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No Development Permit Extensions Says Austin City Council

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According to the ABJ, Austin City Council has voted against one-time development permit extensions which would extend the time frame real estate developers had to commence with their project from three to five years.  Sponsored by the newest Council Members on the dais, Randi Shade and Laura Morrison were not around in 2006-2007 to vote on urban infill projects.

Development permits will likely expire before any rebound in the capital markets.  If the land where the development was to occur has already been razed (Marriott), then the outcome of this ruling is most likely blight – empty lots, not generating property taxes, and often surrounded by chain link fence.

A far better solution would have been to levy fines or taxes on undeveloped land.   Because, you know, that could have generated money for the city!

Link to agenda item

DAP phase II approved!

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Great news!  According to our knowledgeable members of DANA, the vote passed 7 – 0 this morning.  Laura Morrison moved to postpone the vote but there was no 2nd.

Just in from the ABJ…

“The Austin City Council approved a a professional services agreement with San Francisco-based Roma Design Group for planning services to complete the Downtown Austin Plan.”

City Council to Vote on Phase Two of Downtown Austin Plan

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On today’s city council agenda, item #4 is a vote to fund phase two of the Downtown Austin Plan.  The city and downtown Austin stakeholders have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in time and money to design a downtown befitting a world class city.

Laura Morrison, Lee Leffingwell, and Mike Martinez are expected to align themselves against downtown.  After all, if you study the Statesman you’ll realize that it’s en vogue to hate on downtown.  Though, these council members will vote against downtown under the guise of fiscal responsibility.

Dont’ be fooled!

Politically they are posturing themselves to support a comprehensive plan for the city.  Something that could take years, will certainly require more expensive consultants, and just as easily could be thrown out as they seem to want to do with the Downtown Austin Plan.  The City’s shelves are thick with research studies and improvement plans which have never been implemented.

I hope I’m wrong.  We should know by lunchtime how each council member voted.

DANA elects new leadership

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Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association DANA

If you live in Downtown Austin, or have an interest in its growth, then you should consider joining DANA.   The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Assocition recently transitioned its leadership team.  Outgoing President Marshall Jones remains on the board, while Jamie LaGarde takes his new role as President.  Marshall has been President of DANA for the past two years.  This is a tireless and, often, thankless job.  Of course, these positions are volunteer without pay.  Marshall always had the ability to approach political challenges with grace and class.  I can comforatbly speak for all DANA members when I thank him for his commitment to making DANA the knowledgeable, influential, and social organization it is today.  With over 1,000 members and growing, Marshall and the presidents that preceded him can be proud of what they’ve created.

Leaving the board is Jim Furrow and Michael McGill, though each will remain active DANA members, and you can expect they will continue to be vocal stakeholders in the Downtown community.

Welcome the new DANA Board:

Jamie LaGarde – President (Austin City Lofts)
Roger Cauvin – Vice President (Plaza Lofts)
Randy Hammelman – Treasurer
Lindsay Wiebrand – Secretary (Gables West)
Larry Schooler (404 Rio Grande)
Bill McCann (360)
Greg Anderson (360)
Josh Allen
Will Steakley (360)
Jude Galligan *your’s truly* (Sabine on 5th)
Marshall Jones (Five Fifty 5)
David Weaver (Plaza Lofts)
Shayama Golden (Railyard)

Texas Archive of the Moving Image

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I spent a good portion of this past weekend browsing the skyscraperpage forums.  I have been hooked ever since I discovered this website.   Members of this forum are actively photographing and discussing development progress in Austin.  Many of them have serious photography chops, too.  One of the best reasons for tuning in to the discussion is for the ‘golden nuggets’ that people find on the inter-tubes and share with the other members.  One example is the “Texas Archive of the Moving Image” – a repository for old films about Texas.

The history of Austin is something I am fascinated with, so you can imagine how excited I was when I learned about these videos.  Here is a link to an old video of Barton Springs and Lamar Blvd.  Search around the website and post your favorites in the comments section.