Million-Dollar Makeover

Iconic downtown Austin park closes for massive multimillion renovation

Republic Square Park downtown Austin renovation rendering 2016

Republic Square Park is about to undergo some serious renovations.

Rendering courtesy of Austin Parks Foundation

The "front yard of our downtown," as Senator Kirk Watson puts it, is about to get a major makeover. This week officials broke ground on a $5.8 million renovation of Republic Square Park.

This means the park — which is host to a variety of events — will be closed for the next year. But come summer of 2017, the central plaza will have a new market area, a food kiosk, public bathrooms, additional seating, and much more. The centerpiece is a "circular promenade which connects pedestrians to all four corners of the park," according to the master plan.

"[Wednesday's] groundbreaking is the beginning of the next iteration of Republic Square Park as a community meeting place, and I couldn't be more proud or more excited," said Watson at the ceremony.

The historical site has gone through many transformations over the years. Its latest metamorphosis has been more than three years in the making and involves a clever collaboration between the City of Austin, the federal government, several local organizations, and private donors.

The Austin Parks Foundation spearheaded the design and fundraising processes, and the Downtown Austin Alliance has signed on to manage the park once complete. Austin Parks and Recreations Department will continue to work with events and operations.

"Under the Auction Oaks in Republic Square Park is where the first lots of Austin were sold. This is literally where our city got its start, so I'm gratified to see nonprofits, private donors, and government come together to give Republic Square Park fresh life," said Mayor Steve Adler.

During construction, the SFC Farmers Market on Saturdays will be located nearby at the Federal Courthouse Plaza and West Fourth Street.

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WFH life

Austin plugs in as 2nd cheapest large U.S. city for remote workers

Photo by Lewis Guapo on Unsplash

Working remotely in Austin is far more affordable than many other U.S. cities.

Austin's thriving telework industry is already known for being among the most prominent in the country, and as it turns out, it's one of the most affordable, too. A recent study by online retailer The Perfect Rug has revealed Austin is the No. 2 cheapest U.S. city center for remote work.

The report ranked the top 10 largest U.S. cities based on population data, the number of coworking spaces and cafes per capita, statewide average internet speeds, average apartment rent prices, and more.

Austin falls second to the far west Texas city of El Paso (No. 1), and is followed by Houston in the No. 3 spot.

When it comes to finding the best place to work remotely, Austin has an abundance of options including coffee shops, coworking spaces, and local library branches. According to the report's data, there are about six coworking spaces and 26 cafes per capita in the city, but Austinites know best that there is a much wider variety of places to work from "home" than whatever number a study determines.

The average internet speed in Texas is 425.9 mbps (megabits per second), which is the fourth-highest internet speed out of the six total states (and the District of Columbia) mentioned in the study. Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington, D.C. all have faster average internet speeds, at 430.8, 451, and 473.8 mpbs, respectively.

The Perfect Rug also calculated the average costs for meals, coffee, and monthly rent in Austin:

$1,467 per month – Average apartment rent cost in central Austin
$21 per hour – Average cost for a desk at a coworking space
$16.99 – Average cost for a meal
$5.36 – Average cost for a coffee

Furthermore, Austin-based remote workers are technically saving on fuel costs compared to those who have to commute into the city daily for their jobs.

A spokesperson for The Perfect Rug said Texas cities like El Paso, Austin, and Houston are far more popular for "budget-conscious" remote workers partially because rent costs are far lower in comparison to many other U.S. cities.

"On the other hand, cities like Washington, D.C., and Seattle, while more expensive, compensate with faster internet speeds and a higher density of workspaces, which can enhance the remote work experience," the spokesperson said. "Finding the right balance between cost and amenities is key for remote workers seeking both productivity and affordability."

Elsewhere in Texas, San Antonio ranked as the fifth most affordable city for teleworkers, followed by Dallas (No. 7).

The top 10 cheapest U.S. cities for remote workers are:

No. 1 – El Paso, Texas
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Houston, Texas
No. 4 – Seattle, Washington
No. 5 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 6 – Washington, D.C.
No. 7 – Dallas, Texas
No. 8 – Denver, Colorado
No. 9 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
No. 10 – Nashville, Tennessee

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