Southwest Austin Impacts — April 2008

Southwest Austin Impacts — April 2008

Written by Staff Friday, 11 April 2008

1 - Bus station coming soon

The South Central Transit Center at South Congress and Ben White Boulevard is on target to open in August. The Capital Metro station is part of a major crossing point for east-west and north-south routes. Once completed, the facility will have 13 bus bays for Rapid Bus service. Total project cost is not to exceed $3,949,615. A clock tower reminiscent of the moon towers around Austin and space for future food service vendors are included in the design. A traffic signal will also be added at Radam Lane to serve as the main entrance for the facility. For more information, call 474-1200.

2 - Sub time

Jersey Mike’s Subs owners Yvonne and Steve Cullen celebrated the grand opening of their new restaurant March 26 at 9500 S. IH 35, Ste. 600 in Southpark Meadows. Jersey Mike’s Subs has been serving New Jersey submarine sandwiches for more than a half-century. Each franchise uses private labeled meats and cheeses and in-store baked bread. For more information, call 233-6333.

3 - Office space

Oak Hill has a new professional building, called The Y at 71. The more than 29,000 sq. ft. facility opened with a ribbon cutting March 26 at 7700 Hwy. 71 W. Although no space is leased at this time, possible tenants include an advanced technology firm, an engineering firm and a healthcare group. For more information, call 480-9343.

4 - Help for the vehicle

Advance Auto Parts held its grand opening March 22 at 501 W. Stassney Lane near South First Street. The store offers everything from a variety of automotive parts to a recycling center, where customers can drop off used vehicle batteries and motor oil free of charge. For more information, call 912-1830.

5 - Ear service

The Better Hearing Clinic of Austin is now providing its services at 8700 Manchaca Road, Ste. 306 in the new Grand Oaks Office Condos. The hearing clinic has digital and BluTooth hearing instruments and offers in-office service and repairs, as well as a complimentary hearing evaluation. For more information, call 282-4327.

6 - Money spot

Austin Telco Federal Credit Union opened at 9220 Brodie Lane Feb. 21. Austin Telco is a member owned, nonprofit financial cooperative open to anyone living, working, worshiping or attending school in Austin’s five-county metropolitan area. For more information call 302-5555.

7 - Classes on cars

In a partnership between Austin Independent School District and Austin Community College, the Crockett-ACC Automotive Center held a dedication ceremony April 1 at Crockett High School, 5601 Manchaca Road. The facility is designed to expand the community’s access to highly skilled workers in auto systems maintenance and service, as well as autobody repair and refinishing. High school students will begin automotive training starting their freshman year, while ACC will expand the college’s high-demand automotive technology and auto collision and refinishing programs by holding evening and weekend classes at the site. For more information, call 383-0638.

8 - Banking on business

At the corner of Slaughter Lane and Manchaca Road, Bank of America will open a new location in late June or early July at 9912 Manchaca Road. The company has more than 20 locations in Austin, offering personal and corporate banking services.

9 - More shopping

A new retail center is in development by Carpenter & Associates, Inc. at 615 W. Slaughter Lane at South First Street. Once completed, it will include 19,100 sq. ft of space with the building shell completed by mid-May. For more information, call 306-9993.

10 - Bakery and café

Austin’s second Panera Bread is now open at 4635 William Cannon Drive at the Brush Country Road intersection. The bakery and restaurant specializes in freshly baked bread. For more information, call 358-8600.

11 - Tex-Mex

Chuys is preparing to open its fifth local restaurant April 15 at 4301 W. William Cannon Drive, Bldg. C in Arbor Trails. The original location is on Barton Springs Road, which opened in 1982 serving Tex-Mex dishes.

12 - American fare

Cheddar’s Casual Café opened its third Austin area location and began serving its American-style cuisine April 7 at 4301 W. William Cannon Drive. The menu offers a variety of dishes from burgers and sandwiches to dinner entrees.

13 - Big, round pizza

Although a date is not finalized, Red Brick Pizza is scheduled to open in May in the Arbor Trails shopping center, which is at the corner of William Cannon Drive and south MoPac. The fire-roasted gourmet pizza franchise has three other area locations with another site also opening in May in Northwest Austin.

14 - Neighborhood center

At the lighted intersection at Davis Lane and Brodie Lane, Carr Development, Inc. plans to break ground on Brodie Park Shopping Center in April. Located at 9001 Brodie Lane, the approximately 23,000 sq. ft. space will be designed as a neighborhood center with mostly local market tenants. Suite sizes are available from 1,000 to 15,600 sq. ft. Pad sites are available for restaurants and banks. For more information, call 306-1771.

15 - Car scrub

The H2O Hand Car Wash and Detail opened March 27 and is now providing its services at 7700 Brodie Lane near William Cannon. Prices start at $16 for a basic hand car wash, which includes windows, dash, door panels, interior vacuuming and hand drying. For more information, call 300-0492.

16 - Medical offices

The slab was poured in March for StoneGate II, a more than 74,000 sq. ft. development at 2500 William Cannon Dr near West Gate Boulevard. Around eight possible tenants are in negotiations for what will largely be medical office space. The project is expected to be completed in the next three to four months. For more information, call 327-5675.

17 - Art festival

An all-day event, the Sunset Valley ArtFest will be held April 26 at the Toney Burger Center on Hwy. 290 between Brodie Lane and West Gate Boulevard. The free festival will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 6 p.m., showcasing live music and artist booths. Children can also enjoy special hands-on projects at the Echo Kids event. For more information, call 892-1954.

18 - Gardening sale

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will host its Spring Plant Sale & Gardening Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 12 and 13. The selection will include native wildflowers, trees and shrubs and heritage tree seedlings descended from the oaks, pecans and cedar elms at the LBJ Ranch National Historic Site. Expert gardeners will be on site with information about how to select, plant and grow these plants and attract butterflies, birds and wildlife. Cost is the same as admission into the center, which is $7 for adults. Members are free. For more information, call 232-0100.