Archives for November 2008

Progress Coffee keeps it real – Thursday Nov. 20th

Jude Galligan | November 19, 2008 |

Joshua Bingaman is an entrepreneur who really, truly, understands how to create a culture around his business. Click above image for more details. Quoting directly…

“So on Thursday, November 20th, everything we brew, bake, heat or fix at Progress will be FREE. Gratis. Complimentary (with our compliments, of course).
…
“In return, all I ask is that you consider contributing whatever you can to Bread for the World and/or Capital Area Food Bank. Any amount (or no amount) is fine, whatever you’re comfortable with a penny, a buck, a hundred bucks- cash, credit, check or change Progress will take it and donate it all. And if you can’t or just don’t want to contribute, no worries—it’s certainly not a requirement (and nobody will look at you funny).”

[Progress Coffee]

Build or Bust? Fact or Fiction? Downtown Austin Condos

Jude Galligan | November 19, 2008 |

You might have seen this article recently. It’s an interesting read. Filled with quotes and bold statements. You might have also seen my recent article about the actual number of dwellings in Downtown Austin. As your loyal Downtown Austin Realtor (plug!), I thought I would dissect this article and give you the scoop from the trenches of Downtown Austin Real Estate.

I’m going to cut/paste a handful of quotes from the article, and then explain if that quote is, generally speaking, true or false. Let’s begin…

“If people are waiting for the crash to come and for people to give away condos downtown, it’s not going to happen,” Spring developer, Perry Lorenz

Know the truth after the jump!

'Rural Density' – Is this the beginning?

Jude Galligan | November 18, 2008 |

One of several designs for Brad Kittels Tiny Texas House — One of several designs for Brad Kittel's Tiny Texas House

I think many downtown residents, musicians, artists, and anyone searching for something off the beaten path will appreciate this. Brad Kittel constructs and sells period-style dwellings — dubbed Tiny Texas Houses because they range from 100 to 500 square feet — as an answer to sprawling mansions and the myriad forms of exorbitance that come with them. (source: Statesman). Prices range from $40-90k.

Brad uses mostly reclaimed materials included siding, flooring, windows, hardware, and fixtures. You can see photos of his workshop on his website. The period-style dwellings are, in fact, modular and therefore could appeal to those already interested in the modular concepts of Rocio Romero or local firm KRDB’s Ma Modular.

[original article] [tiny texas homes]

The Patagonia Welcome Wagon

Jude Galligan | November 17, 2008 |

Patagonia is a welcome addition to Downtown Austin

This past weekend, Downtown Austin’s newest retailer, Patagonia, officially opened its doors. Located at 316 Congress Ave (map), Patagonia is a milestone in the revitalization of Congress Ave by bringing 7,000 square feet of outdoor clothing that Austinites seem to love. I make an effort to support businesses that make Downtown a better neighborhood. So, even though you might be spending less this holiday season, you should consider making the effort to spend that money at local small businesses and businesses that are revitalizing downtown.

According to the Statesman article, the store has shower facilities and bike accommodations for employees, supporting alternative commuting strategies and healthier lifestyles. Cool!

The DAA, and specifically Linda Asaf, need to be acknowledged here. They are working behind the scenes to help bring new retail, and new life, to Congress Ave. I am encouraged by property owners beginning to see the light, and investing in long term leases with credit tenants.

Downtown Austin Parking + the most interesting presentation on parking in the history of the world.

Jude Galligan | November 16, 2008 |

The most interesting presentation about parking in the history of the world (pdf).

(Okay, this is about parking so it’s dry as your grandmothers turkey. But, in the world of parking, this is a home run presentation. I’ve heard from DANA board members that Patrick Siegman, the guy who wrote the presentation, is an amazing speaker on the topic of parking and new urbanism.)

I’ll help out… below are three major reforms that could be applied to Downtown Austin parking.

1. Charge fair-market prices for curb parking
2. Spend the resulting revenue to pay for neighborhood public improvements
3. Remove the requirements for off-street parking

Over the past 48 hours there’s been lots of discussion over at Austin Contrarian about parking issues. This is encouraging because sometimes I wonder if our citizens recognize the immense impact that parking guidelines have on the look and feel of our city. Downtown Austin apartments, condos, and retail are putting more stress on the availability of [convenient] parking. Parking has a causal relationship with keeping cars on the road, walkability, and overall neighborhood-ness.

In October I was fortunate to be included in a delegation of Austinites sent to Vancouver in order to learn about how they’ve managed rapid growth and become one of the most admired cities in the world. One of their council members, Gordon Price, delivered one of the most impassioned orations about smart urban planning. He made one particular comment that struck me…

“Show me your parking ordinance, and I’ll show you what your city looks like!”

Personally, this was a revelation. Will Austin City Council adopt new parking rules that will encourage use of mass transit and walkability? I hope so. The alternative is more cars, more roads, and more scorched earth strip malls.