Hot Headlines

No. 1 reason not to move to Austin and more popular stories

Hot Headlines

No. 1 reason not to move to Austin and more popular stories

It's pretty pricey to move to Austin.Photo courtesy of Easton Park
This modern Tarrytown home has a basement surprise.Photo courtesy of Realty Austin
The Range at Austin opens February 1.Photo by Patrick Y Wong
Surprise! Rent is on the rise.South Shore District/Facebook
Boteco and BackDraft Pizzeria are among Yelp's top restaurants in the country.Boteco Food Truck/Facebook

Editor's note: Expensive moves and surprising restaurant news lead this round of top stories. Read on for more of the week's most popular headlines.

1. Austin declared one of the world's most expensive places to move. So you want to move to Austin? It'll cost you. In fact, a study from online moving platform Movinga says Austin is one of most expensive cities to move to in the world.

2. This new Tarrytown home boasts a big basement surprise. This new Tarrytown home, at 3612 Enfield Rd., has a creative solution for Central Austin living: a basement suite.

3. Austin's giant indoor shooting range targets new opening date. A new state-of-the-art gun range has targeted an opening date. The Range at Austin will open February 1.

4. This is how much Austin rents will rise through 2020. In the Austin area, the "rent is too damn high" refrain promises to grow a bit louder over the next few years. A new report predicts average apartment rents in the region will rise 11 percent in the next three years.

5. Two surprising Austin eateries rank among 100 best places to eat in the U.S. A couple of Austin restaurants are on Yelp's fourth annual list of Top 100 Places to Eat — and they may surprise you.

home-for-sale rent hot-headlines sports openings rankings reports

Cleared for landing

New Austin park marks end stage of 20-year plan to redevelop old airport

Roger Lavon Taylor Sr. Plaza Park aerial image showing bridge and tower

Roger Lavon Taylor Sr. Plaza Park is now open to the public. Photo by Jane Yun

A new park surrounding a former airport structure has debuted in Austin's Mueller neighborhood. Called the Roger Lavon Taylor Sr. Plaza, it is now open to the public.

The park design is relatively simple, encircling the airport's old control tower with paved areas and a pedestrian bridge. A hill in the center is partially terraced with small retaining walls, which in some cases could double as seating. Plants including native grasses have been added, but have yet to fill in the space. Some young trees could be focal points and shade providers in years to come.

Crowd on Roger Lavon Taylor Sr. Plaza Park steps People gather on the steps during the opening ceremony.Photo by Jane Yun

The park is named after a Mueller community member who advocated to keep the control tower standing. Although Taylor pushed to move the airport, he recognized the control tower as a landmark. He was part of the Citizens for Airport Re-Location (CARE) group, which put forth the redevelopment plan for the area. Taylor passed away in November 2012.

An interesting departure from the rest of the modern neighborhood, the blue-striped and flared tower is one of the last remaining relics of Mueller's past. The retro look will remain as-is.

Performers from Blue Lapis Light, an aerial arts group that is known for performing on structures around Austin highlighted the tower during an opening ceremony for the park on March 29, dangling off the top ledge. Other representatives including CEO of Arterra Development Greg Weaver, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, and Taylor's adult children spoke at the event.

Blue Lapis Light performers on former Austin control tower Blue Lapis Light performers highlighted the tower in a dramatic way.Photo by Jane Yun

The opening of the plaza is a milestone in the 20-year plan to transform Austin's prior airport not only into something livable, but into what the city calls an "urban village." Austinites in the 2020s now know the area as a residential hub filled with pleasant-looking houses and restaurants like the influential L'Oca d'Oro or the newcomer from South Africa, Nando's.

This is the final named park to open as part of the redevelopment plan. As late as 2024 there have still been amendments to the plan, including an extension to finish work by the end of 2027, but the end is increasingly within sight. To a casual visitor, most parts of Mueller certainly look complete.

Roger Lavon Taylor Sr. Plaza is located at 3925 Berkman Dr.

parks families airport mueller urban renewal