Hot Headlines

Rental rumblings and restaurant openings dominate this week's top stories

Hot Headlines

Rental rumblings and restaurant openings dominate this week's top stories

Surprisingly, rent has dropped in a few Austin neighborhoods.South Shore District/Facebook
Austin's newest park can be found in the Mueller district.Photo courtesy of Mueller
Cane Rosso is now slinging dough in South Austin.Cane Rosso Austin/Facebook
There are a few simple ways to add rustic charm to your home.Photo courtesy of Trestlewood, Houzz
Peli Peli will take over the former Cantina Laredo space in downtown Austin.Peli Peli Galleria/Facebook

Editor's note: A new Austin rent report and hot restaurant openings lead this round of top stories. Read on for more of the week's most popular headlines.

1. Six popular Austin neighborhoods where rent prices have actually dropped. The Austin housing market is heating up, but does the same hold true for rentals? The most recent report from rental website Zumper shows that prices have actually decreased in our fair city.

2. Austin's newest park, complete with pool and gardens, opens to the public. The rising temperatures shouldn't keep you from enjoying summer. Austin's newest green space debuted on Saturday, July 23 with a swimming pool, picnic area, and community garden.

3. The three hottest restaurant openings in Austin right now. Our city can't seem to escape restaurant closures, but there's a plethora of openings to get excited about. Here are three sizzling new restaurants on the Austin scene right now.

4. Nine design tips to add rustic charm to your home. From log cabins and renovated barns to new builds with country charm, rustic style draws its inspiration from the woods and lakes of the great outdoors. Check out these tips to make the most of a rustic home’s natural good looks with design ideas for porches, paint, pathways, and more.

5. Houston restaurant chain swoops into popular downtown Austin locale. The former home of Cantina Laredo won't be vacant for long. Come 2017, Houston-based restaurant chain Peli Peli will slide into the 2nd Street District space with South African fare.

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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.

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