Jude Galligan

Gang Of Female Bandits Preying On Men

Jude Galligan | December 10, 2008 |

A buddy of mine just sent me this link to an article about a “Gang Of Female Bandits Preying On Men” on 6th street. The title roped me in and it just got better from there.

“At this point, it’s 5:30 in the morning. I know who I am. So I hitchhike all the way back to my apartment, about three miles. And I’m going into my building and, because it was such an obscure hour, I needed my building ID, so I get my wallet out and I realize it’s been completely rifled through. And so that was really my heads-up.”

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Pics of commuter rail at downtown station

Jude Galligan | December 10, 2008 |

by jude galligan

This past Sunday I caught an impromptu glance at the Commuter Rail Train parked at the downtown station. Up close, the trains are beautiful. Compared to a subway train, or if you’ve ever seen the NJ-transit trains, Austin’s commuter rail looks like a Mercedes. When I arrived, there were about 25 CapMetro workers milling about. I tried to discretely walk into the train but was cut off by an official looking guy. Still i managed to grab some pics where you can see the interior. Looks pretty cool!

Austin Commuter Rail - Downtown Austin Station

One thing I am disappointed with is the gazebos. They’re small, don’t protect from the elements, and are fire-engine red. We spend millions of dollars on a train and get these crummy gazebos. The service won’t officially start until March, but it’s good to see this thing moving. From my window, I can see it going by and it is very quiet.

More pics after the jump!

Paradox and Planeta are SHUT DOWN!

Jude Galligan | December 5, 2008 |

by jude galligan

Bye bye Paradox! Dont let the door hit ya! — Bye bye Paradox! Don't let the door hit ya!

For months there have been rumors that Tim Finley would not renew the leases for night clubs Paradox and Planeta. According to the Austin Police Department Downtown Area Command, Tim Finley officially terminated their leases yesterday.

[update] Through the grapevine, I’m being told that Finley is not in a big rush to find a replacement tenant, and he is not inclined to install another bar. The building is actually pretty nice once all of the black plexiglass peels off. This weekend I’ll try to find some old photos of the building and hopefully put together some history. The intersection of 5th (formerly Pine St) and Trinity is one of the very few instances in Austin where each building, on each corner, was built before 1940.

[Part two] City of Austin v. Harry Whittington: the saga of a parking garage

Jude Galligan | December 5, 2008 |

by jude galligan

Who has legal claim to the Convention Cener parking garage? The City of Austin or Harry Whittington? — Who has legal claim to the Convention Center parking garage? The City of Austin or Harry Whittington?

Part one begins here.

In 2003 Harry Whittington begins to win. But, the City is proving to be just as stubborn with their appeals – just as Whittington had been between 2000-2003.

Whittington has postured himself along the following legal issues
1)    originally, the condemnation was incorrectly processed
2)    on the second condemnation attempt, the City did not properly condemn the alley
3)    the City hasn’t demonstrated the condemnation was done out of necessity for a public purpose
4)    the City already has parking on 2nd & Trinity and the new parking lot and (later) chiller system are intended to benefit private sector, beginning with the new Hilton hotel, and specifically future developers

Chronology of events from 2003 to 2007 begins after the jump.

City of Austin v. Harry Whittington: the saga of a parking garage

Jude Galligan | December 4, 2008 |

17,000 square feet of empty retail space rests at the base of the Convention Center’s parking garage. This retail space has the potential to add vibrancy and day time services to the Entertainment District. This is the only retail space within a few hundred feet of the 555, the Sabine on 5th, the Hilton, the Hilton Garden Inn, and the Convention Center. So, why hasn’t this space been filled?

After the jump: Part 1 of the chronology of City of Austin v. Harry Whittington
[Read more…] about City of Austin v. Harry Whittington: the saga of a parking garage