AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by WAustinResident

I have an F2 and an F5. I would recommend getting at least an F3, at the more wild levels they tend to be more work, although they definitely have that wild look to them too.

Very dog like, they like to play fetch, but get distracted. lots of energy, high jumpers. like they can get 6 feet straight up.

Glad to hear you like them, I have looked into them but have yet to actually play with one!

[P3FE]

For those of you who may not have seen the article.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...1/07/plans_proceed_for_endeavor_off.html

I don't feel the periphery of Republic Square is being fully realized. A single vacant parcel remains, that of the demolished Fox and Hound. Will that really be a hotel or might this trend of evacuating people from the area after dark continue? Is it feasible to build office or residential on top of the adjacent state parking garage, despite the central chiller facility?

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by P3FE

For those of you who may not have seen the article.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...1/07/plans_proceed_for_endeavor_off.html

I don't feel the periphery of Republic Square is being fully realized. A single vacant parcel remains, that of the demolished Fox and Hound. Will that really be a hotel or might this trend of evacuating people from the area after dark continue? Is it feasible to build office or residential on top of the adjacent state parking garage, despite the central chiller facility?

Not only Republic Square, but the surrounding residential buildings too. I live at 360, and my friends car was just broken into tonight on the 7th floor (even through security). We've had a notorious bike thief, and a hate crime all on one street....4th. I think if you add a giant county courthouse, this will only create more opportunities for crime. Don't get me wrong, I still feel pretty safe alone at night, but something has got to be done about future developments.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by P3FE

For those of you who may not have seen the article.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...1/07/plans_proceed_for_endeavor_off.html

I don't feel the periphery of Republic Square is being fully realized. A single vacant parcel remains, that of the demolished Fox and Hound. Will that really be a hotel or might this trend of evacuating people from the area after dark continue? Is it feasible to build office or residential on top of the adjacent state parking garage, despite the central chiller facility?

Gables bought that property in 2007 to develop a mid-rise apartment building. They were to have delivered by 2009 but... you know how all that went. They own the entire south side of the block. They tore down the building that Fox and Hound was in AND were slated to tear down the building that has "Ghost bar" in it now. ( at the time it was Gingerman, but had been many bars before that). There was a lot of stink raised about tearing down what was always referred to as the "Gingerman building". But all that died as the project got shelved and we were left with yet another vacant lot.

So, yes, there is hope that will become housing yet.

And , yes, I will still be hounding them not to tear down the "Gingerman" building. Growth and character can go hand in hand.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by ahealy

Not only Republic Square, but the surrounding residential buildings too. I live at 360, and my friends car was just broken into tonight on the 7th floor (even through security). We've had a notorious bike thief, and a hate crime all on one street....4th. I think if you add a giant county courthouse, this will only create more opportunities for crime. Don't get me wrong, I still feel pretty safe alone at night, but something has got to be done about future developments.

I do think safety has to be considered in the development of any neighborhood. The city has to remain serious in treating downtown as a neighborhood, not just a business district. That is the point I am pushing with every one encounter. So, increased patrol, lighting, neighborhood planning. All have to be considered.

I walk from 18th down to 4th/2nd often. Day and night. I, for the most part, feel safe. There are a few areas I avoid and the Republic park use to be one of them. In the past few years that has felt safer and I would hate to see change.

I understand the "false" security of "secure" buildings. We live in Cambridge and had a rash of bike thefts. Bottom line, there are way too many people that come in and out during the day that are not residents. There is always someone renovating a property, tons of domestic workers, visitors and, unfortunately I'm sure the occasional evil resident! AND even thought there is a garage attendant, there are moments they are away from the desk. Hell, I have jumped in the gate when a car is leaving. SO, even with gates, locks, cameras and a person at the front desk AND the garage entrance. It can still be a false sense of security.

All and all we feel safe, but, it "ain't" perfect.

Oh, and then there was the fire this week.... well, that's another story .

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I do think safety has to be considered in the development of any neighborhood. The city has to remain serious in treating downtown as a neighborhood, not just a business district. That is the point I am pushing with every one encounter. So, increased patrol, lighting, neighborhood planning. All have to be considered.

I walk from 18th down to 4th/2nd often. Day and night. I, for the most part, feel safe. There are a few areas I avoid and the Republic park use to be one of them. In the past few years that has felt safer and I would hate to see change.

I understand the "false" security of "secure" buildings. We live in Cambridge and had a rash of bike thefts. Bottom line, there are way too many people that come in and out during the day that are not residents. There is always someone renovating a property, tons of domestic workers, visitors and, unfortunately I'm sure the occasional evil resident! AND even thought there is a garage attendant, there are moments they are away from the desk. Hell, I have jumped in the gate when a car is leaving. SO, even with gates, locks, cameras and a person at the front desk AND the garage entrance. It can still be a false sense of security.

All and all we feel safe, but, it "ain't" perfect.

Oh, and then there was the fire this week.... well, that's another story .

Yeah, seriously.. That's why I'm hoping something can be done....otherwise we'll see 3 dead-zone blocks on 4th.
I'm wondering if the residential part of block 51 is totally gone, or just hibernating?

ps. hope the fire didn't cause too much damage.

[ahealy]

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7224282n
Also... pretty groovy story on Austin

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by ahealy

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7224282n
Also... pretty groovy story on Austin

That was the lead story on the CBS News last night.

[KevinFromTexas]

I still feel safe downtown. My family's always worried when I go on my bike rides all the way to downtown and back to South Austin, but I never feel unsafe. Of course I've never met a man who could run 25 to 30 mph. lol Still, I would seriously hate it if crime became a problem downtown. By the way, I'm sure someone on Statesman.com will suggest the rise in crime has something to do with all the new residential, but it's more likely that people from areas outside of downtown are going in to break in.

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by ahealy

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7224282n
Also... pretty groovy story on Austin

I was very glad they mentioned how many of the jobs that have been created here in Austin, are actually created by those within Austin. From programs such as the UT/Austin incubator to people saying "Screw it we can just cook our food and serve it out of that bus over there..." =) It always seems all the companies moving here from Cali get the headlines.

It is nice that all of these big companies are either out right moving to Austin from other places or expanding in Austin through opening offices or like Samsung pouring another $3.8 billion into the city, but that seems to be what gets mostly talked about when that is really just small potatoes to how many jobs have come from within Austin throughout this recession.

I like that they are being aggressive and hired that firm out in Cali, but much more excited by what they have been doing with those local programs. Whether it is a something that turns into a big global business like Bazaarvoice or a small local business they tend to retain a much more Austin quality to them as opposed to all the companies that have moved here.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by ahealy

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7224282n
Also... pretty groovy story on Austin

what did Katie Kouric say towards the end? "Austin is a great place to live... and to boo.... on top of that"???

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by migol24

what did Katie Kouric say towards the end? "Austin is a great place to live... and to boo.... on top of that"???

"I've always heard Austin is such a great place to live. To boot on top of that"

"That" being a reference to Austin's strong economic performance.

[StoOgE]

Yeah, our city has a nice little reputation.

I had job interviews last year in Minneapolis, New York and Chicago. All 3 are obviously amazing world class cities.

In every single interview (4-5 people per potential employer) they all thought I was crazy for thinking about leaving Austin and a fair number of them turned towards discussions of SXSW or the Green Belt.

It was really funny, but it makes you appreciate what we have. a lot.

[migol24]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

"I've always heard Austin is such a great place to live. To boot on top of that"

"That" being a reference to Austin's strong economic performance.

I know these posts don't always deliver the tones you try to give out but I was being a little sarcastic there. It sounded like she said boo, which would've been ironic.

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by migol24

I know these posts don't always deliver the tones you try to give out but I was being a little sarcastic there. It sounded like she said boo, which would've been ironic.

Oh! I thought you were really asking.

[austin242]

So We got it Started

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/1/11616.html

[patriotizzy]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

I was very glad they mentioned how many of the jobs that have been created here in Austin, are actually created by those within Austin. From programs such as the UT/Austin incubator to people saying "Screw it we can just cook our food and serve it out of that bus over there..." =) It always seems all the companies moving here from Cali get the headlines.

It is nice that all of these big companies are either out right moving to Austin from other places or expanding in Austin through opening offices or like Samsung pouring another $3.8 billion into the city, but that seems to be what gets mostly talked about when that is really just small potatoes to how many jobs have come from within Austin throughout this recession.

I like that they are being aggressive and hired that firm out in Cali, but much more excited by what they have been doing with those local programs. Whether it is a something that turns into a big global business like Bazaarvoice or a small local business they tend to retain a much more Austin quality to them as opposed to all the companies that have moved here.

I might have to move to Austin if it's not easy to find a job here in the Bay Area, after I graduate. Although I doubt it. Seems like Austin is a great place to live in though

[migol24]

Originally Posted by patriotizzy

I might have to move to Austin if it's not easy to find a job here in the Bay Area, after I graduate. Although I doubt it. Seems like Austin is a great place to live in though

I'm trying to do the opposite. I haven't lived in the Bay Area long enough but from my experience.... I got a job a lot faster here in Austin. I'm gonna try again soon hopefully and try to shoot for another job in the Bay Area.

Don't be too misguided though.... Austin definitely is a great place but there's lots of things that San Francisco Bay Area has that Austin doesn't (probably never will). I hope that changes though. And if you were to move here in Austin it will probably take some time getting used to accepting that fact. But if only my school opened up campuses here in Austin that would seriously change my life forever.

[BevoLJ]

I think a lot of the ideas that the city has put in place like that came from the Bay Area. lol

I love the Bay Area and if you can find a way to make it work there it is a fantastic place. Like Migol said, the Bay Area just has so much to offer it is absolutely ridiculous. And while Austin has a lot of VC, it's a tiny tiny tiny fraction of what you find up there.

[KevinFromTexas]

An update on The Park, an 8-story office building planned for 801 Barton Springs Road. They've actually scaled back the height. Originally it was proposed as being around 180 feet tall with 15 floors, but is now down to 96 feet and 8 floors. There are taller buildings in the area.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...s/2011/01/12/a_city_council_vote_is.html

Barton Springs Road office project up for council vote

By Shonda Novak | Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 09:42 AM

A City Council vote is scheduled Thursday on a proposed $15.5 million, eight-story office building on Barton Springs Road. The project has drawn opponents who say it would set a harmful precedent for development along Barton Springs Road, Lady Bird Lake and nearby neighborhoods.

The project, called the Park, is proposed for 801 Barton Springs Road, the former site of the Filling Station restaurant that was torn down a few years ago. Food trailers now occupy part of the lot.

Texas American Resources is proposing to construct a 96-foot high building that would include its headquarters, a ground-floor restaurant, and a parking garage that would include spaces for people attending events at the Palmer Events Center, the Long Center and the Austin Lyric Opera, said Steve Drenner, the lawyer for the locally-based energy company.

Drenner said the proposed building is a good fit. It is flanked on one side by a 60-foot high office building and on the other by one that is 120 feet high. He also said the project is more than 1,500 feet from the lake’s edge.