06.23.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

🏗 Changes coming to the east side

Inside Endeavor’s plans for a mixed-use development in East Austin

The Borden Dairy Plant, as seen from Levander Loop.

The Borden Dairy Company plant is right off of Levander Loop in the Govalle neighborhood. | Photo via Google Street View

Changes are coming to East Austin, this time in the form of one of the area’s biggest developments yet.

The Endeavor Real Estate Group — the same team behind The Domain, Plaza Saltillo, and the in-the-works Statesman site development — plans to bring a new, mixed-use community to Govalle.

What’s there now?

The 21-acre property at 71 Strandtman Cove is currently home to a Borden Dairy Company plant. The site is settled just off the northern banks of the Colorado River, near the Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary and historic Montopolis Bridge.

By the numbers

Although fine details for the project have yet to be nailed down — there aren’t even any renderings yet — developers envision an expansive, multi-use space designed for living, working, shopping and eating. Features include:

1,400 housing units
~400,000 sqft of office space
100,000+ sqft of retail
A 220-room hotel

A map showing icons of where restaurants, office buildings, and breweries are near the upcoming Borden Dairy site. — Explore restaurants and breweries near the Borden Dairy site with our interactive map.
|
Map by ATXtoday

Why it matters

The development is part of a slew of new activity in East Austin, a historically Black and Hispanic neighborhood.

It’s also likely to become one of the largest projects on the east side so far. Located within a mile of De Nada Cantina, Central Machine Works, Holiday, and Wanderlust Wine Co., the development will add to a burgeoning restaurant and bar district. It’s also just down the road from Springdale Green, an 870,000-sqft office space expected to open later this year.

Early stages

Developers are working to rezone the property from industrial to mixed-use, a move that was approved by the Planning Commission in March. Endeavor has also agreed to enter a community benefits agreement, which means they will make commitments to improving the area.

Earlier this month, the City Council voted in favor of the development, in the first of three readings needed to move the project forward.

Events

Friday, June 23

Blippi “The Wonderful World” tour | Friday, June 23 | 6 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $35-$65 | Kids will love seeing Blippi and Meekah sing and dance onstage.
Workshop: Rainbow Macrame Wall Hanging | Friday, June 23 | 6-7 p.m. | Blue Owl Brewing, 2400 E. Cesar Chavez St., Ste. #300, Austin | $42 | Perfect a new technique and bring home a unique piece of art at this workshop, which provides all the materials you’ll need, a commemorative glass, and four beers.

Saturday, June 24

Greater Austin Comic Con 2023 | Saturday, June 24-Sunday, June 25 | 10 a.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $15-$40 | Spend two days celebrating all things pop culture, entertainment, vendors, gaming competitions, and cosplay contests.
Painting with Oils on Porcelain | Saturday, June 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free with admission | Learn how to create beautiful artwork at this event from the Porcelain Art Show.

Sunday, June 25

Black West Austin Driving Tour | Sunday, June 25 | 4 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | Free with museum admission | It’s the last day to learn about West Austin’s Black history with this 10-stop driving tour through Clarksville and Wheatville.
Austin Vendor Market | Sunday, June 25 | 5-9 p.m. | The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd., Austin | Free | Shop local at this marketplace of local handmade goodies, or watch a live painting by Brianna August.

Monday, June 26

Amplify Book Club: “Memorial” | Monday, June 26 | 7 p.m. | BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | Free | This month’s book club discussion will center around “Memorial,” a story about family and vulnerability.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number

118º. That was the heat index — or the “feels-like” temperature — recorded at Camp Mabry on Wednesday afternoon, breaking the all-time record of 116º set in August 2016. (KUT)

Development

Tesla may open a showroom in a former H-E-B in southwest Austin, recent filings show. The 64,771-sqft space would be renovated for an estimated $6.7 million, with construction beginning this December. (Austin American-Statesman)

Traffic

Brace yourselves for upcoming closures on Braker Lane near Q2 Stadium as crews work on CapMetro’s new McKalla Place Station. The road will be closed at the rail crossing between Burnet Road and West Kramer Lane from Friday, July 7 to Wednesday, July 12. (KXAN)

Edu

The UT System announced a new, 24/7 virtual mental health support program for all of its institutions. The program begins this fall as part of a $16.5 million commitment made last year by the UT Board of Regents.

Biz

Accenture Austin, Neilsen and Bainbridge, and Southeast Service Corporation will lay off 425 employees total in the Austin and Bastrop area by mid-August, according to an alert from the Texas Workforce Commission. (KXAN)

Shop

Côtier Brand, an Austin-based party products company, signed a deal with Target to sell its wares nationally. Côtier items — like mimosa bar decoration kits and napkins emblazoned with conversation starters — are now available at 150 Target stores. (Austin American-Statesman)

Austinite

Austin resident and fashion designer Brittany Allen will compete in this season of “Project Runway All Stars,” which premiered last week. Brittany competed in season 18 of Project Runway, and is known for her swimwear and ready-to-wear collections. (CBS Austin)

Wellness

“How many cups of coffee do you have daily?” If your answer is, “The limit does not exist” — and you need a little boost to keep you going through the workday — take this three-minute quiz to see which natural adaptogen supplement you should try (for 15% off with code 6amcity).*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Festival

🎥 Dim the lights

The Austin Asian American Film Festival returns with a lineup of moving films

A still from "The Fall of the I-Hotel," showing a man holding up a hand to an unseen person.

“The Fall of the I-Hotel” is a documentary about the eviction of elderly tenants at the International Hotel in San Francisco. | Still from “The Fall of the I-Hotel,” provided by the Austin Asian American Film Festival.

The Austin Asian American Film Festival is officially underway, and that means there’s a host of fascinating, film-focused fun slated for this weekend.

The AAAFF is a nonprofit organization that has been putting on film fests featuring Asian and Asian American creators in Austin for more than a decade.

The 15th edition of the festival kicked off with a few screenings earlier this week, but most of the programming is scheduled for today, Saturday, and Sunday. We recommend checking out:

“Waiting for the Light to Change” | Today at 8:15 p.m.
“The Fall of the I-Hotel” | Saturday, June 24 at 1:20 p.m.
“How to Have an American Baby” | Sunday, June 25 at 4:55 p.m.

Attend the fest at AFS Cinema with an all-access badge for $140 or by buying tickets to individual films for $10-$15 each.

Shoutout

Become a member, get benefits

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

According to one analysis, Austin’s Hogwarts house is Ravenclaw. The Capital City earned its smarty pants stripes by leading the report in the number of bachelor degrees per 100,000 people — 42,664.

Do you agree with Austin’s placement? Let me know and share your own Hogwarts house while you’re at it.

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