Austin, TX

West Fourth and Colorado Tower Plans a Place for Austin’s Oldest Gay Bar

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

West Fourth and Colorado Tower Plans a Place for Austin’s Oldest Gay Bar

A view of the Hanover Firm residential tower challenge and its rebuilt warehouse facades on Fourth Road, together with the brand new dwelling of Oilcan Harry’s. Picture: Hanover Firm / SCB

A deal between Houston-based multifamily developer Hanover Firm and downtown property house owners alongside the administration of Austin’s oldest homosexual bar and dance membership Oilcan Harry’s would elevate an roughly 40-story, 400-unit residence tower on the nook of West Fourth and Colorado Road — a proposal that’s already drawn vital consideration from the town’s LGBT neighborhood after showing on the agenda of the Historic Landmark Fee’s April 11 assembly, because of the tower’s footprint requiring the demolition of a number of buildings contained in the Warehouse District.

The settlement in query between Hanover, proprietor Michael Girard of the properties between 201 and 213 West Fourth Road, and the operators of Oilcan Harry’s would enable the demolition of the buildings atop the quarter-block — containing spots like Oilcan Harry’s, Neon Grotto, and Coconut Membership together with the now-shuttered bar Sellers Underground — with the masonry facades of a number of warehouse-style constructions rebuilt as a part of the brand new tower’s street-level design.

However not like different initiatives integrating structural parts of an previous enterprise in a brand new constructing, the Hanover design from Chicago-based architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz additionally preserves the operations of Oilcan Harry’s, offering a part of the tower’s 10,000 sq. ft of ground-level retail house for a brand new membership that’s roughly the identical measurement as the prevailing enterprise. The tower may also embrace a brand new restaurant and bar idea situated on the nook, with the constructing’s street-level footprint pulled again from the sidewalk making a coated outside house.

A rendering of the tower’s ground-level look on the nook of West Fourth and Colorado Streets, with the reconstructed warehouse facades seen on the fitting. As seen right here, Oilcan Harry’s would proceed to function out of the tower’s base with its present facade in place, with adjoining membership Rain unaffected by the brand new improvement. Picture: Hanover Firm / SCB

Hanover improvement accomplice David Ott says the purpose of the plan is so as to add density and housing with out disturbing the way forward for Oilcan Harry’s, which opened right here in 1990 — in truth, Hanover goals to supply the enterprise a longer-term lease settlement than its present deal, reportedly at a lease beneath market-rate — with the expectation that the membership can proceed to function on this location for many years, at the same time as single-story meals and beverage operations are more and more priced out of downtown by rising land values and property taxes. Ott and Girard consider the tower plan might present different builders with a mannequin for easy methods to work with present companies and maximize useful land’s highest and greatest use with out erasing present cultural landmarks.

Girard mentioned the opposite companies on the block, together with Neon Grotto and Coconut Membership, have been conscious of the challenge after they moved in earlier than the pandemic.
“These companies went in proper earlier than the pandemic, with the understanding that this was being labored on. So that they’re at present month-to-month leases and have been for have been for a time frame. If we transfer this ahead, we’re gonna go to work on looking for a substitute website additionally,” Girard defined.
— KXAN, April 11, 2022
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Whereas the looks of the constructing’s tower part continues to be within the design section, its builders at Hanover count on the constructing to rise roughly 450 ft, comparable in massing however barely taller than the 300 Colorado workplace tower instantly behind it to the south. The T1, T2, and T3 designations point out the constructing’s three tiers of residential models, with bigger penthouse-style residences deliberate on the high. Picture: Hanover Firm / SCB

Whereas the tower is predicted to be roughly 450 ft tall, the present focus from the builders is on the ground-level design of the challenge, with its first look on the Historic Landmark Fee beginning the dialogue of demolition of the prevailing buildings on the website — which doubtless don’t qualify for historic standing regardless of their age, resulting from intensive modification by numerous tenants over time. Although Hanover’s plan would demolish the buildings and solely reconstruct the facades, the numerous layers of paint on the unique brickwork could be eliminated, offering an look extra correct to the unique warehouse constructions.

With current debate on the fee over the attainable demolition of close by homosexual bar the Iron Bear, there’s vital concern from each the town’s LGBT neighborhood and preservation-minded Austinites that new improvement might probably diminish cultural establishments housed downtown in buildings which may not qualify for conventional historic landmark standing, which is the case for a lot of the constructions within the Warehouse District — however since Hanover’s plan additionally goals to protect essentially the most iconic enterprise working at this nook, it’s unclear how the tower challenge and its demolition proposal will likely be acquired. After the April 11 briefing to the fee’s architectural evaluation committee, the demolition proposal is predicted to look for consideration on the fee’s common assembly on Could 4.

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Austin, TX

Bread winners: 10 Austin bakeries you'll love

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Bread winners: 10 Austin bakeries you'll love

Craving something sweet? Maybe something flaky? Austin may be known for tacos and barbecue, but its bakeries are the unsung heroes of the local food scene. We think it’s time to give them the spotlight they deserve.

Whether you’re looking for pastries by day or celebratory cakes by night, these locally owned bakeries are proof that life is butter with carbs.

Comadre Panadería, 1204 Cedar Ave. | Try something new at this Mexican-American bakery (which is a two-time James Beard semi-finalist) like the highly raved-about concha and pink cake.

La Pâtisserie, multiple locations | A case full of colorful macarons is the main attraction at this French bakery, which also offers pastries, cake, scones, buns, croissants, and wine.

If you’re lucky (like City Editor Morgan was), you may be able to find a frowning gingerbread man at Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery.

Quack’s Bakery, multiple locations | Keeping Austin sweet since 1983, these beloved bakeries make pies, cakes, pastries, and more from scratch with no additives. Be sure to check out seasonal offerings like Pride, Halloween, and Christmas-themed cookies.

Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop, 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St., Ste. #200 | Owned by award-winning pastry chef Amanda Rockman, this newly opened bakeshop is all about caffeine, gluten, butter, sugar, and booze. Grab a rip ‘n’ dip bagel, strawberry cheesecake croissant, or focaccia sandwich.

Sour Duck Market, 1814 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | The neighborhood bakery within this American restaurant + beer garden is not to be missed. Snag a traditional bite like a savory Danish pastry or a creative concoction like the sweet potato-chai bearclaw.

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, 1905 S. 1st St. | Desserts are king at this sugary locale that offers classic cupcakes, cookies, lemon + pecan bars, cakes, and mini-pies in-store, with custom offerings available for larger orders.

Texas French Bread, 2900 Rio Grande St. | Currently housed in an Airstream trailer, this small but mighty bakery (serving Austinites since 1981) sells goods on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll have to visit in person to see the full menu of bread, pastries, and sweets available each day.

Upper Crust Bakery, 4508 Burnet Rd. | This family-owned scratch bakery has it all, whether you want a cup of coffee and a pastry, a smoked turkey sandwich for lunch, or a layered cake to take home and enjoy.

Walton’s Fancy & Staple, 609 W. 6th St. | Amid a cluster of bars on West 6th Street, this bakery + deli owned by Sandra Bullock is a beacon of sweetness. Its pastries and sweet treats are made daily, but you can also order custom cakes.

Zucchini Kill Bakery, multiple locations | Calling all vegan, gluten, and soy-free folks with a sweet tooth. This woman-owned bakery is a haven for those with dietary restrictions and incorporates the spirit of punk music into its delicacies.

What’s your favorite bakery in Austin? Let us know and we might add it to this list in the future.

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Austin, TX

Texas Longhorns Release First Injury Report vs. Kentucky Wildcats

Published

12 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Texas Longhorns Release First Injury Report vs. Kentucky Wildcats

AUSTIN — The Texas Longhorns and Kentucky Wildcats have released their initial student-athlete availability report ahead of Saturday’s meeting in Austin.

Texas is listing receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. as questionable due to a foot injury while linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. is questionable after sitting out for the 20-10 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks last week.

“He’s progressing this week,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Moore Jr. during Wednesday’s SEC Weekly Teleconference. “We’ll see if he’ll be ready to go here Saturday, but we’re surely a better team when he’s out there.”

Fortunately for Texas, running back Jaydon Blue was not listed on the report after being seen in a sling following the Arkansas game.

Here’s the full report for both teams:

Texas vs. Kentucky injury report / secsports.com

Sarkisian provided an injury update on Moore Jr., Blue and Blackwell Jr. on Monday during his weekly press conference.

“I think Blue’s good,” Sarkisian said. “Like I said, he went with us today and worked this morning. So we’ll see how it goes. … Mo Blackwell was out last week. … I’m hopeful we can get him back this week. We’ll see how it goes. … DeAndre got nicked up during the game with a foot injury. Again, those two guys (Blackwell) are integral parts to our program, not only on offense and defense, but on special teams. They’re critical. So hopefully we get both those guys back.”

No. 3 Texas and Kentucky will kick off from DKR on Saturday at

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Austin, TX

UT Energy Expertise To Guide New Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub, Bolster U.S. Energy Supply

Published

19 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

UT Energy Expertise To Guide New Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub, Bolster U.S. Energy Supply

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin will partner with industry and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to build and expand a hub for hydrogen energy production along the Texas Gulf Coast that will help increase and diversify the nation’s energy supply. UT serves as founding member and lead academic organization.

The HyVelocity Hub (HyV), a regional energy consortium, aims to become the largest hydrogen hub in the nation. It will leverage the region’s high concentration of existing hydrogen production and end-use assets to develop low-carbon intensity hydrogen that can power trucks, industrial processes, ammonia production, refining and petrochemical production, and marine shipping fuel.

“Texas is the nation’s energy capital, and UT is the energy university, and we are no stranger to playing a leading role in America’s energy innovation,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “The success of the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub is critical to our nation’s future energy security. We are excited to work with our industry partners and apply our vast energy, business and policy expertise to develop the hydrogen workforce and accelerate production along the Gulf Coast.”

UT will provide expertise to support community benefits activities and hydrogen workforce development efforts. UT, through the IC2 Institute and the RESET lab in the Cockrell School of Engineering, has a significant track record of working with over 80 communities in Texas and bordering states to understand community needs and connect these to economic development initiatives to improve the lives of all community members. The hydrogen proto-hub demonstration facility at the Center for Electromechanics will serve as a key resource for hands-on workforce training activities. UT researchers will also conduct life-cycle and techno-economic analyses for the projects. For example, they will provide the analyses required for meeting emissions criteria, clean hydrogen standards, and cost benchmarks, and will report these data to the Department of Energy.

“UT Austin’s role in the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub will be vital to both providing the research and expertise needed to accelerate the global market for hydrogen, and to developing the workforce needed to support the industry’s advancement over the long term in Texas and the Gulf Coast,” said Brian Korgel, the Rashid Engineering Regents Chair Professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and the director of the UT Energy Institute. “We are proud to be part of this important project that will advance secure and sustainable energy in the U.S. and all over the world.”

HyV’s work will be at the forefront of maintaining and expanding Texas as a global leader in hydrogen energy development. With $22 million in the first tranche of funding, HyVelocity is expected to create up to 45,000 well-paying jobs over its lifetime and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7 million metric tons per year — equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 1.5 million gasoline-powered cars. The Department of Energy is investing $1.2 billion in the project.

As the nation’s premier university for energy innovation and excellence, UT brings an unmatched scale, depth and breadth of expertise and a pragmatic approach to advancing solutions across the full spectrum of energy. Situated in the heart of Texas, UT is in the center of the energy capital of the world. The University boasts numerous top-10 academic programs and a vast community of minds spanning a multitude of energy departments, centers and institutes. UT’s extensive industry partnerships and field research extend from the oil fields of West Texas to the other side of the world, with faculty, students and staff engaged in applied research in hydrogen, carbon capture, wind, solar, batteries and more.

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