downtown Austin's real estate and neighborhood blog
The ABJ is reporting that the planned expansion of Stubbs in downtown Austin is inching forward.
“Austin City Council approved Stubb’s request to waive on-site parking requirements, with the exception of handicap parking, and to become classified as an outdoor entertainment venue.”…”The expansion will add 4,295 square feet to the restaurant, 6,445 square feet to an outdoor concert amphitheater, and a new 35,753 square feet indoor auditorium.”
From the Spring 2009 Waller Creek newsletter:
Early tunnel activities, which included survey work, geotechnical studies, physical modeling, and public outreach, have drawn to a close. The project has entered into the final design.
The design phase is expected to continue through January 2010 and will be followed by a bid and award phase, when the City seeks contractors to do the construction work. Actual construction is expected to begin in 2010 and be completed in 2014.
Design of this large project is separated into distinct sections, including:
• A Parks and Recreation Department boat house adjacent to Lady Bird Lake
• The tunnel
• The inlet
• The outlet
• Two creekside inlets located between 4th and 5th, and 8th and 9th Streets.
A 3 hour public meeting to discuss downtown Austin’s Waller Creek District Master Plan will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in Ballroom C of the Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez Street. The meeting will include a presentation of existing Waller Creek conditions and a brief presentation of the flood control project. In addition, the Consultant will lead a general discussion of the community’s desires for activities along the Creek and within the District, potential character, and private development along the Creek.
-Jude
You can download a pdf of the Waller Creek newsletter here
Now this is an example of a inclusive mayoral campaign. Brewster McCracken has launched “Ideas for Austin” – a website that works much like digg.com – visitors can suggest city initiatives and vote on their importance. What’s interesting is that ANYONE can participate. Including those supporting Lee Leffingwell or Carole Strayhorn. We can all agree that it gets old being pandered to by our politicians. This is one of the most progressive platform tools I’ve seen. The City of Austin should take notes and provide the citizens a site this well done.
-Jude
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend walk on over to Sixth Street’s old Pecan Street Festival. Let’s see if I can recall the old street names…. 5th Street used to be “Pine”, 4th used to be “Cedar”, 7th used to be “Bois de Arc”. Check out this old map of downtown Austin for more.
You know that house on the south bank of the lake, just west of and next to I35? It’s on the top of the hill? You’ve undoubtedly seen it if you’ve been to the dog park on Riverside Drive.
That’s the Norwood House in Travis Heights, and it needs your help.
The first time you look at that house you ask yourself, WTF? “Look at that view of downtown Austin… how could this house be allowed to deteriorate?” The answer: the City of Austin purchased it in 1985.
Ironically, in a city that’s known for having a plan for everything, including making plans, the city didn’t have a plan for this.
Originally constructed in 1922 by Ollie and Calie Norwood, the house quickly became one of Austin’s most notable residences. Here you can see the house in its glory days. Tennis courts, tea gardens, and a dramatic view across the river (it wasn’t a lake at the time) of downtown Austin. Ollie Norwood is the name behind downtown Austin’s Norwood Tower.
The house has been examined and can be saved. The Austin Parks Foundation is partnering with a group of activists called the “Norwood Posse” to raise funds to rehabilitate the house. Since the house is part of Austin’s park system, its use must be open to the public. If you would like more information, or to contribute to Norwood House’s rehabilitation you can contact Wolf Sittler at 447-2150, email restorenorwood [@] yahoo.com, or visit AustinParks.org.
-Jude
