AUSTIN | Project Updates Thread Part II - Page 76

KevinFromTexas · #**1501** Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 8:30 PM**

So with so many of us deciding to vote no, does anyone have the links to the planners of this building to voice our displeasure with their decision not to have a public private partnership with the plan? And maybe we could still press them to include retail just in case it does get approved and built?

JoninATX · #**1502** Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 8:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech House

I didn't know about this, are they really going to do what should have been done 20 years ago? It would be fantastic to see Sixth shrink and sidewalks expanded. I was peeved back in the 90s when the makeover of that area failed to address the central problem of Sixth being treated more as a thoroughfare than a destination for people who aren't in cars.

The general trend downtown toward reducing lanes and one-way streets is going to make it a friendlier place for pedestrians and cyclists, and a lot more pleasant in general.

Speaking of wide one-way streets, Salt Lake City... am I right?

It was mentioned in a small article a few years back. Can't find the source of it but do have a concept drawing that someone did.

http://speakupaustin.org/forums/east...treet-redesign

JoninATX · #**1503** Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 8:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStarMike

Not sure if this has been posted already, but I happened to notice that Rogers-O'brien has a webcam for this project.

Thanks LoneStarMike. Looks like there about to top out.

JoninATX · #**1504** Posted **Jan 31, 2015, 8:55 PM**

I know a few of you formers have message me, and want to appoligize for not reponding, I've been dealing with alleries all week long.

LoneStarMike · #**1505** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoninATX

It was mentioned in a small article a few years back. Can't find the source of it but do have a concept drawing that someone did.

http://speakupaustin.org/forums/east...treet-redesign

I found an old American-Statesman about this from 2011.

City planning East Sixth facelift
Ben Wear
July 12, 2011

Quote:

East Sixth Street: It's what's not for dinner.

But merchants along the iconic street, hoping to make the district an "18-hour-a-day destination" for all age groups rather than mostly a place for youthful nighttime partying, are working with the city to give East Sixth a makeover. That would include sidewalks twice as wide, sans the sandstone pavers that hold dirt and often give the street a dingy look.

It would also mean three lanes, rather than the current four , through the heart of the entertainment district from Sabine Street to Brazos Street. The City of Austin, using money approved by voters in Proposition 1 in November, has begun a $600,000 engineering and design process. The city might seek money to complete the project as part of an anticipated 2012 bond election.

This was the rendering that accompanied the article:

Edited to add - another image

From Page 106 of the Downtown Austin Plan

(click on the "dap_approved_12-8-2011.pdf") link

LoneStarMike · #**1506** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 4:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Ugh. Utilities placement logistics suck balls. So we have the same problem with this lot as we do with the electrical substation.

This is a big reason why I liked this entry for the Seaholm Intake Facility make-over.

It would have had an open plan event hall that could be flexible, plus it would have had a district chiller plant that would create cold water for Austin Energy's district cooling system.

ftp://ftp.ci.austin.tx.us/GIS-Data/P...146%205250.pdf

It certainly wasn't as ornate as some of the other entries, but at least it was practical.

KevinFromTexas · #**1507** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 6:40 AM**

http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/c...e-high-demand/

Quote:

Austin becoming hotel hotbed to accommodate high demand
by Joe Lanane January 28, 2015

Analyst: Rising occupancy drives up room rates

The largest hotel in Austin history is nearly ready to open, marking the first of multiple large-scale hospitality projects expected to debut in 2015 and beyond.

The first guests at the JW Marriott Austin, a 1,012-room hotel along downtown Congress Avenue, arrive Feb. 13.

The nearly complete project is among eight downtown-area hotels under construction, and numerous other concepts remain in the planning stages that could potentially double the number of Central Austin hotel rooms by 2017. Having nearly 10,000 downtown-based hotel rooms by then could help elevate Austin to new opportunities, JW Marriott General Manager Scott Blalock said.

JW Marriott officials also project first-time Austin visitors will occupy up to 60 percent of the 512,000 rooms pre-booked through 2021.

KevinFromTexas · #**1508** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 7:08 AM**

Anyone know anything about why the Popeye's restaurant at Oltorf & South First closed?

paul78701 · #**1509** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 1:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Anyone know anything about why the Popeye's restaurant at Oltorf & South First closed?

I've been wondering the same thing about the Taco Bell that closed across the street from Zach on S Lamar.

LoneStarMike · #**1510** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 3:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

I've been wondering the same thing about the Taco Bell that closed across the street from Zach on S Lamar.

The Taco Cabana site is where they were supposed to build 211 S. Lamar

Edited to add - sorry, I misread your post. I saw "Taco Cabana" instead of "Taco Bell."

Syndic · #**1511** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 3:32 PM**

Does anyone know what they're doing with this little space in-between these two buildings?

It has been completely torn down now. Which is fine but the timing also kind of sucks because J.W. Marriott and 5th and Congress are about to be finished making it so that you could finally walk down Congress on that side. But now? This little dinky project is preventing that.

corvairkeith · #**1512** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 4:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

I've been wondering the same thing about the Taco Bell that closed across the street from Zach on S Lamar.

I've often wondered how ANY Taco Bells manage to stay open in this town. You literally have thousands of options for tacos that are just as fast and cheap and much better quality.

tie_guy · #**1513** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 4:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

Does anyone know what they're doing with this little space in-between these two buildings?

It has been completely torn down now. Which is fine but the timing also kind of sucks because J.W. Marriott and 5th and Congress are about to be finished making it so that you could finally walk down Congress on that side. But now? This little dinky project is preventing that.

would is be this? http://austin.eater.com/2014/3/13/62...ustin-location

Syndic · #**1514** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 4:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tie_guy

would is be this? http://austin.eater.com/2014/3/13/62...ustin-location

Awesome. I'm sure that's it! Cool. That looks like an interesting place.
I like that rooftop patio. Being right next to J.W. Marriott they're going to get a lot of business.

So, a guy that I work with told me that this place is really good/famous and that people drive all the way to Llano for it right now. Now that I think of it, I've heard other people say the same thing. So, yeah, I think it's safe to say this place is going to be a challenger to Franklin's BBQ dominance in Austin.

Edit: Found this link with lots of construction photos: http://coopersbbqaustin.com/

paul78701 · #**1515** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 8:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvairkeith

I've often wondered how ANY Taco Bells manage to stay open in this town. You literally have thousands of options for tacos that are just as fast and cheap and much better quality.

Granted. It's been closed for a while now though. It hasn't been replaced by another fast food joint or whatever. This makes me wonder if the site might be redeveloped soon. If so, hopefully they include that Enterprise rental car site just to the south of it.

MichaelB · #**1516** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Granted. It's been closed for a while now though. It hasn't been replaced by another fast food joint or whatever. This makes me wonder if the site might be redeveloped soon. If so, hopefully they include that Enterprise rental car site just to the south of it.

Yup... I've had the same thought as I pass by there and see both of those places closed for a while now. !

Tech House · #**1517** Posted **Feb 1, 2015, 10:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

So, a guy that I work with told me that this place is really good/famous and that people drive all the way to Llano for it right now. Now that I think of it, I've heard other people say the same thing. So, yeah, I think it's safe to say this place is going to be a challenger to Franklin's BBQ dominance in Austin.

Cooper's is an awesome place! I love this type of trend where small town business is imported to the city, rather than just killing small town businesses with big city chain stores. Cooper's will be a fantastic addition to Congress. Our Main Street should be a place bustling with the activity of people enjoying life, so every step toward that is a positive step.

As for challenging Franklin's, I think they're sort of in different categories. If Cooper's brings the same type of West Texas authenticity to this storefront that they have in Llano then it will really be a first for downtown. Hopefully nobody will talk them into going upscale with it in order to appeal to yuppies. They'll get the best buzz if they stay true to who they are.

lzppjb · #**1518** Posted **Feb 2, 2015, 4:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndic

So, yeah, I think it's safe to say this place is going to be a challenger to Franklin's BBQ dominance in Austin.

Probably not. I've been to the one in Llano. I've had good bbq there once and some of the worst I've ever had too.

I've also been to the locations in New Braunfels (not good), Ft Worth (not good) and Junction (ok).

If you want a place that rivals Franklin, go to Mueller Meat Company at 2500 E 6th.

lzppjb · #**1519** Posted **Feb 2, 2015, 4:09 AM**

With that said, I'm ok with them going in at that spot. I mentioned it a few months ago. I think the smell of oak smoke will really add to the ambiance of the area. Love the smell of bbq.

LoneStarMike · #**1520** Posted **Feb 2, 2015, 4:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Granted. It's been closed for a while now though. It hasn't been replaced by another fast food joint or whatever. This makes me wonder if the site might be redeveloped soon. If so, hopefully they include that Enterprise rental car site just to the south of it.

Interesting. That Enterprise Car Rental is at

319 S Lamar

South of that is the Jack in the Box, and to the east of Jack in the Box is that plot of land at 1210 Barton Springs Road. It used to be the location of Jack and Adam's Bicycles before they moved across the street into The Cole. Before that, it was a KFC.

There were plans for 1210 Barton Springs Rd. The proposed project would have been an 80-room hotel, 30 condo units and an art gallery. It was shown on the map (C95) and listed under "planned" in the February 2014 Emerging Projects Report. In May, it dropped off the map, but was still listed as planned. In August it disappeared altogether.

I wonder if someone is slowly trying to piece together those 4 plots - Taco Bell, Enterprise, Jack in the Box and 1210 Barton Springs?