AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

And many of the snarky and snobby people are probably relative newcomers themselves. As a born native, I've seen this cycle play out over and over with each successive wave. Just welcome the newcomers civilly. I certainly do.

Every statement of opinion has to start with.... “well I’ve lived here since.....”, subtlety inferring that the person with the most tenure carries more weight.

It’s so childish.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

And many of the snarky and snobby people are probably relative newcomers themselves. As a born native, I've seen this cycle play out over and over with each successive wave. Just welcome the newcomers civilly. I certainly do.

Agree. Due to the nature of my job, I see quite a few newcomers that are excited and happy to be here with very few exceptions. To them I welcome them with open arms. Sometimes I'm first real contact and I want to make them feel welcomed. But I also see a fair amount of people leaving who can't wait to get the hell out of here. To them I say don't let the Texas sun hit you on your way out. And don't come back.

[The ATX]

A site plan was filed for "...construction of a mixed-use high rise..." at 203 W. 10th. This is the Texas Bankers Association building across from the Governor's Mansion. The Capitol Dominance overly will limit the height.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/public-searc...sn=12425998&t_selected_propertyrsn=92258

[Echostatic]

Current streetview of the site:


This building isn't historic, it's from the 80s if I remember an old Towers article correctly.

[the Genral]

Yeah, someone burst my bubble a while ago when I commented how nicely preserved this 'old' building was. You don't have to look too closely to see its contemporary. It has some really nice brickwork, especially around those columns. Its a beautiful building historic or not. Hate to see it go. Its one of those buildings you pass by car or on foot and take notice of.

[kingkirbythe....]

Beautiful...eeeeeeehhhhhh. Definitely unique. I have never seen round brick columns like those anyplace else. I’m sure there’s more out there somewhere, but I’ve never seen them. Oh well. Things don’t last forever.

[myBrain]

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...E-soB4NWz2b7NoUoWgm6oAkCzor3Q2vU0ZGMDCpg

[Billy Cannon]

Originally Posted by myBrain

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...E-soB4NWz2b7NoUoWgm6oAkCzor3Q2vU0ZGMDCpg

LOL at that article classifying that 9 level building a high rise

[Sigaven]

Contemporary brutalism? I can't tell if I love it or hate it.

[wwmiv]

https://www.kvue.com/mobile/article/mone...269-6f936e49-1693-4a33-aa18-64fd41ce3c0e

How tall could buildings get in Austin?

A new density program may have no limit
The new Land Development Code in Austin would allow developers to build buildings with no floor-area ratio and unlimited height.

Key quote:

"Someone would not have to go to council if they want to go 80 stories, 90 stories," asked Melissa Henao-Robledo, a downtown commissioner, at a meeting last week.

"Yes, that is correct, as long as they comply with all of the requirements of the Downtown Density Bonus Program," replied one person at the meeting.

"It's crazy how it is now, for it to get built up even more than it is now. It's almost unnecessary to go up that many stories," said Benavides.

Those new changes remove not only the height limit, but also the floor-area ratio for developers who meet certain requirements that the City has laid out as part of its Downtown Density Bonus Program.

[wwmiv]

https://www.kvue.com/mobile/article/mone...269-7426f91b-663a-4d34-9f23-f7ce412f0c94

Land development code proposals would increase developer fees, allow taller buildings in Downtown Austin

One new proposal to increase the fees developers pay the City of Austin to avoid adding affordable housing follows a KVUE Defenders investigation.

The Downtown Commission met last week following a KVUE Defenders investigation about the "fee in lieu" system. The new proposal would increase those fees to $12 per square foot. Right now, developers pay between $3 and $10 per square foot.

The Downtown Density Bonus Program requires builders to pay the "fee in lieu," as the Defenders reported, or add affordable housing or some other space of public value like a day care or live music venue.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

https://www.kvue.com/mobile/article/mone...269-6f936e49-1693-4a33-aa18-64fd41ce3c0e

How tall could buildings get in Austin?

A new density program may have no limit
The new Land Development Code in Austin would allow developers to build buildings with no floor-area ratio and unlimited height.

Key quote:

Things of the urban variety are really looking up with the new LDC, CC expansion and the I-35 funding. Now we just need the light rail referendum to pass.

[DavidVistaChino]

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-santa-...ation-authority-light-rail-13574586.html
You’re right about light rail.
San Jose used to have one of the ugliest downtowns ANYWHERE!
Light rail has revitalized its downtown and turned it into a very attractive destination full of chic restaurants, clubs and shops, not to mention the lovely trees that shade its routes, WITHOUT congesting downtown automobile and bicycle traffic.
In fact, for many people, taking light rail to downtown is highly preferable to and easier than driving downtown.

[DougRockstead]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Things of the urban variety are really looking up with the new LDC, CC expansion and the I-35 funding. Now we just need the light rail referendum to pass.

I missed the I-35 funding... what does that entail?

[gillynova]

Originally Posted by DavidVistaChino

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-santa-...ation-authority-light-rail-13574586.html
You’re right about light rail.
San Jose used to have one of the ugliest downtowns ANYWHERE!
Light rail has revitalized its downtown and turned it into a very attractive destination full of chic restaurants, clubs and shops, not to mention the lovely trees that shade its routes, WITHOUT congesting downtown automobile and bicycle traffic.
In fact, for many people, taking light rail to downtown is highly preferable to and easier than driving downtown.

Heh, my hometown.

I agree with everything you said about SJ's light rail system. In my opinion, it does give downtown a lot more life. I had some friends come from LA to visit me and they commented that they thought it was really cool having light rail trains going around downtown. Also, I went to school at SJSU and I know other students did in fact use the light rail to commute to school. I still prefer to drive down there than take public transportation though

It would be awesome to have a reliable system like this in Austin AND (SJ doesn't have this year) connecting it to the airport.

Btw, the photo you sent is pretty old. They changed downtown SJ a lot more now by adding a lot of bike lanes, new lighting and adding some barriers so pedestrians don't walk on the railing of the trains

[KevinFromTexas]

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...-works-for-downtown-austin.html?ana=kxan

37 towers in the works for downtown Austin
Will all of them rise? Time will tell

By Erin Edgemon – Staff Writer, Austin Business Journal
5 hours ago

If you needed further evidence of Austin's boomtown status, there are now at least 37 towers proposed for or rising downtown.

A whopping 3.7 million of the 10 million square feet of office space under construction in the metro is happening downtown, according to CoStar Group Inc. — and there are more offices on the drawing board. And condos. And apartments. And hotels. Plus a courthouse.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/...-works-for-downtown-austin.html?ana=kxan

That is an unusually thorough article about local towers. Makes me wonder if someone spent some time on this site.

[cvillehorn]

Along that note, https://austin.curbed.com/maps/tower-highrise-construction-map-austin

21 towers poised to reshape the skyline
In the upcoming decade, we’re looking at ever more, ever taller, ever larger buildings

By Cindy Widner@CurbedAustin Updated Feb 27, 2020, 12:02pm CST

[enragedcamel]

When will someone propose a 1,000+ ft tower? That's when Austin downtown becomes "world-class" IMO.

[gillynova]

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

When will someone propose a 1,000+ ft tower? That's when Austin downtown becomes "world-class" IMO.

I don't think Austin needs one necessarily, but it would be nice to have. Hopefully the railroad condo projects will be near 1000ft tall.

Cities in America with a 1000+ ft tower:

• New York
• Chicago
• Philadelphia
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Atlanta
• Houston