Domain/North Austin Development Updates

[freerover]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

It's horrible they cleared those trees. They should have moved and replanted them. Disgusting!

They were absolutely replanted somewhere else. People pay a lot for grown trees.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by freerover

They were absolutely replanted somewhere else. People pay a lot for grown trees.

For example: Franklins, Terry Black's, Rudy's, Pok-E-Jo's, Smokey Mo's, Salt Lick, Stubbs, La Barbeque, Iron Works, Blacks, County Line, Smokey J's, Green Mesquite, and dozens more. But I don't believe they bothered replanting them.

[StoOgE]

You really don't wanna smoke with live oak.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by StoOgE

You really don't wanna smoke with live oak.

Cut it, stack it, age it, smoke it. Actually, I prefer Mesquite when I fire up my smoker, plus they are trash trees anyway the way they suck up so much water, I 'm all for saving as many live oaks as possible, when possible.

[murfnut]

.

[papertowelroll]

Originally Posted by StoOgE

You really don't wanna smoke with live oak.

Eh why not?

Post Oak is the classic BBQ wood, though. Mesquite is too smoky for something like Brisket.

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by papertowelroll

Eh why not?

Post Oak is the classic BBQ wood, though. Mesquite is too smoky for something like Brisket.

Live oak is too strong. Not mesquite bad but I only use post oak.

[zrx299]

Originally Posted by freerover

They were absolutely replanted somewhere else. People pay a lot for grown trees.

100% replanted. I saw them being hauled out on trucks, massive root bulb intact.

Plus, you know, the whole Austin Tree Ordinance thing...

[murfnut]

Originally Posted by zrx299

100% replanted. I saw them being hauled out on trucks, massive root bulb intact.

Plus, you know, the whole Austin Tree Ordinance thing...

We were watching them go down from within 045, they were not replanted. Everyone of the old trees were destroyed and very quickly, it’s amazing how fast they come down with a few hits from heavy equipment. Very sad. As far as COA , there is a chart in the details of the plans showing how many inches were lost and how many inches need to be replanted.

There are a few exceptions. There is one giant tree scheduled to be moved within the site.

There were several trees that were removed, wrapped and hauled off for planting elsewhere, we were watching that too as it took place. Those trees were actually added after the first tower was built so they were easy to take out. I assume these were the trees you saw hauled off. Those were removed because of new wastewater lines. We thought since they were carefully wrapped that they would put them back afterwards but instead they were hauled off.

[zrx299]

Originally Posted by murfnut

We were watching them go down from within 045, they were not replanted. Everyone of the old trees were destroyed and very quickly, it’s amazing how fast they come down with a few hits from heavy equipment. Very sad. As far as COA , there is a chart in the details of the plans showing how many inches were lost and how many inches need to be replanted.

There are a few exceptions. There is one giant tree scheduled to be moved within the site.

There were several trees that were removed, wrapped and hauled off for planting elsewhere, we were watching that too as it took place. Those trees were actually added after the first tower was built so they were easy to take out. I assume these were the trees you saw hauled off. Those were removed because of new wastewater lines. We thought since they were carefully wrapped that they would put them back afterwards but instead they were hauled off.

Hmm, well that's a shame. I definitely saw a few being transported. Guess I just assumed they would give the others a similar treatment.

Those trees definitely all looked (from afar) like they would fall under the Tree Regulations. I wonder how they got around that?

A protected size tree is determined by measuring the tree trunk at 4.5 feet above ground. This is commonly known as DBH (diameter at breast height).
A tree within the Austin city limits is protected once it reaches 19 inches. Diameter = Circumference / 3.1416 and Circumference = Diameter X 3.1416.
https://www.austintexas.gov/faq/tree-regulations

[murfnut]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Hmm, well that's a shame. I definitely saw a few being transported. Guess I just assumed they would give the others a similar treatment.

Those trees definitely all looked (from afar) like they would fall under the Tree Regulations. I wonder how they got around that?

A protected size tree is determined by measuring the tree trunk at 4.5 feet above ground. This is commonly known as DBH (diameter at breast height).
A tree within the Austin city limits is protected once it reaches 19 inches. Diameter = Circumference / 3.1416 and Circumference = Diameter X 3.1416.
https://www.austintexas.gov/faq/tree-regulations

Take a look at this page, shows which tress were removed and the calculations for replacements based on tree size.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/attachme...l83bLaHRqY0ILQ

It’s from page 74 of this

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...rtyRSN=5671031

[murfnut]

One last comment, if you look on left of table it shows 410 inches but that does include towers which is on table on right where it jumps to 1158 inches

It boils down to cost, they will save the tree if it is more cost effective and also some are saved to provide an effect such as the large one they moved from flatiron area to the entrance of domain tower south and the one they plan on moving to the street intersection of the new towers.

[KevinFromTexas]

The Bowen started construction.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n..._news_headline

[murfnut]

Here is a new item for South Domain
"The applicant is proposing to re-construct access, utilities, water quality/detention pond, etc..for future development"

I wonder if these are changes for the 045 building location. The next set of phases
https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...rtyRSN=5671031

[murfnut]

Originally Posted by murfnut

Here is a new item for South Domain
"The applicant is proposing to re-construct access, utilities, water quality/detention pond, etc..for future development"

I wonder if these are changes for the 045 building location. The next set of phases
https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/perm...rtyRSN=5671031

Looking closer at the details, the original plan was
22.17 acres, 965725 sq ft

The new request is for
3.73 acres, 162478.8 sq ft

so its a revision to part of the site, but the utility and water quality/detention changes could be for preparation for the 045 building future phases, similar to the original was for getting the area ready for the new set of towers (2,3,4,B)

[zrx299]

Photo from last night: 11/5/2019

4 buildings going up in this pic if you count the two hotels (crane visible for the one across the street on Brockton Dr; Element Hotel next to the Indeed garage).

[murfnut]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Photo from last night: 11/5/2019

4 buildings going up in this pic if you count the two hotels (crane visible for the one across the street on Brockton Dr; Element Hotel next to the Indeed garage).

thanks, awesome picture

If you look close, to the left of the IBM sign you can see right next to the building all the equipment. There is a new wasterwater line and lift station right next to the building, as close as you can get. Took out 4-5 crape mertyls so far and a smaller live oak tree. Not sure what else will be lost when its done. Lots of noise because when they hit rock they use large jackhammers attached to the big stuff.

Everything they do seems to be with the understanding 045 won't be their much longer. They won't fix the lawn/trees by the building. Even the other day when it rained, the roof was leaking in multiple spots so they use buckets to catch the water and fans to dry it off with no plan to fix it. Happens every time it rains. I think that might be why the next update they submitted yesterday for the site is probably for additional utility changes required to deal with post-045.

[the Genral]

Alas, the end of and era for me having spent 20+ years on the IBM campus. But 045 was never an appealing assignment. There was a smell that surrounded the cafeteria that was actually unpleasant. Maybe that's just inherant to having one inside a building. I recall the same unpleasant aroma inside the Renaissance Hotel at the Arboretum. Not investing in roof repairs does make the destruction of 045 seem imminant considering the cost and probable mold issues that are occuring now. My memories of 045 is that it was very dated, dark, and smelly. Move over 045, your days are numbered...

[KevinFromTexas]

FAA permit for The Bowen tower crane - 286 feet.

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...1999731&row=16

[freerover]

Leslie Pool wants to look into a new tax district to help fund the Broadmore and Austin FC Red Line Stations. It's not a bad idea. Item is on council agenda for the 14th. The item directing the city to work with cap metro on the possibility has 5 sponsors so it should pass easily.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN:
The City Manager is directed to work with Capital Metro on the completion of the Broadmoor Rail Station and the McKalla Place Rail Station, assessing various public financing options that can leverage private development and funding, including conducting a feasibility and financial analysis of the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone District, or other value capture financing tools, and provide a memo to Council with the findings of the analysis by January 2020.