This is downtown Austin looking west from the 12th floor of the T.O.E,in the distance are the cranes at 2 of several buildings going up.While it makes me happy to know that I will be gainfully employed forever(if this keeps up),it makes me sad that Austin is rapidly becoming the sprawl that is Houston and Dallas.Although the shitty council will tell you they are planning to avoid that,I can assure you it's happening.
Back in the day you had south,north,downtown and the UT area that separated downtown from north.A recent article in the Chronicle described a new development in north Austin (The Domain) as a "second downtown" with a development focus on a pedestrian friendly environment.As they have often done and will undoubtedly do with this one,it will be a disaster on so many levels as to make one dizzy and never match up with the bullshit they talked but never intended to walk in the first place.There will be deals and incentives and compromises and neighborhood groups protesting and forming coalitions and filing lawsuits...Phew!And in the end,the developers will prevail with their blessing.After all,it's the shitty council,why should Austinites expect any less than the sniveling sucking up to major developers that has been the trademark of the council for nigh on 20 years?
And why do we need a "second downtown"?It's fucking north Austin and it will always be north Austin.They need to just call it what it is...a gigantic strip mall stacked with some over priced condos and apartments.
The last time I could say this was a cool town to live in rather than at least I'm not in Houston was back in the early 80's.
So,our eventual escape planning is perfectly timed.
I can't wait to get the fuck out of here,and that's the saddest part.
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