The Big Picture Map
Town Lake Corridor Development Project Activity
Fri., Jan. 19, 2007
Parks & Recreation Department list, updated Jan. 5
Additional information provided by George Zapalac, city of Austin
To help convey the changing nature of Town Lake's shorelines, this map provides a comprehensive look at dozens of projects either planned or in progress. Shown are both city projects on public land (A-G) and developments on privately owned land (1-24). Projects noted on map are explained below.
Within the WO District, all shoreline land that fronts directly on Town Lake (or on its contributory creeks) is protected as open space by city ordinance; the ordinance prohibits new development within primary (red on the map) and secondary (orange) setbacks (of varying widths).
Closing the roughly 2-mile gap (between the Statesman and Town Lake Metro Park) in the otherwise continuous loop of the shoreline hike-and-bike trail is a multimillion-dollar project that PARD and trail advocates would love to get done. In some spots, a boardwalk over the water would be needed. The recent bond election included $1 million for other trail repairs and improvements. See www.townlaketrail.org.
Surrounding the new Palmer Events Center and evolving Long Center is a 54-acre parcel of Town Lake Park. To be completed this spring is the "urban edge" portion (between Barton Springs Road and Riverside); it's receiving about $7 million in park improvements that include fountains, a pond, walking paths, and open green areas. A future phase will improve the parkland between Riverside and the shoreline. Overall, TLP refers to all city-owned land on both sides of the river (between Cesar Chavez and Riverside Drive/Barton Springs).
Long undeveloped, this 363-acre riverfront park is finally scheduled for improvements. Phase I (bond-financed, to be completed by July 2008) includes a large playscape. Phase II (which lacks funding) includes new trails, sports fields, and a basketball court. The 1999 master plan also called for community gardens, a performance pavilion, and new benches along scenic river overlooks.
In converting the Downtown segment between Cesar Chavez and Brazos to a two-way street, nearly a half-acre of Town Lake Park (between the street and the river) was lost. To compensate, the project includes park improvements: new planting beds, park benches, 40-50 new trees, and a handsome waterfront pedestrian promenade.
Phase I is finally under construction; it includes a two-story story education/exhibit/rehearsal/office building and outdoor plaza. Ultimately the long-awaited $50 million MACC will include a 300-seat theatre, an 800-seat theatre, and a garage. Programming will include Latino visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, music, multimedia and culinary arts. (Phase I Completion: Spring '07.)
After the plant is decommissioned and demolished, this city of Austin property is slated for redevelopment, with a new infrastructure of streets. Site has been selected for the new Downtown Austin Public Library.
This privately owned Toomey Road area is part of South Lamar Neighborhood Planning Process. Concept plan for an Overlay District would relax building code to allow greater building heights and Downtown-type density, in exchange for developer-funded improvements. Could include streetscape amenities, required affordable housing, and parkland amenities.
Five-story residential (162 units) with 3,000-square-feet retail and 3,200 square feet of office space. (Estimated Completion Date: Summer '08.) Waterfront Overlay District Variance approved (South Shore Central subdistrict). Received setback variance along East Bouldin Creek. Primary setback of 80 feet changed to variable setback of 29 feet average; secondary setback of 130 feet eliminated.
(Currently parking area for the Hyatt)
Mixed-use 20-story project, with 12 floors of residential (213 units). Developer Fairfield Properties negotiated agreement on WO encroachment with Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association; includes restrictive covenant, new ordinance, and private agreement. Goes back to Planning Commission Jan. 25. WO Variance requested to build 15 feet into secondary setback from Town Lake (at 150 feet).
300 E. Riverside Drive
Initially proposed: three 18-story residential towers (840 units). To meet Parkland Dedication requirements, PARD negotiated the dedication of land extension of Town Lake Trail along the shoreline. WO Variance requested to build 80 feet from Town Lake shoreline; WO requires combined primary and secondary setbacks of 200 feet.
1300 E. Riverside Dr. (Site: Wellesley Inn & Suites)
High-end condominium project (254 units) with four buildings, the tallest of which will be 11 stories (110 feet). Phase I Construction to begin mid-2007. Proposed as 18-story residential tower, with a stepped-down height of 40 feet closest to Town Lake. Developer: Constellation Property Group. Note: PARD has negotiated a 20-foot trail easement along Town Lake. Constellation also will grant an easement to the city to extend the hike-and-bike trail under I-35 (and has donated $250,000 toward the cost of building the boardwalk extension). WO Variance requested to allow a water quality pond within the primary setback.
208 Nueces
Expansion from 22,000 square feet to about 42,000 square feet. Developer: Direct Events, with Novare Group/Andrews Urban. WO Variance requested to allow addition within the primary setback from Shoal Creek.
Planned 100-unit apartment project.
(Site: Former Binswanger Glass Co.)
A planned five-story, 137-unit apartment building, with ground-floor retail and restaurants.
(Site: Taco Cabana on South Lamar) To be preserved near site: Paggi House
Phase I under construction: Six-story condominiums (110 units); 9,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Developer: CLB Partners Ltd.; did Austin City Lofts. Phase II: Planned additional condo units.
(Site: Former Filling Station Restaurant)
Nine three-story residential buildings, plus mixed-use project. Developer: David Honeycutt. Variance requested from neighborhood compatibility setback requirement, from 40 feet to 180 feet.
Future: Second tower with mixed-use and high-rise residential project planned on the site
Planned mixed-use project with 10,000-square-foot retail below 45 townhomes and up to 375 apartments. AMLI plans to dedicate a parkland easement along shoreline to extend TL Trail and will pay to construct it. Land under contract. Required setback of 100 feet will be observed by AMLI.
Lakeshore Boulevard at Tinnin Ford Road
Existing multifamily development converting to a mixed-use development. The proposed high-density "urban village" on the east side off Lakeshore Drive would be large enough to require new streets and its own public-utility district. Variance requested to allow development within a critical water quality zone.
Northeast corner Rainey and Cummings Streets
21-story residential tower; live-work lofts for artists (affordable housing) with storefront studios on street level on Rainey Street. Developer: Legacy Partners.
Rainey Street Neighborhood
13-story condominiums (completed); the pioneering project in the new Waterfront District
22-story condominium tower (192 units) under construction. Developer: High Street (Trammell Crow)
254-room boutique hotel topped with 40-50 condos
Two 30-story towers; hotel and condos (Start construction: mid-'07)
Residential tower (240 apartment with 80 condos) with ground-floor retail. (Start construction: spring '07)
28-story tower; will include 190 apartments (under construction).
44-story, 433-unit residential tower overlooking Shoal Creek (under construction).
29-story residential tower with 305 units overlooking Shoal Creek (under construction).
Midrise residential tower overlooking Shoal Creek (Preliminary planning stages)
36-story condo "point tower" with 220 units (Start construction: 2007)
300 N. Lamar (former Goodwill building)
Five-story residential, 126 units; under construction. Developer: Phoenix Property Co.
*Oops! The following correction ran in the February 2, 2007 issue of the Chronicle: In the map of the Town Lake Corridor in the Jan. 19 issue ("The Big Picture," p.28-29), the location of the Spring condominium project is incorrect. The project on that site is Gables Park Plaza, a 4-acre project to include a 195-foot condo tower sited 500 feet from Town Lake. Spring is directly north, across Third Street (between Lamar and Bowie). The online version of the map has been corrected. The Chronicle regrets the errors.
Additional information provided by George Zapalac, city of Austin
To help convey the changing nature of Town Lake's shorelines, this map provides a comprehensive look at dozens of projects either planned or in progress. Shown are both city projects on public land (A-G) and developments on privately owned land (1-24). Projects noted on map are explained below.
Waterfront Overlay District
Within the WO District, all shoreline land that fronts directly on Town Lake (or on its contributory creeks) is protected as open space by city ordinance; the ordinance prohibits new development within primary (red on the map) and secondary (orange) setbacks (of varying widths).
WOD Subdistricts Map: www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks
CITY OF AUSTIN PROJECTS
Downtown Austin Plan Area
This area along the north shore of Town Lake, between I-35 and Lamar, is included in the new urban plan for Downtown Austin being developed by ROMA Design Group, to be completed by the end of 2007. The corresponding south shore of Town Lake is not included – but maybe it should be; it was the subject of ROMA's 2000 study (see p.27).
A) Riverside Gap: Town Lake Trail
Closing the roughly 2-mile gap (between the Statesman and Town Lake Metro Park) in the otherwise continuous loop of the shoreline hike-and-bike trail is a multimillion-dollar project that PARD and trail advocates would love to get done. In some spots, a boardwalk over the water would be needed. The recent bond election included $1 million for other trail repairs and improvements. See www.townlaketrail.org.
B) Town Lake Park
Surrounding the new Palmer Events Center and evolving Long Center is a 54-acre parcel of Town Lake Park. To be completed this spring is the "urban edge" portion (between Barton Springs Road and Riverside); it's receiving about $7 million in park improvements that include fountains, a pond, walking paths, and open green areas. A future phase will improve the parkland between Riverside and the shoreline. Overall, TLP refers to all city-owned land on both sides of the river (between Cesar Chavez and Riverside Drive/Barton Springs).
C) Guerrero Colorado River Bend Park
Long undeveloped, this 363-acre riverfront park is finally scheduled for improvements. Phase I (bond-financed, to be completed by July 2008) includes a large playscape. Phase II (which lacks funding) includes new trails, sports fields, and a basketball court. The 1999 master plan also called for community gardens, a performance pavilion, and new benches along scenic river overlooks.
D) Cesar Chavez Park Improvements
In converting the Downtown segment between Cesar Chavez and Brazos to a two-way street, nearly a half-acre of Town Lake Park (between the street and the river) was lost. To compensate, the project includes park improvements: new planting beds, park benches, 40-50 new trees, and a handsome waterfront pedestrian promenade.
E) Mexican American Cultural Center
Phase I is finally under construction; it includes a two-story story education/exhibit/rehearsal/office building and outdoor plaza. Ultimately the long-awaited $50 million MACC will include a 300-seat theatre, an 800-seat theatre, and a garage. Programming will include Latino visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, music, multimedia and culinary arts. (Phase I Completion: Spring '07.)
F) Green Water Treatment Plant
After the plant is decommissioned and demolished, this city of Austin property is slated for redevelopment, with a new infrastructure of streets. Site has been selected for the new Downtown Austin Public Library.
G) South Bank Project (Conceptual plan)
This privately owned Toomey Road area is part of South Lamar Neighborhood Planning Process. Concept plan for an Overlay District would relax building code to allow greater building heights and Downtown-type density, in exchange for developer-funded improvements. Could include streetscape amenities, required affordable housing, and parkland amenities.
PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
SHORELINE SETBACK VARIANCES
APPROVED
7) Crescent Machinery
127 E. RiversideFive-story residential (162 units) with 3,000-square-feet retail and 3,200 square feet of office space. (Estimated Completion Date: Summer '08.) Waterfront Overlay District Variance approved (South Shore Central subdistrict). Received setback variance along East Bouldin Creek. Primary setback of 80 feet changed to variable setback of 29 feet average; secondary setback of 130 feet eliminated.
REQUESTED – IN REVIEW
5) Hyatt Regency Hotel Site
208 Barton Springs Rd.(Currently parking area for the Hyatt)
Mixed-use 20-story project, with 12 floors of residential (213 units). Developer Fairfield Properties negotiated agreement on WO encroachment with Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association; includes restrictive covenant, new ordinance, and private agreement. Goes back to Planning Commission Jan. 25. WO Variance requested to build 15 feet into secondary setback from Town Lake (at 150 feet).
8) 222 E. Riverside Drive &
300 E. Riverside Drive
Initially proposed: three 18-story residential towers (840 units). To meet Parkland Dedication requirements, PARD negotiated the dedication of land extension of Town Lake Trail along the shoreline. WO Variance requested to build 80 feet from Town Lake shoreline; WO requires combined primary and secondary setbacks of 200 feet.
9) Star Riverside
1300 E. Riverside Dr. (Site: Wellesley Inn & Suites) High-end condominium project (254 units) with four buildings, the tallest of which will be 11 stories (110 feet). Phase I Construction to begin mid-2007. Proposed as 18-story residential tower, with a stepped-down height of 40 feet closest to Town Lake. Developer: Constellation Property Group. Note: PARD has negotiated a 20-foot trail easement along Town Lake. Constellation also will grant an easement to the city to extend the hike-and-bike trail under I-35 (and has donated $250,000 toward the cost of building the boardwalk extension). WO Variance requested to allow a water quality pond within the primary setback.
19) Austin Music Hall
208 Nueces
Expansion from 22,000 square feet to about 42,000 square feet. Developer: Direct Events, with Novare Group/Andrews Urban. WO Variance requested to allow addition within the primary setback from Shoal Creek.
NO SHORELINE SETBACK VARIANCE
SOUTH SHORE
1) 1426 Toomey
(Site: Former Bicycle Sport Shop, west of Schlotzsky's)Planned 100-unit apartment project.
2) 300 S. Lamar
(Site: Former Binswanger Glass Co.)A planned five-story, 137-unit apartment building, with ground-floor retail and restaurants.
3) Bridges on the Park
(Site: Taco Cabana on South Lamar) To be preserved near site: Paggi House
Phase I under construction: Six-story condominiums (110 units); 9,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Developer: CLB Partners Ltd.; did Austin City Lofts. Phase II: Planned additional condo units.
4) 801 Barton Springs Rd.
(Site: Former Filling Station Restaurant)Nine three-story residential buildings, plus mixed-use project. Developer: David Honeycutt. Variance requested from neighborhood compatibility setback requirement, from 40 feet to 180 feet.
6) Fairfield Residential – Hyatt Site
Future: Second tower with mixed-use and high-rise residential project planned on the site
10) AMLI Town Lake Mixed-Use Development
Northwest corner of Lakeshore Boulevard and Riverside (by Radio Shack)Planned mixed-use project with 10,000-square-foot retail below 45 townhomes and up to 375 apartments. AMLI plans to dedicate a parkland easement along shoreline to extend TL Trail and will pay to construct it. Land under contract. Required setback of 100 feet will be observed by AMLI.
11) Lakeshore PUD
Lakeshore Boulevard at Tinnin Ford Road
Existing multifamily development converting to a mixed-use development. The proposed high-density "urban village" on the east side off Lakeshore Drive would be large enough to require new streets and its own public-utility district. Variance requested to allow development within a critical water quality zone.
NORTH SHORE
WATERFRONT DISTRICT
27-acre area (former Rainey Street Neighborhood) now zoned CBD
12) Legacy @ Town Lake
Northeast corner Rainey and Cummings Streets 21-story residential tower; live-work lofts for artists (affordable housing) with storefront studios on street level on Rainey Street. Developer: Legacy Partners.
13) Milago Condos
Rainey Street Neighborhood 13-story condominiums (completed); the pioneering project in the new Waterfront District
14) The Shore on Town Lake
22-story condominium tower (192 units) under construction. Developer: High Street (Trammell Crow)
15) Kimpton Hotel
254-room boutique hotel topped with 40-50 condos
16) Constellation Project
Two 30-story towers; hotel and condos (Start construction: mid-'07)
17) 98 San Jacinto
Residential tower (240 apartment with 80 condos) with ground-floor retail. (Start construction: spring '07)
18) 101 Colorado
28-story tower; will include 190 apartments (under construction).
20) 360 Condominiums
44-story, 433-unit residential tower overlooking Shoal Creek (under construction).
21) The Monarch
29-story residential tower with 305 units overlooking Shoal Creek (under construction).
22) The Lofts on Shoal Creek
Midrise residential tower overlooking Shoal Creek (Preliminary planning stages)
23) Spring
36-story condo "point tower" with 220 units (Start construction: 2007)
24) Phoenix Apartments
300 N. Lamar (former Goodwill building) Five-story residential, 126 units; under construction. Developer: Phoenix Property Co.
25) Gables Park Plaza
This four-acre project includes a 195' condo tower (sited about 500 feet from Town Lake) and a 10-story, 314-unit apartment building. The needed height variance was unanimously approved at city council in Feb. 06. New streets are being constructed through the site; both projects will have ground-floor retail.*
*Oops! The following correction ran in the February 2, 2007 issue of the Chronicle: In the map of the Town Lake Corridor in the Jan. 19 issue ("The Big Picture," p.28-29), the location of the Spring condominium project is incorrect. The project on that site is Gables Park Plaza, a 4-acre project to include a 195-foot condo tower sited 500 feet from Town Lake. Spring is directly north, across Third Street (between Lamar and Bowie). The online version of the map has been corrected. The Chronicle regrets the errors.
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