Somebody may be watching you…..The city plans to install security video monitoring cameras at high rate crime areas downtown with the help of the Downtown Austin Alliance.
 
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/downtown-alliance-moves-to-buy-security-cameras-480631.html

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Courtesy of Mitchell McGovern

Spring Donates $50,000 for Park Improvements

The developers of Spring gave the Austin Parks Foundation a donation of $500 for each new resident, for a total of $50,000. The money will go towards improvements to the lower Shoal Creek trail. When all units at Spring are sold, the developers’ total contribution to the parks foundation could top $100,000. As many of you are probably aware, there is a significant gap in the Shoal creek hike and bike trail from 5th Street to West Ave. Apparently there are city budget dollars available to complete this gap. Survey crews have recently been spotted in the area and new survey markers can be seen. We can only hope that this is a very positive sign of soon to be constructed improvements on lower Shoal Creek.

See link for complete article:
 
http://www.statesman.com/business/spring-condominiums-donate-50-000spring-condominiums-donate-50-000-for-trail-improvements-318861.html?cxtype=ynews_rss
 
Spring also had the official dedication ceremony last week. In attendance was Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Councilman Chris Riley, contractors, developers, residents and local designers and artisans that all contributed to one of downtown’s most recent residential buildings. A plaque was unveiled to honor Robert Barnstone who recently passed away. Robert was a key driver for residential development downtown over the past several decades and was one of the partner developers of Spring and the Nakonah to name a few. He was a man that has helped to shape our city as it is today and the plaque will honor his legacy for years to come. (more…)

CapMetro discusses bikes aboard the MetroRail: http://capmetroblog.com/2010/03/26/bikes-bikes-and-more-bikes/

DANA board members tour Chill Water plant #2 in downtown Austin.  http://downtownaustinblog.org/2010/03/25/chilled-water/

Austin on Two Wheels promotes the Spring Urban Living Ride, consisting of 3 separate events in April: http://austinontwowheels.org/2010/03/24/a2w-to-bring-spring-urban-living-ride-series-in-april-need-your-help-to-make-it-happen/.  The three events will be “The Taste of Downtown Tour”, “The Pampered Pedal Ride”, and and “Eat Local Cooking Class” (not sure how bicycling comes into play on that one).  All rides will be leaving from Bo Concept.

City council is concerned there are too few hotel rooms.  http://www.kvue.com/news/Hotel-space-concerns-in-Austin-89184387.html

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Austin leads economic recovery.

Short story on Austin and why we’re faring better through the recession than other communities. Take a look!

  http://cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2010/02/22/foreman.building.up.america.cnn

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Photographs from the February Urban Core Happy Hour have been posted.  Even if you missed the Happy Hour don’t miss the pics. Click here to get a peek at the fun and the food!

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