Austin classic restaurant and bakery Texas French Bread’s building is still in ruins because of a January fire that severely damaged the bakery, but the owners are looking into the future to see what could be done about the 2900 Rio Grande Street property to keep the restaurant and bakery business going. Co-owners Murph Willcott and Carissa Ries put out requests for proposals to rebuild the property in September, as reported by Towers.
It seems like they’re looking for a mixed-use development project, which would include Texas French Bread. The restaurant shared a statement with Eater via email where:
Willcott reports he is looking to secure a long term ground lease tenant for the site who can bring needed development, construction and financial expertise to the project, saying “We want to see the TFB site built back better than ever - we hope within the context of a project that allows for Texas French Bread to continue operations there for years to come”.
Towers reports that the request floats potential ideas like a hotel, office, or residential building, all of which would include Texas French Bread operating from the ground floor. They’re also looking for someone that would keep the heritage oak tree on the property and be generally respectful to the neighborhood.
A site plan was filed today for the site of the Grant office building on 611 E. 6th. The proposed development is mixed use. But it won't be a tower due to CVCs.
Interesting presentation today to the Historical Landmark Commission, Architectural Review Committee -- as part of the larger effort to reimagine Congress Avenue, they are considering adding some interesting embellishments to the bridge -- bumpouts for more ped/bike space, a canopy, and potentially some viewing platforms, presumably for bats.
I'm okay with modifying the bridge as long as it's done tastefully. As the slides point out, the bridge has already been substantially changed to support the 3x3 roadway width it currently has. For a bridge as culturally significant as it is, it has more of the feeling of a highway than an urban crossing.
__________________ It can be done, if we have the will.
Interesting presentation today to the Historical Landmark Commission, Architectural Review Committee -- as part of the larger effort to reimagine Congress Avenue, they are considering adding some interesting embellishments to the bridge -- bumpouts for more ped/bike space, a canopy, and potentially some viewing platforms, presumably for bats.
Looks like the current proposal will be to tear it down and rebuild it, despite its age.
That bridge is iconic for me, but if it's less cost and less risk and more benefit to rebuild, so be it. Still, the rendering they provided is hideous, looks like a highway overpass. Can't we get something more aesthetically appealing?
The Congress bridge improvements are awesome and necessary. It's always seemed a safety concern for me how many pedestrians gather on the bridge right next to fast-moving traffic.
That bridge is iconic for me, but if it's less cost and less risk and more benefit to rebuild, so be it. Still, the rendering they provided is hideous, looks like a highway overpass. Can't we get something more aesthetically appealing?
The Congress bridge improvements are awesome and necessary. It's always seemed a safety concern for me how many pedestrians gather on the bridge right next to fast-moving traffic.
Agreed. As I flipped through that presentation, I was excited to see what it would look like. I was shocked at how ugly it is. No character whatsoever. I'd rather have an arch bridge similar to what is there.
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