downtown Austin's real estate and neighborhood blog
Vote yes for funding the Waller Creek Tunnel Project
http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/view/1309
Then, please vote yes for funding Phase II expansion of the MetroRail*
http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/view/1186
*M1EK, “I have a dream!” 
link to Stimulus Watch
KVUE and FOX 7 news are reporting that the Public Safety Task Force is proposing to cut down on Downtown crime by… get ready for it… adding more light. 
This is a misguided effort to thwart a much bigger problem.
There is a BIG elephant in the room, and it’s called the ARCH. Drug dealers come from all over the city and prey on those with addiction and/or have mental illness.
According to the article, “Austin police call the area bordered by 8th, 6th, Red River and Trinity, a hotspot for crime. Forty-two percent of all drug arrests in downtown happen here.” Adding more street lamps is only going to disperse the problem, and will make the understaffed police force’s job more difficult!
As I’ve said before, the ARCH doesn’t belong across from a major liquor store and a block from Austin’s biggest party – Sixth Street. The way to cut down on crime in Downtown Austin is to: 1) expand the day-time uses of the historic Sixth street buildings, east of Neches St. 2) move the ARCH and its support services away from Sixth Street – though, NOT out of Downtown 3) Revitalize Waller Creek, because right now drug dealing and drug use is hidden from view below the banks of the creek.
Yes, the ARCH should remain Downtown. Doing so relegates to ‘bunk’ status the argument which demands the ARCH remain centrally located, and the NIMBY-ism arguments against moving the ARCH at all. Downtown Austin is a big place with plenty of under-utilized land and buildings.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv–5rKnMJs]
Nice example of urban hackery. Yesterday, months of planning came through with an Improv Everywhere-esque human freeze at Whole Foods. This is why I love Austin (and Whole Foods)… from the Flash Mob Austin blog…
“Can we just do a quick shout-out to Whole Foods and their Lamar/ Flagship crew? They were such good sports! They could have very easily gotten annoyed and angry and demanded that we leave, but they were super cool with it. Huge kudos goes out to Whole Foods security, managers, and food staff on the salad bar side of the store. Thanks for not calling the police! Oh, and thanks so much to those who grabbed some lunch there or bought some groceries after you unfroze!”
Video of the Flash Mob @ Whole Foods
Flash Mob Wiki
If you live in Downtown Austin, or have an interest in its growth, then you should consider joining DANA. The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Assocition recently transitioned its leadership team. Outgoing President Marshall Jones remains on the board, while Jamie LaGarde takes his new role as President. Marshall has been President of DANA for the past two years. This is a tireless and, often, thankless job. Of course, these positions are volunteer without pay. Marshall always had the ability to approach political challenges with grace and class. I can comforatbly speak for all DANA members when I thank him for his commitment to making DANA the knowledgeable, influential, and social organization it is today. With over 1,000 members and growing, Marshall and the presidents that preceded him can be proud of what they’ve created.
Leaving the board is Jim Furrow and Michael McGill, though each will remain active DANA members, and you can expect they will continue to be vocal stakeholders in the Downtown community.
Welcome the new DANA Board:
Jamie LaGarde – President (Austin City Lofts)
Roger Cauvin – Vice President (Plaza Lofts)
Randy Hammelman – Treasurer
Lindsay Wiebrand – Secretary (Gables West)
Larry Schooler (404 Rio Grande)
Bill McCann (360)
Greg Anderson (360)
Josh Allen
Will Steakley (360)
Jude Galligan *your’s truly* (Sabine on 5th)
Marshall Jones (Five Fifty 5)
David Weaver (Plaza Lofts)
Shayama Golden (Railyard)
According to an email I received this morning from the developer, Spring condominiums will complete it’s vertical construction soon and is on pace to be ready for move in by this summer. Word on the street is Spring has more than 60% of the units under contract.
From the announcement…
“Expect to see a tree on the top of Spring Condominium soon. The tree is a tradition, symbolizing a building has reached the top floor of its construction. Spring’s glass envelope will also soon be complete. Once the painters have completed the exterior color coating, most of the tower’s exterior elements will be complete.
Interior work continues with installations of finishes reaching level 25. Over 400 workers are on-site working simultaneously on all aspects of the construction of Spring. From work on the structure to installations of glass windows and walls, flooring, tile, cabinetry, electrical and mechanical to the finalization of the pool deck and lobby design, Spring’s team is combining efforts to complete the building by Summer 2009.“
