In the News
May 7 News: City to choose winning Green Water Treatment Plant proposal
In the next step towards creating downtown's largest development project to date, this month five developers will present city council with their plans to transform the Southwest corner of the district into a diverse and livable area.
While the five plans differ, all developers agree to add more than 1,000 residential units, blocks of retail space and hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space.
Notable differences include Stratus' Properties plans for a full-service H-E-B grocery store, which they say will make downtown living more viable. The group also plans to build a movie theater and the largest number of residential units.
Trammell Crow plans to build a 350,000 square-foot hotel, a senior living center and five public gathering spaces if selected.
Simmons Vedder plans to build a waterfront art park and pedestrian bridges over Shoal Creek. The group also plans to install eco-friendly touches such as solar panels and toilets that flush by utilizing condensation from air conditioners.
Catellus Development plans to develop a primarily residential project that incorporates both office and retail space. The group says the would like to have city input before committing to their final plan. Forest City's plans include a plaza at the intersection of Second and Nueces that will include a fountain and a transplanted moon tower. The plaza would connect to the Shoal Creek trail via a grand staircase inspired by the Spanish Steps in Rome.
The city council will judge the projects based on experience, access to capital and design quality, with bonus points awarded for low-income housing and public parking availability.
May 6 News: 360 Condominiums sign four new retailers
Austin's new 360 Condominiums will soon have four new retailers.
Blu Cafe Bar Lounge, which will open in June, is am 1,100-square foot, European-influenced cafe where customers can enjoy a cup of Italian espresso and a pastry in the morning, panini or quiche in the afternoon and a glass of wine or an aperitif while indulging in a bite of decadent tiramisu in the evening.
The Lora Reynolds Gallery will move from its current location on West Avenue into an 1,800-square foot space this fall. The gallery organizes six to eight shows annually and has promoted gallery artists through publishing catalogues of their work, placing work in important museum, private and corporate collections, and organizing talks and performance events at the gallery in conjunction with exhibitions. The gallery will feature British artist Susan Collis for its first exhibition in the new space.
Mulberry, expected to open in July, will be located in an intimate space next to the 360 entrance. Mulberry's kitchen will feature innovative cuisine in a format that compliments the neighborhood style of the restaurant and wine bar. Mulberry was originally conceived by several friends from Texas and New York City. Long-time Austinites may recognize Mulberry Street as the former name of 10th Street in downtown, and, coincidentally, several New York founders had lived on the renowned Mulberry Street in New York. The name Mulberry represents the combined Austin and New York City inspiration.
Royal Blue Grocery will open its second location in a 1,900-square foot space this August. Somewhere between a convenience store and a gourmet grocery, Royal Blue Grocery has what it calls a selective offering, typically a conventional brand of one item coupled with an organic or gourmet version.
200 8 News: City releases Waller Creek Project plans
www.ci.austin.tx.us/wallercreek/
A workshop held April 30 gave the community a first look at the Waller Creek Project, a flooding solution planned for eastern downtown.
The plans call for a 22-foot-wide, one-mile long underground tunnel to guide water from Waterloo Park into Lady Bird Lake.
To view the plan and to learn more about potential development in the area, visit this link: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/wallercreek/development.htm.
The community can share their ideas on the future of Waller Creek by filling out an online survey located here: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/wallercreek/survey.cfm
082 0 News: Jos. A. Bank to open Congress Avenue location
National men's clothing retailer Jos. A. Bank will open a location on Congress Avenue, making it the second national retailer to announce an Avenue shop in the past month.
The retailer is expected to open a 4,000-square-foot store by June in the first floor of the Koppel Building at 322 Congress Avenue, currently occupied by Volitant Gallery. This will be the fourth Austin-area location for Jos. A. Bank.
For Molly Alexander, Downtown Austin Alliance's Associate Director, Jos. A. Bank's announcement, which came on the heels of outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia's decision to move to Congress Avenue, shows a successful shift towards more retail on the Avenue.
"With that recent announcement, and the continued success of other Congress Avenue retailers, we clearly see that a quality mix of retail offerings is gaining momentum," Alexander said.
May 2 News: DOWNTOWN TV Show Receives Envision Central Texas 2008 Community Stewardship Award
http://envisioncentraltexas.org/pressreleasedetail.php?id=46
Envision Central Texas recognized the DOWNTOWN TV show, produced by the Downtown Austin Alliance, KLRU-TV and Action Figure, with the "Raising Public Awareness" Community Stewardship Award.
Throughout the past three seasons, DOWNTOWN on KLRU has tackled issues facing the country's fastest-growing city of its size: Austin, Texas. From segments on sustainability, to others celebrating the local businesses that help shape the city, the show aims to educate the 18-county area on the economic and ecological impacts of a dense urban core. The show reaches over 1.5 million viewers.
Envision Central Texas is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for change in the region's growth management strategies to advance Central Texas' Vision for the future. The organization advocates for multiple choices of transportation and housing, compact walkable communities in key nodes, abundant open spaces and recreation opportunities and a strong emphasis on social equity and preservation of our region's unique character and history.
The DAA would like to thank Envision Central Texas, our partners Action Figure and KLRU-TV, our members, sponsors and viewers. We would also like to congratulate and thank fellow nominees Katherine Gregor, writer for the Austin Chronicle, and The Hill Country Alliance Calendar for their leadership and positive community impact.
