Northwest Austin Impacts — March 2008

Northwest Austin Impacts — March 2008

Written by Staff Monday, 24 March 2008

1 - More apartments

Construction on the Alexan Ribelin, a 350-unit apartment complex, will begin soon by GE Real Estate and Trammell Crow Residential. The complex will be built on 17.55 acres at McNeil Road and RM 2222. The 15-building complex will have one-, two- and three-bedroom units, averaging 1,000 sq. ft. The estimated average rent is $1,115 per unit.

2 - Library reopens

After being closed for almost a year, the Little Walnut Creek Library reopened Feb. 23. The library, located at 835 W. Rundberg Lane, underwent remodeling and renovation projects included expanding the parking lot, replacing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, improving the landscaping, replacing carpet and other interior finishes, and reorganizing the interior spaces.

Do good work

Founded by Paul Janowitz, CEO and Founder of Sentient Services, LP, the website http://austinprobono.org launched this past month to allow businesses to help nonprofits through pro bono (for the public good) works.

3 - Apartments on the rise

Alliance Communities, the Texas division of Alliance Residential Co., is building two apartment complexes in north Austin. Broadstone Travesia, a 396-unit complex, is going up near the intersection of IH 35, Toll 45, and Toll 1 next to Travesia Corporate Park across from La Frontera. A 280-unit Grand Avenue apartment complex is going up one mile south of Round Rock on the northeast corner of Grand Avenue Parkway and IH-35 intersection.

4 - Northwest Austin Balcones Park renovations

Renovations to the playscape at Northwest Balcones Park, 10201 Talleyran Drive, are now complete. For more information, call the City of Austin Parks Department at 974-6700.

i-Ride contest

Capital Metro launched i-Ride, an contest, which could earn riders prizes. The contest focuses on customers’ testimonials about their reasons for riding Capital Metro. Participants can submit a video or audio recording via YouTube. Capital Metro will post pictures and profiles of i-Riders at www.capmetro.org/i-ride. For more details about the contest, which ends April 12, visit the i-Ride website.

2008 Essay contest

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Law Day, the Williamson County Bar Association is sponsoring an essay contest for Williamson County high school seniors. First place wins $1,000. This year’s essay topic asks students to interview a parent or other adult about their experiences with people of other races or religions when they were growing up. While thinking about creating communities of opportunity and equity, students should write a 500 – 1,000 word essay comparing their own experience with that of an older generation. For more information, visit www.wilcobar.com. Essays must be postmarked by April 15.

5 - Stop. You’re on candid camera.

The city of Austin identified nine intersections for red light cameras, which will be installed in April and are expected to be operational in May. Intersections in Northwest Austin are northbound MoPac at Howard Lane/Wells Branch Parkway and southbound MoPac at Howard Lane/Wells Branch Parkway.

6 - Domain adds banking

IBC Bank opened Feb. 14 at the corner of Braker Lane and Burnet Road, 11400 Burnet Road Bldg. #46. It differs from most IBC Banks by having a community suite for meetings that seats 10 and can be lent out to the community for free and has full-service safety deposit boxes. IBC’s grand opening is March 30 from 5 – 7 p.m. The grand opening will include: wine & cheese from Oak Hill grocery, presentation of a $2,500 donation to the Austin Symphony, a string quartet and Austin ballet, coupons and giveaways. For more information, call 397-4595.

PISD Job Fair

The Pflugerville Independent School District will hold a Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, March 29. from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at John B. Connally High School. To be eligible to participate in the job fair, teachers must submit a certified application online in advance of the job fair, possess a valid teacher's certificate or prove that you will be able to have one by August 2008 and bring proof of certification, copies of transcripts, and resumé copies for distribution. If not currently certified, bring a copy of Texas certification exam scores or provide transcripts demonstrating 24 semester hours in the desired subject area. ACP participants may bring a letter from the Alternative Certification Program showing proof of participation. Student teachers must bring a college letter of anticipated completion or an updated transcript showing enrollment in student teaching. For more information, visit www.pflugervilleisd.net/features/jobfair.cfm

8 - Why Cowboys Sing in Texas! featuring Literature LIVE!

Local libraries will host theater and puppet presentations for ages 5 and up. On Tuesday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m., Youth Programs at Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst, will be holding “Why Cowboys Sing in Texas!” For more information, call 339-2355. Another performance of “Why Cowboys Sing in Texas!” will take place Friday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Youth Programs at Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg. For more information, call 836-8975.To reserve a space for a group of 5 or more, call 974-7302. To reserve a space for a group of five or more call 974-7302.

9 - Tech Ridge Center adds Office Depot, Petco and Castle Dental

At the development on the southeast corner of IH 35 and Parmer Lane, Tech Ridge Center adds Office Depot, Petco and Castle Dental to their anchors H.E. B. and JC Penney. Expected to open in November, Office Depot will open a 21,000 sq. ft. store, Petco will be 16,000 sq. ft. and Castle Dental will be 3,000 sq. ft.

New communications

Cricket Communications, a wireless internet provider, and FedEx Kinkos are opening stores at 2406 Parmer Lane. For more information on FedEx Kinkos, call 719-5300. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com.