Who is responsible for the wholesale sale of Austin? (Spring: theater, new construction)

[scm53]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

What I think people miss is being 20-30, at a great point in their lives, and going to Liberty Lunch. Which isn't the same as missing Liberty Lunch.

I only wish I was 20-30 when I was going to LL to hear the Nevilles.

What the question seems to be, to me, is how much can Austin change, and still be Austin? Change isn't always progress. And it isn't trying to capture lightning in a bottle - it is about preserving the unique things that create the unique mood of a city. I just don't think we are giving that any importance, and it saddens me. They certainly make it important in New Orleans or Charleston. Why don't we?

[atx1626]

The people who have attachment to these long-destroyed places are not only outnumbered by those that don't, but those that don't come from places where preservation isn't done because there's nothing to preserve. GenX/millennial suburbanites don't really have that value instilled in them, you know?

[cBach]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

<< what I am upset about is the purposeful luring, advertising, behind the scene deals that have to be being made for such a huge increase to happen all at once like this >>

Where is your evidence that any of that happened? Just because you do not understand something does not mean something nefarious must have happened.

Who is responsible? Obviously those property owners who sold out their small, humble, quaint businesses at a huge profit. They were glad to sell and happy to move on with the rest of their lives, much richer than they were before.

Much of Lamar Blvd was a dump before all those crappy, ramshackle old warehouses and industrial buildings were demolished and turned into something better. Old and run down does not equal historic. In my opinion South Lamar Blvd is finally turning into the great urban neighborhood that it was meant to be.










If a building was truely "historic" the "Historic Landmark Commission" would not have allowed it to be torn down. Local Historic Districts | Planning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin When I built City Hall many people complained about the demolition of the "historic" old rat infested warehouse buildings on the 6 block area which I demolished. We had archeolgists research them in depth, there was nothing historically valuable about any of those old warehouses, except the Schneider Building, which we restored and is now the Lamberts Downtown Barbecue. Fancy Barbecue, Austin TX. It was the money paid by the businesses who committed to rent those future office buildings that made it possible for the restoration of the Schneider Building. Before that no one could find anyone willing to pay to save that historic structure, including the City of Austin which owned it. J. P. Schneider Store - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

East Second Street is far better off now because of all the demolition we did, it allowed something newer and vastly more useful to take its place.

Life moves on, it evolves or it whither and dies. South Lamar is evolving.

I agree with some of your points, for instance old does not always equal historic. However, warehouses can have some historic appeal and become treasures. The Warehouse District of New Orleans is a shining example. Old cotton mills, mayonaisse factories, textile mills are now apartment complexes and condos with street level shops and restaurants. Have you ever seen what they did with the Warehouse District there? Museums, art galleries, many other treasures in that area.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by RoadWarrior12

What you consistently fail to recognize in your rants on this topic is that "walkable", "liveable" and "vibrant" mean different things to different people. It's not simply your ideal or this sprawl that you insult so regularly.

"Walkable" to some is being able to comfortably walk to the park, maybe a restaurant, pick up the kids from school, go to the dentist, stop at a corner store for a six-pack and a bag of ice. It's a relatively uncrowded sidewalk wide enough for the toddler weaving the trike around while they meander with the BOB stroller. They don't intend on handling all their errands on foot, but they do intend to walk the kids to school.

"Liveable" is a little space, less concrete, lounging in a camp chairing the driveway sharing the six pack while the kids roam in the cul-de-sac.

"Vibrant". Well this one's unique. Vibrant to some is the people (not the place), could be the friends next door, may be the community activities - or it could just be them. Some people bring the party, and don't need it brought to them.

Would that be your definition? No. But that's actual diversity - a difference of opinion, desire and taste.

Listen, Austin does need options - and it's getting them as more of the core develops and densifies - but that's not for everyone. A subject as convoluted as development is not the binary equation you try to wedge it into. That (and the inane insults directed at people for their choice) removes all credibility from your rants, since you fail to possibly acknowledge diversity.

Try to take a step back and realize that many LOVE the life they have, and it doesn't hurt you any, so acting like a petulant child stomping your feet when you don't get your way isn't going to do anything about what they want.

Perfectly stated!

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by cBach

I agree with some of your points, for instance old does not always equal historic. However, warehouses can have some historic appeal and become treasures. The Warehouse District of New Orleans is a shining example. Old cotton mills, mayonaisse factories, textile mills are now apartment complexes and condos with street level shops and restaurants. Have you ever seen what they did with the Warehouse District there? Museums, art galleries, many other treasures in that area.

Yeah, but is that really any different than what is happening here? I mean, they are keeping the structures themselves -- because they are architecturally interesting and historic -- but they are becoming new expensive condos, shiny gourmet restaurants, bars, etc. Just like here, except we don't have that much interesting old architecture to keep. The old strip malls on S Lamar are not worth preserving. If we want to keep the older historic buildings, that's great, but the new stuff going in hasn't been destroying those.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by atxcio

Yeah, but is that really any different than what is happening here? I mean, they are keeping the structures themselves -- because they are architecturally interesting and historic -- but they are becoming new expensive condos, shiny gourmet restaurants, bars, etc. Just like here, except we don't have that much interesting old architecture to keep. The old strip malls on S Lamar are not worth preserving. If we want to keep the older historic buildings, that's great, but the new stuff going in hasn't been destroying those.

You know, I'd be willing to bet good money that there was someone in New Orleans saying exactly that about the old buildings there.

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

You know, I'd be willing to bet good money that there was someone in New Orleans saying exactly that about the old buildings there.

Seriously? You're comparing preservation of this:

Http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blo...l/IMAG0351.jpg

to this????


http://www.pps.org/wp-content/upload...ns_xlarge.jpeg

wow
wow



wow



wow

[capcat]

Originally Posted by orngkat

and now another bar coming to "Loburn":
Burnet Road Articles & Stories - Articles & Stories about Burnet Road in Austin, Texas
How many bars and eateries and entertainment areas do we really need? This little strip of Burnet Rd can't really handle the traffic now.

Buro?? Good grief....really?

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by capcat

Buro?? Good grief....really?

Buro? I GET it!!!! Hee Haw!!!

[capcat]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Ha! The traffic there is not as bad as it was long ago, before the completion of MoPac

No, it is. I've lived along there since long ago. Non rush hour traffic north central is getting to be a pain, that wasn't always the case.