Tell me why we should move to Austin. :)

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by twange

Well, to be fair, I don't think any of the new high rises currently going up downtown(north of the river), are the result of ripping up trailer parks. Most of those are replacing parking lots, which is fine by me(even though I'll never be able to live in one of them).

But the area along Barton Springs Rd, should be sacred ground. If all that stuff starts getting ripped out for more un-affordable condos(Shady Grove, Chuy's, etc...), we'll leave Austin to eat itself up like a cancer.

True.....I didn't mention that there are plenty of parking garages DT that are great candidates for high-rises......sure, DT, what are you ripping up but mid-size office buildings, older gov't structures, or older retail......but, that little Barton Spring-y area is one of the few areas that has personality and character, and its own world......and there really aren't many like that in Austin, much of a rep as it has for those areas....I get tired saying it over and over, but fact is that most of the city is ondescript sprawl. People are not coming here for the sprawl, they are coming for those few little areas like east riverside and BSP rd. .......and when they are gone the shows over.....

Those areas take DECADES to grow and mature, just like undergrowth in the amazon....and, same as the amazon, when you rip out the undergrowth, beginning with ripping out trees and 45 year old quaint quasi-artist colony trailer courts,and building high rise condos next to those places, something has to give....that something is almost always the other old places, as they get priced out of the same.....

Now, i could be wrong, and that condo many be the only structure to ever be built there......but, economics being what they are, most of those eaterie will be gone in 2-3 years.....they will sell when the price is right...
sure, they will relocate, but that strip will then be a long row of condo canyons all the way to Zilker Park.......and one of the last funky old austin areas will be the way of the wrecking ball...

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by twange

Well, to be fair, I don't think any of the new high rises currently going up downtown(north of the river), are the result of ripping up trailer parks. Most of those are replacing parking lots, which is fine by me(even though I'll never be able to live in one of them).

But the area along Barton Springs Rd, should be sacred ground. If all that stuff starts getting ripped out for more un-affordable condos(Shady Grove, Chuy's, etc...), we'll leave Austin to eat itself up like a cancer.

I just use the "trailer courts" point to show what will happen if they redefine and pave over the last few remaining unique areas in Austin......the result depends on how many people who remember and value the old austin fight for it to remain...cause when its gone, its gone...That little strip took decades to build up...shady grove was first, and then the other set up shop, and people started hanging out there even on week-ends, early on sundays even....just a great place to eat and chat.....even sit on grass and eat as well.......other than that, whats left, but just a few areas in hyde park, and some of the south.....I can easily see a time when ALL of it is gone...

[twange]

Originally Posted by scongress1234

I just use the "trailer courts" point to show what will happen if they redefine and pave over the last few remaining unique areas in Austin......the result depends on how many people who remember and value the old austin fight for it to remain...cause when its gone, its gone...That little strip took decades to build up...shady grove was first, and then the other set up shop, and people started hanging out there even on week-ends, early on sundays even....just a great place to eat and chat.....even sit on grass and eat as well.......other than that, whats left, but just a few areas in hyde park, and some of the south.....I can easily see a time when ALL of it is gone...

I really hope not. It would just be really egregious and I can't see how that would make the city better for anyone but greedy out of state developers. If the city can't find a way to preserve its heritage, then it deserves whatever it gets.

Every time we have guests, we take them down that way and everyone loves it. It's really awesome. I wish some of these developers would show some creativity and balls and extend that vibe a bit to the east down Riverside...starting with the G*ddamn Hooters! I mean, what an under-utilized, un-Austin, butt-ugly space that is...bums me out every time I drive past it

BTW, I drove by the old trailer park last night after my run...really looks shocking the way all of those trees were ripped out. Bad place for those condos IMHO(unless you're one of the few who'll live there). It will only be a matter of time before those folks start b*itching about noise, no 5-star restaurants, too many people milling about their condos, etc...Not to mention all of the additional traffic that place will generate.

Grade: F