Search Results for: waller

A Smarter Route? Proposed Urban Rail Along Trinity Street

Jude Galligan | March 2, 2012 |

Transportation wonks: is there something different about the conceptual urban rail alignment depicted in the latest flyer from Project Connect?

The portion of the rail system south of 4th Street is showing that the preferred alignment (solid orange lines) is not Congress Ave, rather it’s humble ol’ Trinity Street.

On previous maps, I recall Congress Ave having the bold lines and Trinity Street relegated to a hypothetical dashed line. This is a subtle change on paper, but a potentially big improvement to ridership and economic impact.

I presume a Trinity alignment would have a stop at/near Waller Creek. Imagine connecting businesses and visitors to the Rainey Street district, Waller Creek, the Boat House, the MACC, the Convention Center. There’s greater density of residential and recreational use. There’s more [taxable] development opportunity along the Trinity alignment.

Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

Jude Galligan | December 16, 2011 |

Another win for Austin and a much needed boost for the neighborhood surrounding E. 6th Street.

Back in September, DAB stopped just shy of begging readers to weigh in on CAMPO’s survey of the public about which projects should be awarded grants; specifically, advocating support for granting funds to Austin bike share and streetscape improvements to Sabine and E 6th Street. Yesterday, we were excited to learn that CAMPO approved funding for Austin bike share system.

CAMPO has also awarded $2.7 million for the construction of a Sabine Street promenade, that will involve the development of sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian amenities between downtown Austin’s 4th and 7th Streets.

This idea was originally framed as part of the implementation of the Waller Creek District Master Plan. It progressed last year as the mobility bond package was approved by voters, and the Sabine Street promenade was bundled with improvements planned for “dirty 6ixth”, ostensibly to provide connectivity between Waller Creek and Congress Ave by way of Austin’s most historic street. [Read more…] about Survey Says: Sabine Street Promenade Is A Go!

And Then There Were Two

Jude Galligan | June 27, 2011 |

A well timed announcement for a 50+story hotel at Red River and Cesar Chavez has shifted the attention away from the Mariott Marquis seeking a waiver of $4MM in development fees.

The latest hotel announced by Manchester Texas Financial Group is receiving good reviews for its design, ambition, and potential for embracing the Waller Creek District Master Plan.

To be clear, there really isn’t a choice here. Each project is pushing forward on their own merits. But the timing begs the question “which building can break ground first?”.

Both would be significant additions to the skyline and economy. Development fee waivers, if any, will likely go to the project that is most prepared and that can begin construction soonest.

That’s incentive!

Below is a rendering of the “Grand Hotel” at Waller Creek

Downtown Austin’s Railyard District Getting A New Neighbor?

Jude Galligan | April 19, 2011 |

No, we’re not talking about the news of a rekindled T. Stacy building. Last month it was reported that Riverside Resources was under contract to buy the Whitley Building at 301 Brazos St. The downtown Austin development site is zoned Central Business District (CBD) with no Capitol View Corridor restrictions. According to reporter Jacob Dirr’s Twitter feed, the local development firm is planning a 20-story residential redevelopment of the site. Dirr’s tweet also links to a rendering of the building [Read more…] about Downtown Austin’s Railyard District Getting A New Neighbor?

Where Are You Going?

Jude Galligan | March 30, 2011 |

In the latest draft of possible urban- and light-rail alignments, we generally see the same routes we’ve been looking at for the past year. Alas, it’s important to understand that rail will not simply be delivered, it will evolve over decades to serve more and more people. The Statesman has a nice graphic that shows the heart of the system being envisioned. [Read more…] about Where Are You Going?