Austin Texas Living

Readers: 2009 Worst Year Ever

2009-12-22T16:20:00.000-08:00

Austin Business Journal Readers say "2009 Worst Year Ever."

A clear majority, 67 percent, of Austin Business Journal readers said 2009 was "the worst in awhile, perhaps ever," according a survey.

Asked to rate 2009 business operations, about 28 percent responded "not too shabby," according to the BusinessPulse survey, which included 440 responses.

About 5 percent scored the year "outstanding."

The BusinessPulse survey is a non-scientific poll of Austin Business Journal readers.

Source: Austin Business Journal

Lake Travis | Austin Texas Real Estate

2009-12-22T16:08:00.000-08:00

Lake Travis is 63.75 miles long, and its maximum width is 4.5 miles. The lake covers 18,929 acres, and its capacity is 1,953,936 acre-feet. The lake is considered full at an elevation of 681.1 msl. At this elevation the lake contains 382,092,882,600 gallons of water. There are 270 miles of shoreline around the lake. It has a maximum depth of 210 and an average depth of 62 feet. The lakes historic high level is 710.4 feet msl on December 25, 1991. Its historic low level is 614.2 feet msl on August 14 1951.

Lake Travis was created by the impounding of the Colorado River by the construction of Mansfield Dam in 1937- 41. The dam is 266.41 feet high. The length is 7,089.39 feet. At the base it is 213 feet thick. Ranch Road 620 built on top of the dam and the adjoining protective walls bring the actual height of the dam to 274 feet. The top of the dam is 750 feet msl. Its spillway elevation is 714 feetmsl. At this elevation the lake contains 636,691,999,536 gallons of water. It has 3 Pen Stocks which divert water to 3 turbines with a total electrical generating capacity of 93,000 kw. The Dam has 24 floodgates at 4,770 cfs each. Each floodgate is 8.5 feet in diameter.

Champions Real Estate School Wins Austin BOR Roundup

2009-10-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Champions School of Real Estate made a "wild" impression at the 2009 Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) Realty Roundup on Wednesday, October 7, with its jungle themed booth winning 2nd place.

"We had a lot of fun with the theme "We're Wild About Champions", and we got to talk to a lot of local realty professionals about the quality service Champions School of Real Estate provides," said Regional Manager Stephanie Powell. "I think everyone who stopped by the booth had a smile on their face, and a Champions t-shirt in their hand!"

Austin Expected Housing Starts Rebound Slowly

2009-10-19T17:00:00.001-07:00

Monday, October 19, 2009, 12:41pm CD
Full Story Austin Business Journal

Housing starts may rebound slowly, although they have begun to increase lately, according to a forecast from housing market research firm Metrostudy.

“We believe that some of the recent gains in housing starts could be given back during the third and fourth quarters of this year if the current tax credits are not extended,” said Brad Hunter, Metrostudy’s chief economist and national director of consulting. “That said, the forecast for 2010 is for steady increases in starts.”

2009-10-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

Austin real estate sales and has seen a 17% decrease in home inventory during the summer of 2009. According to the Austin Business Journal, the Texas economy is predicted to begin a slow, steady recovery in 2010, (according to BBVA Compass' U.S. Regional Watch 3-Q report).

People are moving to Texas

According to CNNMoney.com, Texas had the highest net migration in the country in 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Austin and San Antonio will be the first two U.S. cities to recover from the recession, according to a new national forecast from IHS Global Insight. The forecast from the Lexington, Mass. economic research firm suggests the two Texas cities will bounce back to their pre-recession job levels sometime next year.

Sky-high possibilities

2009-10-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sky-high possibilities
October 4, 2009

You see the cranes rising above downtown Austin as more towering condominium buildings and apartment complexes become part of our urban landscape.

And you might wonder what it would be like to live downtown. Then you might kick around whether an apartment or a condo is more your style.

On Oct. 11, the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association's Downtown Living Tour will let you inside five apartment and six condo buildings.

The tour allows potential residents to suss out what's where and what's what in the downtown housing market while mingling with residents who've already made the plunge.

Full Story

Electronic Arts expanding in Austin

2009-10-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

Electronic Arts expanding in Austin
September 26, 2009

Electronic Arts may be hiring after it leases 50,000 square feet at Domain

Electronic Arts Inc. has leased 50,000 square feet at the Domain, and though company officials aren't talking, a chamber of commerce official says the company will be hiring.

"We are extremely pleased that they're going to be adding jobs in the Austin area," said Tony Schum, director of economic development for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Schum didn't elaborate on how many jobs EA is planning to add.

Full Story

Economists see sunnier times for Texas

2009-10-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

Statesman.com
September 22, 2009

Bank economists see rise in jobs, GDP in '10

BBVA Compass economists said that Texas has fared better than most other states in the recession and forecast a return to growth in 2010.

The bank, which last month bought Austin-based Guaranty Bank, has made a string of U.S. acquisitions in recent years and now has operations across the Sunbelt, stretching from Florida to California.

Nathaniel Karp, BBVA Compass' chief economist, said the Sunbelt will see a quicker recovery than other parts of the country, partly because the region's housing market has begun to stabilize.

Full Story

Austin TX Real Estate

2009-10-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

Austin TX Real Estate

Sheree-Austinhomes.com are your guides for finding the best properties in Austin Texas. They specialize in the Austin area and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Westlake, Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and Lago Vista. If you're interested in calling Austin Texas your home, allow them to be your guide to the area.

New Laws Take Effect Today

2009-09-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

Full Story Austin Statesman

There are 642 new laws that are in effect starting today. Here is a list of some of the new laws for Austin, TX.

Teens cannot talk on the cell phone while driving.

The State Board of Education, Public Utility Commission and Electric Reliability Council of Texas are required to broadcast video of their public meetings on the Internet.

Allows all hunters to hunt with a crossbow during bow-hunting season.

Makes it easier for young children to get influenza vaccinations by authorizing pharmacists to administer flu shots to children age 7 and older.

Allows counties to hold political party county/senatorial district conventions outside the county if there is no venue big enough within the county.

Increases fines for parking in spaces designated for cars transporting people with disabilities. First offenders face fines of $500 to $750, up from $250 to $500.

Would increase to the next highest category the punishment for most assault, robbery, burglary and theft offenses if committed within a federal-, state-, or local-declared disaster area or an area subject to an emergency evacuation order.

Adds municipal judges to the list of people allowed to perform marriage ceremonies.

Prohibits the making or acceptance of a campaign contribution in a Texas courthouse.

Allows high school students to serve as election clerks if they are at least 16, are U.S. citizens and have permission from their school or, if home-schooled, their parent.

For a list of all the bills effective today, go to this link: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Search/BillSearch.aspx Under Actions, click Select Action Criteria. Choose Effective on 9/1/09. You will get a list of all the bills effective that date.

Austin Airport Traffic Plummets 6.5%

2009-09-01T11:45:00.001-07:00

Full Story Austin Statesman

By American-Statesman staff | Tuesday, September 1, 2009, 10:23 AM

Passenger traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was down 6.5 percent in July from July 2008.

It was the smallest percentage drop this year; this year the drops ranged from 8.5 to 16 percent.

Among major carriers, traffic was up 6.5 percent in July at Southwest Airlines, down 12 percent at American Airlines, and up 10 percent at Continental Airlines.

Austin Drought: Water Use Down 21% in a Week

2009-09-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Full Story Austin Statesman

Water use drops in first week of lawn-watering restrictions
City officials say rain is probably partly responsible for the 21 percent dip in use.
By Marty Toohey
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Austin's water use dropped about 21 percent in the week since the city told residents they could only use sprinklers once a week and threatened stiff fines.

"It's too early to tell for sure, but people seem to have responded," said Daryl Slusher, assistant director for environmental affairs and conservation at the Austin Water Utility.

Scattered rains last week probably contributed to the decrease as well, he said.

The new rules took effect Aug. 24. Slusher said the city has since issued 21 citations, each costing a violator $475: $412 for the fine and $63 for court fees. The city issued nine warnings over the weekend, Slusher said.

Austin Commuter Rail Faces Delays

2009-09-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Full Story Austin Statesman

Commuter rail faces further delays
Federal officials cite problems with some signals and 'strongly urge' more work
By Ben Wear
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Capital Metro's beleaguered commuter rail project will face further delays after federal regulators turned up a defect in the "vital logic" of the signals used to tell trains to slow down and stop when there is trouble ahead.

Round Rock trustees to set school boundaries

2009-09-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Full Story Austin Statesman

Attendance zones to address new schools opening, overcrowding at some existing campuses.
By Laura Heinauer
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Round Rock school district trustees will decide tonight where to draw new school boundaries, a topic that has riled numerous parents and property owners for weeks and has pitted some neighborhoods against each other.

The boundary changes, which will affect various elementary, middle and high schools in the district, will alleviate crowding at some existing campuses and assign students to several new schools, including Cedar Ridge High School, which is set to open in the 2010-11 school year. The campus, which is east of Interstate 35 near the Forest Creek subdivision, will be the fifth high school in the 41,500-student district.

Austin to Ban Cell Phones While Driving

2009-09-01T11:33:00.001-07:00

Full Story

The Austin City Council took a big step Wednesday towards banning texting and driving throughout the city.

The council voted unanimously to have the ban written into a city ordinance. That will take city staffers a few months. Council members will then have to approve that ordinance before it becomes law.

Some Round Rock drivers have been putting their phones down for nearly a year.

Stimulus aids Austin real estate

2009-06-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Francisco Marin / Daily Texan Staff

Local realtors say they have seen signs of growth in the damaged real estate industry — despite statistics released last Thursday by the Austin Board of Realtors indicating that the local market is still troubled.

The volume of single-family home sales in May 2009 was down 19 percent from May 2008, according to the Multiple Listing Service report authored by the board. The median price of homes has also decreased by 1 percent — which could be a benefit to those searching for a home, but an obstacle to homeowners looking to sell their property, said Jay Gohil, chairman of the Austin Board of Realtors.

Full Story

Homebuilders Association kicks off eco-friendly construction plan

2009-06-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

By Don Bolding / Killeen Daily Herald
June 21, 2009

At its monthly membership meeting July 15, the Central Texas Homebuilders Association will kick off a Green Building Program patterned after one currently effective in Houston, a voluntary effort to improve the eco-friendliness of the construction industry to respond to increasing customer demand and just for the sake of eco-friendliness.

CTHBA immediate past president Carol Bass said she was impressed by efforts of the Texas Association of Builders and other local affiliates at meetings in Austin about a year ago and started doing research on her own. About five months ago, she was able to pull together a committee of a half dozen builders and inspectors to start work on a manual builders can use to get their homes certified at any of three levels.

Full Story

Despite surge in homes up for auction, values holding fairly steady, experts say

2009-06-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

By Shonda Novak / American-Statesman Staff
June 20, 2009

Foreclosure postings continue to rise in several Central Texas counties, the latest figures show, although experts note that the numbers are inflated by a high number of repeat postings, which account for almost half the total.

They also say the sales of foreclosed homes aren't measurably affecting home values in the region, in part because they represent such a small fraction of the supply of homes for sale.

In Travis County, foreclosure postings for the July 7 auction rose 117 percent to 782, according to Foreclosure Listing Service Inc. Williamson County had 452 postings, up 111 percent.

Full Story

Housing market still down but picking up, local Realtors chairman says

2009-06-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

By Shonda Novak / American-Statesmen Staff
June 19, 2009

Central Texas home sales were down 19 percent in May from a year ago, but the market has picked up momentum from the beginning of the year thanks to low mortgage rates and a healthy supply of homes, the chairman of the Austin Board of Realtors said.

The 1,707 sales in May were the most since August, when 1,993 homes were sold. The median sales price dipped 1 percent from a year ago, to $193,000.

There were 2,132 sales pending to close in June, down 1 percent from a year ago.

Full Story

Longhorns assistant Harmon is loud yang to Garrido's yin

2009-06-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

By Alan Trubow / American-Statesman Staff
June 22, 2009

OMAHA, Neb. — It was just a bunting drill during a routine practice in the middle of a long season.

But the Longhorn on the mound was fuming.

Pitcher Brandon Workman had just been on the receiving end of one of Texas associate head coach Tommy Harmon's famous rants.

"Workman was mad, but one thing you don't do with coach Harmon is mess around during drills," Texas relief pitcher Austin Wood said. "Coach takes practice seriously. He's the general, the enforcer out there."

Full Story

Garner State Park a 4th of July tradition

2009-06-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

By: Texas Parks and Wildlife / Austin 8 News
June 21, 2009

Weekends are always hopping at Texas' busiest state park. All summer long the 400 campsites at Garner State Park are just about full.

Rick Meyer with Texas Parks & Wildlife said this Fourth of July will be no exception.

"I've worked at five different state parks and I've managed three different state parks," Meyer said. "But I've never seen a state park that operates like this one due to just the mass numbers of people. Some of the families that I've spoken to over this weekend have been coming here since the 40s. They come every Fourth of July. It's a big deal."

Full Story

Wooldridge Square Park celebrates 100 years

2009-06-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

By: News 8 Austin Staff
June 21, 2009

On Saturday, the community gathered at historic Wooldridge Square Park to celebrate the park's centennial.

The park has offered an in-town retreat to Austin residents and visitors for 100 years now. And while community members came together to celebrate the park's history, they also gathered to raise awareness about its future.

"This is one of the three squares originally laid out in 1839 when Austin was divided into lots and didn't develop into a park really until the early 1900s," Charlie McCabe of Austin Parks Foundation, said. "It was the center of really civic life, for a long time, with the courthouse being right across the street here."

Full Story

Central Texas celebrates Juneteenth

2009-06-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

By News 8 Austin Staff
June 20, 2009

June 19, 1865 marks the date in which word of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, and slaves learned of their freedom.

Celebrations are planned in Austin and around Central Texas for this year's Juneteenth.

A 10 a.m. parade kicked off the festivities which continue all day and into the evening at Rosewood Park in East Austin.

Full Story

Austin developers may be handing out deals on condos

2009-05-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

5/17/2009 5:27 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

Starting prices for a few Austin condos looked pretty good at an auction Sunday, and it could have something do with the economy.

The 20 remaining units at the Brazos Place condo development were on the auction block, with starting prices at less than half the original price.

One real estate certified public accountant was there to see how the auction panned out, and what sort of indication it would give about where the condo market is heading.

"I think we're in one of those cycles where we've got developers who are looking at having to make some deals to keep the cash flow coming," real estate CPA Mickey Giles said.

The Brazos Place condos are located at 8th and Brazos Streets.

Source

April home sales down 18% in Austin

2009-05-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2009, Austin Business Journal

Single-family homes sales in April were down compared with the same month last year, but the rate at which sales volumes are dropping continues to slow down, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors.

Sales were down 18 percent to 1,601 homes sold compared with the same month last year, while median home prices rose one percent compared with last April to $189,000.

“Since the beginning of the year, home sales have grown,” said Jay Gohil, chairman of ABoR. “While we are still down compared to last year, with each month the gap in sales volume from 2008 to 2009 is closing. This sales momentum, coupled with a steady stream of new listings on the market, puts Central Texas in a good position for summer’s real estate season.”

Full Story

Cap Metro savings still dropping

2009-04-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Reserves could be down to $10 million by fall, and services may be cut.

By Ben Wear
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Capital Metro's shrinking savings could be down to $10 million by the end of September, agency officials said Monday, bringing the transit agency's operating reserves to no more than a few days' cushion.

It's a predicament that had Capital Metro's chief talking Monday about what amounts to overdraft protection and board members saying service cuts might be necessary.

Full Story

USA holidays: Saddle up and go steer crazy in tremendous Texas

2009-04-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Austin, Texas. A city of water - after all, the mighty Colorado river flows through town. A city of bats - by day millions of them roost under the modern Congress Avenue Bridge before emerging at dusk to go hunting. And a city of green spaces - the largest being Zilker Park, where they hold the annual South by Southwest music and film festival, and where the Rolling Stones once played.

I went to Zilker Park with veteran piano player Pinetop Perkins, who is 94 and witnessed the boogie boom of the Thirties. Astonishingly, Pinetop still plays gigs. I told my brother that he has some way to go to keep up with Pinetop's schedule as he played twice in two days while I was there.

Full Story

De Niro Collection opens in Austin

2009-04-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

April 27, 2009 THR.com

The Robert De Niro Collection of film-related materials has opened to researchers and the public at the Harry Ransom Center, a humanities research library and museum at the University of Texas at Austin.

Donated by De Niro in 2006, the collection, including more than 1,300 boxes of papers, film, movie props and costumes, documents his professional career from the 1960s through 2005.

Filling more than 300 archival boxes, the paper portion of the collection includes De Niro's heavily annotated scripts and correspondence, makeup and wardrobe photographs, wardrobe continuity books, costume designs and posters and extensive production, publicity and research material.

Full Story

Texas APME recognizes excellence in journalism

2009-04-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press

April 26, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas — The Dallas Morning News was named the Newspaper of The Year and the Austin American-Statesman was named the best online newspaper among the state's largest metropolitan dailies at the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors' annual meeting over the weekend.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times won Newspaper of The Year and the Wichita Falls Times-Record News won best online paper among newspapers with circulations of 30,000 to 124,999. The San Angelo Standard-Times won both top honors among newspapers of 10,000 to 29,999 in circulation. In the small newspaper division, the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel was named Newspaper of The Year and the Plainview Daily Herald was cited as the best online paper.

Full Story

Austin Clubs, Bars & Restaurant Links

2009-02-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

Fireball over Texas likely a meteor.

2009-02-21T19:15:00.001-08:00

The fireball that blazed across the Texas sky and sparked numerous weekend calls to authorities probably was a meteor and not falling space junk from last week's satellite collision, officials said Monday.

Full Story

Car Drives through Front of Downtown Austin Texadelphia

2009-02-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

A Downtown Austin Texadelphia is cleaning up after a Ford SUV plowed through the front of the restaurant Thursday morning.

Austin police say the driver, a man in his mid-twenties, accidentally hit the gas pedal while he was parking, apparently to get coffee at the Starbucks next door.

While the Texadelphia was not yet open, there were employees there. However, police said the employees were not near the spot where the SUV crashed into the restaurant.

Police say no charges are expected.

Full Story

Dripping Springs, Texas - Austin Suburb

2009-01-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

Dripping Springs is an Austin suburb and a great place for families to live. Dripping Springs lies in the beautiful Texas Hill Country about 25 miles west of Austin, the state capital. This beautiful Hill Country town offers majestic views, abundant wildlife, rolling hills, and rock bottom creeks.

The Dripping Springs population, within its city limit, is about 1,500 although its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is home to nearly 20,000. The city offers an exceptional school system, affordable living, and proximity to Austin and San Antonio.

City of Dripping Springs - Official Website.

Dripping Springs Real Estate

Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce

Dripping Springs Independent School District

Space tourist fulfills lifetime dream

2008-10-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

October 13, 2008
Otago Daily Times

American computer game designer Richard Garriott reached space today aboard a Russian rocket, fulfilling a long-deferred childhood dream as his astronaut father watched with pride.

The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft carrying Garriott and two crewmates hurtled into a clear blue sky from the Baikonur facility on the Kazakh steppe as family, friends and colleagues cheered.

Full Story

Police wind up delivering baby on MoPac

2008-10-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

October 16, 2008
Statesman.com

Sometimes the stork wears a badge and and rides a police motorcycle.

Three Austin police officers expecting to help move a stalled car on South Mopac Boulevard (Loop 1) ended up helping a couple deliver a baby girl this morning.

Police received the call about a stalled vehicle just north of Windsor Road around 6:10 a.m. As motorcycle officers Stephen Hines, Deats Burbank and James Morgan tried to assist a stalled motorist, a male driver in a van pulled up and frantically waved the officers over, police said.

Full Story

Fish Pedicures Go Belly-Up In Texas

2008-10-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

October 9, 2008
NBC5I.com

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas state health officials feel there's something fishy about fish pedicures.
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced Wednesday that the procedure was banned in the state.

Using a lot of little fish to nibble bits of dead skin off people's feet is the hot thing in the spa world. But health experts are concerned the fish have the potential to spread infections.

Full Story

Elgin increases fees 10 percent across the board

2008-10-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

October 04, 2008
By Andrea Lorenz
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

The City of Elgin increased fees by about 10 percent across the board earlier this week, a move the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin says couldn't come at a worse time.
The fee increases cover almost all city fees, including building permits, inspections and civic center rentals. Water and wastewater rates will not be affected, nor will municipal court fines change.

Full Story

Board members hear school reform report

2008-10-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

October 17, 2008
Daily Tribute

A long-time Texas school administrator told the members of local school boards Thursday night that many reforms are needed in Texas education, and their role in their communities is especially important because “there will not be major change in Austin or Washington until there is a grassroots movement from the communities up.”

Full Story

Backstage glimpse of ACL in review

2008-09-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

9/29/2008

By Regan Hackelman & Amy Hadley

It was a beautiful Sunday to cap off the three days of fun in the sun for the sights and sounds of the eighth edition of the festival and News 8 has you covered for your recap.
It was a dry and dusty day on Sunday, where bandanas and face masks became a fashion
accessory but a little dust never stopped anyone from enjoying the 300 bands at hand.

Full Story

Montopolis neighbors form association

2008-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

9/28/2008

By Veronica Castelo

As a resident of the Montopolis area, there are certain things Delwin Goss has gotten used to -- loud planes, increasing traffic.

But Delwin Goss said he refuses to tolerate the crime.

"I don't want to be 70 years old laying on the floor at night because I hear a drive by out on the street in front of me," Goss said.

Full Story

Making Central Texas safer for children

2008-09-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

9/29/2008

By Karina Kling

Realizing your child is missing can be a parent's worst nightmare.
An estimated 800,000 children are reported missing every year in the United States and in 2006 more than 60,000 were reported missing in Texas alone and Texas law enforcement is taking a step forward to keep kids safe.

Full Story

Actress Lily Tomlin speaks to inspire at Ann Richards school

2008-09-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

9/29/2008

Kendra Mendez

Screams, cheers and smiles were abundant at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders on Monday. Star struck students and teachers at the school welcomed actress Lily Tomlin, a close friend of the late former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

Full Story

Class learning to new beat with iPod, without the music

2008-09-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

9/29/2008

By Brandi Powell

It might seem like Sarah Menn is showing you how to jam to the latest music kindergarten students are tuning into these days, but she's actually fine-tuning her reading skills.
She's one of a growing number of students in Bell County gaining access to technology in classrooms.

Full Story

Old comptroller building may be sold soon

2008-09-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

Austin Business Journal Reports:

A major downtown tower could soon replace the vacant 1950s building at the corner of Sixth and Colorado streets. The Texas General Land Office confirms it’s working with CB Richard Ellis Inc. to put the 76,000-square-foot Starr Building and adjacent garage up for sale. A deal has not been signed, but the GLO hopes to contract with CBRE to put the property on the market in the next month.

Full Story

Neighbors say ARA plan clashes with existing homes, businesses

2008-09-05T14:32:00.001-07:00

The Austin Chronicle Reports:

To say that the Austin Revitalization Authority's relationship with its East Austin neighbors and the larger city has been rocky dramatically understates the history. Since its inception in the mid-Nineties, the nonprofit development agency created by the city to spur economic growth along East Austin's 11th and 12th Street corridors has fended off persistent accusations of incompetence, cronyism, and corruption. In response, authority President Byron Marshall, its board leadership, and other supporters have regularly returned the favor, accusing critics of racism, liberal paternalism, or simply bad faith, and have blasted the local media for not reporting "ARA's accomplishments."

Full Story

UT continues to fight party school reputation

2008-09-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

News 8 Austin Reports:

Not long ago, the University of Texas once again made the list of top party schools in America.
Then, Forbes Magazine rated Austin No. 1 for binge drinking, in a survey that included UT students.

Now, it's back to school for the Longhorns. With move-ins and football games, the number of alcohol-related incidents on campus is especially high.

UT continues to be known as a party school, and some students say that's just fine.
"It's definitely one of the reasons I considered coming here. It's a cool school," student Brian Cohen said. Full Story

Austin Real Estate

Las Manitas closes its doors for good

2008-09-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

An Austin institution finally closes.

Diners walked up to the door of Las Manitas Avenue Café on Congress Avenue and Second Street Wednesday, only to find the doors locked.

full story here

House fire prompts multiple investigations

2008-08-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Kuve.com - August 18, 2008

A suspicious fire in South Austin is at the center of an investigation into organized crime. The fire at the home on the 5700 block of Encinal Cove on Sunday morning nearly gutted the inside, but it didn't destroy everything. Now detectives say they have multiple investigations on their hands.

Austin police officers called for help from the fire department around 7:00 Sunday morning. The officers had responded to a call about a suspicious person around a home in the Dove Springs neighborhood.

Full Story

Local experts weigh-in on failing banks

2008-07-16T11:35:00.001-07:00

7/15/2008 6:13 PM
By: Kendra Mendez

Full Story on News 8 Austin

Lines of panicked people outside IndyMac bank in California sparked a frenzy of worry across the nation, but local financial analysts say Texas doesn't have anything to fret about just yet.

In the wake of the crisis hitting California-based bank
IndyMac, many wonder if they will face similar circumstances with their banks.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has put 90 banks on their troubled banks list, but the number pales in comparison to the more than 1,000 banks that made the cut in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Development with music in mind

2008-07-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

7/14/2008 9:27 PM
By: Reagan Hackleman

The Red River Flats are now open in the heart of the Red River District.
Austin's Red River District is home to a little more than a dozen live music venues.

It's also home to a new apartment complex.

Business owners said they can see the changes.

"We saw the neighborhood growing," James Moody, owner of the music venue, Mohawk, said. "They have embraced music and what the Red River Corridor is."
Full Story on News 8 Austin

Anita Perry announces fund to rebuild mansion

2008-07-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

7/15/2008 12:18 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

First Lady Anita Perry held a press conference to announce the launch of a special fund to restore the Governor's Mansion.
Texas First Lady Anita Perry Tuesday announced the launch of a fund to help in the rebuilding of the Governor's Mansion.

Last month, fire heavily damaged the state landmark.

Mrs. Perry said donations to the non-profit Texas Governor's Mansion Restoration Fund will be tax-deductible.

Mrs. Perry said the cost of the renovation is undetermined.

Full Story

Home of Susanna Dickinson being restored

2008-07-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

If walls could talk, the former home of historical figure Susanna Dickinson will share a narrative in history soon.

That's because the Austin home of the most famous survivor of the fall of the Alamo – Susanna Dickinson – is getting much needed restoration.

The almost 140-year-old home of Dickinson is little more than a shell, with dirt floors, crumbling walls and missing windows. It is set to become the Susanna Dickinson Museum.

Full Story News 8 Austin

Cost of going green may add up for Austin homeowners

2008-04-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The cost of going green in Austin is starting to add up for homeowners. The city intends to cut energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions through housing mandates, but groups argued Thursday that the changes come at the expense of taxpayers. Full Story

Weekend Austin art fair modernizes, moves

2008-04-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

An event started more than half a century ago as a modest community effort to raise money for the arts is now staking out a stretch of downtown Austin. Full Story

By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin AMERICAN-STATESMAN ARTS WRITER Friday, April 11, 2008

New Fund Aims To Improve Round Rock Parks

2008-03-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Greater Round Rock Community Foundation keeps getting bigger.

The brainchild of Round Rock Mayor Nyle Maxwell and Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Dromgoole, the charity group manages philanthropic funds for do-gooders in the community.

The foundation's newest fund is aimed at improving Round Rock parks.

Full Story

Kinky Puts his Austin Home on the Market

2008-03-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

For years, Kinky Friedman has used his parents' home in Northwest Hills as his Austin base of operations. But times change, his parents have passed away, and he has put the house on the market for $500,000. The house, at 6006 Mountainclimb Drive, is listed with Austin TX real estate agents Bob Wolk and Sharon Downer from Keller Williams Realty.

Full Story

Central Texas Homes Sales Fall for 8th Month in a Row

2008-03-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sales of Central Texas homes dropped for the eighth consecutive month in February, and a bigger slowdown could be ahead. Austin real estate agents stated that pending sales in the area plunged to 49 percent, the greatest decrease on record.

Full Story

Highway Project Planned in Round Rock

2008-03-22T00:25:00.000-07:00

A new Texas-turnaround is expected to open within the next 15 months at the Interstate 35 and Ranch Road 620 interchange at Round Rock.

Full Story

Find the newest developments Round Rock and the surrounding areas at Round Rock Real Estate.

Austin New Homebuilder Searches

2008-03-20T09:22:00.001-07:00

Here's what people who are looking for New Homes in Austin searched for according to the Google Keyword Tool.

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Austin Real Estate Google Searches

2008-03-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what people search for when looking for Austin Real Estate? We found out using the Google keyword tool. Here is a list of the phrases people use to find homes in Austin Texas.

austin real estate
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Hike-and-Bike Trail's New Bathroom Work of Art

2008-03-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thick steel planks — 49 altogether — in varying heights form a gentle curve in one corner of the downtown landscape on the trail that rings the shore of Lady Bird Lake. Full Story

Austin School Receives Math, Science Grant

2008-03-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Huston-Tillotson University received more than $230,000 in grant money for its math and science initiatives. The grant will fund the H-T Math and Science Success Center and upgrade the University's present science building. Full Story

Austin Schools

Rachael Ray 'Rocks-Out' in Austin, TX

2008-03-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

(AP) - Though this was Ray's first time at SXSW, she's a regular to the city of Austin: "I think of every excuse in the world to come back." "I've also loved Austin because it's the live music capitol of the world," she added. Full Story

Couple donates $55 million to UT music school

2008-03-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

(AP) - The University of Texas school of music has received a gift of $55 million from two Austin arts patrons in what is believed to be the largest single music school gift at a public university. Full Story

Austin Turning into a Solar City

2008-03-19T03:33:00.000-07:00

Brosnan is an Austin homeowner that recently purchased solar photovoltaics for her home. Now she can illuminate as many vacant rooms as she wants without paying a higher electric bill or straining the environment.

Full Story

Beautiful homes in Austin and the surrounding cities like Lakeway and Barton Creek in Texas.

Eight Ways to Transform a House

2008-03-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

It is valuable to be able to make the decisions that transform a poor design into a house that is memorable, enduring, and widely appealing. To do this we need to go deeper than simply updating finishes or increasing square footage. We must think about how the structure shapes the feelings and experience of its inhabitants. In the words of Winston Churchill, "We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us." When a house has design flaws, we know intuitively that it does not feel right. On the other hand, a well designed house can make us feel inspired, enriched, and touched by a sense of order.

Full Story

See Liberty Hill Real Estate for beautiful homes for sale within the Williamson County.

The World Comes to Austin for Indie Music Fest

2008-03-13T03:02:00.000-07:00

Imagine that you are the booking agent for the biggest band bash in North America. Better still, there are no limits on who you can invite to appear; this is a party everyone wants a piece of. Pretty cool, huh?

Brent Grulke knows what it feels like firsthand.

As the creative director for the 22-year-old South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, he's head of the team that brings the bands the whole world wants to see to a city in central Texas. From this year's chat with NYC's legendary poet-grumpiate Lou Reed to electric moments such as when the Kinks' Ray Davies joined Vancouver's then-unknown New Pornographers onstage at an afternoon barbecue, Grulke's been there.

Full Story

When: Mar 7-16, 2008

Other facts and information about this booming city at Austin TX Real Estate.

Firm Relocates to Round Rock

2008-03-10T03:33:00.000-07:00

These are heady times for Austin-based Field Asset Services.

The company recently leased 40,000 square feet at Frontera Crossing in Round Rock -- more than doubling its footprint from its existing North Austin digs -- with plans to add another 10,000 square feet to that next year.

For your relocation and other real estate needs on this area, go to Round Rock Real Estate.

Austin TX News Sources

2008-02-26T06:34:00.000-08:00

Austin Texas Neighborhoods

2008-02-14T10:31:00.001-08:00

The following neighborhoods are located in Austin, Texas:

Allandale
Circle C Ranch
Northwest Hills
Crestview
Legend Oaks
Villages at Western Oaks
Rosedale
Highland Park

Ground Breaking for Block 21

2008-02-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

News 8 Austin
Full Story

10/12/2007 5:48 PMBy: Business Wire

Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson and Mayor Will Wynn helped break ground on the Block 21 development Friday afternoon.

Occupying a former vacant lot in downtown Austin's burgeoning Second Street District, Block 21 will be a 35-story, $260-million mixed-use development when it's finished in 2010. It'll have 196 luxury condos, 250 hotel rooms and about 47,000 square feet retail space.

Block 21 will also be the new home of the studio for Austin City Limits. The 2,200-seat theater and music venue will be managed by Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, which has investment in more than 160 venues, including the House of Blues.

Austin Real Estate

Lady Bird Lake Protected from Development Afterall

2008-02-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

News 8 Austin - Full Story

Two proposed projects along both shores of Lady Bird Lake would have brought change to the area.

The first involves what will happen to the site of the Town Lake Animal Center once it moves to East Austin.

The second involves a proposed condominium complex on Riverside Drive between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35. Developer CWS wants to build closer to Lady Bird Lake than city ordinance allows.

There were rumors the land where the current Town Lake Animal Center is would be open to development once the shelter moves. But unless voters say otherwise, it's protected as parkland.
"It's dedicated parkland. The only thing it can be is a park unless the citizens of Austin take a vote and direct us to do something else with it," Austin City Council member Mike Martinez said.
Last November, voters approved $12 million for a new shelter to be built on Levander Loop, where Cesar Chavez meets Highway 183. There had been numerous protests and a lawsuit about where the new shelter would be located.

37 Charged in Houston for Mortgage Fraud

2008-02-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

12/7/2007 12:32 PMBy: Associated Press Full Story

HOUSTON -- Authorities in Houston say 37 people have been charged for their part in an alleged scam to fraudulently obtain mortgage loans worth $5.6 million.

The charges follow an investigation by the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Secret Service. Police say 12 of the suspects have been jailed.

Assistant District Attorney Lester Blizzard says the scheme is similar to others uncovered recently in Harris County.

The alleged ringleaders, Obbie Toliver Sr. and Joyce Toliver, are being held without bail in the Harris County jail.

Blizzard says they're charged with theft, money laundering and organized crime. They face up to life in prison if convicted.

Officials say the suspects profited from bogus real estate deals that ruined the credit of people who were lured into buying houses.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press, All rights reserved.

Williamson County no exception to housing slump

2008-02-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

1/23/2008 6:53 PM
By: Chelsea Hover

New subdivisions in Williamson County.

On the surface, it appears Williamson County may be immune to the housing climate plaguing the rest of the country. Everywhere you drive you see signs asking you to come see one of the many new subdivisions that are popping up.

The county's population has been booming the past few years; it's increased about 42 percent since 2000. But more people and lots of available houses doesn't mean the area hasn't been affected by the housing slump.

"I think every county and every city in this area is suffering the same way in terms of new home construction," Central Construction Cleaning owner Rudy Cedillo said.

His company cleans new houses before the owners move in. They work in Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties.

He said he's been forced to layoff about half his employees because work is hard to find.
"We have seen a huge decline in the amount of work that's been going on compared to the year previously. Last year this time, we'd do 40-50 homes a day, where today we did six," Cedillo said.

Round Rock Real Estate

Home sales and mortgage rates sink to new low

2008-02-14T08:50:00.001-08:00

Feb. 14, 2008 - News 8 Austin - Full Story - AP

There's big news for home sales and mortgages. A real estate trade group reported that nationally, sales of single-family existing homes fell by 13 percent last year. That's the biggest drop in 25 years. And the median home price dropped to $217,000 for the entire year. It's the first time that has happened in four decades. In addition, finance giant Freddie Mac said the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped to the lowest level in nearly four years.
The averages this week are at 5.48 percent down from 5.69 percent. For a 15 year fixed rate the average this week is 4.95 percent, down from 5.21 percent.

Austin Real Estate

Caritas of Austin is getting a boost from the slumping housing market.

2008-02-14T08:49:00.001-08:00

Feb. 14, 2008 News 8 Austin - Full Story

The nonprofit partnered with a local real estate company and gourmet food supplier Sunday to provide a tour of new homes in Williamson County. The idea was to stir up excitement about the local housing market while at the same time provide the community with something in return.

Ranch land along Blanco River on verge of sale

2008-02-14T08:46:00.003-08:00

Feb. 14, 2008

Austin News 8 - Full Story

Two thousand plus acres of wooded ranch land along the Blanco River are on the verge of being sold to make some extra money for Texas schools.

Hays County Commissioner Jeff Barton said it will be dedicated to state operations in education.
"They bought it for the school children of Texas really to help pay future state operations in education," Barton said.

Austin Real Estate

Austin Real Estate Market

2008-02-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Despite the crisis in the mortgage market and the tightening of credit standards for home loans, the Austin Real Estate Market remains steady and strong. It is true that home prices in the Austin area overall are down from 2007, but the following factors show a positive trend:

The average sold price has rebounded by 7.9% to $252, 417 compared to January of 2006.

New listings for January of this year are up 82% to 10,088 active listings compared to 7793 listings the same time last year.

Neighborhoods such as Cedar Park and Round Rock have experienced strong positive trends in sale prices.

Homes in Northwest and Southwest Austin are going to contract within days of being listed and many are receiving multiple offers.

Austin’s unemployment rate is currently 3.3 %, below the statewide rate of 3.9 % and the national rate of 4.4%. Statewide, Texas has a positive job growth rate of 2%. This factor is a great help to the housing market.

According to USA Today, Austin’s homes are about 5% undervalued, causing a large amount of investor interest.

In simple terms, the outlook for the Austin Real Estate Market for 2008 is steady. This means there will not be large jumps in home appreciation, but at the same time, there will be steady positive price growth in popular neighborhoods—unlike many other large real estate markets nationwide. The growing amount of inventory will swing the market from seller’s to buyer’s favor in 2008, and there will be many excellent values to be had. During the house value boom, from 2002 to 2006, home values in Austin overall did not have the radical upward swings that markets in L.A. or Miami had. Because of this, there is not a corresponding huge downward swing in home value in the Austin Real Estate Market.

Sponsored by Austin Real Estate Round Rock

Austin Home Builders

2008-01-03T19:13:00.002-08:00

Austin Home Builders include local, regional and national companies that build homes from the low $100s to over $500 thousand and floorplans from 1500 square feet to over 6000 square feet. In order to compete, almost all of these builders have developed customer care and quality control programs that guide customers through every aspect of construction. These are some quality builders offering new homes in the Austin area:

David Weekley Homes

Centex Homes

Drees Homes

D.R. Horton

Lennar

Plantation Homes

Pulte

Morrison Homes

Ryland Homes

Streetman Homes

Austin Luxury Home Builders

2008-01-03T19:13:00.001-08:00

You can find a number of quality Austin Luxury Home Builders that can create a unique, customized home for you. These builders are building and offering custom and luxury homes in many of Austin's best neighborhoods, and have outstanding programs for ensuring that every aspect of the construction process goes smoothly.

Morgan Snido Custom Homes
David Dalgleish
Bob Fluegge
Wilde Custom Homes
Taylor Woodrow
Zbranek Custom Homes
Cornerstone Architects
Jenkins Custom Homes
John Fitzpatrick - Home Designer
Bellview Homes
Keith Brown Custom Homes, Inc.
Russell Eppright Custom Homes
Master Builders, Inc.
Corias Homes, Inc.
Tom Hobbs Company
Jauregui Architecture Interiors
Skirrow Homes, Inc
Jon Luce Builder
Heyl Homes, Inc.
Stadler Custom Homes, LLC
Revering Custom Homes
San Migual Custom Homes

Austin Golf Courses

2008-01-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

Austin boasts a long list of quality public and private golf courses, many of which are located in upscale golf course communities.

Austin Country Club - Private-4408 Long Champ Dr. Austin, 78746 Founded in 1899, Austin Country Club is one of the oldest existing clubs in Texas.
Avery Ranch - Public-10500 Avery Club Drive Austin, TX 78717. Avery Ranch Golf Club is a 226 acre, 7107 yard, 18-hole championship public course.
Balcones Country Club - Private-8600 Balcones Club Dr. Austin, 78750. Thirty-six holes of year-round, rolling terrain.
Barton Creek: Fazio Foothills- Private- 8212 Barton Creek Drive Austin, TX 78735. Established in 1986, and rated #4 among America's 50 best Resort Courses and also named the Best Resort Course in Texas.
Barton Creek: Fazio Canyons- Private-8212 Barton Creek Drive Austin, TX 78735. Fazio Canyons was recently named #1 Course in Texas according to Golfweek Magazine (2003). Dallas Morning News also rates the Canyons among the best Resort Courses in Texas. The Fazio Canyons course is among the first courses in the country with the Signature designation in the Certified Audubon Sanctuary System.
Barton Creek: Crenshaw Cliffside - Private-8212 Barton Creek Drive Austin, TX 78735. Rated 38th among the "50 Best Courses in Texas" by The Dallas Morning News. The course features broad, rolling fairways, and widely-varied green sizes.
Bluebonnet Hill Golf Course - Public-9100 Decker Lane Austin, TX 78724. This 18-hole regulation course, built in 1991, offers full practice facilities including a putting green, a sand and chipping area, driving range, golf shop and pro instructors. Bluebonnet Hill is a links-style, wide-open course of rolling hills with highly respected Bermuda grass greens and fairways.
Grey Rock Golf Club (Circle C Golf Club) - Public- 7401 Hwy. 45 Austin, TX 78739. Circle C Golf Club, located 20 minutes south of downtown, opened in 1993, and offers a bit of solitude from the city.
Falconhead Golf Course - Public- Falconhead Blvd (RR 620 Past Lakeway, 1 mile from 71 W)Austin, TX 78734 Falconhead is the world’s 1st PGA TOUR Signature Series Course--designed and operated to meet the exacting standards of the PGA TOUR.
Great Hills Golf Club - Private- 5914 Lost Horizon Dr. Austin, TX 78759. Great Hills is located on one of the highest points in the Texas Hill Country. Great Hills has tree-lined fairways, berms and sand traps, natural hills, elevation variances, creeks, ponds and Champion greens.
Hancock Golf Course - Public-811 E. 41st ST. Austin, TX 78751. Established in 1899, Hancock Golf Course is the oldest golf course in the state of Texas. Located in the heart of Austin, this par 35, 9 hole course is a challenging layout with numerous carries up and down hills and over a beautiful creek that meanders through the course.
Harvey Penick Golf Campus- Public- 5501 Ed Bluestein Blvd Austin, TX 78723. PGA TOUR-designed 112-acre public facility with extremely affordable green fees. This scenic 9-hole course features a combination of par-3s and par-4s with four sets of tees to encourage the beginning player and challenge the most experienced players.
Jimmy ClayRoy Kizer Golf Course - Public- 5400 Jimmy Clay Drive Austin, TX 78748. This 36 hole complex features wide, tree lined fairways and 57 acres of lakes.
Lions Municipal Golf Course - Public- 2901 Enfield Dr. Austin, TX 78703. A very popular cours, over 85,000 rounds were played last year and 100,000 rounds two years ago.
Lost Creek Country Club - Private- 2612 Lost Creek Blvd. Austin, TX 78746. Built in 1970, this par-72 championship course got a $3 million facelift in 1993.
Morris-Williams Golf Course - Public- 4300 Manor Road Austin, TX 78723. Morrris Williams Golf Course was opened in 1964 as Austin's 3rd Municipal Course. This course features small, slightly elevated, contoured greens and rolling terrain.
Onion Creek Country Club - Private- 2510 Onion Creek Pkwy. Austin, TX 78747. Opened in 1974, Onion Creek hosted The Legends of Golf Tournament for 11 years before it was renamed as the Senior PGA Tour. An additional 9 holes were added in 1996.
River Place Golf Course - Private- 4207 River Place Blvd. Austin, TX 78730. This 18-hole championship layout blends rolling hills and secluded canyons into a challenging golf experience with great hill country views.
Riverside Golf Course - Public- 1020 Grove Blvd. Austin, TX 78741 Located three miles from downtown Austin, Riverside Golf Course has tree-lined fairways and slick, bermuda greens.
The University of Texas Golf Club - Private- Steiner Ranch, Austin, TX. This University course is a 7,008-yard, par 71 course.

Austin Texas Suburbs

2007-12-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

Austin Texas also includes a large metropolitan area with several large suburbs and upper scale neighborhoods. Major suburbs of Austin include the cities of Round Rock, Westlake, Lakeway, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Barton Creek.

Barton Creek, TX
Barton Creek, Austin, is not an incorporated city but is a distinct area in the city of Austin, TX. On the edge of the Texas Hill Country, Barton Creek is on the westside of Austin and is a preservationists dream with environmentally 'smart' development being emphasized in the area since the 1980's. Golfers will also find Barton Creek to be extremely attractive, as the area is serviced by some of best and top-rated golf courses in not just the Austin area but in the whole state of Texas.

Cedar Park, TX
Cedar Park is an incorporated suburb to the northwest of Austin, TX, situated on Cluck Creek with a 2006 estimated population of 42,000, a number that is quickly expanding. Cedar Park is only 16 miles out from Austin's city center a short trip down Highway 183. With its close proximity to both Austin and the Texas Hill Country, Cedar Park has an amass of leisure options that involve both the city and the uninhabited outdoors.

Round Rock, TX
Round Rock is located 15 minutes north of Austin TX on Interstate 35 with a 2006 estimated population of just under 100,000. Round Rock is one of the fastest growing communities in the state of Texas and is masterfully planned. With low tax rates, award winning park and school systems, and extremely low rates of crime, Round Rock is an extremely ideal place to live.
Round Rock is definitively the sports capital of Central Texas, as Round Rock possesses the only professional baseball team (AAA Round Rock Express) in the Austin metropolitan area. Round Rock is also home to an extensive tennis club, several little leagues, soccer leagues, and is host to an amass of public parks.

West Lake Hills
West Lake Hills (generally referred to as Westlake) is a smaller communal suburb located in the Texas Hill Country to the southwest of Austin, TX that has a 2006 estimated population of just over 3,000. West Lake saw rapid development in the 1970's and 80's, with a main focus on residential luxury homes. West Lake's residents are young Austinites, with a median age of just 43 years old. West Lake is famous for their high school football as their program is one of the most successful in the state of Texas and was famously portrayed in a series of Toyota commercials in 2006. Residents of West Lake enjoy a median household income of over $115,000.
Situated between Austin's Loop 360 and MO-Pac Expressway, West Lake Hills is just minutes from central Austin. West Lake Hills sits on the edges of the Texas Hill Country and like many of Austin's suburbs, West Lake offers residents several activities involving the outdoors and the big city.

Austin Police Officer Gets Caught on Tape

2007-12-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

Austin Police officer resigns after being video taped while going 139 miles per hour past funeral procession for a US Soldier. (Houston Chronicle)

Austin Real Estate Listings

New Austin Condos

2007-12-05T09:39:00.001-08:00

Austin Texas is growing as an urban mecca with new condos being built regularly. Novare Group Holdings and Andrews Urban is seeking to build two new downtown highrise condo towers. One of the Austin Condo Buildings will be 35 stories tall located at West 5th and 6th between Nueces and San Antonio streets. The second new Austin Condo Tower will be 40 stories tall and will house over 500 condos. There will also be a boutique hotel facing Republic Park. The Condo Tower is slated to be open by the Fall of 2010.

This urban condo development will have it all, including retail space, and office space as well.

The vote for changing the zoning to permit the building of these buildings is underway.

With commuter rail only a year away, Leander and Austin start educating residents about safety

2007-11-29T08:24:00.000-08:00

Officials are now working on rail safety tips for students, public service announcements
Click-2-List e n

By Melissa MixonAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, November 29, 2007

The 32-mile commuter rail line from downtown Austin to Leander won't be running until next fall, but there's already some action sparking around the tracks.

Two of the six Swiss train cars, which will eventually shuttle an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 commuters a day, have arrived in North Austin, and test runs could start by the end of this month, Capital Metro officials said.
(enlarge photo)

In the meantime, officials in Travis and Williamson counties are putting together safety tips and programs to encourage people to avoid walking or playing on the tracks. There are even plans for Girl and Boy Scout merit badges for rail safety.

"People have gotten used to crossing these tracks for the past generations, so the main message is to stay off the tracks," said Alissa Schram, a community involvement specialist for Capital Metro.
(enlarge photo)

The tracks were originally used to ship granite to build the state Capitol in the 1880s and have since been used by freight and cargo trains, Schram said.

The commuter rail cars will run faster — up to 70 mph — and will be quieter than what nearby residents are used to, she said.
With more traffic on the tracks, Schram said, ensuring that the public knows to avoid them is important.

Leander Mayor John Cowman, who is on the Capital Metro board, said he has recently seen people walking on the tracks and has alerted other board members.

Capital Metro officials have handed out rail safety fliers and textbook covers to students who live within a mile of the tracks, Schram said. Public service announcements about rail safety are also being put together.

The Austin School of Film is hosting a contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to create their own public service announcement on how to be safe around the rail line. Capital Metro is discussing a similar contest with Austin Community College, Schram said.

In late spring, the announcements will be aired in movie theaters in Travis and Williamson counties, Schram said. Moviegoers will pick the winner, she said.

mmixon@statesman.com; 246-0043