Austin Pitches Splashy New Sports and Entertainment District

Kevin Lyttle reports: "A small local group with a big vision and political backing has unveiled plans for a wide-ranging project called the East Austin District, highlighted by a large arena and a multipurpose stadium."

The project would be built on the former site of the Travis County Exposition Center. The final product would include 5,000-seat arena adjacent to a 40,000-seat open-air facility, according to Lyttle. "The complex, designed to include office space, a convention area, medical facilities, retail and eight courtyards, could house a wide variety of sports events, concerts, trade shows and festivals."

The news of the new project also made the design headlines thanks to the designer of the proposed sports and entertainment district: Bjarke Ingels Group. Philip Stevens writes for designboom  on the design of the project, including a full collection of snazzy renderings.

Kriston Capps picks up the news of the proposed project from a different angle—the stadium boondoggle. In an article that explores the idea that NFL stadium boondoggles have given way to MLS soccer stadium boondoggles, Capps cites the Austin project as a leading example.