from the Austin Business Journal

An unnamed investor has purchased a historic building near the corner of Congress Avenue and Fifth Street and plans to construct a boutique hotel, according to a release Friday.

The three-story, Romanesque-style structure at 416 Congress Avenue, home to the Cielo Lounge dance club, is slated for conversion into a 15-story hotel designed by famed Austin architect Dick Clark. The building was originally constructed in 1893. “You have to do something very special and unique with this type of structure,” Clark. said “Our intent is to preserve what’s unique and special, particularly the Congress Avenue façade, and add new life in a way that appeals to both Austinites and the sophisticated clientele that frequents downtown.”

The 21,000-square-foot building will be expanded to 52,000 square feet with roughly 60 to 70 rooms and a restaurant, Clark said. The plans must still receive city approval, but the process will be lightened without the need for city code variances, according to Clark. The hotel is expected to open in 2012.

The buyer purchased the building from the original owner, the James H. Robertson family, for an undisclosed amount. Anna Naumann with Elite Property Group and Rick Schulte with Stanberry Commercial represented the buyer and Southwest Strategies Group principal John Rosato represented the Robertsons.

The building was previously home to the Sky Lounge and HotJobs.com.

Courtesy of Bill McCann

If you didn't get a chance to share your input at the Imagine Austin/ASMP community forums held in late April, it's not too late to weigh in. The Imagine Austin team is currently fielding an online survey asking for your help and feedback on the draft Components of a Vision statement. The planning team is also fielding a second round of its successful Meetings-in-a-Box — where you and your organization (or group of friends) can work through the Imagine Austin team's Community Design exercise on your own and report your results back for incorporation into the planning effort.

The survey takes about 5 minutes. Don't forget to identify yourself as a DANA Member!

Courtesy of Bill McCann

We, at SNAPPatx, developed a 2-minute survey to help decision makers understand what voters want on a couple of key high level issues.  Please click the link below to fill out the survey and pass it along to anyone you think will be interested.

http://www.snappatx.org/survey1.html

Courtesy of Michael McGill

Travis County is going through a long term planning process to direct the shape of its downtown facilities for the years to come.  Right now they are eager to hear your input and there is a public presentation and listening session being held on Thursday, May 13 starting at 6:00 PM in the Commissioners Courtroom at 314 W 11th Street.
 
If you cannot make it to that meeting, we encourage DANA members to give feedback through the County's online survey (open through May 17th):
Survey
En Espanol
Open Comment Section
 
To get updates on the planning process, click here.