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Downtown Austin Parking + the most interesting presentation on parking in the history of the world.

Jude Galligan | November 16, 2008 |

The most interesting presentation about parking in the history of the world (pdf).

(Okay, this is about parking so it’s dry as your grandmothers turkey. But, in the world of parking, this is a home run presentation. I’ve heard from DANA board members that Patrick Siegman, the guy who wrote the presentation, is an amazing speaker on the topic of parking and new urbanism.)

I’ll help out… below are three major reforms that could be applied to Downtown Austin parking.

1. Charge fair-market prices for curb parking
2. Spend the resulting revenue to pay for neighborhood public improvements
3. Remove the requirements for off-street parking

Over the past 48 hours there’s been lots of discussion over at Austin Contrarian about parking issues. This is encouraging because sometimes I wonder if our citizens recognize the immense impact that parking guidelines have on the look and feel of our city. Downtown Austin apartments, condos, and retail are putting more stress on the availability of [convenient] parking. Parking has a causal relationship with keeping cars on the road, walkability, and overall neighborhood-ness.

In October I was fortunate to be included in a delegation of Austinites sent to Vancouver in order to learn about how they’ve managed rapid growth and become one of the most admired cities in the world. One of their council members, Gordon Price, delivered one of the most impassioned orations about smart urban planning. He made one particular comment that struck me…

“Show me your parking ordinance, and I’ll show you what your city looks like!”

Personally, this was a revelation. Will Austin City Council adopt new parking rules that will encourage use of mass transit and walkability? I hope so. The alternative is more cars, more roads, and more scorched earth strip malls.

My Saturday – A Day in the Life of an Urbanite

AG | November 15, 2008 |

9:00 a.m. – Awaken to my view. Make some french toast and a fruit cup. Eat it, then out the door to the nearby gym, the Tower Health Spa connected to the 555.

12:00noon – Off to Whole Foods on 6th. I take the trolley, or The ‘Dillo as it’s known. I have a breakfast taco and a water, then I do a little grocery shopping. Trolley back to my place.

1:30 p.m. – I walk from my place to Roar, which is on 5th across from Eddie V’s. I’m getting a little glam in hair, a la a chunk of bright blonde in my bangs. Rory is the bomb, and he does an awesome job.

3:00 p.m. – Come home to take a rest and get ready for my Saturday night. My next door neighbor drops by a made-from-scratch pecan pie (the crust is made from scratch and everything!). It is AWESOME having neighbors that are just a step or two away!

6:00 p.m. – I’m on my way out to go walk to the movie theatre and have a couple of beers. That’s right, I’m headed to The Alamo Drafthouse on 6th.

It was a great day, and it’s going to be an awesome night.

A (non-work) day in the life of an urbanite. Pretty great.

Downtown Austin By The Numbers: How many dwellings?

Jude Galligan | November 14, 2008 |

This is the first in a series of three articles aimed at uncovering the number of residences in Downtown Austin. So, how many dwellings are there? This seems like a simple question, doesn’t it? I’ve never been able to get a satisfying answer – one that doesn’t try to determine the number of residents using a multiplier, is not rounded up or down, and that clearly indicates what is currently being lived in or is ready for occupancy (not under construction).

You may ask, “why don’t you just search Google?” Well, I did. I searched Google for “how many dwellings are in Downtown Austin”. I used other iterations and synonyms of those search terms and could not find a satisfying answer. Much of the data available is old and/or disparate. The last U.S. Census was in 2000. The next is in 2010. Because I am your loyal Downtown Austin Realtor (plug!), I am uniquely suited to discover and share with you my count, building by building, of the number of Downtown Austin condos and apartments.

The official Downtown Austin Blog count of Downtown Austin dwellings after the jump.

The Official Bird of Downtown Austin

Jude Galligan | November 13, 2008 |

On the morning of January 8th, 2007 something strange happened on Congress Ave. Birds fell out of the sky. Literally. I remember hearing this news and thinking to myself “is this how it’s going to end?” According to Texas A&M these birds fell victim to parasites and a sudden drop in temperature.

The good news is the world did not end. The bad news is that mother nature only claimed a handful of these birds – Grackles. They’re loud, aggressive, and poo everywhere. If you’ve ever been to Whole Foods and decided to enjoy your meal al fresco, a Grackle likely pulled up a chair at your table, looked you dead in the eye, and told you who’s in charge without every saying another word but ‘caw caw’.

I live on the 4th floor of my condo, so my windows meet the tree tops. It’s a stunning view, really. To be downtown with a verdant view is a luxury. Until, this past September when the Grackles took over my tree tops. They must number in the thousands with a communal biological clock which you could set your watch to. These birds became my alarm clock… at 5:30am. My business is real estate and I have no good reason to be up at 5:30. I decided to take action.

At a recent DANA board meeting I learned that Grackles don’t like lasers. Apparently, if you shine a laser light into the tree tops it irritates them so much that the Grackles move elsewhere. The University of Texas used to have a problem with grackles. Their solution was to fire shotgun blanks. It worked, but I don’t think my neighbors would think well of me it I took that route. Light seemed like a harmless way to deal with the problem. I don’t have any lasers, and I’m not sure where to get them, but I do have a powerful Mag-Lite.

I placed the Mag-Lite next to my bed and, like clockwork, at 5:30am thousands of birds erupted in cacophony of noise. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my Mag-Lite and proceeded to illuminate the trees, shaking and directing the light beam over several tree tops next to my building and across the street. (This must have looked very strange to those heading to work in the morning.) It didn’t take more than a second for thousands of birds to migrate to another spot a few blocks away. I did this for two weeks and the Grackles are gone and no longer wake me up at 5:30. Instead, they’ve gone to the other side of my building. So, neighbors if you are reading this, get your self a Mag-Lite and get back to bed.

There is a lively discussion about Grackles on yelp

Legacy On The Lake – first tour with video

Jude Galligan | November 13, 2008 |

I received an email last week that the new Legacy On The Lake residences were open for business, ready to lease, and offering tours of the building. This would be a good opportunity to preview a building that seems to have been under construction forever. So, I grabbed my camcorder and headed over. Located at 43 Rainey street, the Legacy is the third building, along with the Shore and Milago, to join the Rainey Street neighborhood in the past three years. With 31 floors, the Legacy towers over the lake. The views are what you would expect at that height – amazing.

Videos after the jump!

Is Downtown Austin ready for another grocery store?

Jude Galligan | November 12, 2008 |

Whole Foods made Downtown Austin what it is today. There, I said it. Without an anchor grocery store Downtown Austin would never have come so far. The Market District wouldn’t exist. It helps that Whole Foods has a brand cache and a great shopping experience. Personally, I end up spending as much money at other grocery stores, so I don’t believe Whole Foods is over priced. And, as big as it is today, Whole Foods was at one time a small business in Austin.

When AMLI Downtown opened, Downtown Austin got its second grocer. George Scariano opened Royal Blue Grocery. It was an instant hit. Urban dwellers want to see more of those blue awnings around town. Anyone that’s lived in NYC will feel at home here. It’s a small bodega-style grocer that has a little bit of everything. Outside you’ll find a magazine rack, tables, and people enjoying the scene.

Recently, the city received design ideas for the Green Water Treatment facility on Cesar Chavez. One of the entries prominently rendered a two-story H-E-B as part of the retail mix. The first time I saw that rendering I was sold on the idea. I realized how nice it would be to have some choice. Don’t get me wrong, I love Whole Foods and Royal Blue, but there is a place for a “regular” grocery store. I’ll go a bit further and say that I’d like to see it along Congress Avenue.

[polldaddy poll=1099526]

Veteran's Day

AG | November 11, 2008 |

“Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary.”

— John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776

As you all are winding down today, take a moment and reflect on the important day today is. It’s Veterans day.

Downtown Austin held host to a parade honoring those who have served our country. The event began at 9 AM from the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge and traveled up to the Capital Building. Viewing wass available all along Congress Avenue. A Ceremony at the South Capital steps followed the parade.

La Vista on Lavaca picks up new investors

Jude Galligan | November 11, 2008 |

La Vista on Lavaca - back on track (?)

For a few months La Vista was turning dirt, blocking streets, and looked like a real development. Then…nothing. Radio silence. In early 2008 rumors began to trickle through the real estate community that prices for these condos would average $500psf. Some would consider that hubristic price for a location that has been overlooked for years. Located at 18th & Lavaca, this project sits between three major economic zones – Downtown Austin, the Capitol, and UT. This location, historically underutilized, could be the perfect fit for lawyers, lobbyists, and [tenured] professors.

I imagine the terms on this deal are pretty favorable for the new investors. This is great news for Downtown and UT. If, in fact, La Vista on Lavaca reaches completion, it has the opportunity to revitalize the area surrounding it. Fingers crossed.

more about this story can be found at the Austin Business Journal

Featured: The Good Life Barber Shop

Jude Galligan | November 11, 2008 |

Almost hidden, located beneath the Brazos Lofts exists one Downtown Austin’s best businesses – The Good Life Barber Shop.

Downtown Austin Neighborhood Watch

Jude Galligan | November 10, 2008 |

Recently Neighborhood Watch signs have begun to sprout on downtown Austin’s light poles. The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association [DANA] funded the printing and installation of 23 of signs. These signs serve two functions: first, they remind vistors that this is a neighborhood with proactive residents interested in maintaining a safe environment. Second, this is great method of informing people about what DANA stands for. These signs couldn’t have been rolled out so quickly without the assistance of the DAA, which was very helpful in getting us the building contacts. Where the DAA is generally the champion for downtown businesses, DANA is considered the champion of downtown residents and you should consider attending the next DANA event.

Check out the map of sign locations.