Courtesy of Michael McGrail

We are so fortunate to reside in Austin. In the past year, even while in a recession, many accolades for our wonderful and unique city continue. The following is just a partial list of the recognition that Austin has received:

* MSN Travel Austin is one of the “15 Coolest North American Cities” list. (January 2009)

* Forbes placed Austin in it’s yearly “America’s 25 Strongest Housing Markets” list. (January 2009)

* MSNBC.com cited Austin #8 as one of the “Top 10 Places To Live In The U.S.” list. (January 2009)

* Texas Workforce Commission, Austin will see a 24.4% increase in employment between 2006 and 2016. (January 2009)

* Austin ranks #8 on Forbes’ “Best Place for Businesses and Careers” list.

* Forbes.com placed Austin on it’s “Best Big Cities For Jobs” list.  (April 2009)

* NewGeography.com ranked Austin #1 on it’s “Best Cities For Job Growth” list. (April 2009)

* With over 54,000 high-tech workers, Austin ranks seventh on the “Nation’s Biggest Tech Cities” list from Bizjournals.com. (May 2009)

* According to Bizjournals.com, Austin is expected to be the 5th fastest growing city from 2005-2025.

* US News ranked Austin #3 for the Best Places To Live. (June 2009)

* On Forbes’ recent “Best and Worst Cities for Recession Recovery” list, Austin was ranked #1 for the best performing city during the recession (June 2009)

And this year Austin and Central Texas were featured in the March 29, 2010 Time Magazine cover story on “Jobs: Where they are and how to find them.” as a place where innovation is driving job creation.

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Join DANA and your fellow downtown neighbors in making our urban neighborhood more livable. Enjoy light refreshments while we take this last opportunity to influence the Downtown Austin Plan's (DAP) two district-specific plans before the final draft is released. Please feel free to forward this invitation to any friends or neighbors you think would be interested in participating.
 
Downtown Austin Plan Interactive Town Hall:
Core & Waterfront District and Northwest District
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Waller Creek Center
625 E. 10th Street (map)(transit)
 
RSVP by clicking here!
 
The district plans are taking shape and the time has come to prioritize implementation of the recommendations. If you haven't engaged in the DAP before or are feeling DAP fatigue, this may be the most hands on and significant point to dig in with us.
 
Graphic summaries of the two district-specific plans can be found at:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downloads/district_analysis_report_1-27-10_core-nw.pdf
 
The Core & Waterfront District and Northwest District plans provide specific policies, standards and guidelines for redevelopment and enhancements, including:

Location, type, and mix of land uses;
Allowable and conditional uses, density;
Form-based standards such as building typologies, height, massing, setbacks, compatibility standards, ground-level uses, parking and service treatments;
Density bonus provisions;
Preservation of historic and cultural resources;
Parks and open space;
Transportation and Streetscapes; and
Infrastructure.

More information on the DAP can be found at:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/downtownaustinplan.htm

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The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) has announced that it plans to re-imagine the future of state government's presence in the heart of Austin.  This new plan could triple the amount of space at the Capitol complex, add 7 million square feet of space to downtown, and include joint development with private interests where parking lots or garages currently exist.

On June 3, 2010, the Downtown Austin Alliance invites you to join us for a special Issues and Eggs Breakfast Forum where members of the TFC team will provide more information on the concept, and discuss the implications to downtown and the entire city.

Issues and Eggs Breakfast Forum
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Check-in and Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Presentation: 8:00 a.m.
St. David's Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
301 E. 8th Street, Austin, TX 78701
RSVP: rsvp@downtownaustin.com or 512-381-6270 by Tuesday, June 1

The DAA encourages you to use public transportation. Plan your route using Capital Metro's Trip Planner. Parking is available at St. David's Garage.

Speakers:
– Gregg Werkenthin: Deputy Executive Director for Space Management & State Leasing Services Division
– Michael Lacy: Director, Office of Space Management & Real Estate Services
– Aundre Dukes: Program Specialist, Office of Space Management & Real Estate Services

You can read more about the Texas Facility's plans in the Austin Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman.

Thank you,
Downtown Austin Alliance
 

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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.

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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!

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