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Old 05-16-2018, 07:33 AM
Status: "I don't understand. But I don't care, so it works out." (set 7 days ago)
 
35,629 posts, read 17,961,729 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 10scoachrick View Post
It was quite a bit more peaceful during the "downturn" just after we moved here in '08. I'd say we had 3+ years of fairly "organic"-looking growth vs the absolute glut of demo/construction of the past five years. Downtown is a mess!
Downtown IS a mess. 10 years ago it was crowded, hard to find a place to park, etc., but it was still a functional downtown then. So, good.

Right now it's just constant ugly noisy construction mess. You have to walk under protective covering temporary little rat trail things so you don't get hit by falling debris. Orange plastic netting/fencing hard hat zones everywhere. I used to love to park near Oltorf and walk up Congress to the capital - and then over to Guadalupe - felt lively and thrilling, mix of the past historical buildings and current "busy"ness and great city vibe.

Now it feels like a warzone.
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:55 AM
 
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I love the construction. Im downtown most days and the construction doesnt bother me at all because it is a sign of future things. There are people everywhere and a good energy.

I have zero problems parking in the morning and even the drive down 5th isnt bad.

The toll lane means I can get downtown in about 15 minutes during rush hour at 8:30. Many days the regular lanes are almost as fast.
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Old 05-21-2018, 12:22 PM
 
Location: central Austin
7,228 posts, read 16,101,771 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClaraC View Post
Downtown IS a mess. 10 years ago it was crowded, hard to find a place to park, etc., but it was still a functional downtown then. So, good.

Right now it's just constant ugly noisy construction mess. You have to walk under protective covering temporary little rat trail things so you don't get hit by falling debris. Orange plastic netting/fencing hard hat zones everywhere. I used to love to park near Oltorf and walk up Congress to the capital - and then over to Guadalupe - felt lively and thrilling, mix of the past historical buildings and current "busy"ness and great city vibe.

Now it feels like a warzone.

I disagree. I prefer today's downtown over 10 years ago. Sounds like you are remembering the JW Marriot construction, it is complete now, downtown proper is much more walkable, and the S. Congress stretch?! Full of pedestrians practically nonstop. Too many tourists for me but that's okay. I'm not a fan of the coming SoHo House but what can we do?
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Old 05-21-2018, 01:38 PM
 
7,742 posts, read 15,126,724 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by centralaustinite View Post
I disagree. I prefer today's downtown over 10 years ago. Sounds like you are remembering the JW Marriot construction, it is complete now, downtown proper is much more walkable, and the S. Congress stretch?! Full of pedestrians practically nonstop. Too many tourists for me but that's okay. I'm not a fan of the coming SoHo House but what can we do?
I also like downtown a lot more today than 10 years ago and definitely 20 years ago. The only thing I worry is all the local businesses with their quirks getting replaced by chains.

I think the airport has done a good job by only letting a majority of restaurants be local even if they are a shadow of the actual restaurant. It wouldnt bother me if the city zoned or gave landlords incentives for areas for local restaurants, it is something the free market just cant do.
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