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Why It’s Bull****: The Waller Creek Tunnel Inlet Is Too Tall

Jude Galligan | July 7, 2014 |

Had the weekend to catch up on some old news, and this issue of the Waller Creek Tunnel inlet being too tall smelled foolish from the first I heard about it.

Kudos to the Statesman’s Sarah Coppola for the revealing a potential $45mm fix to reduce the height of the Waller Creek Tunnel Inlet would be wasted money since the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is already blocking the view.

Say what?! That’s right. “Fixing” the inlet structure to be fully compliant with the CVC will not regain any view! An existing government building is blocking the view already.

The Waller Creek Tunnel Inlet is under construction in Waterloo Park. This is the business end of the tunnel construction which was on target for completion in mid-2015.

It was almost two years when the tunnel’s under ground dig was passing beneath the Sabine.

I remain optimistic that elected officials at the local and state level will apply reason, rather than force the taxpayers to pay to bring the inlet into CVC “compliance.”

source: Statesman.com

Filed Under: downtown austin, waller creek

Where to Watch the World Cup – Downtown Austin Sports Bars

AG | June 25, 2014 |

I’m not real into soccer.  Matter of fact, first soccer game I ever watched was Sunday’s World Cup Match between the USA and Portugal.  What an exciting game, though!  I literally stood up and cheered when the US made that second goal, and then I moaned and beseeched the soccer gods when Portugal scored to tie.

It was enough to get me excited about the upcoming match against zee Germans, happening this Thursday at 11am (tomorrow!).  But, where to watch this epic game in downtown Austin?  I have a couple of  suggestions.

1. Liberty Tavern, in the Hilton Downtown: 500 E 4th

Liberty-Tavern-Bar
photo by Diana Nogueira

Remodeled in 2012, with 11 big screens, and an airy and spacious atmosphere. Great local beers, and ample breakfast / lunch food. Extremely convenient for those living in the 5 Fifty-Five Condos or Sabine Condos in downtown Austin.

liberty-tavern-interior

For the World Cup, they’ve also added a 16’x9′ Jumbo HD screen!

liberty-tavern-big-screen
photo by Diana Nogueira

And drink specials galore, including $2 Lonestars!

liberty-tavern-world-cup-specials

2. Takoba (downtown adjacent), 1411 E. 7th

Exterior
Parking
Secondary Entrance – where the big screen is!
Big Screen + Nice and Dark
Main Bar
Outdoor Screen
  • 112″ indoor projector screen
  • 75″ TV outside
  • covered outdoor seating / misters
  • $15 buckets a beer

Need I say more?

3. The Mohawk, 912 Red River

Mohawk Exterior
Inside big screen with surround sound
Second TV in Bar Area
Green Room Upstairs

The Mohawk has multiple screens, including an indoor screen with surround sound, along with beers and bubbles, and noshes by Frank.  Nice dark and cool atmosphere for the big screen area, too!

Don’t like any of my suggestions?  Check out a more comprehensive list from Austin Culture Map, which includes my top three, plus other downtown venues like Russian House, Holy Mountain, Fado, and Bar 96, plus places in other parts of the city.

Filed Under: around town, austin bars, austin lifestyle, austin restaurant reviews, downtown austin, life in austin

Dog Houses: Downtown Austin’s Top 3 Condos For Dog Lovers

AG | June 12, 2014 |

blog-looking-cuteEvery morning, when I am walking my little canine creature, Blog (pictured left) – I see many of my neighbors walking their dogs, too.  It’s part of the culture of Austin, a place where we celebrate dog friendly restaurants, and where dog owners create public outcry when the city makes changes to off-leash park space.

So, it should come as no surprise that most downtown Austin’s highrises are pet-friendly.  However, there are a couple of towers that go a little above and beyond when it comes to our four-legged friends.  Here are some of my favorite downtown condos for the dog lover.

The Austonian

We know, we know, the Austonian is pretty much great at everything.  This fabulous, well-located, luxury condo complex boasts several high-end amenities.  But, for the dog loving resident, the amenities for man’s best friend are pretty great.  They not only have an 600 sf outdoor dog park on their 10th floor, but an adjacent indoor dog grooming room – right on site!  Check out the pics below.

Section One of The Dog Run at The Austonian
Section Two of The Dog Run at The Austonian
Section Two (from another angle) of The Dog Run at The Austonian
Dog Grooming Room at The Austonian
Dog Grooming Room at The Austonian
Dog Grooming Room at The Austonian
Dog Grooming Room at The Austonian

The 360 Condos

Dog run at The 360
Dog run created from under-utilized space at the 360 condos

A signature building of downtown Austin’s renaissance, the 360 Condos is in the heart of downtown. While easily accessible to Shoal Creek, with 430 units served by 4 elevator bays, the wait for an elevator may at times make a harried pet owner a bit nervous.

The 360 condos HOA got creative and transformed some underutilized garage space on the 4th floor into a very nice dog run, open 24/7! Very helpful for a pet owner in a hurry or a pet with a late night emergency!

Bonus points to the 360 for having a Royal Blue Grocery on its ground level – makes buying healthy dog treats very convenient!


Tie: Milago Condos / Villas On Town Lake

The Rainey Street district condos have what few other downtown Austin condos have, which is direct access to a plethora of green space, and even better, the hike & bike trail.  And, with the new boardwalk opening, you can get more excited to head east for that lap around the lake with your beloved Fido.

Additionally, according to their newsletter, Milago also just recently added a special pet corridor on the northwest side of their building.

To a dog, there’s just no substitute for a walk outside, but be careful on the hot concrete in the summer.

The Villas’ “backyard”
Green space at the Mexican American Cultural Center
The entrance to Lady Bird Lake, easily accessible through the MACC public parking lot

The benefits of dedicated dog “runs” like the 360 condos and Austonian have is not only a positive for your pets, but also these amenities provide residents with a safe onsite place for owners to walk their dogs during the night hours.  They are also convenient alternatives to the dwindling places dog owners have around their neighborhood to take their dogs out when nature calls, and they also lessen the impact on our communal park spaces.

Is your building especially dog friendly? Let us know what makes it so!

-A

p.s. if you’re planning on getting a dog or pet you should absolutely first look to Austin Pets Alive.
p.p.s. And now, just because we can – some gifs of some happy dogs.

Filed Under: downtown austin

2014 Downtown Living Tour – Showcasing Downtown Austin Condos

AG | May 7, 2014 |

The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA) is holding their 10th Annual Downtown Living Tour, featuring some great downtown Austin condos for sale on Sunday, June 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

BUYTICKETS

Walk to a nearby food truck for lunch or pop into a few boutiques between seeing the city’s best examples of urban living spaces. Complimentary, air-conditioned shuttles will take attendees from one stop to the next, while booze and bites will be provided at tour stops along the way.

Some interesting tour stops this year include The Shore Condos, 360 Condos, The Sabine, Villas on Town Lake, and Capital Studios.  There are a couple of the new apartment complexes on the Tour this year, as well as a boutique retail store and a coffee shop.

General Admission tickets are $18.50. Tickets may be purchased at http://atxdlt.com. Tickets will also be available the day of the tour at CRAVE for $25. A portion of the Downtown Living Tour proceeds benefit Pease Elementary and The Shoal Creek Conservancy.

Will Call, registration, and shuttle headquarters will be located at CRAVE Austin, where attendees can also enjoy free bubbles and bites before hopping on a shuttle.

If you are one of the first 150 people to buy tickets – you get the chance to win a pair of diamond earrings from Krugers!  I’ve been told there are only a limited amount of these tickets left (and you have to choose GA with Goodie Bag ticket type) – so buy soon if you want to win some diamonds!

krugers

Downtown Living Tour | Presented by DANA
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Filed Under: austin condos, austin open houses, austin towers and high rises, downtown austin

Cuban Restaurant in Downtown Austin – Pleasant Storage Room

AG | April 22, 2014 |

As far as I know, there aren’t currently any Cuban restaurant concepts in downtown Austin proper.  Well, there WASN’T before this week, anyway.  There’s a new one popping up in the warehouse district, where the now defunct Stack Burger Bar used to be (one of the restaurant concepts owned by the now infamous Yassine Enterprises).

Let me introduce you to Pleasant Storage Room, officially opening TODAY: [Read more…] about Cuban Restaurant in Downtown Austin – Pleasant Storage Room

Filed Under: around town, austin bars, austin lofts, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, downtown austin, life, life in austin, small business, Warehouse District

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