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Downtown Austin's Entertainment District: Observations part 2 of 3

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typical weekend on sixth street
typical weekend on sixth street

Yesterday, I posted about the revitalization study underway for Downtown Austin’s Entertainment District.  Below are my observations from our night time tour.

Night time tour
Friday, November 20th, midnight – 3am.
The focus is on the entertainment district as a whole – not just Sixth Street.  Five of us rendezvoused at the Driskill hotel at midnight and we were on our way.  Our mission was not to drink.  We were there to observe.  We were directed to walk the alleys, the side streets, and take notes on anything we found to be interesting.  In general, I never once felt uneasy or threatened.  Most people were out having a great time.  Good or bad.  For better or for worse.  Below is what I observed.

  1. People still wait in lines? I’m getting old!
  2. Sixth Street, east of Neches was desolate. Minimal activity and seemingly an area which only exists to get from Red River or I-35 to the “good” clubs west of Neches.
  3. Police congregate on Trinity and Sixth.  Couldn’t they spread out?
  4. Most people looked to be less than 25 years old.
  5. Concessionaires are doing good business (best wurst had a fifty foot line!)
  6. Hoek’s Pizza is blasting music louder than some clubs.
  7. I see and hear more iPod DJs, than I do live bands
  8. There are crews of guys full of alcohol and testosterone that could easily be instigated into a fight.
  9. I see one fight in front of the Texas Lottery Commission.
  10. We stopped and talked with homeless people outside of the ARCH.  Some were under the influence of something, but generally not hostile.  If anything, they were very chatty and candid about their problems, and the problems surrounding the ARCH.  Below are some of the more interesting things we were told.
    • Drug dealers arrive from other parts of town to sell to the mentally ill and homeless
    • The southeast corner of 7th and Trinity (Caritas) is a big drug corner
    • Crack house at 8th and Neches (pic)
    • Crack house on Neches btw 8th and 9th (pic)
  11. Why on earth did they place the ARCH across from a major liquor store and a block from Austin’s biggest weekend party?
  12. Red River, IMHO, is keeping the “live music capital” brand alive.
  13. The owners of Koriente maintain a beautiful small garden at the southeast corner of 7th and Sabine.  They should be acknowledged for giving to our community.
  14. None of the lights on Waller Creek were turned on.  Who’s in charge of this?

Next, I’ll share my observations from our day time tour
-Jude

downtown austin entertainment district still has room for improvement – part 1 of 3

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downtown austin entertainment district
downtown austin entertainment district

On Friday and Saturday I participated in a tour of 6th street.  This wasn’t a bar hop.  This was to observe.  I’ve joined the ‘Community’ group for the Responsible Hospitality Institute’s (RHI)- ‘Austin Hospitality Zone Assessment for Sixth Street’.  This effort is the result of 6ixth Street Austin and the DAA teaming up to develop a revitalization plan for Sixth Street.  Our first mission is to tour the entertainment district and simply observe.

The convention center is located east of Congress.  Several residential high-rises are located east of Congress. Have you noticed that all of Downtown Austin’s big hotels are located east of Congress!  Sixth Street is the anchor.   What do you imagine is the experience of visitors to Austin when they visit Sixth Street?

Sixth Street should be Austin’s historical and cultural hub.  Landmarked buildings should be required to meet minimum aesthetic standards.  Instead, as it is today, Sixth Street is in disrepair and needs to be cleaned up.  This is the movement to do just that.  There is opportunity to provide a better mix of services and overall experience for hotels guests, the convention center, and all of the residential buildings east of Congress.  I’m not alone in this opinion as hotel operators, Sixth Street proprietors, city council members, city staff, police, and many outspoken residents were in attendance at the initial RHI meeting on November 4th.

Still to come, my [not under the influence] observations of Sixth Street.

Seaholm TIF zone approved

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The redevelopment of the Seaholm powerplant has just taken a big step forward.  The City approved the tax increment financing zone to pay for new public utilities within the 7.8 acre site sandwiched between Cesar Chavez and 3rd Street.

TIFs work by applying the increase in ad valorem tax revenue within a defined zone to repay the debt used to build the public infrastructure.

 Seaholm.info
ABJ article

renderings of the Seaholm Powerplant redevelopment
renderings of the Seaholm Powerplant redevelopment

JCVD @ Alamo Ritz @ midnight

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Jean
Claude
Van
Damme

I saw the trailer last time I visited the Drafthouse, and I must admit I was intrigued.  Now, having just found this quote… “Van Damme? God Damn! This movie is AWESOME!” -Tim League, founder of Alamo Drafthouse I will be in attendance.  That’s a strong endorsement.

BTW, most people don’t realize that the Alamo Ritz has two private balconies which seat up to 4 people per balcony.  For more information and reservations, email Balcony@OriginalAlamo.com

JCVD @ Alamo Ritz @ Midnight
JCVD @ Alamo Ritz @ Midnight

Progress Coffee keeps it real – Thursday Nov. 20th

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free food and drink in exchange for your consideration
free food and drink in exchange for your consideration

Joshua Bingaman is an entrepreneur who really, truly, understands how to create a culture around his business.  Click above image for more details.  Quoting directly…

“So on Thursday, November 20th, everything we brew, bake, heat or fix at Progress will be FREE. Gratis. Complimentary (with our compliments, of course).
…
“In return, all I ask is that you consider contributing whatever you can to Bread for the World and/or Capital Area Food Bank. Any amount (or no amount) is fine, whatever you’re comfortable with a penny, a buck, a hundred bucks- cash, credit, check or change Progress will take it and donate it all. And if you can’t or just don’t want to contribute, no worries—it’s certainly not a requirement (and nobody will look at you funny).”

[Progress Coffee]

Build or Bust? Fact or Fiction? Downtown Austin Condos

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You might have seen this article recently.  It’s an interesting read.  Filled with quotes and bold statements.  You might have also seen my recent article about the actual number of dwellings in Downtown Austin.  As your loyal Downtown Austin Realtor (plug!), I thought I would dissect this article and give you the scoop from the trenches of Downtown Austin Real Estate.

I’m going to cut/paste a handful of quotes from the article, and then explain if that quote is, generally speaking, true or false.  Let’s begin…

“If people are waiting for the crash to come and for people to give away condos downtown, it’s not going to happen,” Spring developer, Perry Lorenz

Know the truth after the jump!

[Read more…] about Build or Bust? Fact or Fiction? Downtown Austin Condos

'Rural Density' – Is this the beginning?

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One of several designs for Brad Kittels Tiny Texas House
One of several designs for Brad Kittel's Tiny Texas House

I think many downtown residents, musicians, artists, and anyone searching for something off the beaten path will appreciate this. Brad Kittel constructs and sells period-style dwellings — dubbed Tiny Texas Houses because they range from 100 to 500 square feet — as an answer to sprawling mansions and the myriad forms of exorbitance that come with them. (source: Statesman).   Prices range from $40-90k.

Brad uses mostly reclaimed materials included siding, flooring, windows, hardware, and fixtures.  You can see photos of his workshop on his website.  The period-style dwellings are, in fact, modular and therefore could appeal to those already interested in the modular concepts of Rocio Romero or local firm KRDB’s Ma Modular.

[original article] [tiny texas homes]

The Patagonia Welcome Wagon

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Patagonia is a welcome addition to Downtown Austin
Patagonia is a welcome addition to Downtown Austin

This past weekend, Downtown Austin’s newest retailer, Patagonia, officially opened its doors.  Located at 316 Congress Ave (map), Patagonia is a milestone in the revitalization of Congress Ave by bringing 7,000 square feet of outdoor clothing that Austinites seem to love.  I make an effort to support businesses that make Downtown a better neighborhood.  So, even though you might be spending less this holiday season, you should consider making the effort to spend that money at local small businesses and businesses that are revitalizing downtown.

According to the Statesman article, the store has shower facilities and bike accommodations for employees, supporting alternative commuting strategies and healthier lifestyles.  Cool!

The DAA, and specifically Linda Asaf, need to be acknowledged here. They are working behind the scenes to help bring new retail, and new life, to Congress Ave.  I am encouraged by property owners beginning to see the light, and investing in long term leases with credit tenants.