AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II - Page 438

KevinFromTexas · #**8741** Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 6:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

No. The widest side is along 3rd and it looks to take up the entire site, but not the whole block because 1/3 of it is already developed.

You're right. I didn't look at the other side where it shows Brazos Street. So yes, the widest side will face 3rd.

wwmiv · #**8742** Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 11:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewer

Who says there's no hope for Cabrini-Green??

Those designs are not even comparable.

crewer · #**8743** Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 12:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Those designs are not even comparable.

Well, I beg to differ, but nevertheless, I'm poking fun at what I consider a bad design for downtown. It has a massive footprint for a relatively short structure. As far as I'm concerned, it's about as appealing as Cabrini-Green.

KevinFromTexas · #**8744** Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 1:56 PM**

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/trav...lic-private-partnership-for-1417854.html

Quote:

Travis County looking at public-private partnership for new courthouse
Commissioners hope to reduce public cost by building a multipurpose facility downtown.

By Suzannah Gonzales
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 8:58 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Travis County took an early step Tuesday toward a possible public-private partnership for a civil courthouse planned for a downtown lot the county bought late last year.

Travis County commissioners voted 3-2 to solicit ideas from developers for such a partnership. Involving a private developer in the project could diminish the public cost of the courthouse project slated for the block south of Republic Square Park, at the edge of a growing entertainment, retail, dining and condo district. The arrangement could likely bring retail, office space or other uses to the block.

Doing so would keep one of the best, most tax-producing lots on the tax rolls, Dietz said. The county expects that 550,000 square feet of space would be needed for the courthouse through 2035. Dietz said 1.9 million square feet can be built on the lot.

MichaelB · #**8745** Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 9:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/trav...lic-private-partnership-for-1417854.html

I am happy to see this 'cause I think the design and street level appeal will benefit us.... BUT.. when you read the whole article it kinda makes you wonder how much they thought thru this!

ROCrot · #**8746** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 1:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewer

who says there's no hope for cabrini-green??

omg!!!!!!!!!!

chatreed · #**8747** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 7:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Those designs are not even comparable.

yes,no need to compare these

KevinFromTexas · #**8748** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 1:34 PM**

ABJ

Quote:

Rumors have circulated in and around Austin that a big-box retailer like Target might be looking for a fresh spot to plant another one of its big red bullseyes, maybe even downtown.

ROCrot · #**8749** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 2:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

ABJ

But, as the article said... it's only rumors, and Target has NO PLANS to put any new stores in the area.

Jdawgboy · #**8750** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 5:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewer

Well, I beg to differ, but nevertheless, I'm poking fun at what I consider a bad design for downtown. It has a massive footprint for a relatively short structure. As far as I'm concerned, it's about as appealing as Cabrini-Green.

I agree, too short too spread out, cut it in half place the other half on top and then we will have a building. I really think the city needs to do another competition to see who can build the most on a 1/4 block. Thats how we got the Austonian. They should maybe make new rules for blocks that have no height restrictions to force developers to build on as small of a footprint and as tall as they can. Remember this is the site that once had a proposal for a 44 floor tower.

MichaelB · #**8751** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 6:03 PM**

Has anyone heard anything about the former "LaVista on Lavaca" site? ( then the "Fondren" building.... you know... Intel II) There was a bit of activity there this am. not sure what.

We know it is not longer a part of the bankruptcy lawsuits and was auctioned off. We have reasonably solid info that it was sold to a developer for basically the cost of the land. .... beyond that seems to be just rumor ... but that rumor has it as a boutique hotel. Anybody? Anybody ? There was someone on the forum who had insider info last year.

crewer · #**8752** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 7:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I agree, too short too spread out, cut it in half place the other half on top and then we will have a building. I really think the city needs to do another competition to see who can build the most on a 1/4 block. Thats how we got the Austonian. They should maybe make new rules for blocks that have no height restrictions to force developers to build on as small of a footprint and as tall as they can. Remember this is the site that once had a proposal for a 44 floor tower.

I thought the exact same thing. It should be half the width and twice the height.

GoldenBoot · #**8753** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

http://downtownaustinblog.org/2011/04/19...trict-getting-a-new-neighbor/#more-11073

What a complete waste! This is one of the last pieces of property in downtown Austin that is unrestricted by one, or more, of the Capitol View Corridors!

This type of design belongs on a site restricted by a CVC.

MichaelB · #**8754** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

What a complete waste! This is one of the last pieces of property in downtown Austin that is unrestricted by one, or more, of the Capitol View Corridors!

This type of design belongs on a site restricted by a CVC.

Ah Golden Boot! You speak! And always so dead on!

Do you happen to know anything about the current status of the old "La Vista" site?

H2O · #**8755** Posted **Apr 21, 2011, 10:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Has anyone heard anything about the former "LaVista on Lavaca" site? ( then the "Fondren" building.... you know... Intel II) There was a bit of activity there this am. not sure what.

We know it is not longer a part of the bankruptcy lawsuits and was auctioned off. We have reasonably solid info that it was sold to a developer for basically the cost of the land. .... beyond that seems to be just rumor ... but that rumor has it as a boutique hotel. Anybody? Anybody ? There was someone on the forum who had insider info last year.

Yes, I've heard boutique hotel. Nothing more, though.

MichaelB · #**8756** Posted **Apr 22, 2011, 1:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O

Yes, I've heard boutique hotel. Nothing more, though.

Ah... cool, thanks.

ROCrot · #**8757** Posted **Apr 22, 2011, 3:18 AM**

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/emerging_poster_march_2011.pdf

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/ep_data_2011-02.pdf

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/ep_map_2011-02.pdf

austin242 · #**8758** Posted **Apr 22, 2011, 7:01 AM**

I havn't been downtown in awhile. Does anyone know how far along the federal courthouse is?

KevinFromTexas · #**8759** Posted **Apr 22, 2011, 7:15 AM**

Sure, I took these on Sunday from the hill at Butler Park

It's topped out now and the crane is gone. It still looks like the facade isn't quite up yet.

priller · #**8760** Posted **Apr 22, 2011, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Has anyone heard anything about the former "LaVista on Lavaca" site? ( then the "Fondren" building.... you know... Intel II) There was a bit of activity there this am. not sure what.

We know it is not longer a part of the bankruptcy lawsuits and was auctioned off. We have reasonably solid info that it was sold to a developer for basically the cost of the land. .... beyond that seems to be just rumor ... but that rumor has it as a boutique hotel. Anybody? Anybody ? There was someone on the forum who had insider info last year.

My insider source has changed jobs and no longer has access to the scoop. Sorry!