The Allandale Reporter

First MoPac 1-to-ONE to be held March 7

From the desk of John P. Kelly, P.E., MoPac 1 Project Manager, DMJM Harris

TxDOT and the MoPac 1 project team have been committed to making public involvement and participation a very high priority. That’s why, in addition to the two open houses we held last September, we have met with numerous individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives, as well as many neighborhood groups, community organizations, and business organizations with various interests in Loop 1 mobility.

Note from Lamar Middle School

On behalf of the Lamar PTA and the parents, students and staff of Lamar Middle School we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Allandale Neighborhood Associations for its generous contribution of $500.00 to the PTA.  We’re proud to be associated and have the support of such an involved and community minded organization as the ANA.

Please excuse the informality in sending this by electronic mail but I was not able to find a mailing address for ANA.  Thanks again.

Take care 

Vera D. Massaro
Secretary, Lamar PTA

Northcross Redevelopment - Next Steps

Seems like it has been a long time  since ANA held its special meeting at Covenant Presbyterian Church and approved the following motion: "ANA has the intent to file a lawsuit against the City based on advice of legal counsel. ANA will begin immediately to raise money for a lawsuit. ANA will actively pursue meeting with and if necessary, monetarily supporting like organizations whether or not we pursue a lawsuit."

Since that time, we’ve been very busy on the Northcross redevelopment project and our collective efforts are making a difference. Thanks to all of the residents who have volunteered their time and expertise on this project and to both the current and past ANA Executive Committee members for their work and support.

Based on Wednesday's meeting with the City, Lincoln Property and Wal-Mart's representatives, technical staff, and consultants, they have addressed a number of the concerns we submitted in writing back in January. These include truck routes, acces to the development via Foster Lane, hours of operation, design, truck idling, traffic at the intersection of Burnet and Anderson, sidwalks, greenspace, and others.

March Newsletter - Know your Allandale

You should have received the March edition of the Allandale Neighbor on your doorstep this week. (If you did not let us know). Here's why you should read it. We have a profile on Phyllis Brinkley, "The Mayor of Allandale Wants You: A Tribute to Phyllis Brinkley." Phyllis is a longtime resident of Allandale and major contributor to what makes Allandale a great neighborhood. Every major issue in the history of this neighborhood going back to 1955 was touched by Phyllis.

Other stories covered in this edition include a business profile of Terra Toys, a thank you to Gretchen and Paul for their service on the Allandale Board, results from the Allandale Neighborhood Survey conducted in the Fall, fundrasing efforts for the Allandale Legal Fund, and more. Of course if you don't feel like getting up from your chair, you can just download it here (requires Adobe Acrobat reader).

Used Lacrosse Equipment Needed

Dear Neighbors,
The McCallum Lacrosse team is in need of used Lacrosse equipment for some of their new players. Please check your closets and consider donating some of your used equipment. Playing lacrosse has provided a very positive experience to many of the youth in our neighborhood. I can be contacted at: jvillarreal5@austin.rr.com if you need help making arrangements to donate your extra equipment.

Elsa Villarreal

Notes from Yesterday's Meeting on Northcross

submitted by Tom Linehan

Here are my notes from yesterday's meeting. It was held at the offices of Armbrust & Brown from 11:00 to 1:30. Representatives from Allandale, North Shoal Creek, Crestview and Brentwood neighborhood associations and RG4N were in attendance as well as Laura Morrison with the Austin Neighborhood Council, Laura Huffman, Assistant City Manager, other City staff, a number of lawyers and Wal-Mart and Lincoln Property experts. The room was crowded.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide the neighborhoods with their response to the issues the neighborhoods submitted to the City regarding 

Farmer’s Market Developers to Present Plans March 21

The following are Steven Zettner's  notes from a meeting held tonight with County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt and area neighborhood representatives regarding the future of the Farmers market property along Burnet Rd.

Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt has tentatively scheduled a public meeting on Wednesday, March 21 to present four competing plans for redevelopment of the Farmer’s Market property to area residents. Each developer will have half an hour to present their plan. Confirmation of the date, time and place will follow in the next few days.

Letter from the Editors

This week you will be receiving the February issue of the Allandale Neighbor that includes a fresh new look. Thanks to Cathy Savage, our layout and design person, for the new design. We will also start publishing the newsletter bimonthly so we can stay in touch with you more often. Cathy Yang and Tom Linehan are the new co-editors. Together, we bring many exciting new ideas for upcoming stories. Our best idea however is to tap the talent in the neighborhood for “beat coverage,” volunteers who can research and report on Allandale-related matters. One of the characteristics of the neighborhood that people said they valued in our recent neighborhood survey is a strong sense of community. We believe keeping residents informed and getting their involvement in the newsletter and the web site builds community. The areas we’re looking for coverage on include:

• Events
• Personal Finance/Real Estate Info
• Environmental News (recycling, energy, rain barrels, etc.)
• Food—seasonal vegetables, local eateries
• Recreation/Fitness
• Health/Medical News (Vet, Alternative,
• Medical, Massage, Exercise, etc.)
• Gardening tips for Allandale
• Neighborhood Safety
• Home Remodeling/Fix It
• School Activities/Events

Please send us an email and let us know your interest and we will follow up with the details. If you have other ideas, send them along as well to: allandalereporter@yahoo.com.

Thanks.  And be on the lookout for the newsletter on your doorstep. 

—Tom and Cathy

Ice Rink at Risk

One of the features of Lincoln Property's redevelopment of Northcross is an expanded ice rink,  however Thursday's article in the Austin Business Journal says that's at risk if there are further delays on the redevelopment. The owner of Chaparral Ice, Charles Collins, says a lawsuit over the development could put him out of business. Here's the link to the article, "Wal-Mart brawl puts Northcross tenant on thin ice."

In the News

There is a very good article in Thursday's Austin Chronicle on the Northcross redevelopment project: "Developing Stories: Bigger than WalMart" by Katherine Gregor. And in today's Austin American-Statesman, there is an article about the City Council passing the big box ordinance, "Austin sets new rules for retail projects."