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Lake/Flato will design new Central Library in Downtown Austin

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Site of Downtown Austins new Central Libary
Site of Downtown Austin's new Central Libary

Lake Flato has been awarded the design contract for Downtown Austin’s new Central Library.  They’ve got $90MM to work with to build 250,000 square feet by 2013.

Below is an estimated timeline for the new Central Library project:

  • May 2009 ~ Citizen/Stakeholder input meetings –Co-sponsored by Library Commission and Library Foundation June 2009 ~ Design phase begins
  • Spring 2011 ~ Design development completed
  • Winter 2011 ~ Construction begins
  • Fall 2013 ~ Construction complete
  • Spring/Summer 2014-Grand Opening

The site sits partially within a capitol view corridor, so the future building can only be mid-rise and will likely only by three stories.  In that regard I like this choice of location.  Still, I think this is a poor choice of location in terms of accessibility.  I’ve seen plenty of proposed transit maps for ‘future’ Austin, and not a single one shows rail stopping near the library.  The people that would benefit the most from this new Central Library are, in my opinion, going to benefit the most from mass transit that can get them to the library!   It was an easy choice for the City because they own the land; however, the city could have used condemnation to select a better site that would be more accessible.  I expect the building will be beautiful.  I just hope it gets used.

Jude Galligan

Farewell Gallery Lombardi

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Say farewell to Gallery Lombardi
Say farewell to Gallery Lombardi

Generally, I’ve never been the kind of person that really enjoys art shows.    But, I really like living in a neighborhood where the arts are appreciated and supported.   I like knowing that there are art shows going on.   So, it is with that sentiment that I am saddened to learn that Gallery Lombardi will be closing it’s doors next month.   From the announcement which was emailed to a friend of mine…

“Proprietor Ron Prince opened Gallery Lombard in 1996 on 3rd & Bowie, his motto has always been, ‘everyone is an artist’.  Ron Prince says “If you are a creative person, and you have an opportunity to be creative, consider yourself blessed.  The rest is window dressing.”  I have been lucky to work in this creative, supportive environment since 2000.  I just made a quick count, it seems I’ve directed and/or curated 144 group art shows at Gallery Lombardi.  wow.”


Gang Of Female Bandits Preying On Men

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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.”

link

Paradox and Planeta are SHUT DOWN!

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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.

Downtown Austin's Entertainment District: Observations part 3 of 3

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Downtown Austin Entertainment District Still Has Room For Improvement – Part 1 of 3
Night time observations on the Entertainment District: Part 2 of 3

The effort to revitalize the Entertainment District is about recognizing problems and offering solutions.  It is about a higher and better use of Austin’s historic landmarks.  It’s about preventing decay.  It’s about offering an array of services to the people who use the Entertainment District everyday.  Adding more day time services is not a slippery slope to J Crews and Baby Gaps!  This is about making the Entertainment District safe for everyone.  This is about visitors leaving Austin with a more positive experience.

Flickr slideshow of day time photos

one of Austins historic landmarked buildings with a plywood sign (???)
one of Austin's landmarked buildings adorned with a plywood sign (???)

Day time tour
Saturday, November 22nd (11am-1pm)

  1. Where is everybody?
  2. Narrow sidewalks, empty parking
  3. “No, I don’t have a cigarette you can bum”
  4. “No, I’m not giving you change”
  5. A sandwich on the sidewalk
  6. Broken glass
  7. An empty Austin Visitors Bureau with a broken neon sign
  8. Landmarked buildings that look abused and neglected
  9. “Couldn’t they at least paint those doors?”
  10. Landmark plaques next to broken windows
  11. An ATM that someone had tried to rob
  12. Jail-style bars on doors and windows
  13. Awnings torn, tattered, and covered in dirt
  14. Too much chain link fence
  15. ATMs are everywhere
  16. A pay phone booth without a pay phone
  17. Waller Creek is shamefully littered
  18. There is 17,000 square feet of unused retail space at 5th & Sabine.

Towards the end of Saturday’s day time tour, Marshall Jones (President of DANA) and I were standing on the northeast corner of 6th and Brazos sharing observations.  We see a guy across the street.  He’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt, picking up litter on the street, and putting it in the trash.  Turns out this was John Erwin, owner of B.D. Rileys Pub.  John had no idea that Marshall and I were watching him do this.  We caught up with him and chatted for a few minutes.  What I like about John, and people like John, is that he is proactive and doing right by our community.  Kudos, John!