Archives for July 2009

Concerts In The Park

Jude Galligan | July 20, 2009 |

Yesterday evening Amber, Jeff, and I decided to head over to the Long Center’s lawn to listen to a string ensemble. The Austin Symphony’s Concert In The Park series was covering several movie themes. The Hartman Family Foundation’s support of the Austin Symphony subsidizes the entire series. Arriving at 7pm with folding chairs and cooler in hand, we claimed a patch of real estate and settled in. With downtown Austin as the backdrop and a nice breeze crossing the lawn, this is a terrific way to spend a Sunday evening.

New Parking Meters In Downtown Austin

Jude Galligan | July 17, 2009 |

The City of Austin has posted a video of the new parking meters with instructions on how to use them. The kiosk style meters are solar powered and accept credit cards – nice! I’ve always believed the mechanical parking meters contributed to urban blight in a small way. I also make a point to never carry change so the credit card option will be very useful.

-Jude

Sage Austin Condos Going To Auction

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2009 |

[non-downtown news]

I just learned that the Sage condos on South Lamar (about a mile south of Alamo Ritz) will be auctioned off on Saturday, August 22nd by J.P. King. This is the second auction announcement this week as the Bel Air condos on South Congress will go to auction on Sunday, August 9th.

The Sage has 32 units total, 24 will be auctioned, 10 will be sold through absolute auction (i.e. without reserve). It is a great time to be a buyer. Details on previewing access and opening bids are sparse. More to come.

-Jude

Reburbia – A Suburban Design Competition

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2009 |

This is interesting. How would you re-envision Americas suburbs?

“In a future where limited natural resources will force us to find better solutions for density and efficiency, what will become of the cul-de-sacs, cookie-cutter tract houses and generic strip malls that have long upheld the diffuse infrastructure of suburbia?”

Anyone can enter the competition. Entries must be submitted by August 1st.

Re-Burbia website

904 West Ave Details Emerging

Jude Galligan | July 16, 2009 |

Yesterday, I received more details about the downtown Austin apartment-to-condo conversion at 904 West Ave. They managed to squeeze 33 units into their plan: 31 one-bedrooms and two commercial spaces. The units begin at 429sf and increase in size to [a sprawling] 744sf. The target average price is close to $360/ft and an average unit cost of $220,000 +/-. Here is an example of a floor plan.

I’m skeptical about these prices. Buyers have other less expensive options in central Austin neighborhoods. For instance, at 2020 condos on South Congress, a similar apartment-to-condo conversion originally constructed in the 1960s, units can be had for $99,000. Though quality issues have been rumored at 2020 Congress.

To be fair, the rendering indicates 904 West Ave is aiming high in terms of design and I haven’t seen any details on the finish outs. I’m looking forward to seeing more from 904 West Ave.

-Jude