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Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin

by | May 23, 2012 |2 Comments
Rainey Street Pier Core Health

The focus is on inclusion.  That’s what Nicole Harmon of Core Health Foundation, a non-profit spin-off of Core Health (a for-profit facility focusing on rehabilitation of those suffering with brain injuries), tells me. The project is a fishing pier, located on the northern shore of Lady Bird Lake, just south of the Holiday Inn off I-35 in the Rainey Street District.  The project has been in the works for over 8-years, but was officially approved in 2010, and construction is expected to be complete in 2013.   And while the driver and primary purpose of this project is for [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, austin neighborhoods, austin parks, Austin photos, images, development, downtown austin, Downtown Austin Districts, lady bird lake, life, life in austin, miscellaneous, Rainey Street District, Real Estate, urban family

O. Henry Pun Off at Brush Square Park in Downtown Austin May 19th

by | May 17, 2012 |1 Comment
O. Henry Pun Off Austin Texas

Yes. Yes, O. yes.  It’s that time again, folks.  Time for the 35th annual O. Henry Pun Off.  Taking place this Saturday (May 19th, 2012) at the O. Henry Museum (adjacent to Brush Square), this delightful competition celebrates the pun with two separate competitions – Punniest in Show and Punslingers.

However, a video is worth a million words – so, check out some of these punny finals videos from previous years: [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin art, austin history, austin lifestyle, austin news, austin parks, austin recreation, downtown austin

New Oil & Vinegar Retail Concept Opening Across from The W in Downtown Austin

by | May 7, 2012 |4 Comments
Owners Jeff & Tabatha Conarko

A unique boutique is opening its second location on May 10th, 2012, right across the street from The W Hotel and Residences on Lavaca (the first location is in The Arboretum, and opened in 2009) in Downtown Austin.  No, it’s not another fancy dress store or whimsical gift shop.  This time, it’s a niche [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2nd Street District, austin lifestyle, austin neighborhoods, austin retail, austin small business, downtown austin, life, life in austin, retail, small business

Artwork By Mike Johnston (The Day I Found Treasure At Austin Java)

by | April 10, 2012 |9 Comments
mike-johnston-austin-3

mike johnston artist at Austin Java

On Saturday, I walked into Austin Java on 2nd Street, ’bout to get my omelet on.  Chillaxin.  There I was, standing in line, just looking around, and I realize that every piece of art work on the walls is making an impact on me.

A flyer taped to the wall explained most of the artwork was by Mike Johnston.  Life surprised me with these paintings.  All of them bringing a smile to my face.  They put a skip into my step.  14 pieces in total.  Each is repurposed scrap wood.

I purchased every piece in the store.

I couldn’t carry everything home, so I walked home beaming at my purchase, and returned later to pick up my treasure.

“Street art” is one of my favorite visual mediums. Bold, unexpected, high-contrast, ironic, symbolic, stylized, comical, etc.  Some of my favorite “public art” is found on the Lady Bird Lake train overpass, the Lamar underpass, the wall on Castle Hill, the wall on E 5th Street near Saltillo Station.

I’ve seen Exit Through The Gift Shop, and am basically familiar with the work of Shepard Fairey and Banksy.  Which makes me no more than a casual fan of a couple of notable artists.

I didn’t know about Mike until walking into Austin Java, and that’s part of what made this such a nice discovery.  I’m excited to have a collection of local art work that totally vibes with me.  I look at it and smile.

As I research and learn more about Mike and his work the more happy I am to be the newest host of these paintings – which will probably be on the walls of our soon-to-be-redone office (you should stop by in a few weeks to check it out).  Until then, check out more of Mike’s work here.

http://www.offthawalls.blogspot.com

-Jude

Filed Under: 2nd Street District, austin art, austin lifestyle, austin small business, DAB Artists, downtown austin, Downtown Austin Districts Tagged With:

Coming Soon: The Changing Face Of The Railyard District

by | March 21, 2012 |15 Comments
westlake dermatology downtown austin

Let it be known as the Railyard District, that part of downtown Austin, south of 5th Street and sandwiched between Congress Ave and the Austin Convention Center.  You could straddle the convention center and include the area east, around Moonshine, too.

It’s an interesting mix of conventioneers and locals, both feeding on chicken and waffles at Max’s Wine Dive.

For decades, the district has been anchored by the Railyard condos, and recently flanked by the Four Seasons.  Soon, these will not be the only full time residences.

In the past couple of years we’ve seen improvements and new businesses open in the neighborhood, including AF1 Racing, Vince Young Steakhouse, Hank’s Garage (which is gone), and Skinny’s Ballroom.

Walking around a post-SXSW absent is the hyper-pedestrianism of the past 10 days, and I observe a “coming soon” sign.  I see more as I keep walking.  In one lap around the Railyard district, I counted nine businesses or projects “coming soon”!

Nine!

What’s COMING SOON to the Railyard District?   [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin apartments, austin lifestyle, austin neighborhoods, Austin photos, images, austin small business, development, downtown austin, Downtown Austin Districts, Railyard District, Real Estate, urban planning

How cool it is to live downtown?

by | March 11, 2012 |10 Comments
frost ipad screen saver sharp

This picture captures so much of the vibrancy of our growing downtown. The photographer, friend David Gottlieb, has one of the best vantage points in the city: Spring condos.

The influx of people for SXSW – traffic be damned – reminds me of what a 24/7 vibrant city looks and feels like.  And, we’re getting there.  Checkout an even cooler picture…

[Read more...]

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, Austin photos, images, Austin Views, downtown austin Tagged With:

Street Patio Experiment: Congress Ave @ Royal Blue Grocery

by | March 7, 2012 |6 Comments
1 royal blue street patio

I love this idea for downtown Austin.  Convert two duck-in parking spaces in front of Royal Blue Grocery on Congress Ave, in order to improve the pedestrian experience and create a retail destination.

“Street patios” have been implemented before in other cities, successfully, under the badge of “parklet” or “pop-up” cafe.

Upon approval by Council, later this month, the initiative would be a partnership between the City of Austin and Royal Blue Grocery, with design coming from Studio DWG and civil engineering firm Big Red Dog.

The street patio in front of Royal Blue Grocery is just a trial run.  If successful we could see more street patios in other parts of downtown.  The results should provide more space for pedestrians and a cafe sitting area, similar to Jos on 2nd Street.  WIN!

More pics after the jump.   [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, austin parks, austin retail, austin small business, Congress Avenue District, downtown austin

Downtown Austin Above The Clouds

by | February 14, 2012 |11 Comments
Downtown Austin Clouds

Downtown Austin CloudsThis morning’s cloud cover, captured by David Gottlieb.  Thanks, David!

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, Austin photos, images

Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

by | December 16, 2011 |3 Comments
sabine street promenade

Another win for Austin and a much needed boost for the neighborhood surrounding E. 6th Street.

Back in September, DAB stopped just shy of begging readers to weigh in on CAMPO’s survey of the public about which projects should be awarded grants; specifically, advocating support for granting funds to Austin bike share and streetscape improvements to Sabine and E 6th Street.  Yesterday, we were excited to learn that CAMPO approved funding for Austin bike share system.

CAMPO has also awarded $2.7 million for the construction of a Sabine Street promenade, that will involve the development of sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian amenities between downtown Austin’s 4th and 7th Streets.

sabine street promenade

This idea was originally framed as part of the implementation of the Waller Creek District Master Plan.  It progressed last year as the mobility bond package was approved by voters, and the Sabine Street promenade was bundled with improvements planned for “dirty 6ixth”, ostensibly to provide connectivity between Waller Creek and Congress Ave by way of Austin’s most historic street. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 6th Street Historic & Entertainment District, austin lifestyle, downtown austin, waller creek

10 Minutes From Rainey Street

by | October 20, 2011 |3 Comments
Starting In Rainey Street, How Far Can You Go In 10 Minutes?

Starting in downtown Austin’s Rainey Street neighborhood, we approximate the distance we can travel by foot, by bike, or by car in 10 minutes.

You can try it, too, after the jump.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, austin transit, life in austin, Rainey Street District, urban planning
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