April 15, 2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

🚧 The Frank Erwin Center has left the skyline

An excavator moving debris in front of the nearly demolished Frank Erwin Center skeleton.

The Frank Erwin Center stood for 46 years, though plans to replace “The Drum” began ~10 years ago. | Photo by ATXtoday

By the time summer turns to fall, the Frank Erwin Center will be a memory.

The former home to Texas basketball is now down to a skeleton. Crews anticipate that the entire building, including underground structures, will be completely gone by September.

Demolition began in August, when the University of Texas System Board of Regents announced that the venue would be torn down to make room for a new MD Anderson cancer treatment center.

The venue’s demolition has been in the works for ~10 years. The Moody Center opened as a replacement venue in 2022 and plans to replace the building were announced in 2014.

Before: the rounded Frank Erwin Center as seen from in the air. After: the center's steel structure surrounded by debris and a basketball hoop. — The Frank Erwin Center was demolished through a reverse engineering process, as opposed to using explosives.
|
Photos by ATXtoday and LoneStarMike

The building — which was also called “The Drum” for its round shape — was built in 1977 and cost $34 million to erect. Demolition is expected to cost $25 million.

Instead of using explosives, crews used a reverse engineering process to perform the demolition, starting with the roof and transferring all the materials down to the ground through a chute in the center of the venue.

An excavator moving debris in front of the Frank Erwin Center sign. — The Frank Erwin Center’s iconic sign will remain standing to promote events at the Moody Center.
|
Photo by ATXtoday

UT Austin’s Executive Director of Planning, Design, and Construction Dan Cook said 80% of the recovered materials will be reused or recycled. Those materials include ~4,000 tons of steel and ~135,000 tons of concrete.

As of now, the Frank Erwin Center’s sign will remain standing to advertise events at the Moody Center.

Asked

Did you ever attend an event at the Frank Erwin Center?

A. Yes, a basketball game
B. Yes, a graduation ceremony
C. Yes, a concert or other event
D. No, I never visited

Be Frank with us

Events

Monday, April 15

Energy Thought Summit | Now-Thursday, April 18 | Times vary | Austin Marriott Downtown, 304 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | $150-$1,749 | The 11th annual conference + networking event centers on developments in clean energy sources and follows the theme “Imagine.”
Happyland | Monday, April 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $15 | Start your week with live tunes from local Austin musicians.
Madonna | Monday, April 15 | 8:30 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $138-$2,154 | The “Material Girl” herself will perform her greatest hits alongside special guest Bob The Drag Queen.

Tuesday, April 16

Ladies Night Comedy Showcase | Tuesday, April 16 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Shakespeare’s, 314 E. 6th St., Austin | $5-$10 | Laugh with some of the best in the local comedy scene at this all-women standup show.

Wednesday, April 17

Indie Meme Film Festival | Wednesday, April 17-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Austin Film Society, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin | $70-$200 | Tune into South Asian cinema and Q+As at five days of screenings and events.

Thursday, April 18

“Into The Woods” | Thursday, April 18-Sunday, April 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Mary Moody Northen Theatre, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $30 | Dig into the dark side of fairy tales with this comedy by Stephen Sondheim + James Lapine.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

▼SPONSORED▼

Wellness

3 game-changing benefits of cannabis edibles + flower

A group of friends sit on a picnic mat enjoying Best Buds products together.

Best Buds Premium Cannabis prides itself on cultivating a community based around educated cannabis consumption. | Photo by Shelby Erin Photography

Looking to try CBD or legal THC products but not sure where to begin? We’re breaking down the benefits these products can provide with help from the experts at Best Buds Premium Cannabis. Here’s the 4-1-1:

Better sleep
Research suggests that cannabis products can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Improved workouts
Consuming cannabis before a workout can keep you calm so you can focus on breathing and control your movements accurately. After a workout, it helps speed up recovery by reducing muscle inflammation + swelling.

Boosts mood
Studies also show that cannabis may help improve mood.

Best Buds offers a variety of legal hemp products, including hemp flower cultivated right here in Austin.^†

Bonus: Don’t miss their 4/20 sale, featuring discounts on their bestselling edibles + hemp flower.

Shop the sale

†Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Best Buds Premium Cannabis advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by ATXtoday.

News Notes

Health

It’s the end of an era. Austin Public Health is retiring its COVID-19 Dashboard after four years in use, as health providers are no longer required to report cases to public health. At its height, the dashboard reported 22,000+ cases in one week in January 2022.

Real Estate

Last month, the City of Austin hit four months of housing inventory for the first time since September 2011, indicating confidence for both buyers and sellers. The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metro area is slightly lower, at 3.8 months.

Outdoors

Officers with Austin Animal Center caught two emus roaming through Zilker Park around 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11. The birds were safely transported to the Austin Zoo, where they will be cared for until their owners are located. (KVUE)

Number

39,967. That’s how many travelers came through AUS on Thursday, April 11, making it the third busiest day on record for the airport. Last week’s total eclipse brought a huge influx of travel to ATX, with 37,147 traveling out on Tuesday, April 9. (KXAN)

Civic

The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office opened up a Request for Proposals to expand resources for the city’s unhoused population last week. Qualified providers could receive $2 million for services to help provide assistance — click here to apply.

Opening

A new sandwich shop and speakeasy open today in a shared space at 301 W. 5th St. Manny’s will serve a selection of ‘wiches (like BLTs, French dips, banh mi, Cubanos, and unique creations), and you’ll find Powder Room through the back door of the restaurant. (Eater Austin)

Sports

Where does the Cowboys’ mock draft stand? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Learn

Curious about the latest trends in business software? Learn from the local experts at Zoho during Zoholics — an annual event (happening June 5-6 in Austin) featuring cutting-edge sessions, hands-on workshops, thought-provoking keynotes, and more. Pro tip: Use ATXTODAY50 for 50% off (general admission only).*

Travel

Looking to beat the heat this summer? Head to Seabrook, Washington’s award-winning beach town. Home to mild temperatures, miles of beach, luxury vacation homes, hiking trails, and more — it’s an ideal getaway for all ages. Bonus: There’s direct shuttle service from the airport. Use code TEXAS10 and save 10%. Plan your visit.*

Food

🧀 This is so gouda

A spread of cheese, spices, crackers, tomatoes, and sauces on a leaf from above.

The event is intended to become part of an ongoing series of cheese-centric events. | Photo courtesy of Tamara Buran

Rasam & Cheese will bring former Dai Due chef Deepa Shridhar and former Antonelli’s Cheese Shop employee Alex Palomo together for tastings.

The Buy

Seaav workout gear. Try out these trendy pieces from a brand who donates 1% of profits towards the We The Reef Foundation.

Share ATXtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_5}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

City Editor Figi poses with an adorable goat.

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

I never saw a concert or a basketball game at the Frank Erwin Center, but I did go to a few graduations there in my day. Do you have any fond memories or photos to share of the Frank Erwin Center? Send them my way and I might include them in an upcoming newsletter.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP