The redevelopment proposal for the former Austin American-Statesman site is headed for final approval in the coming weeks after City Council on Thursday approved the planned unit development, or PUD, on second reading. If Council approves the PUD ordinance on third and final reading, developer Endeavor Real Estate will be able to transform the 19-acre […]
Planned Unit Development
A zoning classification designated by the city to allow greater flexibility for projects within its boundaries.
Posted inZoning
Environmental Commission endorses Brodie Oaks PUD with caveats
The Environmental Commission voted Wednesday to recommend the Brodie Oaks planned unit development that would redevelop the 37.6-acre tract of land on the corner of South Lamar and South Capital of Texas Highway. The recommendation, which will be passed up to the city’s Planning Commission for consideration, comes with caveats regarding building height, light pollution […]
Posted inPlanning
Plans for South Congress PUD include rooftop beehives and bird-safe glass
At its regular meeting this week, the Environmental Commission heard a preview of an upcoming planned unit development proposal for 311-315 South Congress Avenue. The commission heard the Project Assessment Report from both Housing & Planning Department staff and Steve Drenner of the Drenner Group, the developer’s representative. Although preliminary, the proposal would create a […]
Posted inDevelopment
Parks board recommends Brodie Oaks development
Last week, the Parks and Recreation Board voted to recommend the Brodie Oaks planned unit development as superior to City Council, contingent on the applicant complying with a list of board recommendations concerning public access to the on-site park and related facilities. The proposed PUD, located at Loop 360 and Highway 290, would reimagine the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Parks board raises concerns over Statesman PUD proposal, calling it ‘not superior’
The Parks and Recreation Board said Wednesday that the highly anticipated mixed-used development plan composed of several buildings on the former Austin American-Statesman lot does not do enough to protect the iconic space in front of the Congress Avenue Bridge. In a unanimous recommendation to City Council, the parks board said the proposal does not fulfill […]
Posted inPlanning
Workers Defense asks for construction standards on Statesman PUD
In anticipation of one of Austin’s next big construction projects, advocacy group Workers Defense Project demanded Tuesday morning that the redevelopment of the former Austin American-Statesman site at 305 S. Congress Ave. lead to safe and well-compensated construction jobs as well as on-site affordable housing. “This is a big investment that will be many, many […]
Posted inPlanning
Memo brings questions about affordability, public benefits for Statesman redevelopment
A new memo that forecasts significantly higher costs for affordable housing and other public benefits proposed by the city for the largest development project in the South Central Waterfront has raised a number of questions as the planned unit development process moves forward in the coming weeks. City Council was scheduled to conduct the second […]
Posted inPlanning
Community Development Commission pushes for affordability at Statesman project site
The Community Development Commission has asked City Council to require significant affordable housing be located on-site for the planned unit development for the former Austin American-Statesman property that is being led by Endeavor Real Estate Group. The commission voted unanimously last week to resend its December 2021 resolution to Council, which called for 20 percent […]
Posted inPlanning
Four hundred apartments planned for South Lamar PUD
The property owners of 517 S. Lamar, currently home to Trek Bicycle Lamar and CareNow emergency medical services, are proposing a planned unit development with about 400 multifamily residential units, about 10,000 square feet of retail and/or restaurant space, and underground parking. Jerry Rusthoven, assistant director of the Housing and Planning Department, presented a development […]
Posted inPlanning
Large housing development in the works on Barton Springs and Lamar
Developers are looking to rezone a property currently home to the Bicycle Sport Shop on Barton Springs Road and South Lamar Boulevard. If successfully rezoned as a planned unit development, the lot would be redeveloped as a nine-story building with 400 residential units and a ground floor with mixed commercial use. The project at 517 […]
Posted inPlanning
Statesman PUD wins initial approval
One of the most anticipated redevelopment projects in Austin’s history has moved one step closer to approval. City Council Thursday unanimously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning on the first of three readings for the former Austin-American Statesman site, whose 19 acres of offices and parking currently sit vacant next to Lady Bird Lake. “This […]
Posted inPlanning
Vela seeks new solutions for housing the homeless
Council Member Chito Vela has proposed that the city request the cash equivalent of on-site affordable housing upon approval of the Statesman planned unit development on Lady Bird Lake. Under his proposal, the money would go toward temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness. “Getting our neighbors off the street today would do far more good […]