As we’re traveling this week, below is what’s happening in downtown Austin.
1) ROMA’s density bonus proposal (a must read pdf) is getting lots of attention, especially the conversation surrounding the Warehouse District. Thanks to Miggy, M1EK, and Roger for the informed commentary.
Update: I encourage DAB readers take few minutes to familiarize themselves with ROMA’s proposal. Page 21 highlights gradually sloping height limits from neighborhood to core. The Warehouse District recommendations are a small component of a larger thought process. Equal attention could be paid to the 3:1 FAR recommendation for the Market District along Lamar. Philosophically, the entire proposal is still a “tax” on density in downtown Austin, which seems backwards to me.
2) The Austonian tops out. Did you know that you can now see the Austonian from four counties?
3) J Blacks’ menu gets some respect from Maggie’s Austin.
4) ThunderCloud will soon serve subs below 360.
Checkout Chris Bradford’s take on parking. This sensibility carries over into the discussion of ROMA’s recommendation for the Market District. In general, I respect the approach of gradually removing height limits as your approach the core, but the 3:1 FAR recommendation will simply ensure N. Lamar continues to look like Burnet Road, or Westheimer Road in Houston.
Like many decisions, this is a trade off. ROMA has been around long enough to understand what is politically viable, and I believe they are throwing a large bone to ANC/OWANA with this one, which is astute if they want to accomplish more aggressive density goals in the core.