DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Foundation Communities celebrates ribbon cutting for NorthAustin a ordable housing development
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
Foundation Communities, an Austin-based nonpro t organization dedicated to a ordable housing, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest North Austin apartment complex, Laurel Creek, on March 30. Located at 11704 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Laurel Creek has 88 family apartments—the bulk of which are two- and three-bedroom supportive housing units for families with children—Foundation Communities Executive Director Walter Moreau said. Additionally, 18 of the apartments are dedicated to families transitioning out of homelessness. “Today we are celebrating the formal ribbon cutting of the property, but the real celebration here has happened when we hand over the keys to families, and they are able to move into their new home,” Moreau said. In addition to the apartment units, the complex includes a community center, a playground and an outdoor sports court. Among the on-site services at Laurel Creek are a learn- ing center, a preschool, a food pantry, case-management services, and health and nance educational programming. Evelyn Chase, a resident at Laurel Creek, spoke about the positive e ects moving into the community in Decem- ber has had on her life and the lives of her three children. “So many doors have been closed in our faces. Laurel Creek opened their doors, and they opened their arms, and they welcomed us,” Chase said. “I can lock our door and say, ‘Girls, son, we are home, and we’re all safe.’ Founda- tion Communities gave us that.” Moreau recognized the nonpro t’s nancial and com- munity partners, including the city of Austin, the Texas
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The project would transform the Austin American-Statesman property.
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BEN THOMPSON COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Foundation Communities held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Laurel Creek, an a ordable housing complex, on March 30.
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Plans to redevelop 19-acrewaterfront site clear rst council hurdle
CLAIRE SHOOP COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Department of Housing and Community A airs, Bank of America, the St. David’s Foundation and Austin FC. During the ceremony, Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt announced a $3.5 million donation to Foundation Communities. Moreau said this donation would go toward the group’s plan to build Juniper Creek, another a ordable housing complex that will be built near Laurel Creek. Several speakers noted the rising cost of housing as a barrier to having a home and a factor behind the need for more a ordable housing. Rent at Laurel Creek ranges from $484-$1,185, according to Foundation Communities. “Our existential challenge right now is housing, is home- lessness, is a ordable housing, and there is no reason this community can’t tackle this challenge in ways we have tackled challenges before,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said.
BY BEN THOMPSON
Plans that would transform nearly 19 acres of lakefront property o South Congress Avenue into a new mixed-use campus earned the rst of three City Council votes needed to make the project a reality April 7. The rezoning of 305 S. Congress Ave., currently home to the Austin American-Statesman, came before council after moving through city sta and commission reviews over recent months. The so-called Statesman PUD, or planned unit development, as proposed features 1.65 million square feet for residences, 1.5 million square feet of o ces, 150,000 square feet of retail space and a 275-room hotel. The 3.52 million square feet of commercial space centers around a series of high-rises stretching as high as 525 feet above Lady Bird Lake alongside new public roadways and acres of waterfront parkland. Council’s April discussion resulted in a vote in favor of the PUD plan on rst reading only with more remaining questions and nal details to be worked out for the required second and third readings before city o cials. Much of the conversation centered on the scale of community bene ts o ered by developers Endeavor Real Estate Group and the Cox family, including how the project could support the housing, mobility and recreational needs of the public and future residents of the luxury condominiums or apartments on-site. “I think this is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Austin,” District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo said. “I have a keen interest in seeing it move forward in a way that it really becomes a community asset.”
AsianAmericanResource Center prepares for Phase 2 expansion
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
Korean, Vietnamese and Burmese on April 4-6. “We know that not all [Asian Paci c American] communities in Austin utilize our public resources equally, so we aim to hear as many voices and perspectives in this process to build a space that serves our growing community,” project schedule online, the city will continue to participate in community engagement throughout the spring. By spring 2023, Trahan Architects will nish design work for Phase 2, and construction of the new facility will be completed the following year in summer 2024. The $7 million project is funded through 2018 voter-approved bonds. AARC acting manager Bianca Xoyamayagua-Galvan said. According to an anticipated
The Asian American Resource Center held a community kicko meeting March 29 to solicit feedback on its Phase 2 expansion plans. Phase 2 plans for the community center located at 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, include the construction of a new building that will house a 200- to 400-seat live performance theater, a multipurpose room and art gallery. Members of the community were asked to weigh in on the orientation of the building on the existing 15-acre AARC site, recommend design and layout preferences, and identify potential future uses for the space. In addition to the kicko event, the AARC recorded responses through an online community survey and held focus groups on the project in
The Asian American Resource Center is going through an expansion.
CLAIRE SHOOP COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
AsianAmericanResource Center Phase 2 expansion
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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • APRIL 2022
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