AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Man, I hope the iron bear and Belmont make it. We need some texture in this area.

The Iron Bear's building was sold right around the time they moved in. (Right beforehand I think?) So they had to know that this was coming. They should move into that spot in between Rain and OCH. Nothing has lasted in that spot. I suspect Iron B could finally be something that would have staying power there.

Since the Belmont became a private event venue that most of us never access to, it's hard to care about it too much.

[KevinFromTexas]

Ugh. I'd rather Lavaca Plaza get knocked down, along with the Chase garage across the street. As for the Avenue Lofts, dirty pool, man.

[papertowelroll]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Since the Belmont became a private event venue that most of us never access to, it's hard to care about it too much.

We went to the Belmont for NYE 2020 when Covid was just a China problem and it was fantastic!

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Sad. The Iron Bear moved to that location recently. This demo not include The Belmont?

Only the Iron Bear's address is on the agenda.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by paul78701

They should move into that spot in between Rain and OCH. Nothing has lasted in that spot. I suspect Iron B could finally be something that would have staying power there.

yes! it's available too now that the previous bar closed. that would be a good spot for them. hope they can find a new home.

[The ATX]

The former Frank's site is apparently available. Forever (at least for a very long time) sandwiched between 415 Colorado & 405 Colorado.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by The ATX

The former Frank's site is apparently available. Forever (at least for a very long time) sandwiched between 415 Colorado & 405 Colorado.

I walked past there the other day. It looks like the demolition team for 415 Colorado isn't being all that careful. The Frank building has sustained some damage. I don't know enough to know if it's repairable or not. But yes, that would also be a great spot for them.

[kingkirbythe....]

Demolition Planned for Avenue Lofts

https://austin.towers.net/demolition-planned-for-avenue-lofts/

After changing hands earlier this year with a negotiated buyout of its 38 condo units by local real estate firm Wilson Capital, the Avenue Lofts at 410 East Fifth Street seem to be moving quickly towards a larger tower development at this extremely desirable 0.8-acre half-block site in the heart of downtown — the address now appears on the agenda of the Historic Landmark Commission’s February 28 meeting, with the owners seeking approval of a permit for the building’s total demolition.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Ugh. I'd rather Lavaca Plaza get knocked down, along with the Chase garage across the street. As for the Avenue Lofts, dirty pool, man.

yes to that.

And , I think you know this, the folks at Avenue Lofts took the money and ran. They got way above market for their places.
I too am very sad to see that place go. We considered buying one of the units above the entrance with the curved wall/windows. But it had no outdoor space or ways to open most of the windows.

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Changed the wording here as the author again uses the word “tower” loosely.

Local Investor Group’s Multi-Story Mid-rise Project Awaits City Approval

Developer chose office space as the main use. 5-stories with retail, Lake Flato’s the architect.

[427MM]

That area really needs better zoning. A five story building instead of 3-5X the added housing/jobs/tax base... We like encouraging temporary buildings.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by 427MM

That area really needs better zoning. A five story building instead of 3-5X the added housing/jobs/tax base... We like encouraging temporary buildings.

a-fuckin-greed! Old West Austin (5th) could continue with constant housing all the way to MoPac....but we'll just tear it down in 30 yrs for something useful then.

[StoOgE]

The NIMBYs in old West Austin have a lot of pull.

[kingkirbythe....]

Public Notice: Zilker Park Vision Still Cloudy

It’s hard planning for the future, when humans insist on living in the present

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-18/public-notice-zilker-park-vision-still-cloudy/

The city Parks and Recreation Depart­ment and lead consultants Design Work­shop presented the latest iteration of the Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan Tuesday night, Feb. 15, to a Zoom crowd of a little over 100 – and if that seems like a small sample to be giving feedback on such an iconic piece of land in a city of over a million people, yes, that point was noted by several participants. But public outreach is hard in the best of times, and these are not they.

...

If you have to pick one, the only way to go is A.

Concept A: Stitch. This one features the single most dramatic feature presented in any of the plans: a land bridge connecting the two sides of the park – essentially a large man-made hill built over Barton Springs road, with the road tunneling through it, and a massive 1,700-car underground parking garage nearby. That enables the removal of most all of the current small lots scattered around the park and a number of roads as well; both concepts A and B would remove vehicular traffic from Lou Neff Road, (the circle drive around the Great Lawn), and reconfigure Stratford Drive to run along MoPac instead of through the park.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Public Notice: Zilker Park Vision Still Cloudy

It’s hard planning for the future, when humans insist on living in the present

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-18/public-notice-zilker-park-vision-still-cloudy/

The city Parks and Recreation Depart­ment and lead consultants Design Work­shop presented the latest iteration of the Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan Tuesday night, Feb. 15, to a Zoom crowd of a little over 100 – and if that seems like a small sample to be giving feedback on such an iconic piece of land in a city of over a million people, yes, that point was noted by several participants. But public outreach is hard in the best of times, and these are not they.

...

If you have to pick one, the only way to go is A.

Concept A: Stitch. This one features the single most dramatic feature presented in any of the plans: a land bridge connecting the two sides of the park – essentially a large man-made hill built over Barton Springs road, with the road tunneling through it, and a massive 1,700-car underground parking garage nearby. That enables the removal of most all of the current small lots scattered around the park and a number of roads as well; both concepts A and B would remove vehicular traffic from Lou Neff Road, (the circle drive around the Great Lawn), and reconfigure Stratford Drive to run along MoPac instead of through the park.

I like the land bridge connectivity. Pretty cool. I also kinda sorta support the removal of cars from Lou Neff. Unsure of how the parking would work, however. Where would the stated "massive" underground garage be located? What about traffic to and from?

I do appreciate the one comment on the article stating that it isn't a park that solely belongs to the nearby neighborhood associations, but to everyone.

[We vs us]

Anyone heard anything about the fate of the Hobby Building? Chasing down a weird comment on an reddit/Austin thread that seemed pretty sure that it would be demolished this summer after the workers relocated to one of the new state buildings being built north of the capitol. I know, it's a comment on a message board . . . but seemed worth tracking down if anyone's heard anything.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments..._source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by We vs us

Anyone heard anything about the fate of the Hobby Building? Chasing down a weird comment on an reddit/Austin thread that seemed pretty sure that it would be demolished this summer after the workers relocated to one of the new state buildings being built north of the capitol. I know, it's a comment on a message board . . . but seemed worth tracking down if anyone's heard anything.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments..._source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

That time-frame seems a bit aggressive but we have heard from multiple folks here that the building is mostly empty and the few remaining will be gone soon enough.

Its prime prime real estate right where the new subway station will be and no CVC restrictions.

[austin242]

I may be one of the only ones who thinks this but I really like the hobby building. With just a little spruce up it could really be a great building. The orientation is great and the building itself adds a uniqueness to the area.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by austin242

I may be one of the only ones who thinks this but I really like the hobby building. With just a little spruce up it could really be a great building. The orientation is great and the building itself adds a uniqueness to the area.

from what we've heard, the interior needs to be completely gutted. there are rats and other critters running the hallways. i would imagine that + fixing the outside would make it cost prohibitive. let's get something in there with some actual pedestrian interaction and more housing for our growing city. less filler crap like this! i hope the state garage on the other side of republic square is next.

[Mopacs]

I always liked the dark reddish glass.