in a tree next to their driveway. Also, I've had a string of multi-color lights up in my bedroom - hanging from the ceiling for over a decade.

Nice. I used to do that too, back when I was a more high-functioning person who actually tried to create some ambiance in his home. I think part of why I like it so much is that it's contrary to the "everything must be tasteful" ethos of California. The places where I lived there were all hyper-zoned with so many ordinances that everything ended up looking like a generic corporate enclave, sterile and void of character. Austin had so much character in '90, and it still does in those parts of town that haven't been sanitized by corporate chic.

Also, the worst thing you could be among many people I knew in Cali was "tacky." Leaving up your lights was tacky, and even having colored lights at Christmas was likewise. I hated it. Austin was the antidote. A lot of Austin old-timers think Californians are ruining Austin, but many of the California transplants are people like me who came here to be a part of, and contribute to, what the old-timers were trying to preserve.

KevinFromTexas · #**1625** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 7:53 AM**

Yeah, there is a certain suburban uniformity about clear "white" Christmas lights. A few years ago I really disliked that everyone seemed to be jumping on the band wagon of having clear "white" icicle Christmas lights. We went the other way and got some blue ones, but only because our big old multi-colored string was beyond repair. Finally, a few years ago after the icicle lights quit working, we went back to having the bigger bulb multi-colored strings. They're like the size bulb you might find in a chandelier or in someone's front porch light. I do put clear lights on the fence, and I wrap the tree trunks (we have live oaks and cedar elms) with them. We also have a fountain next to the driveway that I drape with multi-colored lights to make it into a Christmas tree.

I grew up seeing multi-colored Christmas lights, so besides them looking nicer I think, I'm also really nostalgic about them.

We're actually wanting to get some rope lights this spring to line the front porch with, and maybe line the privacy fence with in the backyard. We were even flirting with the idea of leaving the lights on the trees out front. Our driveway is about 60 feet long, and it's dark at night even with a street light diagonally across the street from us.

austlar1 · #**1626** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 7:53 AM**

This is an article about year round white lights in trees in Edmonton, Canada. Some cities in Europe also have areas with year round white lights in trees. I think it can add a nice bit of ambiance and dress up a street scape. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Tiny+...346/story.html

Austin13 · #**1627** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 9:37 AM**

Deleted

wwmiv · #**1628** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 9:59 AM**

I hate Christmas lights. I think they are the epitome of suburban poor trashy decoration.

tie_guy · #**1629** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 1:11 PM**

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300036166.html

Believe we've seen this before. This is just east of Cisco's on E 6th. I think it's cute that they named it The Arnold

427MM · #**1630** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tie_guy

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300036166.html

Believe we've seen this before. This is just east of Cisco's on E 6th. I think it's cute that they named it The Arnold

Such a great project for this location. There is a photo of the Arnold Oil site as it was in Dec '13 on page one of this thread. This is how it looked as of Jan 16

lzppjb · #**1631** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 3:42 PM**

Are the 2nd Street lights white like the ones on Congress?

I'm ok with white lights year round. To me, it's just a cheap way (if LED) to add some ambiance. BUT...I hate the way they've done it on Congress. Don't wrap just the limbs. Wrap the trunk too. It looks half done. Drives me crazy.

I love Christmas lights. It's my favorite part of the season other than spending time with family.

austlar1 · #**1632** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 8:42 PM**

never mind

Jdawgboy · #**1633** Posted **Feb 16, 2015, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lzppjb

Are the 2nd Street lights white like the ones on Congress?

I'm ok with white lights year round. To me, it's just a cheap way (if LED) to add some ambiance. BUT...I hate the way they've done it on Congress. Don't wrap just the limbs. Wrap the trunk too. It looks half done. Drives me crazy.

I love Christmas lights. It's my favorite part of the season other than spending time with family.

They are white lights. I could be wrong but didn't the city contract the company that manages the lighted trees in Paris?

They originally lit the trunks but too many people damaged and broke the bulbs that it was becoming a problem so now they only light the upper sections.

I think it gives DT a magical feel. White lights are white lights. You can use them any time of the year and they not only enhance the atmosphere but they give just enough light to brighten the darker enclaves along the sidewalk which is good for safety.

Regarding Christmas I will say I think the city needs to add more lighting down Congress instead of just using the year around lighting. Bring back the lighting over the street with different colors.

427MM · #**1634** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 1:17 AM**

The Arnold as of tonight (2-16-15)

cvalkan · #**1635** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 3:09 AM**

All this talk of Christmas lights has me missing the lights on the D. E. Crumley grocery on I-35 in Buda.

the Genral · #**1636** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 5:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvalkan

All this talk of Christmas lights has me missing the lights on the D. E. Crumley grocery on I-35 in Buda.

Wow, and ditto that! I miss that too, there it was, on the left on my way back to Austin, telling me I was almost home. Sniff...

lzppjb · #**1637** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 5:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Regarding Christmas I will say I think the city needs to add more lighting down Congress instead of just using the year around lighting. Bring back the lighting over the street with different colors.

Agreed. I love the lights/decorations hanging above Congress. Culminating at the giant Christmas tree in front of the Capitol building just seems natural.

KevinFromTexas · #**1638** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 5:39 AM**

Yeah, I grew up with us going downtown driving down Congress and parking at the Capitol, and then walking around. Every Christmas we'd make our rounds, visiting the Zilker tree, and the Trail of Lights, and then cruising down Congress to the Capitol before heading home. I wish they'd bring back the lights across Congress. Downtown should be decorated for Christmas. It's kind of lame they haven't been doing that.

The ATX · #**1639** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 11:19 AM**

Here's how that 47-story planetarium project turned out. It will now be located in a former soccer complex in Cedar Park. From the article:

"At one point, Hessel planned a 47-story tower with condos and offices over the planetarium and museum along North Congress Avenue, but those plans fell through two years ago when lawmakers talked about freezing public-private projects near the Texas State Capitol."

KXAN story: http://kxan.com/2015/02/16/austin-pl...en-next-month/

Novacek · #**1640** Posted **Feb 17, 2015, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Here's how that 47-story planetarium project turned out. It will now be located in a former soccer complex in Cedar Park. From the article:

"At one point, Hessel planned a 47-story tower with condos and offices over the planetarium and museum along North Congress Avenue, but those plans fell through two years ago when lawmakers talked about freezing public-private projects near the Texas State Capitol."

KXAN story: http://kxan.com/2015/02/16/austin-pl...en-next-month/

They're still claiming this is temporary, and that they're trying for more central.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily...etarium-sorta/