East Austin Developments

[Lobotomizer]

Originally Posted by 427MM

This has been in the works for many years and the zoning changes came with the blessings of the dozens of residents asking for the redevelopment. There will be staging similar to Chalmers. These homes are incredibly outdated--excited to see the modernization of the first public housing units in America.

Agree, but increasing the number of apartments from 124 to 188 is disappointing. This site could have easily supported triple the number of units. Instead we're only getting a 50% increase.

[427MM]

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

Agree, but increasing the number of apartments from 124 to 188 is disappointing. This site could have easily supported triple the number of units. Instead we're only getting a 50% increase.

Ah. True. Loud cries about protecting neighborhood character aka ignoring the city's needs and valuing physical character (the structures) over social character (the people).

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by 427MM

This has been in the works for many years and the zoning changes came with the blessings of the dozens of residents asking for the redevelopment. There will be staging similar to Chalmers. These homes are incredibly outdated--excited to see the modernization of the first public housing units in America.

These were not the “first public housing units” in America, no matter how generously you might want to define the those words—and it isn’t even close to true, with variations of publicly owned housing going back to the late 1870s and multiple ongoing extant social movements (e.g. Model Tenement, the NHA, etc.) already with huge wins on their boards (building code reform, for instance).

Even if you wanna restrict our analysis to the exact ownership and funding model used by Rosewood Courts, there are zero convincing arguments that Rosewood was first. Here’s an example from 1923, the actually first public housing in this fashion: Milwaukee’s Garden Homes. Those are no longer standing, sadly. What about Atlanta’s 1936 Techwood Homes. Also destroyed (for the Olympics).

Hell, they aren’t even the oldest public housing still standing. Check out NYC’s First Houses (1935), a national landmark structure since 1974.

You know what Rosewood Courts DOES have a claim to infamy (not fame) for? Being the first purpose-built racially segregated public housing facility in the country. That’s a great legacy, isn’t it? Being the first structure owned by any government in the entire country to house poor black folk, so that the better facility they built for whites would be, idk, “comfortable” for those whites? Absolutely gross that Austin was at the forefront - and in many ways this is yet another example of how Ausitin’s HIGHLY racist past has been whitewashed and swept under the rug - of racist policy.

[kingkirbythe....]

Snap!

[kingkirbythe....]

East Austin’s Latest Mixed-Use Project Pioneers Affordable Commercial Space

https://austin.towers.net/east-austi...mercial-space/

A large mixed-use development set to transform a vacant 15-acre tract currently zoned mostly for industrial use in far East Austin hopes to introduce a new community benefit that could serve as a model for future projects — 10,000 square feet of affordable commercial space, offered at 60 percent of market rent to small arts-focused local businesses identified by a partnership with Austin Creative Alliance.

...

This site, located along the future path of Project Connect’s Green Line, was previously slated for a cold-storage facility — but after opposition to the project from nearby residents its developers sought a rezoning in 2021 for mixed-use development, stating the site was more appropriate for this type of project considering nearby patterns of growth. The rezoning headed to council will allow an on-site brewery and prohibit more undesirable uses currently permitted here, including a recycling plant or other industrial facilities. Along with its estimated $8 million in community benefits, the project will seek compliance with the Worker’s Defense Project’s Better Builder Program, which offers labor protections for construction workers including the $15 hourly pay rate defined as a living wage by the City of Austin.

[Echostatic]

That's pretty awesome for the area.

[Urbannizer]

Juno

X-post:

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

Here's an odd crane being used on the low-rise project on Comal next to Plaza Saltillo, never seen one like this before.

[corvairkeith]

Anyone know what's happening with these two old industrial buildings on Fourth Street? I assumed they would be torn down but they seem to be getting rebuilt/ preserved.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

Anyone know what's happening with these two old industrial buildings on Fourth Street? I assumed they would be torn down but they seem to be getting rebuilt/ preserved.

New Cosmic Coffee outpost https://austin.towers.net/east-austi...osmic-rebirth/

[Urbannizer]

Springdale Apartments

350-400 units, retail along Springdale

Located in East Austin, the site at 1200, 1202, and 1208 Springdale Road is a mixed-use community 15 minutes from downtown Austin that is in pre-development. This community includes 1.5 acres that will be developed into multi-family housing with 50% affordable units and retail space along the frontage road. Residents will enjoy access to the community’s pool and gym, and the community is convenient to East Austin’s ample selection of parks and green spaces.

[enragedcamel]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Springdale Apartments

350-400 units, retail along Springdale

Nice. I'd like to see Springdale Rd. develop more. It has immense potential.

[kingkirbythe....]

Wu Chow co-founder and former Sushi|Bar chef opening tiny sushi restaurant in East Austin

https://www.statesman.com/story/ente...ve/6915461001/

Joining a growing number of intimate sushi experiences that have sprung to life in Austin over the last several years, tiny omakase restaurant Toshokan (toshokanatx.com) will open its doors for service March 2.

Well, the doors might not actually swing open. You’ll have to find them first. The six-seat sushi counter is discreetly hidden in one of the former rooms at East Austin’s Native (807 E. Fourth St.), a hiply styled former hostel that since the pandemic began has served as a bar, café and home to several small local businesses (Black Fret, Eastend Tattoos) that have set up shop in the former bedrooms.

C.K. Chin, a co-founder of downtown restaurants Swift’s Attic and Wu Chow who has since left his operational role with those businesses to work as a partner at Native, created the concept with executive chef and partner Saine Wong, whom Chin met during Wong’s short stint at Los Angeles import Sushi|Bar in East Austin.

[Urbannizer]

Hines Breaks Ground on Sustainable Development in Austin

AUSTIN, TX – Privately-owned global real estate investment firm, Hines has commenced construction on a heavy timber office and residential building in Austin, TX’s eastside neighborhood.

The property, T3 Eastside, will be constructed using exclusively sustainably-sourced wood, which is a first for Hines in the residential space. Hines proprietary mass timber creative product, T3 – timber, transit and technology – was developed by the firm in response to evolving tenant requirements.

Located at 1200 E. 4th St., the building will comprise 93,000 square feet of class A office space and 9,200 square feet of residential space spanning 15 loft-style units. The property will offer amenities such as social work and collaboration spaces, a rooftop patio, private outdoor balconies, shared conference space, a fitness center and yoga studio, and secured bike storage.

[corvairkeith]

I am not a fan of the Springdale Apartments because it butts up to Austin's oldest African American Cemetery where many slaves are buried in unmarked graves dating back to 1835. The records of the burial plots were lost in a fire so there is no telling if there are graves where the development will be digging.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/sou...n-east-austin-

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

I am not a fan of the Springdale Apartments because it butts up to Austin's oldest African American Cemetery where many slaves are buried in unmarked graves dating back to 1835. The records of the burial plots were lost in a fire so there is no telling if there are graves where the development will be digging.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/sou...n-east-austin-

Of course there’s telling. Ground penetrating radar.

Which they’ve done.

https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/do....cfm?id=363931

Having done that due diligence, the chances of finding an unmarked grave here are probably _less_ than any random development (where it’s non-zero)

[427MM]

Any clue what this will look like or when they hope to break ground?

City Council gave final approval Thursday for zoning to allow construction of a huge development, including a new brewery and 275-foot-tall building at 6705 and 6501 Regiene Road on the city’s east side. The plan for the 16-acre site includes 1 million square feet of office, retail and restaurant space, artist workshops and up to 742 apartments. The developer, Daryl Kunik, has promised that 10 percent of the rental units will be affordable for families earning 60 percent of the median family income.

https://www.austinmonitor.com/storie...inal-approval/

[H2O]

Originally Posted by 427MM

Any clue what this will look like or when they hope to break ground?

City Council gave final approval Thursday for zoning to allow construction of a huge development, including a new brewery and 275-foot-tall building at 6705 and 6501 Regiene Road on the city’s east side. The plan for the 16-acre site includes 1 million square feet of office, retail and restaurant space, artist workshops and up to 742 apartments. The developer, Daryl Kunik, has promised that 10 percent of the rental units will be affordable for families earning 60 percent of the median family income.

https://www.austinmonitor.com/storie...inal-approval/

Ask Leah

[freerover]

Originally Posted by 427MM

Any clue what this will look like or when they hope to break ground?

City Council gave final approval Thursday for zoning to allow construction of a huge development, including a new brewery and 275-foot-tall building at 6705 and 6501 Regiene Road on the city’s east side. The plan for the 16-acre site includes 1 million square feet of office, retail and restaurant space, artist workshops and up to 742 apartments. The developer, Daryl Kunik, has promised that 10 percent of the rental units will be affordable for families earning 60 percent of the median family income.

https://www.austinmonitor.com/storie...inal-approval/

There is no site plan so it's going to be at least a year before ground is broken. I would guess 1.5-2 years. Timeline depends like always on the engineer's ability to make revisions based on city notes.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by 427MM

Any clue what this will look like or when they hope to break ground?

City Council gave final approval Thursday for zoning to allow construction of a huge development, including a new brewery and 275-foot-tall building at 6705 and 6501 Regiene Road on the city’s east side. The plan for the 16-acre site includes 1 million square feet of office, retail and restaurant space, artist workshops and up to 742 apartments. The developer, Daryl Kunik, has promised that 10 percent of the rental units will be affordable for families earning 60 percent of the median family income.

https://www.austinmonitor.com/storie...inal-approval/

So, it looks like at least one of the buildings won't be the 275 foot one.

This says 145 feet.

FAA permit
https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...0647435&row=19

Map
https://www.google.com/maps/place/30...1667?entry=ttu

https://austin.towers.net/[email protected]

East Austin’s Latest Mixed-Use Project Pioneers Affordable Commercial Space

JAMES RAMBIN FEBRUARY 16, 2022

large mixed-use development set to transform a vacant 15-acre tract currently zoned mostly for industrial use in far East Austin hopes to introduce a new community benefit that could serve as a model for future projects — 10,000 square feet of affordable commercial space, offered at 60 percent of market rent to small arts-focused local businesses identified by a partnership with Austin Creative Alliance.

Planned by Springdale General developers Central Austin Management Group at an assembly east of Highway 183 including 6501 and 6705 Regiene Road, the project will appear for its third reading at tomorrow’s meeting of Austin City Council after two previous approvals of its rezoning, which would change the site’s designation from limited industrial and single-family residential uses to limited industrial and planned development area (PDA) uses. This change would allow the tract’s development to rise 275 feet at its highway frontage and 120 feet closer to the site’s interior — significant height for this region, though not as dense as the 400-foot limit previously approved by council for a nearby Motorola manufacturing site set for a similar redevelopment.

[enragedcamel]

I wish someone would purchase a whole bunch of Coronado Hills/St. Johns and redevelop it. That whole area has so much potential.