Closed Downtown Austin recycling center lot to be developed by 70 Rainey developer
Ecology Action of Texas announced back in June that the downtown recycling center — at 707 East 9th Street — would close at the end of September.
What’s more interesting for some than the center closing is what’s possibly in store.
Travis County records indicate the property was sold in May to an entity called Waller Creek Development LLC. The company, according to web searches, was formed in April this year, and is managed by James Hefelfinger of Sackman Enterprises.
Sackman Enterprises is also developing the 70 Rainey condos.
The East 9th Street property is capped by a Capitol View Corridor, but with Sackman staking a claim in Rainey Street, expect something very interesting to come that is complementary to Waller Creek corridor redevelopment.
Filling station at 10th & Lamar sold by Travis County
The Travis County Commissioner’s Court has approved selling the gas station used to fill county vehicles to a developer.
Sam Kumar, founder and president of the construction firm Journeyman, told the Austin-American Statesman he plans to build a small office space and three or four condominium apartments at the property.
Although not a huge project, it’s a welcome addition to liven up the North Lamar corridor downtown. The property has been underutilized since the urban renaissance of downtown Austin, and left in rather dingy status by Travis County.
Block 87 — at Trinity and Seventh — as massive mixed-use development
Very exciting news broke this week, the long-blighted parking lot owned by the Episcopal Church, is being marketing for a bold new vision.
Specifically, the Church is looking for a partner to develop Block 87 as part of a 600,000 square feet tower of office, residential, retail uses, generous parking, and the Archives of The Episcopal Church.
The lot at Trinity and Seventh streets was bought by the Episcopal Church in 2009, and sits across the street from the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH).
The Church first planned a 70,000-square-foot, five-story archive building, a garage and limited ground-floor retail.. However, in 2011, it was reported that Church funds were diverted to assist in global disasters, and the lot has since sat untouched.
Sadly, derelict surface parking lots and adjacent homeless resource centers don’t exactly create welcoming environments downtown. The community should be extremely supportive and optimistic that this project will get off the ground, sooner than later.
Villas on Town Lake HOA contemplates redevelopment
The HOA controlling the two acre site that is home to the Villas on Town Lake condos, located at 80 Red River Street, is availing themselves to proposals from potential buyers. The 58 unit condo, built in 1982, is situated along Waller Creek. According to the article, 80% of the ownership would need to approve any proposal.
The development regulations for properties within the Austin Waterfront Overlay, which this site is part of, are historically contentious and could impact what is feasible.
