A new 1.5 billion dollar "creative neighborhood" to alter east Austin Real Estate
So this would be pretty crazy if it happens. The statesman released an article this week about plans for a new "creative neighborhood" in East Austin. The plan is for a new neighborhood of 681 acres. It would have as its anchor a 200 acre Villa Muse Film Studio. Although its primary emphasis is film their would also be television and music studios. The neighborhood of 8500 residents would have a variety of home styles. Potential home owners would have to sign a waiver saying their houses could be used in filming. Something that would probably not appeal to some people. But I could see some people being amused with watching a movie and saying "Hey thats my house cool". Since there would be spaces for larger acts the idea would be to have the ability to host larger music acts which currently have to go to San Antonio because Austin doesn't have large enough venues.
Overall this seems pretty interesting. The developers said that currently a lot of projects interested in Austin are forced to go elsewhere because Austin currently doesn't have the needed facilities. I have heard that apparently a lot of film producers have a soft spot for Austin and having a major studio would make Austin more of a draw when choosing locations for films. It would also be interesting to see how much this affects east Austin real estate prices if this development goes forward. Their has been alot of interest in east Austin but it has been mostly properties that are closer to I-35. Prices have not escalated as much for real estate this far east. Dumping 1.5 billion dollars into the area is bound to have a significant effect.
One thing I was not sure about is whether the development will be part of Austin or part of the city of Manor. And what is interesting is that since the development is 686 acres it could technically become its own town. A township requires a minimum of 640 acres. Obviously it would be nice if it was part of Austin. But the development would be a plus either way. Alot of the spending for people working on the movies would occur in Austin, and the studios would provide jobs for Austin residents in the film community. Austin would not get revenues from the studios themselves but it would also not be responsible for providing infrastructure such as police, fire, and roads for the development.
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Comments
Gee golly, wally. Pleasantville in Austin?
Posted by: Richard | April 21, 2007 07:42 PM
From what I remember the only way into or out of Pleasantville was a magical tv remote control. They should do the same thing for this development.
Posted by: admin | April 22, 2007 02:11 AM
yes, it would be nice to have it as the part of austin. but even more interesting might be to have it developed as it's own independent and as-much-as-possible de-regulated commmunity, as this area is not (yet) burdened by specific history or long-time rooted networks of interests and mechanisms of control. why not play a little while the space is still open?
Posted by: vlidi | April 22, 2007 07:25 AM
Sounds fine, as long as they play and experiment with private venture capital, not public funds.
Posted by: Tommy Jefferson | April 23, 2007 09:04 AM
Seeing the pic, it just seems too perfect and promising. Maybe it's the realist in me, but, especially hearing comments like, "as long as they use private funds", don't think it'll happen.
This isn't Disney World, for goodness sakes! I think that place would have a hard time flying even in Orlando(Think of the moderate fiasco Celebration city was.) Giant planned communities
still need public works, police,fire, etc. Austin
doesn't seem like the type of place that will quietly watch a giant, antiseptic community rise up in its midst, regardless of the upside in real estate values. I mean, they protest the opening of one
starbucks or wal-mart. Why would they be keen on another Celebration, Fla.
with a film studio and outdoor auditorium attached? Personally, it sounds too Disney-fied to
pan out. If they couldn't pull off Celebration right
in the shadows of DW, how are they going to do it next to Austin, and the
(keep everything weird, local, and organic) contingent? I say a big NOT. Maybe if they try
making the area east of I-35 more livable first, and provide a few more jobs for the folks out there, THEN they can think of bringing Mickey Mouse and friends out there.
Posted by: scott | April 24, 2007 02:44 PM
Its hard to predict the city council. But based on the past city council meetings I have gone to this is something the city would probably support. They gave huge tax breaks to the domain which is basically a bunch of high end shopping.
If they support that I assume they would give some tax breaks to a development built around the music and film scene. Austin hasnt pulled any punches over the fact that they want to expand those industries in Austin.
East Austin has actually changed alot in the last few years. Their are houses over there selling for over 300k and lots of little coffee bars and what not. East Austin is slowly starting to resemble the SOCO area in south Austin.
I think the they should use private funds comment was in response to a previous comment which was saying the area should be free of zoning and regulation.
Posted by: Admin | April 24, 2007 02:58 PM
I, think it would be terrific to have a movie studio here in travis county it would attract a lot of new people to the austin area. Im all for it.
Posted by: Andrew H.Hernandez Jr. | August 17, 2007 09:45 PM
This looks like a great project. Thanks for the information.
Posted by: Ames Tiedeman | September 14, 2007 01:20 PM
Wow...Austin is ready...fantastic project..let's get it on...
Posted by: D.Hernandez | October 8, 2007 04:33 PM