AUSTIN | Projects & Construction II

[patriotizzy]

Any renders of the streets will look like? I'm intrigued.

[BevoLJ]

^^
I imagine they will do it just like they have the rest of second street[edit: lol, google maps needs to update their pictures. That is prior to the W and such]. Only it will now be the same all the way to the Convention Center. That is great news! It really has been a key, part of the development of that part of Downtown the past few years. Ten years ago that area was a dump, and empty of people. Now it is the busiest part of Downtown, and during the day busier than 6th probably. =) Even with the new movies. lol.

With all of the new hotels and Convention business this is wonderful for downtown. It shows the success of second and that the city recognizes that and is clearly showing the city has every intention to keep downtown and second a priority. It I hope is successful in attracting even more good projects. Speaking of good projects...

ahealy: How is the VC doing? Y'all got any cool plans for the SXSW film fest? Is the Alamo on Lamar going to still be open during that time? I remember something about them building something over in that S Lamar location and they were going to include the Alamo in the plans and that was supposed to start soon. Wasn't sure if it would effect South By or not, but if so they always have great stuff and maybe y'all could pick up some of that. It be nice not to have to bus everyone over there.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by crewer

I'm sure that's their logic, and I don't blame them. I think it will be nice to have the hotel's front door on 2nd Street. But there's no rule that says the parking garage entrance has to be part of the hotel's main entrance. I've been to hotels in large cities everywhere, and it's not uncommon to have rear or side entrances for the garage access. It seems like such a shame that a compromise took place on a street that Austin wants as the prime example of downtown development. It also doesn't make sense that so much hotel traffic will now be directed onto 2nd, which is limited to only two lanes.

Austin has been diligent with the 2nd Street rules for the other developers, but White Lodging gets their way. Interesting...

yes, it make total sense to keep Congress for Retail/restaurant, Entrance on 2nd and Garage on Brazos. We'll see!

[JoninATX]

It keeps getting better, we are going to have a pedestrian oriented street all the way from The Austin Convention Center down to The Green Water Treatment Plant.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

It keeps getting better, we are going to have a pedestrian oriented street all the way from The Austin Convention Center down to The Green Water Treatment Plant.

[JoninATX]

List of Austin rundown U/C
1. 17. st Hyatt Place
2. 18. st Whitley Printing site tower
3. 16. st 2400 Nueces
4. Two 5. st, 9 st., 11st. Riverview Apartments
5. 18. st Gables Park Tower.

I know theres more but none are as tall as the ones I listed.

[Syndic]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

It keeps getting better, we are going to have a pedestrian oriented street all the way from The Austin Convention Center down to The Green Water Treatment Plant.

Really, we're going to have a pedestrian-oriented street all the way to the Seaholm Power Plant.



(Image used courtesy of http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/)

And if I'm not mistaken, there should be a walkable tunnel underneath the power plant.



(Image used courtesy of http://www.statesman.com/business/after-years-of-delays-construction-in-sight-for-1921958.html)

This means we'll have easy walkability all the way from the convention center to Lamar Blvd. I think the idea is to make it easy to get from where the LSTAR will drop people off to the convention center. And hope they spend as much money in-between as they possibly can.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by Syndic

Really, we're going to have a pedestrian-oriented street all the way to the Seaholm Power Plant.



(Image used courtesy of http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/seaholm/)

And if I'm not mistaken, there should be a walkable tunnel underneath the power plant.



(Image used courtesy of http://www.statesman.com/business/after-years-of-delays-construction-in-sight-for-1921958.html)

This means we'll have easy walkability all the way from the convention center to Lamar Blvd. I think the idea is to make it easy to get from where the LSTAR will drop people off to the convention center. And hope they spend as much money in-between as they possibly can.

Thats a really interesting guess you have about a tunnel under Seaholm. I have always taken that as the street level entrance/drop off to the building. Plus the elevation of the wester part of the property is that much lower than the East. But, again, interesting interpretaion. I will be curious to see if there is a way to connect thru Seaholm, either under, thru or easliy around. I would be useful!

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by Syndic

This means we'll have easy walkability all the way from the convention center to Lamar Blvd. I think the idea is to make it easy to get from where the LSTAR will drop people off to the convention center. And hope they spend as much money in-between as they possibly can.

Oh, great observation. In the San Antonio thread I was wondering if or how they would to the LSR, and if it would have any sort of connection to the Metro Rail. As you suggest probably not, but there would be a very nice second street to walk down to make the hop between the two. Although that is about a mile walk, maybe a little over a mile. But still it does make sense.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

ahealy: How is the VC doing? Y'all got any cool plans for the SXSW film fest? Is the Alamo on Lamar going to still be open during that time? I remember something about them building something over in that S Lamar location and they were going to include the Alamo in the plans and that was supposed to start soon. Wasn't sure if it would effect South By or not, but if so they always have great stuff and maybe y'all could pick up some of that. It be nice not to have to bus everyone over there.

I love working at Violet Crown! We've been getting very busy... I haven't heard anything for sx yet. I would imagine we would participate since we showed several films during aGLIFF. Check the site for updates: http://www.violetcrowncinema.com/
As far as S. Lamar, I am not sure when they're breaking ground on that redevelopment. It sounded pretty cool.

I was thinking we could all have a forum happy hour there sometime...we always host small events in the lower lounge. Whad'ya say Michael B??????

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I love working at Violet Crown! We've been getting very busy... I haven't heard anything for sx yet. I would imagine we would participate since we showed several films during aGLIFF. Check the site for updates: http://www.violetcrowncinema.com/
As far as S. Lamar, I am not sure when they're breaking ground on that redevelopment. It sounded pretty cool.

I was thinking we could all have a forum happy hour there sometime...we always host small events in the lower lounge. Whad'ya say Michael B??????

That is great to hear!

On the forum meet, that would be awesome. Last spring when someone proposed one at the W I believe, I totally forgot that it was proposed to meet on my birthday and couldn't do it. lol. I have this horrible habit of forgetting my birthday every year. I think I just don't like getting old.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I love working at Violet Crown! We've been getting very busy... I haven't heard anything for sx yet. I would imagine we would participate since we showed several films during aGLIFF. Check the site for updates: http://www.violetcrowncinema.com/
As far as S. Lamar, I am not sure when they're breaking ground on that redevelopment. It sounded pretty cool.

I was thinking we could all have a forum happy hour there sometime...we always host small events in the lower lounge. Whad'ya say Michael B??????

Well hell yeah.....

[ahealy]

It's on! SSP Forum Happy Hour coming soon

On a construction note, I didn't see any start to Gables Phase II today as mentioned in the Statesman.....

[Jdawgboy]

From what I hear its a soft start. May be a few weeks before things pick up.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

From what I hear its a soft start. May be a few weeks before things pick up.

Yeah, I just saw them putting some black tarp around the inner fence. This will be fun to spy on them with binoculars.

[ahealy]

what. the. hell. (took this today at 416 congress). Is the hotel cancelled???

[JoninATX]

Oh well maybe someone else will purchase it and build some sort of mixed use on top.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Oh well maybe someone else will purchase it and build some sort of mixed use on top.

I have no idea what the circumstances are....but I'm tired of these cool designs getting shelved. ARGGGGHHHHHHH also, rumor has it Starbucks is opening a huge spot in the W ...womp womp

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by ahealy

I have no idea what the circumstances are....but I'm tired of these cool designs getting shelved. ARGGGGHHHHHHH also, rumor has it Starbucks is opening a huge spot in the W ...womp womp

I hear ya, from what was stated in the Texas thread was the property value for the site was $7 million so the developer could have backed out, guess we will wait and see. Also kudos on Starbucks at the W.

[kingkirbythe....]

This was the one I was really looking forwarding to.