Council Member Kathie Tovo previewed her upcoming push to change the downtown density bonus rules as part of her opposition to three new residential towers planned for the Rainey Street District. “I believe we need to have a policy conversation that was deferred from 2014 about what benefits should be embedded within our density bonus […]
Rainey Street
Once a quiet residential street, Rainey Street quickly transformed once the historic district was incorporate into the Central Business District in 2004. Currently, the street remains in transition as the bars in the original homes there make way for larger development projects.
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission endorses Rainey high-rise
The Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend construction of a skyscraper on Rainey Street that would be one of Austin’s tallest buildings. 90-92 Rainey St., currently occupied by Container Bar, would become a residential high-rise with about 450 residential units, a cocktail lounge on the ground floor, and a large underground parking garage. City […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic Landmark Commission looks to save Rainey Street’s Bungalow
For years, 90-92 Rainey St. has been home to the Bungalow and the Container Bar, but those two nightlife fixtures could soon be replaced with a 53-floor high rise. However, the Historic Landmark Commission did not greet the project with approval at its meeting on April 27 and instead postponed the case until next month. […]
Posted inTransportation
Transportation Department releases Rainey Mobility Study
The Austin Transportation Department published a report this week analyzing the traffic impacts of future mobility scenarios for downtown’s Rainey neighborhood. “The popularity of the Rainey Street entertainment district has led to mobility challenges and concerns over interactions between pedestrians, bicyclists, people riding scooters and people driving vehicles, with residents expressing frustration at increasing congestion,” […]
Posted inTransportation
No cars, but bikes and scooters will be allowed on Rainey Street during weekend closure
Beginning tonight, Thursday, Rainey Street will close to vehicle traffic three nights a week as part of a pilot program to ease congestion. Initially, bikes, scooters and pedicabs were going to be banned during the closure, but staff from the Austin Transportation Department decided to reverse course. “After receiving feedback from (the City Council) Mobility […]
Posted inTransportation
Pilot program will clear cars from Rainey Street on weekend nights
On weekend nights, Rainey Street can be crowded with cars, scooters and pedestrians. Pretty soon, only one of those groups will be allowed on the street. The city of Austin is getting ready to shut down Rainey Street to vehicle traffic on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights as part of a pilot program that will […]
Posted inPreservation
Rainey Street bungalow bar seeks to expand, HLC expresses concerns
The popular watering hole Clive Bar inhabits a small Craftsman house at 609 Davis St., which is just on the corner of Rainey Street. The owners are looking to reconfigure the property to add a two-story structure with a mezzanine and balcony to the rear of the property. Built between 1918 and 1920, the home […]
Posted inCity Council
Divided Council puts off Rainey funding decision
Council Member Kathie Tovo tried mightily on Thursday to convince her colleagues to appropriate funding for projects within the Rainey Street Historic District, as Council promised when it passed a resolution to that effect in 2013. The 2013 resolution directed staff to take money from fees generated within the district and put it into a […]
Posted inCity Council
City to consider Rainey Street closure pilot
City Council directed the city manager Wednesday to immediately initiate a shared streets pilot to improve mobility and safety in the Rainey Street District. The pilot is to consider restricting vehicle access in some areas to reduce conflicts between cars, pedestrians, bikes and scooters. Noting that a motorist hit a scooter user earlier this month […]
Posted inDevelopment
Boulevard eyed as solution to Rainey Street traffic
A major revamp of the Rainey Street neighborhood is one of the options in front of business and community leaders looking to solve an anticipated spike in traffic over the next decade. Members of the advisory board for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center heard options Wednesday from a mobility study conducted by […]
Posted inPlanning
Report finds most traffic on Rainey Street stems from surrounding roadways
Traffic congestion has long been a concern for people who live and work along Rainey Street. Last year, neighbors struck a deal with a developer looking to build new condos in the area. They agreed to conduct a comprehensive traffic study to identify transportation needs and guide future development. The Austin-based Sutton Company is expected […]
Posted inZoning
Rainey Street traffic study calls for less parking, more pedestrian crossings
Last year, residents of the Rainey Street neighborhood struck a deal with a developer looking to build new condos in the area. They agreed to conduct a comprehensive traffic study, determining what the most pressing transportation needs are and how they could be affected by new development. Preliminary findings of the study show that on […]