AUSTIN | Main Public Library | 123 FEET | 6 FLOORS | COMPLETE

[wd4015]

This is a great example of our wonderful government at work.

It boggles my mind that we had skyscrapers going up at the same time or after construction started on this library. Skyscrapers are now complete, while the library is still in limbo.

It's unfortunate. Taxpayer's will be footing the bill by having their property values increase, yet again, to pay for these idiotic and unaccountable mistakes/deals that are made.

[lzppjb]

It's a Library vs. Mopac snail race.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

It's a Library vs. Mopac snail race.

Anybody remember how many years it took the state to complete fairly modest road widening and improvements to S. Congress (S. Congress is a state highway, so it was not a city of Austin project) out near St. Edwards? That is is when I came to realize that when it comes to state government construction projects, completion schedules and budgets are mostly wishful thinking. Construction on the UT campus is also usually done at a snail's pace. My guess is the contractors are usually politically well connected on the state projects, but I naively imagined that city projects might be run with deadlines and budgets being a major consideration. Did it take this long to get our supposedly architecturally adventurous City Hall built? I kind of spaced out on that one, but I don't much like the finished product. It is a building I have used several times to attend council or planning meetings. It always leaves me underwhelmed.

[OU812]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

See, but this is the problem with modern architecture for me. Sure, this is glitzy and all, but it sucks eggs for street interaction. That might as well be a concrete behemoth for cars. I see that facade as a missed opportunity.

Yeah the first floor should have had a Starbucks. What with Seattle being it's home base and all

[drummer]

I do like that our library will - eventually, maybe, hopefully, someday - interact with Shoal Creek, etc. However, I can't recall - is there any sort of street interaction beyond that? I realize that Shoal Creek is not a street.

[drummer]

Also, the first post in this thread was February 19, 2011....wow.

[H2O]

Originally Posted by drummer

I do like that our library will - eventually, maybe, hopefully, someday - interact with Shoal Creek, etc. However, I can't recall - is there any sort of street interaction beyond that? I realize that Shoal Creek is not a street.

Yes, there will be a café and bookstore on 2nd Street. There is also the public forum space (with disappearing walls) and main entrance on Cesar Chavez.

[drummer]

Nice, thanks.

[Syndic]

I don't mind the design of it. It's nothing to write home about but it's fine.

I'm just annoyed at all of the fucking delays. Hire more people, for fuck's sake. There's no reason why the same 3 or 4 fucking construction workers should be expected to finish it.

Also, 6 months to train librarians? GTFO of here.

[clubtokyo]

Anyone see this?

https://www.facebook.com/atxpublicwo...46668875384244

[drummer]

^ Some nice photos. Thanks for the link.

[Jdawgboy]

Finally!!! This is exactly what I was hoping for. This is the kind of lighting that is seriously lacking in DT Austin. now would like to see some of our new highrises with similar lighting.

[clubtokyo]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Finally!!! This is exactly what I was hoping for. This is the kind of lighting that is seriously lacking in DT Austin. now would like to see some of our new highrises with similar lighting.

Me too!

[The ATX]

10/28 is the big day.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/...gC5B3uPSRWXZL/

[drummer]

Originally Posted by The ATX

10/28 is the big day.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/...gC5B3uPSRWXZL/

Sure.................

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by drummer

Sure.................

That's if the books arrive on schedule.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by The ATX

That's if the books arrive on schedule.

Yes, because we saw so many of those in the renderings.

[Flatiron]

West Avenue (behind the library) now intersects with Cesar Chavez. The construction fence came down yesterday and the streetlights became active.

[the Genral]

I noticed the parking entrance. I forgot they have 4? levels of underground parking?

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110862...posted-public/
[IMG]downtown (10 of 10) by partyboyrrock, on Flickr[/IMG]

I noticed that West Ave. intersected Cesar Chavez now in Riverranchdrone's photo here. Pretty cool to see more connectivity there.

Also, I was surprised at how yellow the stonework seemed in this photo, but I guess it's just the time of day or something...I've never noticed that contrast before seeing it here.

I really like the way the entrance turned out along with the connectivity to Shoal Creek. I look forward to the rest of the construction in the area wrapping up so we can see what it looks like altogether.

My only beef here is with the substation (of course). Given that it's not going away any time soon...can I at least complain about the fact that the art-fence doesn't go all the way around? I understand why...but at least plant some trees or something on the east side of the substation. I'd be okay with some taller shrubs or even vines on the fence. Years ago PEC redid a lot of their substations in their whole region with pre-fab stone fences rather than chain link. Even something like that could work here on the non-art part of it.