Development
Development
BY ELLE BENT
BY KATY MCAFEE
A 1,400-acre development planned near Dripping Springs and the Pedernales River will bring homes, a hotel, restaurants and a research site for students at The University of Texas—but is facing opposition over water. Mirasol Springs is a development by Steve Winn, founder of RealPage and CEO of Mirasol Capital, companies focused on the real estate industry. The project was announced in April 2021 and is envisioned “to serve as a model for stewardship, eco-sensitive design and development, restoration, and education,” spokesperson Scott Dunaway said. However, residents are worried that the development as proposed would not uphold said vision. Development raises concerns
6 acres of South Congress Avenue slated for redevelopment Plans are underway to revamp a 6-acre site at the intersection of South Congress Avenue and West Riverside Drive into a walkable, environmentally friendly district, with New York-based developer Related Cos. leading the initiative. required, at least 50% green infrastructure — like rain gardens, green roofs and concrete or asphalt alternatives— and the preservation of all heritage trees, according to documents submitted to the city by the developer.
The takeaway
Clifford said water usage may prove to be a long-term issue as the nearby Pedernales River—where Austin gets some of its drinking water—is very low. Dunaway said the development will obtain the majority of its water demand from the Lower Colorado River Authority. Groundwater from the property—water under the Earth’s surface— “will serve as a secondary source,” and is expected to be used 20%-25% of the time, Dunaway said. Private wells and septic tanks will be prohibited on the property, including for the home sites, Dunaway said. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2025, with an anticipated opening in 2027. Total completion is anticipated for 2032.
3238
STAGECOACH RANCH RD.
MIRASOL SPRINGS DEVELOPMENT
OVERLAND STAGE RD.
Once finished, the development will feature an elevated boardwalk and trails connecting South First Street and South Congress Avenue; a pedes- trian bridge providing access to the Texas School for the Deaf; a habitat for bees and other local pollinators; and a vertical green wall to reduce the urban heat island effect. What’s next Related Cos. is set to submit its Planned Unit Development application—a tool that allows developers more flexibility outside typical zoning standards—which could pave the way for final approval of the plans by 2026. Construction is projected to take three to four years following approval, Iannacone said.
The parcel is currently home to karaoke bar Ego’s, an Austin-Travis County mental health facility and the South Congress Square apartment complex. Ego’s would be the only property to remain in the new development. The details The project is located within the city’s 118-acre South Central Waterfront area, where there is no limit to building heights; however, the developers are aiming for the buildings to reach a maximum of 575 feet or roughly 50 stories. Early plans for the site include several “ambi- tious” environmentally friendly features, said Mike Iannacone, executive vice president of Related Cos. Plans include 10% more open space than
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Neighbors who spoke at a Feb. 12 meeting held by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality opposed the development’s wastewater permit citing issues with treatment and location. Mike Clifford from the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance said the two main issues are the raw sewage that will run across Roy Creek; and second is that the developers have not proposed extensive enough wastewater treatment that would remove phosphorus. Clifford said that changes could be made to address these problems.
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The site is slated to have: 800 residential units A 225 -room hotel 200,000 square feet for offices 90,000 square feet for retail space 30,000 square feet for restaurants A 25,000 -square-foot grocery store
SOURCE: RELATED COS./COMMUNITY IMPACT
BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260 BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981
SOUTHPARK MEADOWS 9900 IH-35 Service Road S (512) 280-7400 DRIPPING SPRINGS
166 Hargraves (512) 432-0186
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