Springtime in Austin!!

While it's not quite spring yet, Austin is a bloom with more than just the first bluebonnets, redbuds and plum trees. The sun is shining, the weather is warm and the city is full.

Just in time for spring break, Austin is alive with activity. The boys and girls state basketball championships bring in visitors from across the State to play at UT's Frank Erwin Center (lovingly referred to as "the Drum"), the Texas softball and baseball teams are swinging and Austin is the host to the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. 

The Rodeo has something for everyone; the Youth Livestock Auction, the carnival, pig races, bull riding, calf roping and food. Entertainers include  Dierks Bentley, Lee Ann Rimes and Kevin Fowler. Family fun for all!

And if that's not enough excitement, downtown Austin is swarming with techies, film buffs and music junkies in town for the SXSW interactive, film and music festivities. There are so many young, hip people in town that Apple opened up a temporary storefront in the heart of downtown to accommodate the demand for the newly launched iPad2. Lines have been winding down the street and around the block since they opened.

With "five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology(1)" ending and the film festival in full swing, it is time for the music to take center stage.  SXSW, which began as a music festival is celebrating 25 years with hundreds of acts in venues all over town. There are also music panels, parties, food giveaways and transportation via pedicab.

Imagine living in one of the upscale luxury condos in downtown Austin, you would be close to the action, within walking distance of many venues, able to come and go as you please without worrying about parking.  Or if crowds aren't your thing, rentals are in high demand for the two weeks of SXSW, a great way to make some spending mondy while you are away on vacation.

More reasons we love living in Austin, Texas!!   

(1) www.sxsw.com/interactive

It's SXSW time!

It's back, the amazing SXSW Film and Music Festival. When spring break comes to Austin and all the students leave for the beach or the ski slopes, the movers and shakers in the music and film biz, along with fans from all over, head to the Capitol City for SXSW (South by Southwest).

In its' 24th year, the music festival showcases nearly 2000 musical acts with 80 stages, spanning the musical spectrum from alternative and electronic to rock, pop, latin and country. There is something for everyone and many popular performers got their start here at SXSW, think Red Hot Chili Peppers and Los Lonely Boys.

In 1994 SXSW added the Film and Interactive to the line up, usually starting in the days just before the music. 2007 highlighted Elvis and Annabelle, 2010 has The Hurt Locker.

Although finding a place to stay can be challenging and getting around is easiest on foot, (there are shuttles set up just for the festival) it is well worth the trip. It's best to get a reservation well in advance at area hotels, or find one of the many residents in Austin willing to rent their home/condo out for the week.

If you missed it this year, start making your reservations for 2011, it will be the 25th Anniversary and I can only imagine the celebrations being planned.

For something a bit different, check out the Star of Texas Rodeo, held at the fairgrounds. In addition to bull riding, roping and children's activities (petting zoo, pony rides) this years musical lineup features acts from the Doobie Brothers to Lady Antebellum to Kevin Fowler.

For a break on Sunday the 14th, pick up something to eat at one of the food trailers on S. 1st Street or S. Congress then head to the Zilker Park Kite Festival. Kites will be up and flying from 10-5.

Keep Austin Weird!

http://www.sxsw.com/

http://www.rodeoaustin.com/

Sustainable Development

Is it possible to build high density, sustainable, mixed use developments close to Lady Bird Lake while still preserving the integrity of the landscape? That is the question facing the Austin City Council this week. The current proposed development includes a building with a maximum height of 90 feet (7 stories) exceeding the current city maximum of 60 feet.

There seems to be gray area in the interpretation of the height restrictions along the lake. The attorney for the project, Steve Drenner, was quoted in the Austin American Statesman in August saying that "the project meets or exceeds the city's requirements for planned unit development zoning, which allows more density in large, mixed use projects if developers provide certain benefits".

Some of those proposed benefits are additional roads, bike paths, and street level retail space. The developers would also donate $225,000 to the city's parks system and for a police substation nearby. The proposed project is 390 feet from the shore at its closet point, on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd., with Lakeshore Park between the development and Lady Bird Lake.

Save Town Lake and the East Riverside/Oltorf Neighborhood Planning Area groups are concerned about preserving the waterfront and staying within the City Guidelines. They are also concerned with losing affordable housing in the neighborhood, an apartment building (lower income) will be demolished if the proposal is approved, with no plans for relocation of the residents.

As I see it, this could be a win-win situation for both sides.  Currently, the 30 acre site is in shambles, and does not encourage visitors along the banks of Lady Bird Lake. The apartments are in disarray with no plans for improvement and the crime rate is high. The site is not directly adjacent to the lake, but  provides for beautification of existing and future park space.  The proposed development encourages urban renewal, uses less land space and provides for a more sustainable living environment than currently exists. A flourishing neighborhood with public shops, restaurants and parks fits into the Austin's vision of re-gentrification of the city.

While the height restrictions may be in question, there are a handful of other developments which exceed the proposed 90' maximum.  Most recently the Milago (142') and Legacy at the Lake (339'), neither of which have park land included.  The San Jacinto Bldg (324'), Four Seasons (140'), Hyatt Regency (185') and Radisson (129') all exceed the current maximum height restrictions and have improved the waterfront sites to which they are adjacent.

A well planned, flourishing, sustainable development has got to be better than the high crime, run down neighborhood that currently exists on this site. Hopefully the neighborhood associations, Save Town Lake group and the developers will find a way to work together and make this work for the entire community.

If the City Council does approve this or any other development, it will be their responsibility to monitor its' progress.  They must be sure that promises to improve the sites with park land, shops and pedestrian friendly trails are completed. 

Active input from the community has helped Austin grow while preserving its' green spaces. Please take the time to get informed. For more information about the proposed vote on Thursday: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/

Click on the Contact button on the bottom left side of the page to email the council members with your opinions.

FYI~Grist named Austin the 6th most sustainable city in the US in July.  http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-16-sustainable-green-us-cities/PALL/