The center of commercial gravity will be located a little to the east in Austin after two six-story office buildings are complete.
"The Austin City Council has approved a zoning change that will allow the development of an office project of unprecedented height and size for its Eastside neighborhood," reports Cindy Widner.
The council voted to rezone ten acres of land on Springdale Road, in effect creating a Planned Unit Development for the tract. "The move clears the way for California developer Jay Paul to build two six-story office buildings totaling 775,000 square feet and a parking garage on the former site of a 'tank farm' where petroleum and chemicals were piped in and stored for decades," according to Widner.
The development faced local opposition that focused on the height of the proposed development as well as the risk of gentrification. "Other neighbors have expressed support for the proposed project, most often citing heightened improvements to prevent or mitigate flooding from the site as well as from nearby commercial properties. Much of the property is in floodplain, and the plan’s landscape design is focused on measures to address that issue as well as on restoration."
More project details and community benefits are described in the source article.
FULL STORY: Springdale office towers get city go-ahead
Austin Sends Big Planned Unit Development Back to the Drawing Board
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department put the proposed Grove at Shoal Creek Planned Unit Development on a short timeout earlier this month, but only to negotiate final details of the massive project.
Austin Denies Mixed-Use Zoning Change
Following concerns that the change would threaten Thornton Road Studios, a collection of arts and music businesses, the Austin City Council struck down a measure that would allow mixed-use development on the site.
How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’
A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service