Hot Headlines

Major Austin comings and goings dominate this week's top stories

Hot Headlines

Major Austin comings and goings dominate this week's top stories

Doc's on South Congress is closing at the end of December.Photo courtesy of Doc's Motorworks
People are leaving Austin at a staggering rate.Austin, Texas - Your City Government/Facebook
How much square footage can you buy in Austin for $300,000?Courtesy of The Roman Lopez Real Estate Team
Target will open a new store inside Dobie Twenty21 in 2017.Rendering courtesy of Target
Yeti Coolers' first-ever retail location is coming to Austin.Yeti/Facebook

Editor's note: A mixture of comings and goings lead this round of top stories. Read on for more of the week's most popular headlines.

1. A massive number of Austinites are ditching the city, shows new report. It seems like everyone wants to live in Austin, but does everyone want to stay? According to a new report from Abodo, Austin is losing residents at a staggering rate.

2. Favorite South Congress restaurant and bar announces closing date. Time to pour one out for another Austin watering hole. Doc's Motorworks Bar & Grill will hold last call on South Congress Avenue on Friday, December 23.

3. This is how much house you can buy in Austin for $300,000. Where can you get the most bang for your buck when buying a new house? Most of Texas is a steal — but not Austin.

4. Target selects hot Austin address for first store of its kind in Texas. Austin's latest store opening is right on target. Target revealed plans to open a new storefront inside the former Dobie Mall near the University of Texas campus.

5. Yeti Coolers picks Austin's coolest district for first store ever. Yeti Coolers has something cool in store for South Congress. The popular Austin-based brand will open its flagship store at 220 S. Congress Ave. in 2017.

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