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The Blight of Billboard Structures

by | April 18, 2009 |9 Comments

Gotta feel for this guy.  Billboard structures are a blight that affects ALL of us.  With large cylindrical steel or rotting wood supports, these ugly structures are designed to intercept our line of site without regard to its place in the neighborhood fabric.  Unlike buildings (which serve a fundamental need for shelter and receive scrutiny throughout the design phase) billboards structures like this can literally pop-up overnight.  The more invasive the structure, the more eyeballs it’s supposed to catch.

Operators like Lamar, Reagan, Clear Channel, et al, pretty well have a protected business that, ironically, was created out of the laws designed to curb signage.  It’s my understanding that no new billboards may be erected in Austin.  However, billboards may be moved around.  Take one down in order to put one up.   If it’s a commercially zoned property, then there are few restrictions.

It’s unfortunate that this particular billboard structure, so completely in your face and out of context, was installed next to Bridges On The Park – an outstanding condo development that is contextual to the area, utilized good materials, is not too large, is pedestrian friendly, and has welcoming retail on the ground floor.  Still, be on watch for the Statesman’s John Kelso grumpy hate brigade: “bourgeois condo owners get what’s coming to’em”

Sao Paulo decided to take ALL billboards down!

Where is Scenic Austin on this issue?

If you want to familiarize yourself with Austin’s sign ordinace, you can find it here.

-Jude

Filed Under: urban planning Tagged With: ,

New Ashton In Austin Website Teases Us

by | April 17, 2009 |4 Comments
Austin Ashton - Clubhouse Rendering

Austin Ashton - Living Room

Checkout the new website.   As of this posting you won’t find pricing, floor plans, or availability – stuff you want to know :-(

For that, you should stay tuned to Downtown Austin Blog as we continue to share the inside info on the Ashton.

-Jude

p.s. Send me an email me with your contact info and I’ll respond with a draft copy of the floor plans.

Filed Under: austin apartments, downtown austin, Real Estate Tagged With:

Walton's Fancy & Staple

by | April 17, 2009 |2 Comments
Waltons Fancy & Staple

Walton's Fancy & Staple

Downtown Austin Blog has been tracking Walton’s Fancy for some time. It’s good to see they are beginning to get the word out. Sandra Bullock is officially behind Walton’s. From the ABJ…

Bullock is bringing a neighborhood market called Walton’s Fancy & Staple to 609 W. Sixth St. Walton’s is her second downtown business. She opened her upscale comfort food-style restaurant, Bess Bistro on Pecan, a little more than two years ago

-Jude

Filed Under: downtown austin, Real Estate, small business Tagged With: ,

Golf Carts v Pedi-cabs

by | April 17, 2009 |4 Comments

KVUE.com is reporting that pedi-cab operators are none-to-thrilled about the fancy golf carts now competing with them for downtown Austin transportation.   Capital Cruises now has two golf carts moving people around town.  Next time you decide to walk, remember that you are competing with pedi-cabs.

Thanks to DANA’s Roger Cauvin for the tip!

Filed Under: austin transit, downtown austin, small business

A Vision For Rail

by | April 17, 2009 |1 Comment

Obama’s high speed rail initiative is being covered across the web today.  This is not surprising as informed Americans recognize that construction of more roads, along with the commensurate increase in cars for those roads, is the wrong path towards a sustainable and connected Union.

High speed rail is designed to be a substitute mode of travel within a defined economic corridor.  Air travel will remain the primary mode of transportation; however, rail system will be vastly more convenient and accessible for most people.  For instance, it will not require thousands of acres of scorched earth suburban development as airports do.  Rather, a train station, a single building, could be placed inside the urban core of the connecting cities.

Of course, it’s easy for me to be excited about this vision since Austin is one of those connected cities.  Notice the “fly over” states?  What is their incentive to support this vision?  Pheonix, Denver, and Las Vegas are three large cities that are NOT connected in this vision.  That’s a significant oversight, IMO.

-Jude

An American High Speed Rail System

Filed Under: austin transit, downtown austin, urban planning

City Hall Hosts A Candidate Forum Tonight

by | April 16, 2009 |Leave a Comment

The Ethics Review Commission will host a forum for candidates for Austin Mayor and City Council Places 1, 2, 5 and 6 on Thursday, April 16, 2009, from 6 to 9 p.m.

There have been several high profile forums, but expect all candidates to be in attendance here.

City of Austin Forum

Filed Under: downtown austin Tagged With:

Chris Riley Has Broad Support Throughout Austin

by | April 15, 2009 |1 Comment
Chris Riley For Austin City Council Place 1

Chris Riley For Austin City Council Place 1

DANA board member Greg Anderson - “I think out of all the candidates running, Chris best understands the problems which we as a society are facing. Chris understands the need for sustainable communities: walkable, dense and vibrant places where there are options other than driving.”

Chris Riley continues to pick up a breadth of community support: Burnt Orange Report, Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, and NOKOA The Observer have all recently announced their support of Chris.  These are in addition to being endorsed by the majority of Democratic clubs, local public safety unions, as well as numerous other civic organizations and community groups.

www.ChrisForAustin.com.

Filed Under: city council, downtown austin Tagged With: ,

Bones Rolling in Downtown Austin

by | April 15, 2009 |1 Comment
Downtown Austin Bone Bike

Did anyone else see this last night? Don’t know who Austin Bike Zoo put it together, but it’s pretty cool!

Downtown Austin Bone Bike

Downtown Austin Bone Bike

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Austin photos, images, downtown austin, entertainment district Tagged With:

Downtown Austin Images: Amazing Panorama

by | April 14, 2009 |1 Comment

Kudos to Alex (TXAlex) over at the skyscraperpage forums for this work.  Photo was taken on Easter Sunday.

The detail is uncanny. The original version is pretty big, so click the image to get to flickr, then click on the image again to get the full size.

Downtown Austin Panorama

Downtown Austin Panorama

Filed Under: Austin photos, images, downtown austin

Downtown Austin's Hideout Theater Offers Improv Classes

by | April 14, 2009 |1 Comment
Hideout Theater on Congress Ave

Hideout Theater on Congress Ave

Hideout Theater Offers Improv Classes (link).  You can register for a six week workshop beginning May 11th.  Class is conveniently scheduled in the evenings.

We’ve seen several shows at the Hideout.  It’s easy to walk to and you can drink beer during the show.  Perfect, right?  If you want to see what improv is all about, then checkout Double Barrel this Friday @ 8pm.

-Jude

Filed Under: downtown austin, life, small business
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