A small parcel in the Hancock neighborhood may see more intense zoning in the future after winning an endorsement from the Planning Commission during their September 23 meeting. Property owners are seeking a change from multifamily residence-limited density, or MF-1, to multifamily residence-medium density, or MF-3, at 3305 and 3303 Duval Street and 501 and […]
District 9
Posted inPreservation
Trestle bridge advocates remain hopeful for future rehabilitation
With ownership of the historic trestle bridge on Third Street still unresolved, the city of Austin has hired engineering firm HDR to explore possible options for rehabilitating the century-old structure. The debate over whether the city or Union Pacific controls the bridge has dragged on for years but, by most accounts, the city and its […]
Posted inZoning
West Sixth Street neighbors endorse industrial zoning
Yet another developer brought yet another big downtown-ish project to the planning commission for a rezoning on July 8, this time at West 6th and Walsh streets in West Austin. The commission recommended this one, too. The proposed zoning change would see a cluster of addresses on that corner currently developed under commercial mixed-use zoning […]
Posted inPreservation
Convention Center redevelopment explores options for two Downtown landmarks in its path
As Austin moves full steam ahead with plans to nearly double the size of its Convention Center, city staff are scrambling to keep two historic structures off its list of potential casualties. Located just across Red River from the existing Center, the buildings known as the Trask and Castleman-Bull Houses are no strangers to the […]
Posted inHousing
Office slowdown sparks new downtown housing ambitions
Downtown Austin leaders are increasingly focused on residential development as a way to stabilize the city’s core, as office vacancy rates remain stubbornly high and some buildings struggle to find tenants at all. With more than one-fifth of downtown office space currently sitting vacant or available for near-term leases (and some estimates placing that number […]
Posted inPreservation
Downtown Historic Resource Survey eyes seven new districts eligible for designation
The city’s Historic Preservation Office is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited Downtown Austin Historic Resource Survey, with plans to present the final draft to Historic Landmark Commissioners this week. En route, staff stopped by City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee for a preliminary briefing on their findings, which mark the first attempt at […]
Posted inZoning
Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
Austin City Council last week approved adding the Vertical Mixed Use “V” to the property located from 1501 to 1603 Shoal Creek Boulevard, after a hearing that featured considerable discussion about the geologically sensitive area. Council Member Paige Ellis abstained, citing the fact that the area had already suffered from collapses in the past. The […]
Posted inPlanning
City to postpone UNO vote to consult with UT
A vote on a long-debated plan to allow taller buildings and expanded development in the University Neighborhood Overlay district has been postponed until the fall, pushing back the move to add student housing capacity near the University of Texas. The postponement request was outlined in a pair of May 30 memos from Planning Director Lauren […]
Posted inAustin
Downtown report: Office vacancies up, infrastructure growth continues
Downtown Austin is in a transitional period, with the latest “State of Downtown Austin” report highlighting diverging paths for public and private sector development. The Downtown Austin Alliance’s annual review, now in its seventh year, notes an increase in downtown office vacancies, up to 22 percent versus the 18 percent reported last year. Office vacancies […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commissioners and public weigh in on West Campus zoning updates with support… and some reservations
Planning Commissioners and the public weighed in on planned changes to a West Campus zoning plan during a marathon public comment session on May 13. Conducted as part of a hearing at the Planning Commission about the updates, the comments were mostly supportive. It was capped off by commissioners’ unanimous votes to recommend the plan […]
Posted inPlanning
East Austin leaders look to reset talks over future of Palm Park and school site
A recent City Council vote that initiates the process for Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park to be zoned as public parkland may open the door to renewed negotiations between city officials, the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and longtime Latino advocates who have raised concerns for years about being excluded from decisions around the historic site’s redevelopment. […]
Posted inPlanning
City eyes expanded district plan for downtown and beyond
As city leaders prepare for a major overhaul of the Downtown Austin Plan, staff recommendations for the initiative could significantly expand the geographic area and project scope of the city’s long-range strategy for its urban core. A May 9 memo from the Planning Department outlines a shift toward an expansive Center City/ Central District Plan […]