Austin | 305 S. Congress | 6 Towers - 215'/295'/365'/375'/445'/525' | Proposed

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by hereinaustin

I've always imagined something closer to the Domain in terms of walkability and ground floor retail throughout, except with 12+ story buildings at every single block. I would also hope for a mix of residential and commercial. I'd also love for there to finally be some proper high density micro-apartments in the 300sqft range with lots of built-in storage + a murphy bed.

Well, as much as a bunch of 12 story buildings would be nice, I doubt that that'll ever happen here.

I'd also fuck around with Hancock Center, use eminent domain and build the streetcar right through the middle and then use that as a neighborhood center redevelopment opportunity a la north Austin's answer to Lamar Union with a nice plaza integrated into a rail stop in the middle.

[ivanwolf]

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Note: I've revamped that google map with a lot more detail. Make sure you click on the overlays, I always include descriptions of what I'd do and usually why.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?m...VM&usp=sharing

That map is restricted, my access was denied.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...emium-referral

City vision for lakefront: More parkland, more tall buildings

By Shonda Novak - American-Statesman Staff

Posted: 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Under one scenario of the city of Austin’s latest vision for the south side of Lady Bird Lake, a water-color image depicts a vibrant “green urban” area — but also a hefty cluster of high-rise towers that could be taller than anything currently along that side of the shore.

This morning, the Austin City Council was briefed by city planner Alan Holt, who for more than three years has been laying the groundwork for that vision — called the South Central Waterfront Initiative — to become a reality. At least one neighborhood representative is voicing concern that the plan could usher in ever-taller buildings across Lady Bird Lake from downtown.

If adopted by the City Council, the plan will set expectations on community benefits and give the city a basis for negotiating with the private land owners in any future zoning cases involving their properties, Holt said.

The city wants to work with the land owners to balance the intensity of development on their land with the city’s desire to gain significant public benefits within the district, such as affordable housing; additional open space and parkland; enhanced connections to and along the waterfront and hike-and-bike trail; and a unified street network.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...emium-referral

How do they know the neighborhood doesn't want there to be additional height? I believe that the "old" guard homeowners would most likely be opposed (probably to ANY development), but I'd wager that if you took a vote of ALL the stakeholders (renters, businesses, etc) you would have a ton of support. All the people I know that live in '04 live there because of the all the development, not in-spite of it.

[futures]

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

How do they know the neighborhood doesn't want there to be additional height? I believe that the "old" guard homeowners would most likely be opposed (probably to ANY development), but I'd wager that if you took a vote of ALL the stakeholders (renters, businesses, etc) you would have a ton of support. All the people I know that live in '04 live there because of the all the development, not in-spite of it.

You hit the nail on the head. I moved from out of town to 78704 a few years ago specifically because of all the new development in the area (and of course the proximity to downtown and town lake).

I would wager that this development will be met with overwhelming support. The area now is an eyesore at best. Hideous government buildings, Statesman, and a failed strip club. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone looking to preserve any of that even if the new development isn't exactly their own vision.

This can't happen soon enough. It's some of the best real estate in Austin, and I'm glad people have the forethought to plan out and create visions for the area. I'd personally love to see a world class museum in the area.

[wwmiv]

hmm. I can't figure out why...

[KevinFromTexas]

That area now is a disgrace to the waterfront. Stubby state office buildings surrounded by acres of parking lots fronting the water is probably not what Lady Bird Johnson had in mind. And I can think we can do better than the low density businesses that are there that, despite being in a place where people should be enjoying, are not the type of business that attracts visitors there since they aren't anything special that you couldn't find anywhere else in the metro.

[drummer]

This development would enhance everything that is great about the riverfront, the hike and bike trail, the mix-used availability that enables *more* people to enjoy what Austin has to offer. I think Dcbrickley has a point - most folks I know who still live in the Austin area love the growth. They hate the traffic, but they love what is happening in Austin. Some of the older folks are opposed to it, of course, but I can understand that - all the more reason for compromise rather than one side having all the say (i.e., no development at all vs. go crazy and never look back). It doesn't have to be black or white. I'm all for this development, personally. I think it'll be great if they do it right.

[wwmiv]

The new park is the political cleavage issue among NIMBYs which will allow this plan to get broad public support.

[_Matt]

This would be amazing. Love the park idea.

[the Genral]

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...emium-referral




I like this vision. I don't think it will happen, at least not in my lifetime, but some of you that remember my 'What if ' thread..., this would qualify as a big what if. Setting the politics and nimbys' aside, this is plausible. In terms of satisfying my skyline to match our population ego, this would pretty much do it. Imagine staring out your window from north of the lake and checking out the skyline to the south.
They should have added a bridge to the east of Congress to the drawing though. Whether for rail, pedestrian, cars, or all three, since this is fantasy land, might as well go all out...and I'll excuse where the artist placed the Independent and the Rockie Mountains in the background.

[ahealy]

Originally Posted by the Genral

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/busi...emium-referral

my GAWD


BUT the placement of the Independent is all wrong...

Jeepers I hope this plan can actually happen without stupid ass Bouldin neighbor-NIMBYs freaking out about their over-priced cottages being near skyscrapers.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by ahealy

my GAWD

Taking a page from your book...lol. I creamed a little in my pants after seeing that picture.


Can you imagine what could look like twin downtowns meeting at the river! Man it would put Austin on a whole other level.

Now back to reality... We are a good 20+ years off before we see South Shore Central being built out. There will be a lot of factors and market drivers that will dictate how the district forms. I think the majority of people in the city (definitely in city gov) have come to the conclusion that DT will have to expand south of the river. It really began decades back with the Hyatt, One Texas Center and a host of smaller office buildings. At least with the South Shore Central District plan, they can take a big step in how they want it to look rather than letting it haphazardly develop on it's own.

One thing is certain, South Shore Central will change the face of Austin no matter what it ultimately ends up looking like.

[Novacek]

The council presentation should be linked here

http://www.austintexas.gov/departmen...160405-wrk.htm

[_Matt]

This is probably the clearest image of the vision presented yesterday. Still very automobile oriented. Good to see ROW reserved for future rail, though.

[hereinaustin]

I kinda like this version.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by hereinaustin

I kinda like this version.

Lol Maybe the Hayatt will decide to build a whole new hotel across Congress and the developers that recently completed the Cathern and the VMU will see the sense in having their investments torn down for a football stadium.

Maybe in an other parrallel universe hehe.

I still think that a soccer stadium at least could work and fit into the district if they incorporate it into a mixed use complex where it would be used day and night instead of having a dead zone in the middle of a vibrant district.

By the way, if you added that stadium, love how you made the letters of Austin into the shape of a bat.

[AustinGoesVertical]

I personally think this project is a massive failure of it doesn't look like the iteration above. It should be dominated by mix-used midrises (10-15 stories) but absolutely needs a collection of point towers right near the Congress Bridge. I envision one or two 30-story towers and a signature 500-600 footer right at the edge like depicted above. I love the idea of a public park fronting the water, maybe even an artificial beach. This can be a defining section of the city that swings development across the river. I hope they don't mess it up and build 5-7 story glass boxes with poor street interaction.

[The ATX]

Between this, the Brackenridge tract, Medical Center and the Capitol Complex plans we have a helluva lot of stuff to look forward to mid and long term. At buildout, that equals about 100 buildings total among those four projects as they are currently envisioned.

[brando]

Originally Posted by AustinGoesVertical

I personally think this project is a massive failure of it doesn't look like the iteration above. It should be dominated by mix-used midrises (10-15 stories) but absolutely needs a collection of point towers right near the Congress Bridge. I envision one or two 30-story towers and a signature 500-600 footer right at the edge like depicted above. I love the idea of a public park fronting the water, maybe even an artificial beach. This can be a defining section of the city that swings development across the river. I hope they don't mess it up and build 5-7 story glass boxes with poor street interaction.

Almost all of this land is owned by private businesses. You can't force them to close and open up apartments.

The point is to push the entire area towards a cohesive district that is public friendly. They aren't buying everything and re-building like they can do at the brackenridge hospital.