1. business and industrial
2. construction

Online-exclusive news
impactnews.com
INSIDE
Regularly updated coupons
impactdeals.com
THIS ISSUE
Find us on Facebook
impactnews.com/swa-facebook
Follow us on Twitter
@impactnews_swa
SOUTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
I-35 prioritized
for state funding
195
M O V I N G F O R WA R D
The Texas Department of Transportation’s Austin district will receive about $120 million in the first round of funding
from Proposition 1 which was designed to divert more funding to 29
infrastructure. Most of that funding—$92,284,652—
will be spent in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties, although the district includes eight other counties.
By Amy Denney
See I-35 | 33
9 BUSINESS
Marigold—Gateway to India
183
I-35
$16,955,235
45
620
MoPac
RM 2222
$1,002,882
SH 95
130 $11,917,500
360 Loop 360
290
$1,000,000
SH 95
$794,500
2222
MAP KEY
Williamson County
Total: $28,872,735
2244
35
I-35
95
RM 2244
$5,000,000
Travis County
Total: $49,252,618
RM 1826
$5,034,300
I-35
$6,500,000
45
71
Austin area prepares for ‘silver
tsunami’
19 DEVELOPMENT
Sunset Valley sues food trailer park
for lacking permits
21 EDUCATION
that drew her to Southwest Austin
was the many families who live in
the area. Mariam added the new
restaurant could offer breakfast
and add a full bar.
“I will have more space to use,”
she said. “I may be able to offer a
cooking class and things like that
because my kitchen will be bigger.”
Michi Ramen, a former food
truck, is slated to open a south Austin restaurant in a 1,500-squarefoot space at 3005 S. Lamar Blvd.,
Ste. D-114, this spring, owner
Fredrick Lee said.
“That part of town, just like
Austin as a whole, is growing and
developing with all these multiuse
See Restaurants | 34
183
Map not to scale
Timeline sought for south high
school
Austin ISD mulls Mueller school
site
23 CITY & COUNTY
25 AT THE CAPITOL
Patrick, Straus name committees
in Senate, House for 84th session
27 CALENDAR
28 SXSW
2015 highlights
31 GUIDE
Stargazing
32 REGIONAL REPORT
Kelli Weldon
Several restaurants have come
to call Southwest Austin home
in the past few months, bringing
with them variety and a few new
types of cuisine to the area.
Local residents will be able to
try Cuban, Ethiopian and Japanese food at area restaurants
making their debut. Guantanamera, which offers traditional
Cuban cuisine, opened in March
at 6800 West Gate Blvd., Ste. 11
(See more on Page 11).
Pflugerville-based eatery Taste
of Ethiopia will open a second
location this summer at 3801
S. Congress Ave., owner Woine
Mariam said. Food is served on
a platter that everyone eats from,
she said, explaining one thing
15 PLANNING
Filing property tax exemptions
183
I-35
$9,124,999
TxDOT backs Eateries spring onto scene,
45 SW study expand local dining options
The Texas Department of
Transportation confirmed that
it has finished its environmental review of SH 45 SW, thereby
allowing the project to begin
final design and construction
planning.
Carlos Swonke, TxDOT
Environmental Affairs Division
director, signed the Record of
Decision March 4. SH 45 SW is a proposed
roughly 4-mile, four lane limited access tollway connecting
MoPac in Southwest Austin to
FM 1626 in Hays County.
Guantanamera
16 NEWS BRIEFS
21
Source: Texas Department of Transportation
By Kelli Weldon
11 FIRST LOOK
18 TAXES
Hays County
Total: $14,159,299
By Joe Olivieri
Kesos Taco House
The latest on local road projects
$34,955,236
1826
10 DINING
13 TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
80
For more information visit impactnews.com
6 IMPACTS
Now Open, Coming Soon & more
$41M for local intersections
About $120 million in Proposition 1 funding will be pumped into Central Texas road
projects in 2015 with the majority of funding
going toward I-35 projects in Hays, Travis and
Williamson counties.
Eighty percent of Texas voters approved
Prop. 1 on Nov. 4. This approval diverts a
portion of oil and gas tax revenue from the
Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as
the Rainy Day Fund, to the State Highway
Fund. The money will help bridge a $5 billion annual shortfall. In the first year $1.74
billion will go to TxDOT for four purposes:
congestion relief, connectivity, maintenance
and energy sector roads damaged by vehicles used in development and production of
energy.
In October, the Capital Area Metropolitan
Planning Organization, the Central Texas
regional transportation planning agency,
threw its support behind TxDOT using the
majority of the 2015 Prop. 1 funding for
I-35. CAMPO is also providing $33.1 million to use toward these projects, bringing
Volume 7, Issue 12 | March 26–April 22, 2015
35 REAL ESTATE
Traditional ramen at Ramen Tatsu-ya is
made with pork bone broth.
Belterra
2
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Chances are we already
know you and your kiddo.
No one knows you better. You trusted us to care for you
during labor, delivery and your baby’s NICU stay. You can now trust
us to care for your child. Have comfort in knowing that if you should
need a hospital, we have a dedicated pediatric ER and access to
experts in pediatric care available to you. She is the center of your
world, and we promise she will be the center of ours.
stdavids.com/kids
St. David’s Children’s Hospital is located at
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center (South Entrance)
3
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM
SYSTEM INCLUDES:
Delivery · Installation · Leaf eater · First-flush diverter · Overflow pipe w/ overflow flap · Water level indicator
Hose bib · Decomposed granite pad w/landscape metal edging border · Metal or plastic rain barrel
All for one price
= 320 GALLONS
= 32 INCHES
AUSTI N
AVERAGE HOME WATER USE PER DAY
OF RAIN PER YEAR
100 GALLONS
USED OUTDOORS DAILY
1000 SQUARE FOOT ROOF
CATCH 600 GALLONS OF WATER
IN A 1” RAIN
RAINWATER HARVESTING BENEFITS:
REDUCES DEMAND ON EXISTING WATER SUPPLY
REDUCES RUN-OFF
REDUCES EROSION
REDUCES CONTAMINATION OF SURFACE WATER
RAIN CAN BE USED:
RAINWATER:
IS VALUED BECAUSE IT SUPPORTS LANDSCAPE HEALTH
IS SOFT, FREE OF SODIUM & OTHER CHEMICALS
PH OPTIMIZED TO SUPPORT PLANT & MICROBIAL SOIL LIFE
HELPS RECHARGE AQUIFERS
LANDSCAPE
USE
CAR
WASHING
PET
WATERING
* This spring at TreeHouse veggies and herbs are dirt cheap starting at $.69.
Also buy one get one free organic soil.
4477 S. Lamar Blvd Suite 600. Austin TX, 78745 | 512-861-0712 | TreeHouse.co/spring
FIRE
PROTECTION
4
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
®
®
Realty Austin City Wide Open House
VIEW OUR OPEN HOUSE MAP AT
Sunday, March 29th 2015
EZ.COM/OPENHOUSE
CIRCLE C
10900 Canfield Dr
DRIPPING SPRINGS
220 Quinn Dr
Listed by Denise Bodman
512.903.5129
Listed by The Bara Team
512.779.7009
3 BD 2.5 BA +/-3,597 SQ FT
4 BD 3.5 BA +/-4,435 SQ FT
HIGHPOINTE
112 Grapevine
BELTERRA
340 Catalina
Listed by The Hachtel Team
512.789.1965
Listed by Donna Darling
512.422.2367
3 BD 3 BA +/-3,128 SQ FT
4 BD 4 BA +/-2,921 SQ FT
BAUERLE RANCH
3000 Onslow Dr
SHADY HOLLOW
3608 Apache
Listed by Burt Dement
512.689.7352
Listed by Josh Lasserre
512.627.7023
4 BD 2.5 BA +/-2,156 SQ FT
3 BD 2.5 BA +/-2,938 SQ FT
Who says you can’t
shop for memories?
HILLCREST
2411 Lavendale Ct
MEADOWS AT DOUBLE CREEK
100 Morning Primrose
3 BD 2.5 BA +/-2,476 SQ FT
3 BD 2.5 BA +/-2,233 SQ FT
Listed by The Bara Team
512.779.7009
Listed by Christina Balderas
512.797.4968
Welcome to Our Southwest Austin Office!
SCOTT R.
HAMILTON
REALTOR®
STEPH
CRUTCHFIELD
OV E R 1 0 0 S T O R E S & R E S TAU R A N T S
S U N S E T VA L L E Y
Everything Under the Sun
REALTOR®
HWY 290 & Brodie Lane
workatrealtyaustin.com • 512.241.1300
sunsetvalley.org/shopping
5
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
FROM THE EDITOR
PUBLISHERS AND FOUNDERS
John and Jennifer Garrett
PUBLISHER - AUSTIN METRO
Traci Rodriguez
GENERAL MANAGER
Travis Baker, tbaker@impactnews.com
Editorial
Cathy Kincaid
Shannon Colletti
MANAGING EDITOR JP Eichmiller
EDITOR Joe Olivieri
REPORTER Kelli Weldon
COPY CHIEF Andy Comer
STAFF WRITERS Leslee Bassman, Jennifer Curington,
Amy Denney, Joe Lanane, Emilie Lutostanski, Matt
Stephens, Lyndsey Taylor, JJ Velasquez
FOUNDING EDITOR
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Advertising
Tess Coverman
Desiree Bohls
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
ACCOUNT COORDINATOR
Design
Joe Olivieri
EDITOR
jolivieri@impactnews.com
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Derek Sullivan
Erin Behncke
STAFF DESIGNERS Angie Calderon, Kara Nordstrom
ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Tiffany Knudtson
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Business
READER COMMENTS
TAKE THE POLL
SH 45 SW closer to construction (Volume 7, Issue 11)
What do you see as the most pressing
concern for Austin’s aging population?
“It appears there is absolutely no consideration to how this
project will impact FM 1626 traffic.
Claire Love
Cody Leitholt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
CIRCULATION SPECIALIST
Local taxes and costs of living have gone up; real
estate experts say some residents may want to move but
stay out of fear of paying higher prices elsewhere.
My story on page 15 looks at what it means to age
in Southwest Austin. I spoke with experts who are
tracking the so-called “silver tsunami” and businesses that are opening to cater to our aging population.
Residents like my grandma are an important part
of our community. They are a link to the past and can
inform future decision-making. Their issues—affordability, access to health care, mobility—are everyone’s
issues.
I hope you enjoy the latest issue of Community
Impact Newspaper. You can be sure I will send a copy
to Grandma.
My grandma moved
into the classic southern
colonial house with the
tall trees in the front
yard when my dad was in
elementary school.
For more than 50 years
she has watched her suburban bedroom community grow and evolve. She
has seen property values
rise and lot sizes shrink.
Her stories include
phrases such as “where the old so-and-so used to be” or
“back when what’s-his-name was the superintendent of
schools.”
She loves her neighborhood and her city, but she
could not afford to buy a home there at today’s prices.
I think of my grandma whenever I hear someone use
the phrase “aging in place,” a phrase that comes up a lot
when discussing local city planning.
Take the poll online at impactnews.com/SWA-poll
It seems obvious that all who use this connection [are] only
interested in connecting to I-35, which would dump almost all
traffic from SH 45 onto an already overused FM 1626. Even
now it takes us forever to exit our subdivision, which can only
be exited by 1626. There’s not even a center turn lane in front of
our main entrance at Knolls at Slaughter Creek. To exit toward
I-35 to the left requires us to wait for traffic to clear from both
directions on 1626 before we can make our exit. This situation
should work out really well during an evacuation.
About us
John and Jennifer Garrett began Community
Impact Newspaper in 2005 in Pflugerville, Texas.
The company’s mission is to build communities of
informed citizens and thriving businesses through
the collaboration of a passionate team. Now, with 18
markets in the Austin, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth
metro areas, the paper is distributed to more than
1.3 million homes and businesses.
LAST MONTH’S POLL RESULTS
In our previous issue, Community Impact Newspaper
reported on food insecurity and local efforts within the
Southwest Austin area as well as throughout the Central
Texas region to feed the hungry.
To my knowledge there is no plan for accommodating additional traffic on 1626 from [the] I-35 service road to the railroad
tracks ... in spite of the hundreds of residential housing units
(apartments and single-family homes) being added to the area.
Contact us
16225 Impact Way, Ste. 1
Pflugerville, TX 78660 • 512-989-6808
impactnews.com
How large of a problem do you
perceive food insecurity to be in
Southwest Austin?
Why is there no discussion of, if we are going to do this connection at all, to not complete it all the way to the existing SH
45 at I-35 as part of this project?”
swanews@impactnews.com
ADVERTISING swaads@impactnews.com
COMMENTS swafeedback@impactnews.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS impactnews.com/subscriptions
PRESS RELEASES
43.14%
—James Bryan Muhlenbruch
I do not consider it a problem
25.49%
Somewhat important
21.57%
A top priority
7.84%
One of several pressing issues
Results from an unscientific Web survey, collected 2/26/15–3/20/15
© 2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT LICENSING LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO REPRODUCTION OF ANY
PORTION OF THIS ISSUE IS ALLOWED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER.
Cer tifiedPreowned.com
2015 XV Crosstrek
2.0i Prem 5MT
$309
mo
$999 Due at signing
1
1.49% APR financing available
WAC for 63 mos
2015 Forester 2.5i
CVT
$269
mo
$999 Due at signing
2
0.9% APR financing available
WAC for 48 mos
(512) 706-7065
2015.5 S60 T5
2015 XC60 T5
Drive-E Premier FWD
Drive-E FWD Premier
$299mo
4
36 MO. LEASE
$399mo
4
39 MO. LEASE
1 - Subaru Crosstrek-With approved credit. Dealer contribution may affect final negotiated price. 42 mo lease, $999 total due at inception, no sec. dep. required, 42 monthly pymts of $309, final pymt / residual = $13,184. Based on 10k mi. / yr with $.15 per mi. excess charge. MSRP $23,972. Stk# Z11588. 2 - Subaru Forester -With approved credit. Dealer contribution may affect final negotiated
price. 42 mo lease, $999 total due at inception, no sec. dep. required, 42 monthly pymts of $269, final pymt / residual = $14,256. Based on 10k mi. / yr with $.15 per mi. excess charge. MSRP $25,011. Stk# Z11479. 3 - Volvo S60 T5 -$2,979 cash due at signing. No security deposit required. Monthly payment of $299, based on $38,600 MSRP of 2015.5 S60 T5 Drive-E FWD Premier with Heated Seats
and Metallic Paint, includes destination charge and application of $1,250 Volvo Allowance and $250 Lease Bonus. Lessee is responsible for excess wear and mileage over 10,000 miles/year at $0.25 / mile. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by March 31, 2015. Car shown with optional equipment. Advertised lease payment and financing excludes taxes, title, and regis. fees and is available for
qualified customers based on FICO score through Volvo Car Financial Services. 4-Volvo XC60 T5 - $3,579 cash due at signing. No security deposit required. Monthly payment of $399, based on $41,705 MSRP of 2015.5 XC60 T5 Drive-E FWD Premier with Heated Seats and Metallic Paint, includes destination charge and application of $750 Volvo Allowance. Lessee is responsible for excess wear and
mileage over 10,000 miles/year at $0.25 / mile. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by March 31, 2015. Car shown with optional equipment. Advertised lease payment and financing excludes taxes, title, and regis. fees and is available for qualified customers based on FICO score through Volvo Car Financial Services.
6
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
l vd
.
IMPACTS
we
st P
kw
y.
3
16
Lightsey
Rd.
8
s t.
ugh
te r L n
nc
Ma
S la
Ca n
non
Woodward
Ave.
ng
Co
Ln
.
S.
ey
71
D it
tm
ar
Rd
.
Ralph
Ablanedo Dr.
35
22
.
15
18
26
21
9 Robnett & Co. CPAs opened at 3601
W. William Cannon Drive, Ste. 350 in late
2014 and offers tax preparation, accounting
services and wealth management. The
location is Robnett’s second in Southwest
Austin. The other is located at 6301
Manchaca Road, Ste. H. 512-527-3085.
www.robnett-tax.com
2 27
290
Bluff St.
12
Lead Pastor Scott Hatch said. The church
is looking for volunteers to help with its
Sunday services. 832-754-9200.
www.gvcaustin.org
10 SparkleKIDS Upscale Resale opened
Nov. 1 at 2810 Manchaca Road. At the
store’s second location customers can
buy or sell clothing for babies as well as
clothes for children up to age 10. The
company offers brands such as Gap, Janie
and Jack, and Stuart Weitzman.
512-712-5365.
www.sparklekidsresale.com,
www.facebook.com/sparklekidsresale
5 Guantanamera opened March 3 at
6800 West Gate Blvd., Ste. 112, co-owner
Tuky Ibarra said. The restaurant serves
traditional Cuban food and drinks. See
profile on page 11. 512-382-1022.
www.guantanameraaustin.com.
Twitter: @GuantanameraAUS
11 Total Men’s Primary Care opened in
late February at 4301 W. William Cannon
Drive, Ste. 300, Clinical Director Michael
Shorth said. The medical practice treats
low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and
medical weight loss. 512-222-8868.
www.totalmens.com
1626
Map not to scale
TM; © 2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT LICENSING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Now Open
1 Used car seller Auto Hero opened in
December. The company helps customers
sell cars online and at its 3212 S. Congress
Ave. location. 512-640-3630.
www.autohero.com
2 Conn’s opened at 9900 S. I-35, Bldg.
H, in the Southpark Meadows shopping
center Phase III in January. Conn’s sells
furniture, appliances and electronics.
512-292-1832. www.conns.com
3 Delaware Sub Shop opened at 7212
W. Hwy. 71, Ste. A, on Feb. 11, owner Pete
Ademski said. The restaurant specializes
in Philly cheesesteaks and Italian sub
sandwiches. The new South Austin site is
the local eatery’s fourth location.
512-288-4500. www.delawaresub.com
4 Grace Vineyard Church has begun
holding weekly services at Patton
Elementary School, 6001 Westcreek
Drive, and will formally launch April 5,
7 Mistique Makeup opened in late
January on the ground floor of The 704
building inside Moore Couture, 3401 S.
Lamar Blvd., Ste. 3138. Mistique Makeup
owner Jacqueline Bassett offers waxings,
eyelash extensions, makeup, spray tans
and items from the boutique shop.
210-421-9094. www.mistiquemakeup.com
8 Posh Boutique opened Feb. 7 at 4211
S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. B-3. The store offers
dresses for special occasions, including
bridesmaid dresses, as well as apparel and
accessories. Apparel prices start at $25.
512-387-0602. www.poshatx.com
Dr.
O l d L o ck har t Hwy.
ha
ca
Ledgestone
Terrace
35
.
L n.
Rd
vis
25
290
23
re s
Fi r
Ln
od
Da
MoPac
lia m
S.
s sn
.
Sta
W il
Br
n.
sA
ve .
S t.
tG
5
ie
6
er L
1
17
W
es
9
s L n.
De
14
S t.
a te
.
vd
Bl
nt
11 13 28
Davi
or f
.
4
me
Esc a r p
24
O lt
7
290
Westcreek
Dr.
20
19
vd
290
1826
12 10
MoPac
Bl
71
ma
La
u th
S.
So
rB
360
6 Owners Karen Speir and Greg Ginther
held a soft opening for Hiit Fit Gym
March 6 and will hold its grand opening
April 11. The gym, located at 8204 Brodie
Lane, Ste. 102, offers more than 80 classes
a week, including interval training and
kickboxing. 512-660-8969.
www.hiitfitgym.com
Now Accepting Reservations
Luxurious
Assisted Living and
Memory Care Community
Granite countertops, theatre room,
full-service salon, exercise room
with scheduled programming,
beautiful views
Opening in March
New Assisted Living & Memory Care
512.288.8300
www.Legacy-Oaks.com
7501 W. Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78736
passionate service, passionate cleanliness and passionate care
A Civitas Senior Healthcare Community
7
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
Compiled by Joe Olivieri and Kelli Weldon
14 The Rusty Mule will open in late
March at 9201 W. Hwy. 290, General
Manager Vince Cotroneo said. The
bar and music venue will host live
music and a rotating lineup of food
trailers, including pulled-pork vendor
Chico & The Fox. 512-496-9632. www.
therustymule.com, www.facebook.com/
pages/The-Rusty-Mule/953380421342401
15 Construction started in late January
on South Austin Beer Garden at 10700
Manchaca Road. Co-owners Ryan
Thomas, Davey Pearce and Chris Cantu
are transforming a house built in the
1920s to the main bar area, which will
offer 50 to 60 Texas beers on tap as well
as a full bar. The 1-acre property will
also include a covered pavilion and a live
music stage when it opens this summer.
Thomas said the company plans to host
food trailers on the property.
www.facebook.com/
southaustinbeergarden
16 Via 313 Pizzeria will open its brickand-mortar location at 6705 Hwy. 290,
Ste. in April. The restaurant will serve
Detroit and tavern-style pizzas as well
as beer, wine and desserts. Co-owner
Brandon Hunt said the business, which
started as a food trailer, will open for
dinner service only during its first month,
add lunch in May and add brunch in June.
www.via313.com
17 Wet Canvas Nail & Beauty Bar
will open in April at 3801 S. Congress
18 MedSpring Urgent Care bought
CareSpot Urgent Care and opened the
facility under the MedSpring name March
7. The medical facility is located at 401
Slaughter Lane. 512-792-4450.
www.medspring.com
23 Furniture store Nest Modern will
move by May 1 from 1009 W. Sixth St.,
Ste. 5, to 2603 S. Congress Ave. The store’s
offerings include furniture, home decor,
lighting options and accessories.
512-637-0600. www.nestmodern.com
Anniversaries
24 South Austin Presbyterian Church
moved its services from Southwest Family
Fellowship to Gorzycki Middle School,
7412 W. Slaughter Lane, on Feb. 15.
Sunday services are held at 11 a.m. and
5 p.m. 512-758-9867.
www.southaustinpres.org
19 The Park on South Lamar celebrated
its first anniversary March 7 at the Brodie
Oaks Shopping Center, 4024 S. Lamar
Blvd. The Park serves lunch, happy hour,
dinner and Sunday brunch. 512-731-2077.
www.eatdrinkthepark.com.
lamar@eatdrinkthepark.com
School Notes
20 Rose Dental celebrates its 20th
anniversary April 2. The business has
four Austin-area locations, including one
at 6211 W. William Cannon Drive, and
offers general dentistry services. Dentists
Rollin Sarradet and Sergio Escobar
founded the practice in 1995, and the
business name was created from the first
two letters of their first names.
512-288-4447. www.rosedental.net
25 Austin ISD’s board of trustees named
Heather Scholl principal of Kocurek
Elementary School, 4103 Slaughter Lane,
on Jan. 26. She has worked for AISD
for 17 years and previously served as an
assistant principal at Pleasant Hill, Palm
and Mills elementary schools.
www.austinisd.org
Expansions
26 Body Central closed in mid-January
at 9600 S. I-35, Ste. 500. The store sold
women’s clothing and accessories.
21 Dripping Springs–based company
Core Health Care, headquartered at
400 W. Hwy. 290, Bldg. B, Ste. 205,
opened its first Austin outpatient and day
program facility March 23 at 3215 Steck
Ave., Ste. 100. The new facility features
physical, occupational, speech, cognitive
and psychological therapies in a nonclinical environment designed to help
those with brain injury and other needs
increase their independence in all tasks
of everyday living, working and leisure
activities. 512-894-0801.
www.corehealth.com
6
Courtesy Luisa Kelly/Lady Lu Photography
New Ownership
22 Big 4 Auto Parts moved from 8601
Cullen Lane to 220 Ralph Ablanedo Drive
in January. The business buys and sells
trucks and SUVs in addition to selling
automotive parts. 512-282-4546
Hiit Fit Gym offers interval training and kickboxing
among its classes.
17
Joe Olivieri
13 Cryofix Austin will open at 4301 W.
William Cannon Drive, Bldg. B, Ste. 146,
at the Shops at Arbor Trails in late April
or early May, according to the owners.
704-804-0647. www.cryofixaustin.com
Relocations
Wet Canvas Nail & Beauty Bar will open in April
on South Congress Avenue.
Closings
19
Kelli Weldon
Coming Soon
Ave., Ste. 104, owner Diana Sek said.
The business will offer creative nail care,
lashes, waxing and airbrush tanning, she
said. It will also serve drinks. 512-5622444. www.wetcanvasnailbar.com
28
Kelli Weldon
12 World of Beer South Lamar held its
grand opening March 16 at 3121 S. Lamar
Blvd. The restaurant serves craft beer,
cocktails and tavern fare. 512-584-8770.
www.wobusa.com.
Twitter: @wobsouthlamar
The Park on South Lamar celebrated its first
anniversary in March.
27 Karavel Shoes closed at 9900 S. I-35,
Ste. P-150, on Feb. 27. 512-459-7603.
www.karavelshoes.com
28 Eco-friendly gift boutique
Wanderland closed its 4301 William
Cannon Drive, Bldg. B, Ste. 146, location
in early January. The store’s 3419 N.
Lamar Blvd. location remains open.
www.wanderlandshops.com
Wanderland closed its William Cannon Drive location. The North Lamar Boulevard site remains open.
News or questions about Southwest Austin?
Email swanews@impactnews.com.
8
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Clean Shops
for Clean Water Coal Tar Ban
The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department
recognizes the following Austin Enviro Mechanics for running
clean shops to reduce pollution in our creeks and lakes.
Look for the Austin Enviro Mechanics logo to identify those
businesses that go the extra mile to protect the environment.
To become a member or to get more information, call
512-974-2550 or visit our website at:
www.austintexas.gov/austinenviromechanics
our AUSTIN ENVIRO MECHANICS�
Advanced Automotive and Tire
7528 Burnet Road • 512-454-3454
Capital Metro
2910 E. 5th Street • 512-389-7411
Lamb’s Tire & Automotive Center #4
3564 Far West Boulevard • 512-345-6600
Arbor Car Wash and Lube
10401 Jollyville Road • 512-346-8050
Capital V Connection
4201 S. Congress Avenue • 512-441-1334
Arboretum Auto Service
12108 B Roxie Drive • 512-343-8393
Champion Toyota
4800 S. I35 • 512-440-4500
Leonard Johnson’s Garage & Muffler
Center
4401 S. 1st Street • 512-445-2892
Austin Infiniti
8140 Burnet Road • 512-453-0660
East First Grocery
1811 E. Cesar Chavez Street • 512-477-0988
Auto Gate Austin
435 Industrial Boulevard • 512-444-4283
Ellis & Salazar Garage & Body Shop
4501 S. Congress Avenue • 512-444-5555
Balcones Exxon Automotive
5400 Balcones Drive • 512-452-5422
E-Z Food Store #5
6400 S. 1st Street • 512-447-5825
B&B Muffler & Automotive Service Center
3000 S. Lamar Blvd • 512-447-5581
Flamingo Automotive
3512 Guadalupe Street • 512-459-9917
Brake Check # 17
205 E. Ben White Boulevard • 512-448-1221
Friendly’s Auto Repair
Bridgestone Firestone # 43E2
2500 W. Palmer Lane • 512-388-6060
Goodyear Auto Service Center
907 E. 41st Street • 512-459-6554
Bridgestone Firestone # 43E3
6412 S. I35 • 512-442-9388
Caliber Collision Centers
8735 N. Lamar Boulevard • 512-836-0000
Caliber Collision Centers
6222 Manchaca Road • 512-443-2244
Capitol Chevrolet
6200 S. I35 • 512-444-8888
419 Tillery Street • 512-385-4466
Great Hills Automotive
5346 Thunder Creek Road • 512-795-2995
Jiffy Lube #2926
3704 Spicewood Springs Road
512-345-1274
Kwik Kar Southwest
4316 W William Cannon • 512-891-7800
Lexus of Austin
9910 Stonelake Boulevard • 512-343-3400
Marks American Car Care
6303 Cameron Road • 512-459-1486
Maxwell Ford
5000 S. I35 • 512-443-5000
It is illegal to use
coal tar containing pavement
sealants in the City of Austin
and its extraterritorial
jurisdiction (ETJ).
The City banned coal tar containing sealants in 2006 because they
are a potent source of PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons),
an organic contaminant known to be toxic to aquatic life.
Check to see if your property is located
within the Austin city limits or the ETJ
before sealing a parking lot. Find out at
www.austintexas.gov/gis/JurisdictionsWebMap/
Mazda South
4506 S. I35 • 512-462-3131
Mercedes Benz of Austin
6757 Airport Blvd • 512-406-3321
Mopac Auto Service Inc.
3500 Hyridge Drive • 512-346-0438
Redline Automotive & Marine
4705 Weidemar Lane • 512-441-0416
Swedish Auto Service
11008 N. Lamar Boulevard • 512-836-0022
Travis Engine Center
2406 Hidalgo Street • 512-476-6837
Zimmer’s Auto Shop
2313 Thorton Road #C • 512-445-6731
Request Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) from any potential contractor
or sealcoat applicator before purchasing
or applying sealants to verify their
compliance with the ordinance.
For more Information and a list of coal tar alternative products, visit
www.austintexas.gov/coaltar or call 512.974.2550
Pain is inevitable.
Suffering is optional.
the physicians & staff of
advanced pain care are dedicated
to helping our patients regain
their quality of life.
call today for an appointment.
MARK T. MALONE, M.D. | Board Certified Pain Management Physician
SEVEN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: ROUND ROCK . CENTRAL AUSTIN . SOUTH AUSTIN . CEDAR PARK . GEORGETOWN . WACO . KILLEEN
9
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
BUSINESS
Marigold—Gateway to India
Retailer offers saris, glimpse of Indian culture
L
ata Karna, owner of local business Marigold—Gateway to India,
was born in her store’s namesake
country.
The youngest of six children in a
family that emphasized education and
so-called “conventional” careers, Karna
said she sought to branch out by moving
to the U.S. at age 19 to work in fashion.
“I had a bit of a rebellious streak in me,
and I said, ‘I’m not going to be a lawyer;
I want something different. I want something creative. I want to do something
fun.’ … Little did I know how hard it was
going to be.”
Karna studied fashion design in San
Francisco and lived in New York City for
25 years while working in the wholesale
women’s fashion importing industry and
for Esprit and Levi’s, she said. Over the
years she became interested in the retail
side of the business and decided to open
her own store. In 2005 she started scouting locations and traveled to a few other
U.S. cities before deciding on Austin.
In May 2007 she moved to Austin and
opened Marigold a month later.
The vibrant colors of dresses, linens,
jewelry, bags and traditional Indian
garments such as saris are on display in
the 2,000-square-foot store. Decor and
products such as incense are also for sale.
Marigold’s shoppers run the gamut
from people who attend local Hindu
temples to people with no knowledge of
Indian culture at all, Karna said.
“I get a lot of people that come in here,
and they say, ‘I work with an Indian
person; I have this friend at work and
she is getting married and I’m going to
the wedding and I want to look the part.’
So they come to me. And I love helping
them; it’s so much fun,” she said.
She added shoppers also seek out her
assistance when attending Bollywoodthemed parties or seeking cotton clothing during Austin’s sweltering summers.
“The Indian climate and the Texan
climate are so similar, so [cotton] is really
ideal,” she said.
She said she bonds with her customers over the quality of the textiles and
designs, some of which she creates herself. Clothing items in the store with the
Marigold label are her own designs. “Some people like beautiful objects,
and they like to possess them,” she said.
“In my case, I don’t like to possess them;
I like to make them available for other
people to enjoy.”
Photos by Kelli Weldon
By Kelli Weldon
Jewelry, clothing and home decor items are among the wares at local store Marigold—Gateway to India.
Upcoming monthly events
Marigold hosts a variety of events on a
regular basis and has also hosted parties
and benefits for local nonprofits.
Tunic terms
Sari: Women’s garment made of a piece of
fabric about 6 yards long that wraps around
the body and is often made of silk and
cotton, $25–$249
Salwar kameez: Three-piece outfit for
women consisting of a long tunic, a scarf
and pants, $49–$189
Kurta: Traditional men’s shirt or tunic,
$36–$58
Tika: Forehead ornament, $20–$25
Kantha throws: Fabric with an ancient
stitch similar to a running stitch, $79–$189
April 5: Guided Meditation with Sound
•First Sunday of each month at 11 a.m.
•A sound-healing session uses the vibrational sound of Tibetan gongs and bowls to
help reduce stress.
April 7: Bryoga—Yoga for Bros •Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
•Men’s yoga series
April 8: Singing Bowls
•Second Wednesday of every month at
7:30 p.m.
•Crystal quartz singing bowls are played,
creating vibrational energy to help heal and
create balance. April 15 and 16: Weekly Pilates mat
classes
•Wed. at 8:45 a.m., Thu. at 7 p.m.
•Britt Causey teaches the weekly Pilates
mat class.
Marigold—Gateway to India
Rd
.
ne
y
Kin
St.
Lata Karna opened the retail store in 2007 after
working for more than 25 years in fashion.
torf
Marigold–Gateway to India is located on South
Lamar Boulevard.
l
W. O
d.
ar Blv
S. Lam
2200 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. A
512-442-6600
www.marigoldaustin.com
Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Austin Eye works
special package $298,
includes Crizal non-Glare, Restrictions Apply
eyecare
Accurate Prescriptions.
Allergy & DryEye care.
Natural Herbal Drops.
Lasik & Cataract Management.
Most insurances accepted/FSA,HSA Cards.
Newest
Dailies as
low as $1.06
per day.
“Ultra”
non-drying
Lenses.
Bifocal
Multifocal CL.
Dennis P. Goehring, D.D.S., P.A.
Dr. Paul C. Jacobs,
Optometrist
512.892.1864
7225 Hwy 71 West #B
71
Scenic Brook Dr.
Family Dentistry with emphasis on
IMPLANTS, IV SEDATION, SPECIAL NEEDS
AND COSMETICS.
MoPac
H-E-B
290
Performed a 2 year residency in advanced
General Dentistry & Hospital Dentistry
W. W
illi
N
(512) 892-8822
n.
Varilux no-line Progressives
contacts
B r o di e L
EYEGLASSES
a m Ca n n o n D
r.
3421 W. William Cannon Dr. • Suite 141 • Austin
$99
NEW PATIENT SPECIAL
Full exam & full series
of x-rays. Value $265.
Residency program not recognized as a specialty area by the ADA. All services provided by a General Dentist. Man-made roots and teeth
using Dental Implants completed from start-to-finish. IV sedation by licensed and certified staff.
10
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
DINING
Kesos Taco
House
South Austin eatery to add a
downtown site this summer
By Joe Olivieri
Photos by Joe Olivieri
I
n a city as taco-obsessed as Austin, new taco vendors must find a way to stand out from the pack if
they want to survive.
Kesos Taco House opened on South Congress
Avenue last February and has been serving original
recipes named after local landmarks and events ever
since, co-owner Oscar Aldama said.
“We wanted a unique taste, a good taste,” he said.
“When you taste carnitas, it’s going to taste like carnitas, but not like [everyone else’s carnitas]. It’s different.”
Most of its signature tacos are served with Kesos’
house sauce.
Kesos’ most popular tacos are the Keep It Weird, the
Rot Rallie and the SOCO, Aldama said.
“A lot of our customers are new customers—we get
new ones every day,” he said. “We get a lot of businesspeople in here.”
Kesos has applied for a beer and wine license, which
Aldama said he hopes to receive this spring.
The owners also plan to open a second location
downtown at Nueces Street and Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard in May or June, he said.
“Our main focus is the new place,” he said. “After
that we are going to look into a food trailer. In this city
trailers are so popular; it becomes a necessity to have
one, to be mobile [and] for special events.”
1
2
1 The Keep it Weird Taco ($3.50) is one of the restaurant’s
most popular tacos, co-owner Oscar Aldama said. It features pork
carnitas, potatoes, pico de gallo and Kesos’ signature sauce on a
corn tortilla.
sA
ve
.
Kesos Taco House
E. S
Co
ng
res
t. E
She
lmo
2 The SOCO Taco ($2.99) is made with migas—crispy corn tortilla, pico de gallo and eggs—and Kesos sauce on a flour tortilla.
Rd.
3 Named for the annual Republic of Texas Rally, the Rot Rallie
Taco ($3.75) is one of many specialty tacos named for local events
and landmarks. It includes sirloin steak fajitas, grilled onions, bell
peppers, roasted potatoes and Kesos sauce on a flour tortilla.
rato
S.
3
nA
ve.
4720 S. Congress Ave.
512-358-4555 • www.kesostacohouse.com
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 6 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.–4 p.m.,
Sun. 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
4
4 Aldama opened Kesos Taco House with his brother and five
other business partners in 2014.
The Shape Of Behavior
610 Cardinal Ln.• Austin, TX 78704
ABA and Health and Behavioral Intervention Clinic
Ph# 866.437.2165
www.shapeofbehavior.com
Communication
Socialization
Self-Help Skills
Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) develop an
individualized program for each child. We offer an array of
services such as in-clinic treatment, social skills training, inschool shadowing programs, parent trainings, and play groups.
Academics and Behavior Problems
Proudly serving children and
their families since 2000.
Like us on Facebook to information
on Free Trainings and Play Groups.
Download Our FREE
App for Up-To-Date
Information on Clinics,
Events, Training, Etc.
11
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
Menu options
Ropa Vieja—Shredded beef cooked in
a tomato-based sauce with onions, bell
peppers and Cuban spices ($9)
Lechon Asado—Pulled pork marinated
with Cuban mojo criollo and then oven
roasted ($8.50)
Masas Fritas—Cubed tender pork
chunks, marinated in Cuban mojo criollo
and fried ($9)
Quimbombo—Fried okra, onions, bell
peppers, rosemary and garlic white wine
sauce ($9)
Media Noche–Sweet egg roll with ham,
roast pork, Swiss cheese, mustard and
pickles ($9)
FIRST LOOK
Arroz con Pollo a la Cubana—Chicken,
yellow rice, Cuban spices, olives and
beer ($14.50)
Guantanamera
Paella Cubana—Seasoned rice, squid,
octopus, shrimp, crab, tilapia and
mussels ($18)
T
wo entrepreneurs hope to bring
a taste of Cuba to Southwest
Austin.
Iskander Gener and his wife Tuky
Ibarra opened Cuban restaurant Guantanamera on March 3 in the Cannon
West shopping center.
“We are trying to bring our family
recipes from my mom and grandmother.
This is all about the Cuban food,” Gener
said. “I think we need more Cuban food
in Austin. There are just a few places that
have it. People love it.”
Gener and Ibarra said they opened
on West Gate Boulevard because they
wanted to bring more restaurants to
South Austin.
Gener said he grew up in Cuba and
traveled in South America before arriving in Austin in 2010.
He worked in restaurants in Argentina before learning how American
restaurants operate at some local Austin
establishments.
“I knew about kitchen [operations]
and how to cook, but [I learned] all of
the policies in this country and that
helped me along,” he said.
Gener said he has been working with
his sister for six months to develop the
recipes for the restaurant.
“We have the croquetas, the empanadas, the yucca,” he said.
Ibarra said Spanish influence is
apparent in the restaurant’s paella, a
classic seafood and yellow rice dish.
In addition to perfecting the food,
Gener and Ibarra said they worked with
a designer to create the right atmosphere for the dining room.
Empty cigar boxes decorate each
table, though the restaurant does not sell
Cuban cigars, Gener said. A mural of
Cuban musicians and a lighthouse and
cathedral in Havana covers a wall.
“People can come here and really
imagine what it is like to be [in Cuba],”
Ibarra said.
About Cuban cuisine
Cuban cuisine is a blend of indigenous
flavors from the local Tainos and
Guanahatabeyes people as well as
Spanish, African, Chinese and French
influences, Guantanamera co-owner
Iskander Gener said.
Guantanamera’s menu features classic
Cuban dishes such as the El Cuban
sandwich, shredded beef and seafood
options.
“We have a lot of rice and beans as well
as the famous roasted pork,” he said.
Many of the recipes are adapted from
Gener and co-owner Tuky Ibarra’s family
kitchens, Gener said.
The menu showcases classic
ingredients—yucca fries, bell peppers
and tropical fruits.
From left, owners Iskander Gener and Tuky Ibarra sit in
their new restaurant.
Guantanamera
6800 West Gate Blvd., Ste. 112
512-382-1022
www.guantanameraaustin.com
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
W.
W
illia
B l v d.
By Joe Olivieri
mC
a nn
on
a te
Couple opens Cuban restaurant March 3
Guantanamera’s shake flavors include mango, plantain,
strawberry and mamey, a tree fruit.
Dr.
tG
The El Cuban sandwich ($9) consists of roasted pork, ham and Swiss cheese on Cuban bread.
Tropical Ceviche—Fresh fish, lime,
cilantro, diced tomatoes, avocado and
tangerine ($7.50)
We
s
Photos by Joe Olivieri
Croquetas—Cuban-style croquettes
(chicken, pork or fish), bell peppers,
onions, garlic and Cuban spices ($2)
Refreshing looks for
Springtime!
Kristen M. Hawthorne, M.D.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
Richard A. Berkowitz, M.D., F.A.C.S.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
Free LASIK consultations
Whole Earth
Provision Co.
2410 San Antonio Street • 512-478-1577
1014 North Lamar • 512-476-1414
Westgate Shopping Center • 512-899-0992
WholeEarthProvision.com
Scott Kelly, M.D.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
NOW OPEN at SOUTHWEST MEDICAL VILLAGE
5625 Eiger Road, Suite 100 | Austin
2610 South IH 35 Austin
Bringing your world into focus.
5401 S FM 1626, Suite 365 Kyle
howertoneye.com | 512.443.9715
12
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
YOUR FAMILY WILL FEEL
BETTER FASTER WITH
ADC EasyCare
The Austin Diagnostic Clinic’s doctors and providers at
ADC EasyCare clinics provide care for those minor
emergencies that seem to happen after 9 to 5 and on the
weekends. We welcome new patients and accept most
insurances. ADClinic.com
 Call 512-901-1111 for same-day, next-day appts.
 On-site lab and x-ray.
 Access to ADC specialists for follow-up care.
 No ER or hospital deductible or co-pay.
Lisa Gaw, M.D.
EasyCare Pediatrics
1
W. Slaughter Ln.
5701 W. Slaughter Ln., Bldg. C
512-901-1111
Schedule school and
sport physicals all year
ADC Circle C
ADC Circle C services include: Allergy & Asthma, EasyCare, Family
Practice, Pediatrics, Podiatry, Lab and X-ray  ADClinic.com
SETTING CENTRAL TEXAS IN MOTION
he Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is focused on
setting Central Texas in motion with innovative solutions that
think outside the box. Created by Travis and Williamson Counties
with the mission of finding solutions to traffic congestion, we
operate 183A Toll, and the Manor Expressway (290 Toll). We’re
constructing Express Lanes on MoPac. Learn more about the
project at mopacexpress.com.
The Mobility Authority is committed to adding new capacity while
keeping existing free alternatives through the construction of
non-tolled frontage roads. Our transportation solutions offer
drivers a choice to bypass congestion, getting you where you need
to go—efficiently, and with fewer delays.
With $2 Billion in projects in development, the introduction of
mobile technology applications and the construction of non-tolled
facilities, we’re re-envisioning connectivity and transforming
mobility in Central Texas.
F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N V I S I T W W W. M O B I L I T YA U T H O R I T Y. C O M
13
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
News or questions about these or
other local transportation projects?
Email us at swanews@impactnews.com
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
Major projects in the area
71
.
Compiled by Joe Lanane, Joe Olivieri and Kelli Weldon
S. Lamar
Blvd.
MoPac
3
360
290
anno
nD
R
S.
360
Davis
1826
m
.
7
Panther
Trail
nch
6
La
lvd
Ma
El
r.
B
ar
R d.
i am C
ey
Blv
d.
Will
aca
290
290
L n.
section from east of Brodie Lane to Manchaca
Road with a continuous center left-turn lane.
Utility relocation is in progress, according to
the county.
2 MoPac Intersections
Environmental Study
An environmental study is underway for
possible improvements on Loop 1 at the
intersections of Slaughter Lane and
La Crosse Avenue to alleviate traffic
congestion and increase safety. The project
team is reviewing schematics for a diverging
diamond interchange at Slaughter Lane as
well as for an underpass design in which Loop
1 would go under Slaughter and LaCrosse. A
public hearing is slated to take place in spring
2015, according to the Mobility Authority.
Timeline: February 2014–summer 2016
Cost: about $7 million for construction
Funding sources: Travis County, TxDOT
5 On schedule: widening FM 1626 in
Travis County
The project will rebuild FM 1626 from Brodie
Lane to Manchaca Road, widening it from a
two-lane road to a five-lane highway with
shoulders, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. The
project is in the design phase, which is about
60 percent complete.
Timeline: May 2013–sometime in 2015 or
2016
L n.
Rd
ca
Ga
ha
ar
Rd
.
Environmental study
S la
ugh
te r L n
.
1
Co
Co
un
un
County, construction funded by TxDOT
nc
tm
6 Behind schedule: El Rey Boulevard
sidewalks
Ma
La
Crosse
Ave.
We
st
MoPac
D it
Timeline: design complete by mid-2015 Cost: $12 million
Funding sources: design funded Travis
ty
ty
Travis County will add sidewalks along El Rey
Boulevard from its intersection at W. Hwy. 290
to its intersection at Espanola Trail.
Construction was scheduled to be done by
November but did not start until Oct. 1.
Joe Olivieri
ys
is
Cost: about $45 million for construction
Funding sources: TxDOT
.
d.
te
Blv
2
vis
O l d L o ck har t Hwy.
Tra
v
Ha
Da
n.
pm
ie L
ar
.
lvd
B ro d
c
Es
e
B
nt
Frate Barker Rd.
5
4
Map not to scale
Cleared for construction
1 SH 45 SW
SPONSORED BY
Timeline: Oct. 17, 2012–sometime in
4 Behind schedule: Frate Barker Road
Joe Olivieri
The project will widen the road to a four-lane
GOOD
BEGINS EARLY
At Thiel Pediatric Dentistry, we look forward to caring
for your children and making sure their dental visits are
a positive and pleasant experience.
3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 292
Austin, TX 78704
thielpediatricdentistry.com
Works Department
widening
FOLLOW US ON :
We will offer tips for getting your children into early
habits that promote healthy teeth and gums. There is
nothing more important to us than your child’s smile.
7 South Lamar Boulevard repaving
South Lamar Boulevard between Manchaca
Road and Panther Trail will be closed to
pavement that is cracking or in generally poor
condition. Two travel lanes will close, shifting
traffic to the center turning lane. Northbound
and southbound motorists could see some
delays. Left turns into driveways within the
work zone may be restricted. Austin Police
Department officers will sometimes be on site
to help direct traffic.
Timeline: March 22–mid-April
Cost: $860,000
Funding sources: city of Austin Public
Cost: TBD
Funding source: TBD
DENTAL HEALTH
(512) 892-0013
A project team is refining two concepts
as part of the ongoing Oak Hill Parkway
environmental study to bring long-term
traffic relief to the intersection of Hwy.
71 and Hwy. 290. The Mobility Authority
will host its second Context Sensitive
Solutions Workshop on April 7 at Oak Hill
United Methodist Church from
6–8 p.m. The next open house will occur
sometime this summer.
2016
Joe Olivieri
The Texas Department of Transportation approved the
project in March following an environmental study on
the limited access, four-lane, 3.6-mile proposed toll
road connecting MoPac to FM 1626 in Hays County.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority hired
a firm to develop a design. After TxDOT approval the
Mobility Authority will seek construction bids. Timeline: Design could take several months,
construction to start after contractor selected
Cost: $100 million (CAMPO estimate)
Funding sources: Travis and Hays counties, Mobility
Authority, CAMPO grant
funds
3 Oak Hill Parkway study
1626
Timeline: complete by mid-April
Cost: about $400,000 for construction
Funding sources: Travis County 2011 bond
www.MobilityAuthority.com | @CTXmobility | facebook.com/MobilityAuthority
COME TO THE AUSTIN NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR
OVER 250 COLLEGES
APRIL 7, 2015
5:30-8:00pm
AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER
14
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
2014 Best Master-Planned Community
THE FUTURE LOOKS
BRIGHTER FROM HERE.
Come see why Sweetwater is your next brilliant move. Kids attend top-rated Lake Travis
schools, including new elementary and middle schools. You’ll enjoy 700 acres of open space,
4 miles of nature trails, and 10 acres of sporty, splashy amenities. Choose your beautiful
energy-efficient new home from a wide selection by top builders and love those low
natural gas heating bills. All just 25 minutes from downtown. What could be smarter?
New Homes from upper $200s to $800s
NOW ENROLLING!
GRADES K-9
5348 Pedernales Summit Pkwy • Austin, TX 78738 • 512-264-3200
SweetwaterAustinTexas.com
Lake
Travis
2222
Lakeway
Visit the Sweetwater Welcome Center to enter
Ends April 30, 2015
71
Ham
620
Bee Cave
ilton Pool Rd.
2244
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. See www.SweetwaterLiving.com for Official Rules.
Open to legal TX residents 18 years of age or older currently residing within the greater Austin area and legal U.S. residents
of any other state including TX who are visiting the Austin area during the Promotion Period. FL and NY residents, individuals
who are under contract with a Sweetwater builder at time of entry, current homeowners in Sweetwater, and professional real
estate agents holding an active Texas real estate license are not eligible. Ends 4/30/15.
Drees • River Oaks • M/I Homes • Coventry • Ashton Woods
David Weekley • Ryland • Chesmar
IDEA Public Schools is a nationallyrecognized network of college prep schools.
100% of IDEA Public Schools seniors have
been accepted to college eight years in a
row, and their college graduation rates are
FIVE TIMES the national average.
Free. Focused on College. For All.
www.ideapublicschools.org/apply
512-646-2828
15
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
PLANNING
Austin area prepares for ‘silver tsunami’
Public, private sectors expect more active senior population
Future housing
In Southwest Austin, Titan Senior Living is billing Elan Southpark Meadows, a
111-unit development off Slaughter Lane,
as a resort-style retirement community
with amenities such as a restaurant,
salon, spa, wellness center and concierge
services, according to a statement.
President David Dronet said Elan
should open in early 2016.
“We saw the opportunity to serve
seniors and their families and exceed
expectations for what senior living could
be,” he said.
Civitas Senior Living LLC is scheduled
to begin building Ledgestone Senior Living in June and finish in fall 2016.
Wayne Powell, president of Civitas
Senior Living, said Ledgestone would
include 120 independent-living apartments, 60 assisted-living studio suites
and one-bedroom units, and 10 memory-care units near Dripping Springs.
Staying active
The South Austin Senior Activity
Center on Manchaca Road serves 150 to
600 people per day, Recreation Program
Supervisor Angela Niemiec said.
The center hosts tai chi, Zumba and
line-dancing classes as well as diabetes
and financial-planning classes.
“When I first started, most of the
people coming in were age 75 [and
older],” she said. “Now we have a lot
more younger, active programs. We have
a walking club, hiking, kayaking and
yoga.”
Joe Olivieri
Austin chapter of the AARP, said many
older residents live on fixed incomes.
“People have spoken to me with issues
such as, ‘Do I buy my pills, or do I eat a
balanced meal?’” she said.
From left: Bondell Zeugin and Iola Canady play rummikub, a version of the card game rummy.
P
lanningforthefuture
facts &
forthe
Austin has a reputation as a young
city, but statistics about the city’s aging
population have caught civic leaders’
attention.
Recent data shows the Austin-Round
Rock metropolitan statistical area, or
MSA, hosts the fastest-growing population in the country of residents ages
55–64. Residents age 65 and older
made up 8 percent of the Austin-Round
Rock MSA’s population in 2010 but are
predicted to make up 20 percent of the
population by 2040.
Local forecasters have dubbed this
demographic shift the “silver tsunami,”
and the area’s public and private sectors
have been preparing to address issues
related to an aging population, such as
health, housing and transportation.
In 2013 the Austin Mayor’s Task Force
on Aging produced recommendations on
the topic, including age-inclusive policies, focusing on affordable housing and
integrating seniors into civic life.
The South Austin housing market
continues to grow, with several multifamily projects under construction.
However, most are considered marketrate or luxury developments; few new
or proposed properties are considered
affordable housing, according to real
estate reports.
In the Southwest Austin area, new developments, such as retirement community
Elan Southpark Meadows, Legacy Oaks
Assisted Living and Memory Care and
independent- and assisted-living apartment complex Ledgestone Senior Living,
are slated to open in the next few years.
Medical practices have opened South
Austin locations to cater to new patients.
Meanwhile, as resources spring up to
serve them, some of today’s older residents are concerned about affordability
and transportation.
Elaine Benton, an officer in the South
figures
Austin–RoundRock
from2000–2010,
Austin-roundrock
MSAwasthe
Austin-roundrock
MSApopulationage
65andolderin2010
fastest-growing
populationof
peopleages55–64
intheU.S.
20%
63%
#1
#3
and
the
By Joe Olivieri
For more information visit impactnews.com
200%
ofthepovertyline
8%
Austin-roundrock
MSApopulationage
65andolderin2040
more
than
75%
ofseniors
surveyed
hopeto
stayintheir
homes
forthe
next10-15
years
ofseniorssurveyed
thinklivinginCentral
Texaswillbecome
unaffordableduring
thatsametimeframe
morethan
80%
fastest-growing
populationof
peopleages65+
intheU.S.
nearly21%ofresidents
age50andolderlive
atorbelow
metropolitan
statistical
area(MSA)
ofsurvey
respondents
relyonacar
67%
ofsurveyrespondentssaidtheydo
notthinkpublictransportation isa
goodoptionforthem
62%
ofsurvey
respondents
feelthere
arenot
manyjob
prospects
fortheir
agegroup
Source: City of Austin
RUNNERS... DID YOU KNOW...
Running is an easy, lifelong sport which is healthy
for your body and mind. However, injuries can occur,
including many affecting the foot and lower leg such
as shin splints, sprains, fractures, tendinitis, plantar
fasciitis, and blisters.
Often, a good solution for injuries is summed up in the
acronym RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
of the area.
Injuries can also be prevented by following a few tips:
1. Create a running plan which matches your ability and
Angela Drury, D.P.M, F.A.C.F.A.S.
longterm goals and which takes place on comfortable
terrain in good weather conditions.
2. Prior to exercise, wear quality socks and
appropriately fitting shoes, and do a short warm up and
stretch.
3. Upon completion, stay hydrated, and on your off
days, cross train to build strength.
For questions about running or treatment should
running injury occur, contact our office to schedule an
appointment.
Dr. Drury is a board licensed, award-winning podiatrist, with over 20 years
of experience, and a former collegiate cross country athlete.
WWW.ANGELAFOOTDOCTOR.COM | 2312 WESTERN TRAILS SUITE #103, AUSTIN, TX 78745 | (512) 382-0773
16
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
NEWS BRIEFS
Mirror Mate Frames:
The frame we install in minutes,
while your mirror is on the wall!
Freescale plans merger this summer
Deal with Dutch firm to create $40B semiconductor company
Available at
South:
Shops at Arbor Trails
4301 W. William Cannon Dr. #190
Austin, Texas 78749
512-288-8825
North:
Gateway Courtyard
9901 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. #130
Austin, Texas 78759
512-241-1442
Austin’s Premier
BASKETBALL CAMP
is now Enrolling!
Basketball Camp for Boys and Girls ages 7-16
with 7 locations in Austin including Southwest: Akins High School and WAYA
Register now at www.bperrymanshootingcamp.com
Shooters are developed not born.
Freescale Semiconductor Ltd. will
merge with Netherlands-based company
NXP Semiconductors N.V. in mid-2015 as
part of an agreement announced March 2.
The merger will result in a company
valued at more than $40 billion with
annual revenue of more than $10 billion,
according to a news release. In a statement, Freescale CEO and president Gregg
Lowe said the merger will help Freescale
and NXP deliver more complete solutions.
“We believe this merger, which combines two highly successful and complementary companies, will create significant
value for Freescale’s and NXP’s shareholders, customers and employees,” he
said. “Both companies have built leadership positions and have a sharp focus on
delivering superior value to customers.
Our combined scale, size and global reach
will position our new company to deliver
sustainable above-market growth.”
After the sale Freescale shareholders
will own about 32 percent of the combined company.
Both companies’ boards of directors
unanimously approved the sale.
NXP CEO Richard Clemmer will
Joe Olivieri
By Kelli Weldon
Freescale Semiconductor Ltd.’s Oak Hill facility
become the president and CEO of the
merged company.
“The combination of NXP and Freescale
creates an industry powerhouse focused
on the high-growth opportunities in the
smarter world,” he said. “We fully expect
to continue to significantly outgrow the
overall market, drive world-class profitability and generate even more cash,
which taken together will maximize value
for both Freescale and NXP shareholders.”
Freescale is headquartered at 6501 W.
William Cannon Drive.
Southpark
Meadows III sold
Site includes Conn’s, Sheplers
By Kelli Weldon
4301 W. William Cannon
Urgent care. Walk in. Walk out. Feel better.
With no appointment needed,
walk in and get treated for
medical conditions ranging
from the flu and allergies to
broken bones.
Austin – William Cannon
512-467-6608 | concentra.com/austin
4301 W. William Cannon Bldg. E, Suite 320
A l i c e M ae
Taft
L
n.
Ln
.
Old San
Antonio Rd.
35
Phase III of Southpark Meadows sold March 2.
Maffia, of Newmark Grubb Knight
Frank, announced the sale of the shopping center.
Jones said the location and tenant mix
make it a perfect fit for the company.
“We view the long-term potential of
this area as excellent and see opportunity
for future growth in the surrounding
markets,” he said. “We see continued
residential growth in the area, which
should help our retailers in terms of their
traffic and sales.”
Kelli Weldon
Getting better starts here
Southpark Meadows III, a 257,988
-square-foot Class A commercial site that
is part of the 425-acre Southpark Meadows mixed-use development, was sold in
February to Rainier Companies and Harbert Management Corp., or HMC, for an
undisclosed sum.
Rainier Principal Rob Jones said that
on Feb. 13 the company closed on the
property, which includes a Conn’s, Cinemark Theater, Spec’s, Sheplers Western
Wear and Half Price Books.
The center still has some room for
another junior anchor tenant of about
40,000 square feet—possibly a fitness
facility—as well as a few smaller businesses, Jones said. Southpark Meadows III has been on
the market since January 2014.
Real estate firm CBRE’s National
Retail Investment Group marketed the
site on 25 acres at 9900 S. I-35 on behalf
of Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate
Group, which developed the property.
Endeavor will retain management and
leasing for the property, according to a
CBRE news release. CBRE and Michael
17
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
Austin Texans
Soccer Tryouts
am
Dr.
non
an
Southwest Medical Village purchased
Anonymous buyer acquires property for an undisclosed sum
Southwest Medical Village, a medical
outpatient center in Southwest Austin,
was sold to an anonymous buyer for an
undisclosed sum, CBRE Capital Markets’
Institutional Properties Group announced
March 4 in a news release.
CBRE did not reveal the name of the
buyer but clarified the sale will not affect
tenants’ business.
Southwest Medical Village, located at
5625 Eiger Road, includes about 70,000
square feet of medical office space and
is home to Premier Family Physicians
as well as 18 specialty practices such as
Please visit our website for more information and registration
512-222-9198 • austintexanssc.com
Thinkery camps spark curiosity
and inspire creative learning
cardiology and dermatology. Construction ended in January 2014,
and the site provided investors with a
high-quality medical office property and
sustainable cash flow, CBRE Vice Chairman Gary Carr said.
“Its location within Austin’s leading
Southwest submarket, positioned within
the city’s primary growth corridor, also
places it within reach of some of the most
desirable neighborhoods and affluent
demographics,” Carr said in the release.
EverWest Real Estate Partners LLC,
based in Denver, worked with the buyer to
complete the purchase.
Innovative summer camps for pre-k to 5th grade
Register online at thinkeryaustin.org/camps
1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
Data: Homeless
population shrinks
Annual count results released
Jennifer Curington
By Jennifer Curington
Estimates revealed March 4 suggest
there are fewer homeless Austinites than
there were last year.
Local nonprofit Ending Community
Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO,
conducts a homeless count each year to
learn how many people might be homeless
on a given night in Austin. District 5 Councilwoman Ann Kitchen
and District 4 Councilman Greg Casar
volunteered for the homeless count,
which took place from 3–8 a.m. Jan. 23.
Kitchen and Casar were among more than
415 volunteers who participated in the
ECHO program.
“Being able to participate in the count
was really an eye-opener,” Kitchen said.
Austin’s homeless population is estimated at 1,877 people, according to this
year’s ECHO count. From that total, 677
people, or 36 percent, do not stay in a
shelter. The number of homeless counted
throughout Austin has declined each of
the past four years, Kitchen said.
While volunteering Kitchen said she
met a man she referred to as “Roy” who
10100 S. Mary Moore Searight Dr.
Austin, TX 78748
V
Southwest Medical Village, a medical outpatient center, is located on Eiger Road.
By Kelli Weldon
U12 - U18
South: Paredes MS
Tuesday, May 26 - Wednesday, May 27
Joe Olivieri
il l i
Ave
.
303 E Pflugerville Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78660
U11
Monday, May 11 - Tuesday, May 12
e ga
W
W.
C
E ig e r R d .
North: Texans Fields
District 5 Councilwoman Ann Kitchen speaks
March 4 about Austin’s homeless count.
had been homeless six months after losing
his job and a fallout with his family.
“Folks experiencing homelessness are
just like the rest of us, and it doesn’t take
much when people are living on the edge,”
Kitchen said. “I think the other thing that
I learned is [there are] a lot of folks in the
shadows that we don’t see.” The new Housing and Community
Development council committee will seek
to find more housing solutions for Austin’s
homeless population, Kitchen said.
(512) 469-6200
18
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
TAXES
Filing PROPERTY
Appraisal districts deadline approaching
T
exas law allows a variety of exemptions
from local property taxes. A partial
exemption removes either a percentage or a
fixed dollar amount of the property’ s value
from taxation, and a total exemption excludes the entire property from taxation. In
essence exemptions lower the total property
value amount that is taxed by an entity, such
as a city, school district, county or municipal utility district, or MUD.
The deadline for filing an exemption
application is April 30. In most circumstances exemptions from property tax
require an application to be filed with the
county’s central appraisal district. There is
no charge to file an exemption application.
The property owner only needs to apply for
an exemption once unless there is a change
to the status of the property, such as a new
owner or tenant, or if a new application is
requested by the central appraisal district.
TAX exemptions
How much
it could save
How to check if you have
exemptions
State law requires
public school
districts to offer a
$15,000 homestead
exemption as well as
at least an additional
$10,000 for property
owners age 65 and older and at
least $10,000 for disabled property
owners. Any taxing entity, including
a city, county, school district or
special district, has the option of
offering a separate exemption of
up to 20 percent of the property’s
appraised value but not less than
$5,000. Taxing units can also offer
an optional senior or disability
exemption of $3,000. A county may
also offer a $3,000 exemption if it
collects a property tax to fund farmto-market roads or flood control.
Depending on the county of residence,
property owners can check if they have
exemptions filed using the property search
tool on the Hays Central Appraisal
District website,
www.hayscad.com, or the Travis
Central Appraisal District website,
www.traviscad.org.
OFFERED
Austin ISD
Exemptions in Hays County
can be filed online at
info@hayscad.com or
delivered to the Hays Central Appraisal
District, Lex Word Building, 21001 N. I-35,
Kyle. In Travis County applications can be
mailed to or dropped off at the Travis Central
Appraisal District, 8314 Cross Park Drive,
Austin, or faxed to 512-835-5371.
Age 65 or older exemption
65+
DISABILITY
$25,000
$15,000
Austin Community College
$5,000
$115,000
$115,000
Central Health
$5,000 $70,000
$70,000
City of Austin
$0
$70,000
$70,000
City of Dripping Springs
$0
$25,000
$25,000
$15,000
$10,000
$10,000
$5,000
$10,000
$45,000
$0
$70,000
$70,000
Travis County To qualify for the age 65 or older
exemption, the homeowner must be age
65 or older and live in the house. If the
age 65 or older homeowner dies, the
surviving spouse may continue to receive
the exemption if the surviving spouse is age 55 or
older at the time of death and lives in and owns
the home and applies for the exemption.
HOMESTEAD
$15,000
Hays County
Homestead
exemption
How to file
Local exemptions
Dripping Springs ISD
Common
property tax
exemptions
Compiled by Emilie Lutostanski, Design by Kara Nordstrom
This list is a sampling of local exemption amounts but is not comprehensive.
Sources: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Hays Central Appraisal District,
Travis Central Appraisal District
Disability
exemption
General homestead
exemptions require that the
owner claims the property
as the primary residence and not claim
an exemption on another residence in
or outside of Texas. The exemption also
limits the amount the assessed value can
increase year over year to 10 percent.
A disabled person must meet
the definition of disabled for
the purpose of receiving disability insurance
benefits under the Federal Old-Age,
Survivors and Disability Insurance Act.
A person who qualifies as both age 65 or
older and disabled does not qualify for both
but must choose which exemption to claim.
There are many additional exemptions allowed
under the Texas Property Code, including those for
veterans and charitable organizations. For additional
information, visit http://comptroller.texas.gov.
WE’RE OPEN AND ACCEPTING
NEW PATIENTS!
Solo practice for one-on-one care.
Friendly staff and easy scheduling.
We accept most insurances.
Ove
r
pedia 2 decad
e
tric
expe s of
rien
ce!
Southwest Pkwy.
W. William Cannon Dr.
71
Eiger Rd.
Vega
Ave.
Patton
Ranch Rd.
290
Casey Mulcihy, M.D.
512-447-5588
www.AustinPediatrics.net
5626 Eiger Road, Ste. 225
MoPac
N
(inside the brand new Southwest Medical Village, with full
service accommodations including a lab, x-ray and pharmacy)
APF_Ad_Grant_FINAL.indd 1
3/16/15 9:09 AM
19
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
DEVELOPMENT
7010 W. Hwy 71 • 512-358-6111
1211 W 6th St • 512-480-8466
Joe Olivieri
2012 W. Koenig Ln. • 512-452-6202
www.clementspaint.com
The Barn, located at 6218 Brodie Lane, is home to three food trailers and a hair salon.
City sues food truck park for permits
Owners submit new documents, hope for a resolution in April
By Joe Olivieri
The city of Sunset Valley has accused
the owners of food trailer park The Barn
of operating without watershed and sign
permits.
In February, Sunset Valley filed a complaint in the 200th District Court against
Austin Curling Center LLC, which is
owned by Dennis and Anita Dunn.
The Barn opened in November and
hosts three food trailers and a hair salon.
Plans are in the works to open a bar called
The Pub at The Barn, the Dunns said.
The Barn is located at 6218 Brodie Lane
in Sunset Valley’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, an area in which the city’s influence
over development is limited.
The city contends The Barn’s parking lot
and site improvements require
watershed and sign permits.
On Jan. 7 the city issued a notice of
violation to the Dunns stating The Barn
was in violation of two sections of the city
land development code.
“Despite having earlier submitted
applications for a watershed development
permit and sign permit, [Austin Curling Center LLC] now contends that the
city either has no authority to regulate in
its [extraterritorial jurisdiction] or that
[Austin Curling Center LLC] is at liberty
to determine when compliance with
applicable regulations is required,” the
complaint states.
The Dunns have contended that Travis
County is the entity that has jurisdiction
over their property, and they are working
with Travis County on development and
permitting.
In a statement, Sunset Valley Mayor
Rose Cardona said the city’s complaint
is not about controlling or running food
trailers in Sunset Valley.
“The issues are that this property needs
proper permitting through Sunset Valley
“The issues are that
this property needs
proper permitting
through Sunset
Valley and Travis
County and that these
should have been
obtained prior to any
development starting.”
20 % off in-store items
Coupon valid for 20% off retailers’ suggested retail price per gallon up to 5 gallons. Excluding Aura.
Customers must present this coupon to redeem. Only original offer will be honored; no
photocopies or faxes will be allowed. Limit one offer per customer at participating dealers listed
in this ad. Subject to availability. Retailer reserves the right to cancel this offer at any time.
Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.—Coupon Expires 4/30/2015
—Rose Cardona, Sunset Valley mayor
and Travis County and that these should
have been obtained prior to any development starting,” she wrote.
In March, City Administrator Clay Collins said Austin Curling Center LLC had
submitted a watershed permit application
to Sunset Valley for the property.
The appropriate city departments and
committees will review the application
before it reaches City Council.
Anita Dunn told Community Impact
Newspaper that she and Dennis filed new
paperwork with the city March 19.
“We’ve been working with Sunset
Valley,” she said. “All of the paperwork is
in with [the city]. On the advice of Clay
Collins we have decided to present our
preliminary and final site plan at the
same time.
“Everything looks great,” she continued.
“We are hoping to get with their engineers
to finish up with the site plan before the
April 7 [council] meeting and to get that
signed off at that meeting.”
As of press time the complaint remains
filed in district court.
Tell us what
you think.
Comment at impactnews.com
MANCHESTER TEXAS FINANCIAL GROUP
20
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
A New Church in South Austin
St. Michael’s
Episcopal Church
All are welcome
around God’s Table!
No Exceptions
(Including marital status, sexual orientation, doubts)
St. Michael’s
Episcopal Church –
New South Campus
Covington Middle
School Auditorium
3700 Convict Hill Road
1 block south & west of
Brodie & William Cannon
Christian Education follows
for all • Nursery
Downtown...WHEN YOU WANT IT
St-Michaels.org
Please join us!
Worshiping Sundays, 9:00
a.m.
Create your own Soil
Reduce waste and learn how to compost kitchen scraps into nutritious soil
at a FREE City composting class.
Receive a FREE kitchen compost collector and a $75 rebate or voucher*
on a home composting system just for attending. Register at:
austintexas.gov/composting.
April 4
9:30 a.m.
SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown
April 11
9:30 a.m.
Barton Creek Farmers Market
April 19
11:30 a.m.
Hope Farmers Market
April 25
9:30 a.m.
SFC Farmers Market at Sunset Valley
*City of Austin Home Composting rebates and vouchers are available to
Austin residents who pay the Clean Community Fee.
NEW HOMES FROM THE LOW $200s
Located in Southeast Austin’s gateway corridor, just three miles south
of 71 on Highway 183, Addison is a perfect match for those seeking
convenient access to the vibrant downtown business and entertainment
scene without the expense of living downtown. Beautiful home designs
complimented by extensive amenities, quality schools and tranquil
surroundings make Addison the perfect place to start living more.
16 homes already sold, so visit Addison today!
liveaddison.com
Buffington Homes | Homes by AVI | Milestone Community Builders | Pacesetter Homes
Addison-CI-March.indd 1
3/10/15 4:09 PM
21
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
EDUCATION
Timeline sought for south high school
By Kelli Weldon
Austin ISD’s long-term discussion
about the land purchase for a potential
new high school in South Austin got a little longer March 9 as the school district’s
board of trustees spent an hour and a half
on the subject at a work session.
Parent Michael Currie said during the
public comment portion of the meeting
that he wants AISD to address recommendations made by the south high
school planning committee in 2013.
“It’s 2015. This bond election was in
2008,” Currie told trustees. “I think the
inertia that is plaguing this process is
causing a lot of disservice to both the
students and potential employees in the
district and [has resulted in] academic
programs that have not been provided to
the students here.”
Trustee Paul Saldaña said he is “adamant” that the board needs to make a
decision by the end of the calendar year
whether it will or will not purchase land
for a new South Austin high school.
The discussion
Austin voters approved $32 million in
bond funding on May 10, 2008, for the
purchase of land for a south high school
to relieve overcrowding at campuses such
as Bowie High School. The board has met
several times since then in public, talked
in private about real estate issues and
hosted community engagement meetings,
but the district has not purchased land.
Trustees and Superintendent Paul Cruz
repeatedly emphasized March 9 that
the discussion is not about the school
or its design but instead about the land
purchase voters authorized in 2008. The
board did not take action or vote on anything related to the land at the meeting.
Trustee Kendall Pace pointed out the
district conducted community engagement meetings years ago related to the
south high school that revolved around
the potential school’s academic programming, yet many attendees were more
interested in where the school would be
built—in Southeast or Southwest Austin.
Saldaña said there is “misinformation”
being circulated about the south high
school project, referencing comments
that the district has been considering
purchasing two parcels of land instead of
one. He said the board has not taken any
formal action to approve such direction.
“I really wanted to ask the administration, ‘When did the conversation come
up [about] more than one piece of land?’”
Pace said. “I see the need for one high
school, not two.”
Trustee Robert Schneider said he
firmly believes the school district needs
two more high schools in South Austin.
He added he also wants the district to
continue its discussions about expanding
Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy, or
LASA, programming to students who live
in the southern part of the district.
“I am hoping that the end result of this
conversation is that we move forward
expeditiously on both south high school
and LASA south,” Schneider said. “To me
they’re two very different, very separate
conversations but both of which need
to be had, and in the case of south high
school, it’s urgent. … If we [purchase]
two sites, one southeast and one southwest, it prepares us for the future.”
Cruz said staffers have met with
members of the LASA community to
discuss the possibility and added that by
November the administration aims to
have LASA south programming options
for the board to consider for possible
2016–17 implementation.
Trustee Edmund Gordon suggested
a Southwest Austin trustee, Southeast
Austin trustee and an at-large trustee
work together to develop a framework
with target dates so that the district can
move forward.
CASK
NIGHT
2ND & 3RD WEDNESDAY
OF EVERY MONTH AT
SLAUGHTER & MOPAC
THE HAMMER STRIKES THE TAP @ 4PM
north by northwest
restaurant & Brewery
(512) 301 6969 · NXNWBREW.COM
Kelli Weldon
Austin ISD board of trustees to set land purchase vote by 2016
The Austin ISD board of trustees discusses the need for a south high school March 9 during a work session in the board auditorium of the Carruth Administration Center on West Sixth Street.
Trustee Gina Hinojosa asked the
administration to develop such a timeline, and Cruz said staff will include
dates such as when the district will begin
looking for sites and hosting more community engagement meetings. “Nothing happens until the board
reviews the timeline for that plan,”
Cruz said.
Cruz estimated it would take about
30 days to develop the timeline, which
would go to the calendar committee for
placement on a board meeting agenda for
approval, he said.
“If we don’t do something soon, especially in Southwest Austin, then you are
in effect saying we are never going to
build a high school in Southwest Austin,
and you’re going to have to rely on Bowie
and Austin and Crockett and the schools
in that area, and it’s not going to work,”
Schneider said.
Hinojosa also directed staff to schedule
a vote regarding the land purchase for the
south high school by January 2016.
Resident input
AISD community members spoke in
favor of a south high school.
During public comment, LBJ High
School alumnus Ricardo Zavala said
members of local group Dove Springs
Proud, consisting of more than 280 members, want the land purchase for the new
high school to be in either the 78744 or
78747 ZIP code in Southeast Austin.
Parent Isabel Rios said she thinks
the school should be built in Southeast
Austin.
“The projected growth for that area
indicates that we are going to have sufficient kids to fully fill out that high
school,” she said. Both magnet high schools in AISD
are located in North Austin, Currie said.
Currie and others have said they want
the district to establish a LASA south
program. He noted that Crockett High
School is underenrolled.
“I think that tough choices have to be
made in the district,” he said. “Tough
choices may be redrawing the [attendance zone boundary] lines, which
no one wants to do, but that is a tough
choice that has to be made.”
For more information visit impactnews.com
25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
AUSTIN
LANDSCAPE
AND TREES
TREE TRIMMING/REMOVAL
ND CLEARING
NDSCAPING
LOCATED AT 290/BRODIE NE
512-801-3282 www.austinlandscapeandtrees.com
Danny Horrigan •
DHTREEMAN @gmail.com
22
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
W.
45
Trustees consider area growth, demographics in board dialogue
KNOW THE SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS OF VEIN DISEASE.
St.
E. 5
1st
St.
HARRIS
ELEMENTARY
8th
St.
Air
po
35
LEE
ELEMENTARY
Mueller
Phase 2
MAPLEWOOD
ELEMENTARY
Manor
PECAN
SPRINGS
ELEMENTARY
PROPOSED
SCHOOL
SITE
Mueller
Phase 1
Rd.
CAMPBELL
ELEMENTARY
d.
g Jr. Blv
ther Kin
Lu
E. Martin
E. 12th
St.
Spr
ingd
ale
Rd.
E. 3
BLANTON
ELEMENTARY
lvd.
rt B
Trustee Edmund Gordon, who was
elected in November to his first term, said
During its March 2 dialogue meeting,
something is amiss if growth in the Muelthe Austin ISD board of trustees revisited
ler area is not resulting in more students.
its discussion about potential development
“If you build 6,000 houses and you still
of an AISD campus—possibly a magnet—
have a flat student population, there is
on a 10-acre site that is part of the Mueller
something horribly wrong going on there.
development, which is seeking a school.
… Especially if you have schools there that
Trustees discussed an RFI, or request
are not doing well,” he said.
for information, related to the Mueller
Board President Gina Hinojosa said
development’s site. Mueller’s residents curperhaps families with children are moving
rently have access to AISD schools—such
into older housing instead of those units.
as Blanton Elementary School and Reagan
Trustee Julie Cowan said in her part of
High School—and private and charter
the district, families may be moving into
schools. The Mueller master plan includes
neighborhoods but not necessarily having
a site for a future school, according to the
children in the ZIP codes AISD’s demogracommunity’s website. Board documents
pher tracks, so that data does not show up
state that public input indicates interest in
in projections for the district. Cowan noted
various grade spans and school models.
AISD is partnering with the Austin Board
of Realtors to examine that.
Projections
Two schools in the area are overenrolled
Demographic projections show a downand others are underenrolled, trustee
ward trend in terms of student population
Jayme Mathias said.
growth in the Blanton attendance area
“This is too important an opportunity to
despite growth in the Mueller area, accordpass up for a number of reasons,” trustee
ing to Beth Wilson, assistant director of
Kendall Pace said, noting the district needs
planning in AISD’s Office of Facilities.
to increase its enrollment and that charter
“The growth that you’re seeing at Muelin the area will1be 12/17/14
aggressive10:32
aboutAM
ler is offsetHAMI-0159_October
by the decline in
the
rest
of
the
2014 Print Ad_Communityschools
Impact _12-16-14.pdf
trying to secure that real estate.
attendance area,” she said.
By Kelli Weldon
th
RIDGETOP
ELEMENTARY
Plans for the Mueller development
include a site for a future school.
Dr.
Austin ISD mulls Mueller school site
CHOOL
S
S
K
E
E
S
R
E
L
L
MUE
Be
rkm
an
EDUCATION
SIMS
ELEMENTARY
Source: Austin ISD board documents
Background
AISD had three undesignated elementary schools in the portion of its 2013 bond
that did not pass, Chief Operations Officer
Lawrence Fryer said.
Based on previous discussions with the
developer, AISD would not be required to
purchase the Mueller land, staff said.
Trustee Robert Schneider, who was
re-elected in November to serve a fourth
term on the board, said in the past board
members could not agree on moving
forward with a competitive process for the
Mueller site.
60%
Schneider said he was open to discussing a potential school but emphasized the
board must consider the district’s priority
needs and budget issues.
Trustees discussed potential Mueller
programming options including a health
sciences magnet school and a performing
arts school to tie in with the Performing Arts Center that AISD opened in the
Mueller development in January.
of people suffer from
some form of vein disease
For more information visit impactnews.com
SCHEDULE A
FREE CONSULTATION
512.551.1403
COVERED BY INSURANCE
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
AROUND TEXAS
HAMILTONVEIN.COM
TILE & GROUT CLEANING SPECIAL
50 0FF
$
Cleaning Completed By 4/30/15
Promo Code: 50TILE
asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification applies to Carpet Cleaning service only.
Minimum charges apply. Not valid with any other offer or coupon. Valid at participating locations
only. Certain restrictions may apply. Call for details.
BEYOND CARPET CLEANING 1-800-STEEMER
®
CARPET | TILE & GROUT | HARDWOOD | UPHOLSTERY
stanleysteemer.com
Cannot be used for water emergency services. Must present promotion code at time of service. Only Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaning has been Certified asthma & allergy friendly™ ASTHMA & ALLERGY FRIENDLY and ASTHMA & ALLERGY FRIENDLY
LOGO are Certification Marks and Trademarks of ALLERGY STANDARDS LIMITED. The ASTHMA AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA is a Registered Trademark of AAFA. Offer not applicable on natural stone flooring.
23
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
CITY & COUNTY
News from Austin, San Leanna and Travis County
AUSTIN The creation of the city’s Parkland Events Task Force was approved
during the March 5 Austin City Council​
meeting.
The PETF will examine how existing
events might impact city parkland. The
group will also make recommendations
about how park space can best be utilized as a neighborhood asset, according
to a draft resolution.
The task force will consist of 17
members, 11 of whom will be appointed
by council—one from each council
member and the mayor. The remaining
members will be appointed by the Parks
and Recreation board, Music Commission Environmental board and the Open
Space, Environment and Sustainability
council committee, which will have three
appointments.
Any task force recommendations will
Peter McCrady
Task force created to examine parkland uses
Zilker Park is home to several special events
throughout the year.
be due to the Open Space, Environment
and Sustainability committee no later
than June 5.
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo initiated
the task force proposal, which stems
from her concern about how major
events impact city parkland, such as
Zilker Park, Auditorium Shores and
Festival Beach.
Compiled by Jennifer Curington and Joe Olivieri
Court supports Hays
Co. on water issue
Village cancels its
May general election
TRAVIS COUNTY The Commissioners Court unanimously passed a
resolution March 10 supporting Hays
County regarding the effective management of groundwater resources outside
of groundwater conservation districts.
The resolution states unregulated,
non-exempt use pumping of groundwater in and near the Hill Country
Priority Groundwater Management
Area could deplete the Trinity Aquifer
in Travis and Hays counties “beyond
the desired future condition and negatively impact the property rights of
existing well owners.”
The resolution references an action
Hays County took on Feb. 3 and
related legislation.
SAN LEANNA Village leaders
cancelled the May election during a
March 19 meeting.
The terms of Mayor Elizabeth
“Betty” Korts and alderwomen Barbara Quarles and Elaine Voeltz were
set to expire in May, but only the
incumbents submitted application to
run for office, Village Administrator
Kathleen Lessing said.
The Village of San Leanna is governed by the board of aldermen, who
serve voluntary two-year terms.
Korts was elected mayor in 2013.
Quarles and Voeltz had previously won
elections in 2011 and 2013,
respectively.
Tweetings
Tweetings
Meetings
Austin City Council
Meets Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St.
512-974-2000 • www.austintexas.gov/
department/city-council
Sunset Valley City Council
Meets April 7 and 21 at 6 p.m.
Sunset Valley City Hall, 3205 Jones Road
512-892-1383 • www.sunsetvalley.org
Travis County
Commissioners Court
Meets Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
700 Lavaca St., Austin
www.co.travis.tx.us/commissioners_court
For instant coverage of these
meetings, follow us on Twitter:
@impactnews_swa
Get a detailed picture of your heart
in a heartbeat.
HeartSaver CT provides the possibility of early
detection of heart disease, when it is most easily
treated. This vital test provides you life-saving
information from one of the top heart programs
in Texas. To schedule your HeartSaver CT, call
512-407-SAVE and care for your heart today.
3801 N. Lamar Blvd. • Austin, TX 78756
StDavids.com/heartsaver
15-SDH-0171 Heart Saver Ad_Community Impact_V3.indd 1
2/9/15 10:21 AM
24
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Easy Access to Appointments!
When you’re sick & need to be seen, you can make an appointment
with your doctor, or any ARC doctor at the time and location most
convenient for you. Book your appointment online, try it today!
Make an Appointment
Visit ARCappointments.com
SOUTH AUSTIN
9500 South I.H. 35
Suite L800,
Austin, TX 78748
(inside Southpark Meadows
Shopping Center, behind the Chick-Fil-A
on Slaughter and Cullen Lanes)
512.969.6626
25
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 84th Texas Legislature
Patrick, Straus name committees
in Senate, House for 84th session
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Dan Patrick served in the Texas Senate for
eight years before being elected lieutenant
governor. He is the first senator to become
lieutenant governor in Texas since the 1960s.
By Amy Denney
AUSTIN For Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, his first said. “They decide which bills to hear.
time assigning senators to each of the 14
They decide which bills are voted out. They
decide who the invited expert witnesses
Senate committees was a bit like the NFL
are. A chairman has to be decisive.”
draft and involved charting assignments
on a whiteboard.
In the House of Representatives, seniority
The 84th Legislature will have the large
plays a significant role in determining some
undertaking of considering which of
of the committee placements. Members
several thousand bills to approve. To assist
who have served the longest get first pick,
with that process each chamber utilizes
and House Speaker Rep. Joe Straus, R-San
committees tasked with considering legisAntonio, appoints the remainder of the
lation on specific issues.
assignments. This is Straus’ fourth time to
“That’s where everything happens,”
make committee assignments as speaker.
Patrick said.
The House has 38 committees and two
The 31 senators typically sit on four
select or special committees Straus created
to five committees, which mostly have
for this session. Each of the 150 House
between seven and 11 members. Patrick
members sit on at least one committee with
has sole discretion for making committee
most serving on two or three committees.
assignments in the Senate and released his
Committees typically have between seven
assignments Jan. 23. He used his knowledge to 11 members. House committees are
of being a senator to
each assigned differprovide insight into
ent subject matters to
determining assigndetermine which bills
ments and also asked
it considers. In makeach senator his or
ing the committee
her preferences.
assignments, Straus
“You try to put
said he considers the
people on commitdemographic and
—Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor
tees where they have
geographic makeup of
the House to ensure balance.
interest and passion,” Patrick said.
The Senate has 14 committees with one
“It’s impossible to make it exactly balsubcommittee on border security, which
anced and to make it exactly perfect, but
is a decrease from 18 committees during
we do our best to please the members and
the 83rd Legislature. Once he assigns bills
put them in positions where we think they
can be effective,” Straus said.
to committees, Patrick said he lets chairThis session brought the challenge of
men and chairwomen lead. This session
appointing new chairmen and chairhe appointed the first woman, Sen. Jane
women to committees because many
Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to chair the
members either did not run for re-election
finance committee. Patrick also reduced
the number of Democrats serving as chair- or ran for other offices, Straus said. This
allowed him to effect change in leadership.
men and chairwomen from six to two.
Patrick said he considered a senator’s
“It’s good not to be too stagnant and
experience and subject knowledge in maka good signal to the public that we have
ing appointments for committee chair.
versatile members, and they can handle a
“The chairman has all the power,” he
wide variety of challenges,” Straus said.
“You try to put people
on committees
where they have
interest and passion.”
Patrick was first elected to the Senate in
2006 to serve District 7, which covers most
of Northwest Houston and areas of Tomball,
Jersey Village and Katy.
Patrick released his committee assignments
four days after the start of the 84th Legislature, allowing senators to begin considering
legislation. During the first weeks of the
session, committees have already approved
bills on open-carry laws and the allocation of
a portion of the motor vehicle sales tax toward
transportation.
Patrick and his wife, Jan, have two children,
Ryan and Shane, and live in Cypress.
DAN PATRICK • PARTY: REPUBLICAN • ELECTED: NOV. 4, 2014 • 512-463-0001 • WWW.LTGOV.STATE.TX.US
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Joe Straus has served as speaker of the
House since January 2009. He was first
elected to the House in February 2005 to represent District 121, which includes Bexar County
and areas of Northeast San Antonio.
During his time in the House, Straus has
helped the House pass balanced budgets,
reduce the number of state tests in public
schools, improve career readiness and make
the budget more transparent for taxpayers. He
also helped build support for a long-term water
plan that would not raise taxes. Straus launched
a fiscal review process in 2014 to analyze state
agencies. Results were incorporated into the
House’s proposed budget in January.
Straus is a San Antonio native, where he lives
with his wife, Julie, and two daughters, Sara
and Robyn.
JOE STRAUS • PARTY: REPUBLICAN • ELECTED: FEB. 5, 2005 • 512-463-1000 • WWW.HOUSE.STATE.TX.US/MEMBERS/SPEAKER
84TH LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
for Southwest Austin lawmakers
SEN. KIRK WATSON • DISTRICT 14
*Chair, **Vice/co-chair
SEN. JUDITH ZAFFIRINI • DISTRICT 21
D-AUSTIN
D-LAREDO
Business & Commerce, Finance, Higher
Education, Nominations
Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs**, Health &
Human Services, Natural Resources & Economic
Development, State Affairs
SEN. DONNA CAMPBELL • DISTRICT 25
REP. JASON ISAAC • DISTRICT 45
R-NEW BRAUNFELS
R-DRIPPING SPRINGS
Administration, Education, Health & Human
Services, Veterans Affairs and Military
Installations*
Economic & Small Business Development,
Environmental Regulation, Local & Consent
Calendars
REP. PAUL WORKMAN • DISTRICT 47
REP. DONNA HOWARD • DISTRICT 48
R-AUSTIN
D-AUSTIN
Insurance, Natural Resources, State & Federal
Power & Responsibility**
Appropriations, Higher Education**, House
Administration
REP. ELLIOTT NAISHTAT • DISTRICT 49
REP. EDDIE RODRIGUEZ • DISTRICT 51
D-AUSTIN
D-AUSTIN
Human Services, Public Health**
Calendars, Economic & Small Business
Development, Environmental Regulation**
Sources: Texas House of Representatives, Texas Legislative Council, Texas Senate
HOUSE COMMITTEES
SENATE COMMITTEES
Below is a selection of six of the 38 House committees, topics they discuss and top issues this
session. For more information or to watch live feeds of meetings visit www.house.state.tx.us.
Below is a selection of six of the 14 Senate committees, topics they discuss and top issues this
session. For more information or to watch live feeds of meetings visit www.senate.state.tx.us.
• Appropriations: approves the budget. Top issues:
Employee retirement system, border security,
transportation and education.
Meetings: Frequently in Room E1.030
• Business and Commerce: insurance, banking,
real estate, construction and licensing. Top issues:
Payday loans and windstorm insurance. Meetings:
Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in Room E1.012
• Economic & Small Business Development:
workforce training, commerce and economy. Top
issues: economic development incentive programs.
Meetings: Thursdays at 8 a.m. in Room E2.010
• Higher Education: colleges and universities in
the state. Top issues: funding capital projects and
addressing the medical profession shortage.
Meetings: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. in Room E2.014
• Public Education: public school system, the State
Board of Education and Texas Education Agency.
Meetings: Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in Room E2.036
• Public Health: the practice of medicine and dentistry, prevention and treatment of mental illness
and the overall protection of public health.
Meetings: Tuesdays at 8 a.m. in Room E2.012
• Transportation: roads, bridges, ports, the Texas
Department of Transportation and Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Top issues: funding the
state’s growing transportation needs.
Meetings: Thursdays at 8 a.m. in Room E2.012
• Education: Primary and secondary education. Top
issues: Early childhood education, school finance
and school choice.
Meetings: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in Room E1.028
• Finance: Approves the budget and addresses tax
revenue bills. Meetings: Frequently in Room E1.036
• Health & Human Services: Agencies and policies
related to health and human services, such as Child
Protective Services. Top issues: improve response
to infectious diseases and mental health. Meetings:
Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. in Senate Chamber
• Higher Education: gaps in higher education,
impact of technology on instruction, alignment
between high school and freshman-level college.
Meetings: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. in Room E1.012
• Transportation: roads, public transit, railroads,
ports, the Texas Department of Transportation and
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Top issues:
use of motor vehicle sales tax for state highways
Meetings: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. in Room E1.016
26
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Pedernales Electric Cooperative
www.pec.coop/landscaping
GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR
HOSPITAL ACCREDITATION
Vibra Rehabilitation Hospital of Lake Travis has
earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of
Approval for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous
compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of
Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organizations
commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.
KEWAY’S NEW
FULLY DEDICATED
REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
• 36 private rooms with private baths
• Spacious therapy gyms
April 4th
11:00am-1:30pm
ts
Now Accepting Patien
• In house pharmacy
• Bariatric rooms
• Bedside dialysis capabilities
• Dedicated ADL therapy area
• Respiratory therapy services
• Individualized intensive therapy
programs–physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech
therapy
• Community based specialty
physicians providing medical care
• Patient specific eRehab
outcomes data
• Fully electronic medical records
• FREE on site street level parking
For more information, to make a referral,
or for a tour, please contact:
Melanie Kidd,
Director of Business Development
(512) 201-9742
mkidd@vrhlaketravis.com
or visit www.vrhlaketravis.com
2000 Medical Drive • Lakeway, TX 78734 • (512) 263-4500
Over 50,000 eggs,
balloon animals,
face painting, trains,
music and more!
austinoakschurch.org
Join us for Easter Sunday:
English Services 9:15 & 11:00am
Servicio en Español 11:00am
Indian Community Service 8:00am
27
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
CALENDAR
Compiled by Joe Olivieri and Kelli Weldon
Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd. 512-3016600. www.circuitoftheamericas.com/motogp
March
28
through 29
Zilker Garden Festival
28
Financial Aid Saturday
Worth the TRIP
Kelli Weldon
The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce event
offers free assistance to students to help them complete
federal and state college financial aid applications. Financial
aid experts from area colleges and universities as well as
business and community volunteers are also be on hand.
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Free. Travis High School, 1211 E.
Oltorf St. www.austinchamber.com, www.austinisd.org
11
APR
Town Hall Meeting with District 5
Councilwoman Ann Kitchen
16
Oak Hill Business and Professional
Association luncheon
The local group for entrepreneurs and area professionals holds
its monthly membership luncheon. 11:30 a.m. $20. Mandola’s
Italian Market, 4301 W. William Cannon Drive. www.ohbpa.org
08
Oak Hill Association of
Neighborhoods meeting
Courtesy Keep Austin Beautiful
The group for residents of Oak Hill neighborhoods hosts
its monthly membership meeting. 7 p.m. Free. Austin
Community College Pinnacle campus, 7748 W. Hwy. 290.
www.ohan.org
Courtesy Circuit of the Americas
11
10
through 12
MotoGP at Circuit of The Americas
The motorcycle racing championship returns to Circuit of
The Americas for a fourth year. Rock band Cheap Trick
performs after the race. 2 p.m. (race begins). Single-day
general admission ticket prices begin at $39. Circuit of The
THURSDAY
APRIL 9
Clean Sweep
24
through 26
Dripping Springs Founders Day Festival
25
Sunset Valley ArtFest
The city of Dripping Springs’ largest community event
includes a parade, music, a carnival, cookoff competitions,
street dances, live music, and arts and crafts. The event
celebrates the founding of Dripping Springs by the Moss,
Wallace and Pound families in 1850, according to the city.
Proceeds support local nonprofits and charities. The event
begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the grand parade. Free.
Downtown Dripping Springs on Mercer Street.
512-858-4725. www.foundersdayfestival.com
The annual event features live music, local artists
working in a variety of mediums, food vendors and children’s
activities. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Toney Burger Center, 3205
Jones Road, Sunset Valley. 512-892-1383.
www.sunsetvalley.org/artfest
Keep Austin Beautiful hosts the citywide
service day. Activities include lunch and live music.
Local opportunities include working with the Cherry
Creek Central Neighborhood Association, Southwood
Neighborhood Association and the Austin Student
Systems Support Team. 9 a.m. Free. Locations vary.
512-391-0617, ext. 705.
www.keepaustinbeautiful.org/cleansweep
16
through 19
Old Settler’s Music Festival
The annual event offers artisan vendors,
children’s activities, camping, craft beer and wine,
and a variety of food vendors. Bluegrass, folk and
Americana acts perform on four stages during the fourday festival. Performance times vary. Free (children age
12 and younger), $30–$530 (tickets). Salt Lick Pavilion
and Camp Ben McCulloch, 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood.
www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org
Area residents participate in a public conversation on
issues affecting Austin City Council District 5. Kitchen will
also discuss policy priorities and how the community can
approach challenges. 12:30—2 p.m. Free. Ann Richards
School for Young Women Leaders cafeteria, 2206 Prather
Lane. 512-978-2105.
April
02
Courtesy Old Settler’s Music Festival
The event includes the annual flower show, live music,
gardening talks and a food court. Festival musicians include
The Biscuit Brothers on Saturday and Sara Hickman on
Sunday. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free (age 3 and younger), $4 (age
4–12), $5 (parking), $8 (ages 13 and older), Zilker Botanical
Garden Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs
Road. 512-477-8672. www.zilkergarden.org
Online Calendar
Find more or submit Southwest Austin events at
impactnews.com/swa-calendar
through 26
‘Esprit!’
To have Southwest Austin events considered for the
print edition, they must be submitted online by the
second Friday of the month.
Tapestry Dance Company collaborates with world dance
artists to present the dance production. Performers include
Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico, Anu Naimpally and The
Irish Dance Company. 8 p.m. (Thu.–Fri.), 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
(Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.) Tickets start at $23. Long Center for the
Performing Arts, Rollins Studio Theater, 701 W. Riverside
Drive. www.tapestry.org
Sponsored by
6:30–9PM
AT THE
SALT LICK BBQ
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT US ONLINE
AUSTINFOODWINEALLIANCE.ORG
PECAN GROVE PAVILION
EXPERIENCE AUSTIN’S PREMIER
MEAT-CENTRIC, LIVE-FIRE
COOKING EVENT IN THE
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WITH
LIVE MUSIC, PREMIUM WINES,
SPIRITED COCKTAILS, CRAFT
BREWS AND CHEF MASTERY TO
SUPPORT CULINARY GRANTS.
GET
YOUR
TICKETS
$85
PARK & RIDE FROM
PALMER EVENTS CENTER
OR
B E V E R AG E S I N C L U D E D
$105
28
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
BRIEFS
EDUCATION &
INTERACTIVE
COVERAGE
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Compiled by Jennifer Curington, Lyndsey Taylor, JJ Velasquez and Kelli Weldon
EDUCATION
Kelli Weldon
AISD, IDEA talk charter, district collaborations
From left: Ken Zarifis, president of employees
union Education Austin, and Austin ISD Superintendent Paul Cruz speak March 9 as part of a
SXSW Education panel discussion.
EDUCATION IDEA Public Schools
founder Tom Torkelson revisited the
topic of the charter school group’s failed
partnership with Austin ISD during
a SXSW Education panel March 10.
IDEA’s partnership with Pharr-San
Juan-Alamo ISD in the Rio Grande
Valley has resulted in positive academic
outcomes, Torkelson said, adding such
attempts do not always work. He referenced the contentious contract between
AISD and IDEA, which the district’s
board voted to terminate in 2012.
AISD board member Jayme Mathias,
who attended the session, said after seeing results of the partnership’s rollout
trustees were not satisfied. Torkelson said
he thinks the campus-initiated charter
at Travis Heights Elementary School is a
better fit for AISD.
Collaboration was crucial in developing AISD’s first campus-initiated indistrict charter at THES, Superintendent
Paul Cruz and Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said March 9 at a separate SXSWedu panel. Cruz said AISD has
learned lessons about communication.
“Let’s actually have a conversation and
not try to guess and spend all that time
and energy and resources on guessing
and then executing a strategy that is not
even meeting the need,” Cruz said.
Panel discusses campus carry legislation
Appleseed who researches school safety
policies.
Plenty of guns are already on school
campuses today, but they are there illegally because of Texas state law, Crocker
said.
In Texas, someone with a concealedcarry license must be at least age 21 and
complete four to six hours of training.
Allowing licensed adults to carry
guns with them on campus will make
campuses safer in the possible event of
an attack, Crocker said.
INTERACTIVE A SXSW
Interactive panel of researchers
from The University of Texas
discussed their use of 3-D mapping
technology March 15 to predict
flood events, improve construction
projects and guide city planning,
among other benefits.
INTERACTIVE Kirsten
Dickerson, founder and CEO
of Austin-based business
Raven+Lily, discussed the
benefits of operating as a forprofit business in order to have
a larger philanthropic effect on
communities at a SXSW Interactive
session March 14.
EDUCATION Shiza Shahid,
co-founder of nonprofit The Malala
Fund, spoke March 12 about the
importance of empowering girls
through education as part of a
featured session at SXSWedu at the
Austin Convention Center.
EDUCATION A panel session
March 10 at SXSWedu highlighted
a program by Austin-based The
Thinkery to connect educators
to museums and libraries for
enhanced networking opportunities. EDUCATION Changes coming
to E-Rate, the nation’s largest
education technology funding
program, were the focus of a
SXSWedu panel discussion on
March 10. Victor Valdez, executive
director of technology for
Pflugerville ISD, participated in
the panel.
Jennifer Curington
EDUCATION With many saying
this legislative session will be the
one to approve campus-carry firearms legislation after years of failed
attempts, a panel of local public and
school safety advocates discussed what
should be done to keep schools safe.
A March 11 panel at SXSW Education included Daniel Crocker, a Texas
police officer and EMS responder; John
Woods, co-founder of Texas Gun Sense
who graduated from Virginia Tech
weeks after the 2007 mass shooting; and
Morgan Craven, an attorney with Texas
INTERACTIVE About 6,000
people attended SXSW Interactive’s
career fair March 14, according to
an event organizer. A total of 59
employers—from small startups
looking to expand to large,
multinational corporations—were
on hand for the SXSW Job Market,
which was free and open to the
public.
A panel discusses gun laws and campus safety
during a SXSWedu panel discussion March 11.
For more information visit impactnews.com
JJ Velasquez
Kelli Weldon
JJ Velasquez
Robotic devices, 3-D printers, games and drones were among
the gadgets on display March 15 at the Create pavilion.
Actress Goldie Hawn, founder of social and emotional learning
group The Hawn Foundation, speaks at SXSWedu on March 12.
The city of Houston was among the 59 employers at SXSW Interactive’s career fair March 14 at the Austin Convention Center.
INTERACTIVE
10
0
IF
%L
ET
IM
R
AR
EW
AN
TY
Rick Orr is CEO of RealSavvy, a Pinterest-like social platform for residential real estate.
Austin-based startup wins Accelerator contest
Lyndsey Taylor
INTERACTIVE Austin’s Innovation
Zone and high-density technology
hubs were among topics discussed by
a SXSW Interactive panel March 15.
Innovation clusters are areas dense
with startups, entrepreneurs and other
agencies that facilitate the exchange of
ideas. Panelists discussed positive and
negative effects of clusters and Austin’s
advantage of having a high quality of
life in the session “Designing Austin’s
Economy—An Innovation Uproar?”
Michelle Skelding, senior vice president of global technology and innovation with the Greater Austin Chamber
of Commerce, moderated the discussion. She said there are 4,700 high-tech
companies in the area.
Jim Butler, manager of creative industries development for the city of Austin,
said although job creation is a large part
of his job, he is invested in ensuring the
quality of life for residents remains high
as the city continues to grow.
Thomas Osha, managing director for
Wexford Science & Technology LLC,
said Austin has significant advantages
because of its quality of life. In his role,
Osha works with Wexford’s partner
universities and research institutions,
entrepreneurs, growth companies and
JJ Velasquez
Panel discusses innovation clusters’ pros, cons
Thomas Osha, managing director for Wexford Science & Technology, speaks at SXSW Interactive.
economic development stakeholders in
North America to position Wexford’s
developments as “critical hubs in the
regional innovation ecosystem.”
Unlike Silicon Valley in California,
which does not have a defined sense of
place in its identity, Austin’s culture is
vibrant, he said. A negative aspect of not
having a defined sense of identity for Silicon Valley is the lack of dollars coming
in from outside of California, he said.
INTERACTIVE Austin-based
startup RealSavvy was one of six
winners March 15 at SXSW Interactive’s Accelerator contest.
RealSavvy, located at 701 Brazos St.,
took home the award for social technologies. CEO Rick Orr founded the company
along with Creative Director Clay Knight.
Launched in July, the service is a social
platform similar to Pinterest.
It allows homebuyers to organize their
home search by pinning homes to a
“board.” That process allows them to
collaborate with real estate agents who
can broker their purchase.
Orr has a real estate background and
said he was going for a weekend drive
to look at houses with his wife when
she found a home listing on a database.
When his wife was taking pictures of her
computer screen to share information on
the listing, Orr said he realized there was
a problem.
“One of the things you’ll see us do is
give agents one-touch access to allimportant information about our listings
so that they can be really responsive to
clients, which is—I think most agents
agree—the key to success within that
profession,” he said.
Go frameless!
Transform your outdated shower today!
We’ll beat ANY competitive quote
for frameless shower enclosures
Premium quality custom
shower doors & tub enclosures
All coupons in this ad can be combined!
$75 OFF
Single Frameless
Shower Door
$150 OFF
Multi-panel Frameless
Shower Enclosure
FREE
Diamon-Fusion
Glass Protectant*
With new shower enclosure purchase. Mention code CI-0315 for discounts when calling.
*
Large variety of glass & hardware options
Family owned & operated
Call now for a free in-home estimate:
512-831-3651
Visit our project gallery at GoFramelessAustin.com
FULLY INSURED | 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
30
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Will your retirement income
last as long as you will?
Be prepared for the expected and unexpected
life can bring, so you are able to enjoy retirement.
Our CFS* Financial advisors are here to help you
by assessing your current financial situation and
identifying your financial goals.
For more information or to set up a complimentary consultation,
ask a representative, email investments@ufcu.org or call
(512) 467-8080 x21081.
* Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment
Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve
investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. UFCU has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products
and services available to credit union members.
Comm Impact_10x6.04_2-15.indd 1
3/2/15 4:02 PM
31
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
exploring
the night sky
Compiled by Kelli Weldon
In Southwest Austin stargazers
can seek constellations and
more in the sky on a clear night.
Our Stargazing Guide has tips
and local events.
Design by Erin Behncke
S TA R G
April constellations
URSA MINOR
AURIGA
Polaris
Its brightest
star is Capella
The North Star, or Polaris, helps make up Ursa
Minor, or the Little Bear constellation.
ORION
Polaris lies nearly in a direct line with the Earth’s
axis “above” the North Pole and has been used for
years as a guide star for travelers throughout the
northern hemisphere.
TIP
Us e a
fla
red lig shlight w
it
h
takes t to see ( h
It
mor e
fo r e
t ime
ye s
u s i n g to a d ju s
t if
white
l ig ht)
Look for these in the sky about an hour after sunset.
also known as the Little Dipper
AZING
GEMINI
Castor
Its brightest stars are
Castor and Pollux,
named for the twins
in the Gemini myth.
Orion is sinking into
the western sky. Pollux
Did you
know?
In 2014 the International
Dark-Sky Association
designated the city of
Dripping Springs as the
first International Dark Sky
Community in Texas for efforts
to protect and preserve the
character of the night sky
with smart lighting.
AZ
S TA R G
PS
ING TI
Bring s
ular
b i noc
Star facts
6
7
8
C N O
CARBON
NITROGEN
The sun is
the only star
in our solar
system.
OXYGEN
Stars are responsible for the
creation and distribution
History
the largest stars, may be
100 times bigger
than the sun
on the surface
15 million
degrees
at the core.
C°
These 48 constellations
formed the basis for our
modern
constellation
system.
In 150 A.D. Greek scientist Ptolemy
published The Almagest.
The book contained a
catalog of 1,022 stars
arranged into
48 constellations.
Austin-area stargazing events
Attendees stargaze from ACC’s
Round Rock campus observation
deck. Children’s activities take
place at 5:30 p.m. and are followed
by Dr. Jim Heath presenting
“Dark Energy: The Return of the
Subtle Fluid” and stargazing with
telescopes. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Free.
4400 College Park Drive, Round
Rock. www.austincc.edu/astro/
starparty.html
6,000
degrees
Celsius
Celsius
of heavy elements such as
carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
s
D res l y
r ding
o
c
c
r
a
eat h e
fo r w
MARCH 27: AUSTIN
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
STAR PARTY
Hypergiants,
The sun is
MARCH 27–MAY 9:
PAINTER HALL
TELESCOPE VIEWING
Each Friday and Saturday while The
University of Texas is in session,
the astronomy department hosts
Painter Hall Telescope viewings.
8:30–10:30 p.m. Free. University
of Texas, corner of 24th Street
and Inner Campus Drive, Austin.
Call 512-232-4265 for weather
information.
http://outreach.as.utexas.edu/
public/painter.html
APRIL 2 AND MAY 7:
GIRLSTART STARRY
NIGHTS
On the first Thursday of each
month, Girlstart’s new science,
technology, engineering and
math, or STEM, Studio and MiniPlanetarium allows families to
explore astronomy. 6–7 p.m. Free.
Girlstart STEM Center,
1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin.
www.girlstart.org/our-programs/
starry-nights
Sources: Austin Astronomical Society Outreach Chair Larry Martin, Girlstart, International Dark-Sky Association, NASA
1.3 million
Earths could
fit inside
the sun
Now open
Nonprofit Texas Museum of
Science & Technology, or
TXMOST, opened as Central
Texas’ first science and
technology museum March 20 on
Toro Grande Drive in Cedar Park.
TXMOST, formerly known as
Austin Planetarium, was recently
rebranded. For more information
visit www.txmost.org. This list is not comprehensive. Details are subject to change; call ahead to RSVP.
APRIL 8: BARTON
CREEK NIGHT HIKE
Members of the Southwest Austin–
based organization Hill Country
Outdoors start a 4-mile hike at 6:30
p.m. at the Zilker trailhead near the
Barton Springs Pool. Participants
should bring a headlamp or
flashlight. 6:30 p.m. Free for
members. Zilker trailhead. www.
hillcountryoutdoors.com
APRIL 25: AUSTIN
ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY MONTHLY
PUBLIC STAR PARTIES
AAS members share their
telescopes with the public to
observe objects in the sky. 6–11
p.m. Free to attend; visitors to
the park must pay parking fees.
Canyon of the Eagles on Lake
Buchanan, 16942 RR 2341, Burnet.
www.austinastro.org
32
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
REGIONAL
Abridged stories from our other editions
Full stories online at impactnews.com
TOP STORIES
Congress battles Highway Trust Fund deficit
tXDOT’sFederalfunds
spentinAustin
200
175
150
Millions of dollars
TEXAS Although Texas voters approved
Proposition 1—a constitutional amendment which could provide $1.7 billion to
state transportation projects in 2015—on
Nov. 4, Texas and the rest of the country
have an even more significant long-term
transportation funding problem on the
horizon: the Highway Trust Fund.
The federal government’s funding source for transportation projects
throughout the country, the HTF could
run out of money if Congress does not
pass new legislation this session.
Decreasing revenue from the federal
motor vehicle fuel tax and a growing need
for transportation projects means the
HTF is facing a projected $17 billion average annual deficit from 2015–23 unless
Congress finds a new funding source.
“As more Americans continue to
migrate to Texas, it is important that we
Buda locks down controversial water source
125
100
75
50
25
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Sources: American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials, Texas Department of Transportation
continue to develop and maintain our
infrastructure in order to accommodate
the increasing population,” said U.S. Rep.
Michael McCaul, R-Austin.
Full story by Amy Denney and Matt Stephens
Full story by JJ Velasquez
DEVELOPMENT
MOD Pizza
CENTRAL AUSTIN Lucy’s Fried
Chicken opened its first location almost
four years ago near South Congress
Avenue and has since expanded to
the growing Burnet corridor with
a third location in the works.
Owner James Holmes served his
grandmother’s fried chicken recipe during brunch at his first restaurant, Olivia,
named after his oldest daughter. When
customers started begging for more he
said he decided to open Lucy’s Fried
Chicken.
“In the back of my mind I’ve always
wanted to open a juke-joint place that
had Texas music, a full bar and a place
you get fried chicken; kind of a dive, but
a family dive,” Holmes said.
LAKE TRAVIS/WESTLAKE
Seattle-based pizza restaurant MOD
Pizza will be opening six Austinarea locations by 2016, spokeswoman Charlotte Wayte said.
The restaurant offers pizzas with
unlimited toppings for one set price.
The first of the eatery’s local sites will
open April 1 at the Mueller development,
1801 E. 51st St., followed by the Village
of Westlake restaurant that is set to open
April 2 at 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.,
West Lake Hills, she said.
A third location will open May 4 in
Plaza Volente, 11521 N. RR 620, she said.
A South Shore restaurant on Riverside
Drive is planned for a late August or
early September opening.
Full story by Jennifer Curington
rf
St
.
E.
L iv
eO
n g re s
lto
S. C o
W
.O
s Ave
.
Jennifer Curington
Lucy’s Fried Chicken
ak
St
.
College Ave.
2218 College Ave.
512-297-2423 • www.lucysfriedchicken.com
Hours: Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri.–Sat.
11 a.m.–midnight, Sun. 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Full story by Leslee Bassman
Rendering courtesy MOD Pizza
DINING
City Council on Jan. 20 secured the
water source that will help the city transition to a new permanent source.
The council voted 6-1 in favor of the
contract. Angela Kennedy, a water engineer, voted against the measure.
Private well owners in western Hays
County cities, such as Driftwood and
Wimberley, who draw on the aquifer for
basic water needs fear proposed production will exceed levels the groundwater source can sustain. A diminished
water supply would have adverse effects
on their property valuations in the
short term and grave implications for
residents in the rural area, Driftwood
resident Elizabeth Craig said.
Craig said she believes several hundred, if not thousands, of private well
owners could be affected by the project.
SAN MARCOS/BUDA/KYLE
The ongoing endeavor to secure
future water supplies is coming to a boil in Hays County.
A Houston-based water development company wants to pump more
than 5 million gallons of water per day
from the Trinity Aquifer to supply its
local customers—the city of Buda, the
Goforth Special Utility District and
a proposed high-end subdivision in
Mountain City’s outskirts. Its contracts
become effective once the company’s
test wells prove the site can produce sufficient groundwater.
Electro Purification would not need
permits to draw water from the aquifer
and may, by law, extract as much water
as desired because no agency regulates
pumping from the production site.
With an eye on future demand, Buda
NOW HIRING - MANUFACTURING SUPPORT PERSONNEL (OPERATOR)
schedule allows for extended weekends and overtime
opportunities. This is an “active” role and our team
members are stimulated both physically and mentally.
Employee compensation is very competitive!
Your Career in Advanced
Manufacturing Begins Here!
GCA Services Group is a key contingent workforce
supplier to Freescale Semiconductor within each of
their front-end wafer manufacturing sites. Our team is
dedicated to safety, value and efficiency.
The semiconductor fabrication plants are located in
Northeast (near 183/290 interchange) and Southwest
Austin (Oak Hill near the “Y”).
Please feel free to visit our regional office to complete
an application & assessment or you may visit our website to submit your resume and letter of interest.
We are currently expanding our team of Semiconductor
Equipment Operators and Technicians.
GCA Services Group. Inc.
2324 Ridgepoint Dr. Suite F1 Austin, TX 78754
512-615-3400
www.gcaservices.com/careers
All shifts are available (Day and Night). Training is
provided. Fast paced employee skill development
is encouraged and supported. The compressed shift
A criminal background check, results of which are not necessarily
a bar to employment, and a drug screen are required.
APPLY ONLINE: WWW.GCASERVICES.COM
Maudie’s TEX-MEX
WWW.MAUDIES.COM
@MaudiesTXMex
33
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
State bankroll
The Texas Legislature is not stopping its
commitment to adequately fund transportation at the passage of Prop. 1. Scott Haywood of Move Texas Forward, an advocacy
group that aims to educate Texans about
the shortage of state funding for infrastructure, said Prop. 1 was only a step in
the right direction to address the $5 billion
annual shortfall.
The organization supports Senate Bill 5,
which would send the first $2.5 billion of
motor vehicle sales tax revenue from that
fiscal year to the state’s general revenue
fund and the second $2.5 billion to TxDOT.
The bill received support from the full Senate on March 4 and is now making its way
through the House of Representatives.
“We think [SB 5] makes a lot of sense,”
Haywood said. “The tax we pay on cars we
buy should go to roads.”
He points out many cities and chambers
of commerce support the bill because of
the improved quality of life it could bring.
RD
.
TA
G
E
STAS
SNEY
5
FR
ON
Both the Stassney Lane and William Cannon
Drive bridges will be rebuilt to accommodate
new lanes, and turnaround lanes will be
added. Frontage roads will be widened at
both intersections for dedicated turn lanes.
On- and off-ramps will be reconfigured for
safer merging on and off the main lanes.
The main lane bridge over Williamson Creek
will also be widened to accommodate a new
auxiliary lane on the southbound side.
5l
I-3
35
F
r ro
rec oad ntag
ov on bri e
er str dg
W uc e
Creilliam tion
ek so
n
LN.
an
TIMELINE
Construction to be bid in August
es
R
6-l econ
tur ane b struc
nar rid t t
ou ge, o
nd
a
lan dd
es
COST
$57,301,000
P R O P. 1 F U N D S
$34,955,236
5l
an
6 la
es
ne
s
R
7-la econs
turnne bri truct t
aro dge, o
und ad
lan d
es
5 la
nes
WIL
LIA
MC
AN
NO
ND
R
.
ER
D.
MAP KEY
TA
G
‘String of pearls’
Individually the projects on I-35 set to
receive Prop. 1 funding will have a local
effect on aiding congestion. Terry McCoy,
TxDOT deputy district engineer for Austin, said overall the projects contribute to
the agency’s focus on the highway.
“As you start to build that string of pearls,
start putting projects together cumulatively,
you’re able to do a lot of good,” he said.
In September the agency completed a
collector-distributor lane in North Austin at Parmer Lane that allows vehicles to
bypass the traffic signal on the frontage
road by being diverted under the overpass.
In Round Rock, TxDOT is completing
ramp reversals—switching the location of
on- and off-ramps to reduce bottlenecks—
between Hwy. 79 and FM 3406 that directly
tie to work proposed for Prop. 1 funding in
Williamson County between Hwy. 79 and
SH 45 N on I-35.
“Those two projects in tandem really
address the bulk of the bottlenecks we
experience in Round Rock for commuters
from Austin going home to either Round
Rock or Georgetown,” McCoy said.
In Travis County, I-35 intersection
improvements at William Cannon Drive
and Stassney Lane will involve reversing
ramps so drivers have more time to safely
merge on and off the main lanes. The project also involves widening the frontage
roads and reconstructing both bridges.
“Where all the direct connectors from
Ben White tie into southbound I-35, that
turns into a parking lot there,” McCoy
said. “This project addresses that and also
some of the operational issues we have at
both the intersections of William Cannon
and Stassney. Those are very high-volume
intersections that break down in a.m. and
p.m. peaks.”
TxDOT did not have as many I-35 projects queued in its pipeline in Hays County,
but it will complete ramp reversals at five
locations in Hays between FM 150 and the
Blanco River as well as adding an additional ramp.
“This is a project we can move fairly
quickly on, which is important,” McCoy
said. “It allows us to put money in Hays
County so we get money into each of the
three counties we have I-35 in.”
In identifying projects for the first round
Project pipeline
Williamson County has often picked up
the tab to fund state or federal projects, an
act County Commissioner Cynthia Long
said residents have appreciated. But there
comes a point, she said, when TxDOT
needs to take the reins.
“We have spent hundreds of millions in
Williamson County on the state system,”
said Long, who is also a member of CAMPO’s policy board. “I feel like it’s time for
the state to step up on its own responsibility.”
Will Conley, Hays County Commissioner
and CAMPO policy board chairman, said
the Hays County I-35 project will not only
boost mobility and safety but also open economic development opportunities. Prop. 1
funding is a big step in the right direction
for the region but will not solve all of its
transportation needs, he said.
“We’re hoping to work with the [Austin]
district and administration to show our state
legislators we’re handling these new funds
in a responsible way for the benefit of the
citizens of Texas and that [Prop. 1’s] success
leads to future dollars to improve infrastructure,” he said.
To get projects shovel-ready, McCoy said
the Austin district has been blessed with
enough funding for planning and completing the environmental coordination phase.
TxDOT is already preparing in advance of
next year’s district disbursement, which is
likely to be at $85 million.
“The worst possible case scenario is that
money comes to us and we’re not ready to
go to construction, and that money goes to
another part of the state,” McCoy said. “We
continue to try to get ahead of the game,
have projects ready to go … [and] keeping
that pipe flowing full of projects.”
HWY. 71
ON
the Austin district’s total allotment to $150
million.
Travis County Commissioner Gerald
Daugherty, who sits on CAMPO’s policy
board, said it is clear TxDOT understands
the importance of addressing I-35 congestion between Georgetown and San Marcos,
but the agency’s needs are far greater than
its resources.
“Funding is a problem,” he said. “Thank
goodness people in the state passed
Prop 1. The unfortunate thing is I-35 is
just one piece of what really needs to be
improved in our area.”
T R AV I S
COUNTY
5F
R
Continued from | 1
of Prop. 1 funding, McCoy said it was
important that projects could be bid for
construction in 2015. This means construction likely will begin by spring and summer
2016.
I-3
I-35
New on-ramp
New off-ramp
Existing ramp removal
Expanded frontage road
Four-way intersection
SLAUGHTER LN.
Design by Angie Calderon Map not to scale
Sources: HNTB Corp., Texas Department of Transportation
Opposition to the bill is mainly because it
would necessitate a constitutional amendment to divert money to transportation that
otherwise went into the general revenue
fund.
In the House legislators unveiled a proposed 2016–17 budget in January that calls
for the end of diverting gas tax and vehicle
registration dollars from the SHF. Haywood
said that action could potentially bring in
$660 million per year for Texas roads. Adding all those actions together, he said the
state could be close to bridging the funding
gap and address the message from voters to
see transportation funding increased.
“Based on what we’re seeing out of the
governor and Legislature, it’s clear they
heard that message,” he said. “Transportation was declared an emergency item. [Legislators are] all working to try to find a longterm, sustainable solution for transportation
funding.”
Regarding SB 5, Long said she would
support TxDOT receiving more funding to
maintain infrastructure.
“My concern is if [SB 5 passes], we can’t
afford any more unfunded mandates from
the state,” she said. “I’d be delighted if they
find that money but not at the expense of
local government.”
Find related stories at impactnews.com. Keyword Search
Proposition 1, TxDOT Austin, I-35
5
34
ac a
ng
Co
S.
ir s
S. F
35
6
Ma
nch
at
tG
2
res
sA
ve
.
C an
.
t. S
t.
am
W
es
i lli
Rd
.
eB
Ln
l vd
.
7
di e
nt
WEST
H
T
U
O
S
AUSTIN
1
MoPac
me
N OW
OR
OPEN ING
COM IN
SOON
Bl
s
t
a
E
New
8
Sta
s
sne
yL
71
n.
DINER
by Kelli Wel
non
Dr.
mprehen
sive.
Definitions
Rd
.
RESTAU
is not co
wn
Bro
Now Op
1 Flo
en
res
Coming
Restaura Mexican
Soon
n
don • Des
t,
4
5
6
2
ign by Erin
5
R
Cannon
William
amen Ta
De
Behncke
Dri
tsu-Ya,
1234 S.
er
Relocate ve, Bldg. 4
Ln.
La
d, open
Opened mar Blvd.
ed Jan.
Jan. 25
17
2 Gu
anta
6 Ta
West Ga namera, 6800
s
te
o
te
S. Congre f Ethiopia, 380
Opened Blvd., Ste. 11
ETHIOPIAN
1
ss Ave. S
March 7
Opening
te. 107
Injera–flat bread used to scoop
s
u
m
3 M
mer 201
ichi R
5
food (in place of utensils) such as
7 Un
Lamar B amen, 3005 S.
cle Mad
lvd., Ste
d
io’s Pizz
beef and vegetables
Joint, 5
. D-114
Opening
a
601 Bro
spring 2
die Lane
Doro wot–chicken drumsticks
Ste. 120
SA
015
CUBAN
,
J
lau
0
A
S
ON
4 Pin
served with a hard-boiled egg
Opened
thouse
Arroz con pollo–chicken
Partner,ghter FALUDI
Dec. 13
Pizza,
4236 S.
AquilaLCn.
L
o
a
m
m
and rice
mercial
ar Blvd.
8 Via
Opening
3
1
3 Pizzeri
summe
Cuban sandwich–roasted pork,
W. Hwy.
r 2015
290, Ste a, 6705
ham and Swiss cheese
. 50
Opening
in April 3
Restaura
on pressed bread
teurs loo
king to o
have mu
p
ch to co
nsider. A en or expand in
Faludi h
quila Co
Southwe
as hand
PARKIN
JAPANESE
mmerc
st Aus
le
d
a
m
n
d offers
G
parking
expert ti ore than 100 res ial partner Jaso tin
Ramen–long, curly noodles served in broth
is key, F Ample
n
p
n
ta
s
e
u
a
o
ra
r
a
n
lu
a
n
h
t
di said.
road
ow to ch
as a traditional Japanese dish
oose a lo deals in Austin
to the To , Faludi said, po
TRAFF
c
a
rc
ti
in
o
I
h
ti
C
n
y’s Taco
ng D
Chashu slices–slices of pork prepared in a
.
high-den
Seek ou
Cannon
evelop a
t
sit
Drive as s on William
business
barbecue-like style of cooking
accessib y areas that are
an exam
h
p
ig
ro
p
h
la
v
id
v
le from m
n
e
is
e
asily
and
ple of
ibility. do
Tonkotsu– pork bone, which is used to
thorough
ajor
experien cumentation of
fa
your
ce, avail
ANCHO
make broth for ramen
example res, he said. As
a
b
a
le
propose
capital a
an
F
RS Look
grocery
d
m
nd
e
Allen’s K aludi points to J
Sources: Guantanamera, Michi Ramen, Taste of Ethiopia
n
u
s
fo
.H
to
knowled
ac
itc
restaura re or a variety o r a
geable b ire a
Hill, one hen near the Y k
n
ro
f
ts
e
o
k
x
th
e
n
p
r,
e
e
e
a
of
arb
diter a
r
t
a permit
intersec Austin’s most tr Oak people in regu y to draw
has work nd a contractor
Offering pizza, Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint
tions.
aveled
larly. wh
ed on re
s
past.
taurants o
PL ANN
opened on Brodie in December.
V I S I B I L
in
the
I
N
difficult
IT Y
business
to develo G The area is P
Via 313 Pizzeria co-owner Brandon Hunt
is a pure Unless your
A
p
th
T
b
I
e
e
E
cause o
Edward
NCE So
concept,
d
to find th
it is idea estination
meti
said there is pent-up demand for local eatOur Spri s Aquifer, the S f
e right s
l to be lo
ngs ordin
ave
pot it tak mes
“
tw
o
cated
w
eeks to
ance an
es
impervio
eries in the Southwest Austin area, which
two
d
us cover
waiting
can be w years,” but
restrictio
ns.
orthwhil
said.
is dominated by chains. Via 313, which October 2012,
e, Faludi
Compiled
Checkl ist
RATEU
launched as a food trailer in East Austin,
will open a brick-and-mortar location at
6705 W. Hwy. 290 in April, he said.
“The Southwest Austin restaurant scene
is just starting to take shape, really. People
probably started taking it more seriously
with the arrival of Jack Allen’s a few years
back,” he said in an email, adding other
independent restaurants have also opened.
Pinthouse Pizza will renovate an existing
6,000-square-foot space and open a South
Austin location at 4236 S. Lamar Blvd. this
summer, owner Tyler Norwood said.
The restaurant, which opened the original
4,700-square-foot Burnet Road location in
R
brews about half of the
beers offered on tap. Norwood said “off-themap” specials have included banh mi pizza,
made with pepperwurst, pickled carrots and
onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Pinthouse
also features specialty pizzas such as The
Armadillo, with olive oil, cheese, sausage,
ricotta and cilantro garnish.
South Lamar’s eclectic businesses and
new housing attracted him, Norwood said.
Locally owned restaurants such as St.
Philip—which opened Oct. 2—and North
by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery have
seen value in the area, Norwood said.
Other
restaurateurs
will
likely
This list
tty
Tex-Mex options, pizza succeed
Several new Tex-Mex restaurants are also
being drawn to the area: Rosa’s Cafe Tortilla
Factory opened Dec. 29 at 509 W. Slaughter Lane, and Taquerias Arandinas opened
a new location called Casa Arandinas in
mid-December at 9001 Brodie Lane. Jalapenos Taco Bar and the new location of Flores
Mexican Restaurant both opened recently
on William Cannon Drive.
David Amaya, owner of Amaya’s Taco Village, grew up in South Austin and said he
thought Southpark Meadows was a perfect
fit for the local restaurant’s second location,
which opened in October.
“We definitely knew there was a lot of
growth coming out here … looking at all the
housing and apartments going up here, all
through South Austin and Southwest Austin. So we knew there was a great need for
more restaurants here,” he said.
He said he doesn’t think the local Tex-Mex
market can be oversaturated.
“In Texas and Austin you can go on almost
any corner and find a Tex-Mex restaurant,”
he said. It helps that there is a diverse mix of cuisine nearby, he said, citing a Chinese buffet,
a pizza place and Bucket’s Backyard Sports
Bar & Grill, which opened in the Southpark
Meadows shopping center in mid-February.
Dr
.
B ro
le
W
Nu
condos [and apartments], and it seemed
like a goodF fit,” he said, noting the site will
it zh
ug and delivery.
only offer takeout
hR
d.
On Jan. 25, Ramen
Tatsu-ya opened a
location at 1234 S. Lamar Blvd., building
on its Northwest Austin restaurant’s success.
“We saw a lot of customers coming from
South [Austin] and just heard, ‘We need this
over here, south, south of the river,’” owner
Tatsu Aikawa said.
Japanese soul food is Ramen Tatsu-ya’s
focus, and diners are encouraged to slurp
loudly to aerate the noodles, Aikawa said.
“We just try to keep it simple,” he said. “I
just want to represent ramen as how you can
actually get it if you’re in Japan. For South
Austin people, now they don’t have to drive
north to get it, [and] they don’t have to fly to
Japan and get it. They can get it here.”
vd
.
C
ir c
Continued from | 1
E s c arp
Restaurants
Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Southwest Austin is now home to several new restaurants and will add more inCommunity
the
coming months, including a few types of cuisine unusual to the area.
d.
So
ar Blv
ut h
O lt
am
L
we
or f
360
S.
st P
St .
kw
4
y.
3
290
capitalize on the
area’s in-demand housing scene
and residents’ interest in staying close to
home for dinner as well, he said.
“That market is really vibrant now and
the population [is growing],” Norwood said.
“I think that trend is only going to continue,
and I think it’s great for the market and the
people that live there.”
Additional reporting by Joe Olivieri.
Tell us what
you think.
Comment at impactnews.com
35
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
REAL ESTATE
FEATURED NEIGHBORHOOD
Belterra is a 1,600-acre, master-planned
community in Dripping Springs.
Belterra
Recent listings
Its amenities include a community recreation
center, pool, hike and bike trails, and access
to parks.
78737
175 Canterbury
Builders include: Buffington Homes, Capital
Pacific, David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom
Homes, Highland Homes, Newmark Homes, Sitterle
Homes, Treaty Oaks, Wilshire Homes
4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath
Agent: Dawn McKim
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
$315,000
221 Crampton Cove
$424,900
2,067 sq. ft.
3,102 sq. ft.
512-300-1187
4 Bedroom / 3.5 Bath
Agent: Audrey Row
Keller Williams Realty
512-789-1633
114 Drury Lane
$359,500
210 Trinity Hills Drive $394,900
3 Bedroom / 3 Bath
Agent: Carlisle Kennedy
Realty Austin
2,553 sq. ft.
5 Bedroom / 3.5 Bath
Agent: Steve Mallett
Keller Williams Realty
2,988 sq. ft.
Home values: $315,000–$749,000
78735
78736
290
Build-out year: not built out
Square footage: 2,067–4,692
360
71
Joe Olivieri
It is served by Dripping Springs ISD schools
Rooster Springs Elementary School, Dripping
Springs Middle School and Dripping Springs
High School.
HOA dues (estimated): $425 annually
78749
78739
Property taxes (in dollars):
78745
MoPac
35
78748
78747
Market Data provided by
Marc Warshawsky
Realty Austin
Southwest Austin Market Manager
512-658-2128
www.realtyaustin.com
Dripping Springs ISD
Hays County WCID No. 1
Hays County
Hays County ESD No. 6
Special Road District
North Hays County ESD No. 1
1.5200
0.8750
0.4252
0.0795
0.0438
0.0248
Total (per $100 value)
2.9683
Median
home value
$449,900
Median price
per square foot
$140.29
Median annual
property taxes
$11,745
512-689-9579
Homes on
the market*
44
Homes under
contract*
18
512-829-2062
Average days
on the market*
83
*As of 3/19/15
Opening this month.
Join our interest list for pricing and updates.
Set upon 477 acres, Heritage at Vizcaya is a destination community designed for
people greater than their age. Heritage is the perfect home for men and women
55 and better. An exciting range of on-site recreational and social activities, and homes
built for get-up-and-go days, this intimate community will offer an inspired living experience meant to be savored:
• Planned 6,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse with Lifestyle Director and amenities
• Stimulating activities and events just for members - coming soon
• Lagoon-style pool, hike and bike trails, outdoor amenities and more
I AM > 63
• Serene setting in a convenient location
Visit Heritage today. The ideal backdrop for those dedicated to living life to the fullest.
I am
carefree
Heritage at Vizcaya 4900 Fiore Trail, Round Rock, Texas 78665
>>>>
Contact: Heather Fox, our Internet Home Consultant,
at 512.845.7350 or hfox@TaylorMorrison.com
VIZCAYA55.COM
HOMES FROM THE MID $200S -$400S
Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. All information (including, but not limited to prices, availability, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities,
programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Photos
and descriptions of any planned improvements, features or amenities are not an actual representation and are for illustration purposes only that remain subject to change. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state
where prior registration is required or if void by law. At least one resident of household must be 55 or better, and additional restrictions apply. Some residents may be younger than 55 and no one under 19 in permanent residency.
Please see a Taylor Morrison Sales Associate for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. ©February 2015, Taylor Morrison of Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.
AN INSPIRED LIVING
EXPERIENCE FROM
36
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Market Data
Price
Number of homes for sale/ Average days on the market
78735
78735
78736
78737
78739
78745
78747
78748
78749
$500,000
$149,999 and less
—
—
—
—
2/1
—
—
—
$450,000
$150,000–$199,999
—
—
—
—
9/16
1/32
1/6
—
$400,000
$200,000–$299,999
2/3
1/34
1/88
2/29
20/54
19/41
18/74
5/7
$300,000–$399,999
3/40
2/11
22/94
6/18
17/163
11/59
30/70
7/33
$400,000–$499,999
10/36
1/186
27/81
33/55
3/62
3/50
6/161
1/148
$500,000–$599,999
1/5
2/8
25/108
10/122
—
1/185
—
1/300
$600,000–$799,999
1/32
3/57
16/76
13/115
1/246
1/285
2/56
—
$100,000
$800,000–$999,999
4/129
5/140
3/103
2/184
—
—
—
—
$50,000
$1 million +
40/137
1/161
1/105
—
1/29
—
—
—
Price Range
February 2014 vs.
Median price of homes sold
On the market (February 2015)
78736
78737
78739
78745
February 2015
78747
78748
78749
$350,000
$300,000
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
–
Recent Property Listings
ZIP code
Subdivision
Address
Bed/Bath
Price
Sq. ft.
Agent
Agency
Phone
78735
Barton Creek
8837 Chalk Knoll Drive
4br/4ba
$1,170,000
4,690
Maru Davis
Moreland Properties
512-971-3797
78735
Barton Creek
2700 Maravillas Cove
5br/5ba
$1,575,000
5,771
Eve Kush
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
512-845-0405
78735
Escondera
7800 Southwest Parkway, Unit 1710
2br/2ba
$695,000
1,958
Carolina Aceituno
Keller Williams Realty–RR
512-217-1218
78735
Foothills of Barton Creek
7504 Loasa Cove
5br/4ba
$1,800,000
5,748
Jeanne White
Kuper Sotheby’s Itl. Realty
512-751-7582
78735
Mountain Shadows Cove
8913 Mountain Shadows Cove
2br/2ba
$240,000
1,440
Amy Degnan
Keller Williams Realty
512-228-6262
78735
Woods Travis Country
4404 Travis Country Circle, Unit K1
4br/2ba
$275,000
1,389
Donna Tarbox
Private Label Realty
512-217-2532
78736
Covered Bridge
7020 Covered Bridge Drive
4br/3ba
$420,000
2,834
Mike Conner
Stanberry & Associates
512-785-7490
78736
Covered Bridge
8623 Foggy Mountain Drive
4br/2ba
$386,000
2,840
Mike Conner
Stanberry & Associates
512-785-7490
78736
Windmill Run
8402 Red Willow Drive
3br/2ba
$233,000
1,561
Memo Vargas
Keller Williams Realty
512-801-9999
78736
Windmill Run
8416 Selway Drive
3br/2ba
$299,000
1,722
Jane Coffman
Private Label Realty
512-657-2129
78737
Belterra
719 Catalina Lane
3br/2ba
$415,677
2,590
Kenneth Gezella
Gatehouse Properties
210-837-8423
78737
Belterra
210 Trinity Hills Drive
5br/3ba
$394,900
2,988
Steve Mallett
Keller Williams Realty
512-829-2062
78737
Belterra
120 Atwater Cove
5br/4ba
$469,900
3,957
Ken Bartlett
Keller Williams Realty
512-418-1435
78737
Fieldstone
13070 Fieldstone Loop
4br/2ba
$529,000
2,646
Christy Baker
Keller Williams Realty
512-431-9598
78737
Fox Run Ridge
9107 Gallant Fox Road
5br/4ba
$775,000
4,625
Joanna Lee
Keller Williams–Lake Travis
512-501-9065
78737
Friendship Ranch
14405 Echo Bluff
4br/3ba
$590,000
3,308
Lauri McNevin
Keller Williams–Lake Travis
512-439-7765
78737
Heritage Oaks
10 Scarlet Road
4br/3ba
$995,000
4,216
Eve Kush
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
512-845-0405
78737
High Pointe
203 Raindance Cove
3br/2ba
$345,000
2,964
Kim Burke
Kuper Sotheby’s Itl. Realty
512-912-6075
78739
Alta Mira
7917 Ladera Verde Drive
5br/3ba
$440,000
3,114
Gary Gentry
Keller Williams Realty
512-794-6728
78739
Circle C Ranch
6508 Aden Lane
4br/3ba
$455,000
2,954
Joanna Brown
Keller Williams Realty
512-789-9317
78739
Circle C, Golf Club Estates
10901 Canfield Drive
4br/3ba
$734,900
4,509
John Squires
Keller Williams Realty
512-970-1970
78739
Meridian
11421 Cherisse Drive
4br/3ba
$475,000
3,005
Leslie Kasen
JB Goodwin, Realtors
512-769-8849
78745
Cherry Creek
2611 Market Garden Lane
3br/2ba
$249,000
1,410
Ryanne Vaughan
Keller Williams Realty
512-619-5034
78745
Cooper Oaks
6605 Woodhue Drive
4br/2ba
$269,900
1,536
Kendred Manceaux
Keller Williams Realty
512-531-2977
78745
Southampton
3215 Evanston Lane
3br/2ba
$274,500
1,185
Karis Fagerberg
Kuper Sotheby’s Itl. Realty
512-657-4142
78745
Western Trails Estates
2204 Laramie Trail
4br/2ba
$400,000
2,340
Denise Lewis
Keller Williams Realty
512-657-4975
78748
Brodie Springs
3116 Raspberry Road
4br/3ba
$529,000
3,089
Deborah Howden
Moreland Properties
512-567-6625
78748
Parkridge Gardens
521 Celery Loop
3br/2ba
$209,900
1,213
Roman Lopez
Keller Williams Realty
512-947-2250
78748
Sweetwater Glen
2001 Rockland Drive, Unit 287
3br/2ba
$249,999
2,166
Cristina Murphey
Keller Williams Realty
512-809-1107
78748
Texas Oaks
742 Shade Tree Drive
3br/2ba
$214,950
1,430
Carrie Garwick
Private Label Realty
512-458-1700
78749
Heights at Loma Vista
7124 Via Correto Drive
5br/3ba
$472,000
3,184
Vince Martinez
Keller Williams Realty
512-785-4288
78749
Legend Oaks
6707 Oasis Drive
3br/2ba
$405,000
2,127
Barbara Siegwalt
Keller Williams Realty
512-745-5883
78749
Oak Creek Parke
4021 Shavano Drive
4br/3ba
$369,000
2,709
Chris Rios
Keller Williams Realty
512-775-5476
78749
Village at Western Oaks
7605 Hawkeye Drive
3br/2ba
$315,000
2,112
Ashley Stucki
Keller Williams–Lake Travis
512-217-6103
78749
Westcreek
6200 Honey Dew Court
4br/2ba
$309,000
2,058
Lauren Hawn
JB Goodwin, Realtors
512-964-7245
360
71
78735
78736
290
78737
78749
MoPac
78739
78745
35
78748
78747
78610
120 Atwater Cove
11421 Cherisse Drive
6200 Honey Dew Court
Residential real estate listings added to the market between 3/02/15 and 3/17/15 were provided by the Austin Board of Realtors, www.abor.com. Although every effort has been made to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of this listing,
Community Impact Newspaper assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Contact the property’s agent or seller for the most current information.
37
Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015
Looking for
Coupons?
Explore the all-new
Hundreds of local
and regional coupons
Just click and print
At Seton, we understand that some emergencies are more like mini emergencies. Which is
why we have SetonER.com. Now you can get in line online. Make an appointment online and
mini emergencies only. If you’re experiencing a major emergency, get to the ER ASAP or dial 9-1-1.
SOUTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
you’ll be seen within 15 minutes of it. Welcome to Humancare. Remember, SetonER.com is for