Downtown Projects

[Somnio 751]

Indeed Tower

 

Crane installed at Hanover

 

 

Hanover construction site

 

[Pasken 1309]

Parsley Energy might have some office space to lease when their new building on Colorado finishes up...

[Guest Lobo]

I wouldn't count on it.  Their leverage profile looks okay (not good, but not awful), and they're conveniently getting into the wind business on top of their mineral packages.  

 

[Gucci_Suit 2688]

Cranes are still swinging out there today. 

[Somnio 751]

Crane base installed at 6x:

 

Hanover Republic Square:

 

I can confirm as of today there appears to be no slowdown at any of the construction sites I've seen downtown.

[Guest Lobo]

Yeah, the developers I checked in with this week are all full-steam ahead on a handful of projects in Central Austin.  Don't know how long that will last, but.  

Said there were a few crews that were a few guys short, but nothing beyond some nominal delays. One guy brought up a good point, he is the head of one of the larger construction companies in Texas.  Everyone would know his company name.  Said a lot of these guys are gonna work until it becomes 100% illegal to be seen at a job site.  Come hell or high water, they're gonna keep getting a check and doing a good job.  But they all worry that (no/CR, but fuck off if you don't see the logic here) Trump is gonna start vilifying construction sites for spreading the virus because (dog whistle alert), it's one of the last en masse gatherings of manual labor allowed.  Meanwhile manufacturing plants are allowed to keep up and running despite them being in even closer quarters than open air construction sites.  But the people that make buildings are Hispanic.  And people that ship bottled water aren't.  NoCR, and fuck off if you don't see his point.  

[Somnio 751]

And just like that, construction sites have shut down. 

Apparently Austin's Shelter in Place order does not exclude construction.

[Armybrat 41018]

Stupid, just like the closed golf courses. 
if people are still “allowed” to walk outside in parks, trails & around their neighborhoods as long as they SD, what’s the difference with being outside on a course or a construction site?

[ImissWallyPryor 9046]

On 3/20/2020 at 10:33 AM, Lobo said:

Yeah, the developers I checked in with this week are all full-steam ahead on a handful of projects in Central Austin.  Don't know how long that will last, but.  

Said there were a few crews that were a few guys short, but nothing beyond some nominal delays. One guy brought up a good point, he is the head of one of the larger construction companies in Texas.  Everyone would know his company name.  Said a lot of these guys are gonna work until it becomes 100% illegal to be seen at a job site.  Come hell or high water, they're gonna keep getting a check and doing a good job.  But they all worry that (no/CR, but fuck off if you don't see the logic here) Trump is gonna start vilifying construction sites for spreading the virus because (dog whistle alert), it's one of the last en masse gatherings of manual labor allowed.  Meanwhile manufacturing plants are allowed to keep up and running despite them being in even closer quarters than open air construction sites.  But the people that make buildings are Hispanic.  And people that ship bottled water aren't.  NoCR, and fuck off if you don't see his point.  

nm

Edited March 25, 2020 by ImissWallyPryor
Dammit, I fell for it. Sorry.

[tokamak 6464]

Indeed should have had a sense of humor and put a comma in the name of their building.

[Somnio 751]

Okay, I need to amend my statement regarding construction stopping.

I'm not sure what's going on now.  It looks like some projects haven't stopped working, but  appear to not have as many workers on site.

Are they just limiting the number of workers per jobsite?  I don't know.

[South Austin 52746]

15 minutes ago, Somnio said:

Okay, I need to amend my statement regarding construction stopping.

I'm not sure what's going on now.  It looks like some projects haven't stopped working, but  appear to not have as many workers on site.

Are they just limiting the number of workers per jobsite?  I don't know.

Yesterday the City of Austin issued an advisory clarifying its SIP order and stating that commercial and residential projects are generally subject to the order, and only enumerated exceptions are permitted.  The language of the SIP order allowing construction reads as follows:

“Construction, including public works construction, and construction of affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, social services construction, and other construction that supports essential uses, including essential businesses, government functions, or critical infrastructure, or otherwise as required in response to this public health emergency.”

Many lawyers and construction trade groups read that language broadly, as on its face it permits construction in general, followed by an arguably nonexhaustive list of construction projects.  In response, the City has said in effect, "No really, we mean only those projects enumerated in the order can proceed."  As a result, many commercial and residential construction projects are halted under the SIP order, although the City is giving contractors and project owners a few days grace to wrap up their work.

But questions still remain.  Can construction of residential subdivisions proceed at least in part if that construction involves installation of roads and utilities that could be "critical infrastructure"?  The City's advisory raises many other questions and shows just what a mess we're dealing with.  And the impacts are huge.  In addition to halting so many construction projects across the City, whenever the SIP order is lifted can you imaging the burdens contractors and project owners will face in having to re-mobilize subcontractors and trades who have scattered?  That will take on several more weeks of indefinite delays in resuming work. 

I expect growing pressure from the construction industry explaining just how devastating it would be to shut down most commercial and residential projects will cause the City to further amend or clarify the SIP order. 

Sorry I can't find the advisory online.  A law partner forwarded a pdf copy of it to me late yesterday, and this Luddite can't figure out how to paste an image of it.

[Jiggy-Z 3469]

22 hours ago, South Austin said:

Yesterday the City of Austin issued an advisory clarifying its SIP order and stating that commercial and residential projects are generally subject to the order, and only enumerated exceptions are permitted.  The language of the SIP order allowing construction reads as follows:

“Construction, including public works construction, and construction of affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, social services construction, and other construction that supports essential uses, including essential businesses, government functions, or critical infrastructure, or otherwise as required in response to this public health emergency.”

Many lawyers and construction trade groups read that language broadly, as on its face it permits construction in general, followed by an arguably nonexhaustive list of construction projects.  In response, the City has said in effect, "No really, we mean only those projects enumerated in the order can proceed."  As a result, many commercial and residential construction projects are halted under the SIP order, although the City is giving contractors and project owners a few days grace to wrap up their work.

But questions still remain.  Can construction of residential subdivisions proceed at least in part if that construction involves installation of roads and utilities that could be "critical infrastructure"?  The City's advisory raises many other questions and shows just what a mess we're dealing with.  And the impacts are huge.  In addition to halting so many construction projects across the City, whenever the SIP order is lifted can you imaging the burdens contractors and project owners will face in having to re-mobilize subcontractors and trades who have scattered?  That will take on several more weeks of indefinite delays in resuming work. 

I expect growing pressure from the construction industry explaining just how devastating it would be to shut down most commercial and residential projects will cause the City to further amend or clarify the SIP order. 

Sorry I can't find the advisory online.  A law partner forwarded a pdf copy of it to me late yesterday, and this Luddite can't figure out how to paste an image of it.

Yeah.  This was pretty much my read on the initial advisory.

I think there need to be a longer grace period or some case by case allowances.

For example, my concrete construction firm is working on a small condo project in east Austin with 17 foundations.  We are scheduled to pour 6 foundations on Monday, but that may get moved to Wednesday due to other trades need to to come in and do final work and be inspected before we pour.  We also have beams opened up on all the other foundations and those need to get poured as well.  The site is about an acre and we have about 8 people on site and they generally work more than 6' apart.

This is especially bothersome because Hays and Williamson Cos have no such restrictions.

[gmr548 16645]

On 3/25/2020 at 7:46 AM, Armybrat said:

Stupid, just like the closed golf courses. 
if people are still “allowed” to walk outside in parks, trails & around their neighborhoods as long as they SD, what’s the difference with being outside on a course or a construction site?

Probably that golf is nominally social (groups of 2-4, riding around in carts, etc.) and, more likely, they don't want to staff the courses.

 

 

[Armybrat 41018]

Other golf courses are mandating one person per cart, with more spread out Tee times.

[Armybrat 41018]

7 hours ago, Jiggy-Z said:

Yeah.  This was pretty much my read on the initial advisory.

I think there need to be a longer grace period or some case by case allowances.

For example, my concrete construction firm is working on a small condo project in east Austin with 17 foundations.  We are scheduled to pour 6 foundations on Monday, but that may get moved to Wednesday due to other trades need to to come in and do final work and be inspected before we pour.  We also have beams opened up on all the other foundations and those need to get poured as well.  The site is about an acre and we have about 8 people on site and they generally work more than 6' apart.

This is especially bothersome because Hays and Williamson Cos have no such restrictions.

Williamson does, because a big chunk of the southern part of the county is in Austin’s City limits.

This has to affect the 122 acre Apple campus on north Parmer and some huge apartment complexes in the Lakeline area for example.

[LonghornSean 4036]

Austin public courses are still open for walking, first come first serve. I walked Lions yesterday.

[Updawg 2327]

How crowded was the course?

[Updawg 2327]

Austin public courses are still open for walking, first come first serve. I walked Lions yesterday.

Are they all open like that? Might need to get out and play

[gsoda3 3311]

1 hour ago, LonghornSean said:

Austin public courses are still open for walking, first come first serve. I walked Lions yesterday.

you mean JUST walking or play the course but no cart?

[LonghornSean 4036]

Yep, I believe all the Austin muni courses are open for walking golf. No amenities, no flagsticks. And totally free.

 

2 hours ago, Updawg said:

How crowded was the course?

When I went to Lions around noon or so yesterday, there were people around the course but mostly twos and singles.  When I got there a twosome was teeing off and I started just after them so didn't really have to wait, other than them playing slow. I only the played the front 9, but when I got done 1:30ish it seemed a bit busier, some groups were lined up at #1 and saw another group start at #10 to avoid waiting.

Lions was well maintained too and there were people tending the course.  I went to Mo Willie on Monday or Tuesday and the course was in rough shape, greens were brutal with weeds and stuff.  Was pretty wet from rain though too.

[Player 4578]

Yesterday the City of Austin issued an advisory clarifying its SIP order and stating that commercial and residential projects are generally subject to the order, and only enumerated exceptions are permitted.  The language of the SIP order allowing construction reads as follows:
“Construction, including public works construction, and construction of affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, social services construction, and other construction that supports essential uses, including essential businesses, government functions, or critical infrastructure, or otherwise as required in response to this public health emergency.”
Many lawyers and construction trade groups read that language broadly, as on its face it permits construction in general, followed by an arguably nonexhaustive list of construction projects.  In response, the City has said in effect, "No really, we mean only those projects enumerated in the order can proceed."  As a result, many commercial and residential construction projects are halted under the SIP order, although the City is giving contractors and project owners a few days grace to wrap up their work.
But questions still remain.  Can construction of residential subdivisions proceed at least in part if that construction involves installation of roads and utilities that could be "critical infrastructure"?  The City's advisory raises many other questions and shows just what a mess we're dealing with.  And the impacts are huge.  In addition to halting so many construction projects across the City, whenever the SIP order is lifted can you imaging the burdens contractors and project owners will face in having to re-mobilize subcontractors and trades who have scattered?  That will take on several more weeks of indefinite delays in resuming work. 
I expect growing pressure from the construction industry explaining just how devastating it would be to shut down most commercial and residential projects will cause the City to further amend or clarify the SIP order. 
Sorry I can't find the advisory online.  A law partner forwarded a pdf copy of it to me late yesterday, and this Luddite can't figure out how to paste an image of it.

I received this from the Texas Construction Association yesterday:

https://t.congressweb.com/w/?PKKQAISMPN

[Armybrat 41018]

8 minutes ago, Player said:

 

I received this from the Texas Construction Association yesterday:

https://t.congressweb.com/w/?PKKQAISMPN

 

Forward that to Mayor Adler.

[orangeut 212]

Question.   I looked at the cam shot of DKR and it appears there are workers continuing on the south end zone site.   I wonder why the downtown constructions projects have halted, but this project is able to continue?   I mean, I want the stadium finished asap, but how about the safety of those workers?     Odd.

[LebongJames 1827]

Construction is considered essential throughout the state. Job sites are open, most never fully shut down.

Abbott took care of that on Tuesday

Edited April 3, 2020 by LebongJames

[Guest Lobo]

demolition underway for the Hyatt Centric at 8th & congress.  Though there are serious concerns about the new group's financial solvency to carry it to completion.  

[orangeut 212]

5 hours ago, LebongJames said:

Construction is considered essential throughout the state. Job sites are open, most never fully shut down.

Abbott took care of that on Tuesday

I guess I missed that,  thanks

[bolverk 29835]

8 hours ago, orangeut said:

Question.   I looked at the cam shot of DKR and it appears there are workers continuing on the south end zone site.   I wonder why the downtown constructions projects have halted, but this project is able to continue?   I mean, I want the stadium finished asap, but how about the safety of those workers?     Odd.

 

8 hours ago, LebongJames said:

Construction is considered essential throughout the state. Job sites are open, most never fully shut down.

Abbott took care of that on Tuesday

 

3 hours ago, orangeut said:

I guess I missed that,  thanks

A few points from my understanding:

A) Yes, Austin/Travis Co. issued an order that new commercial/residential construction was not considered essential after a couple of days of confusion and shut it down.

B) UT, as a State entity, doesn't have to comply by local city/county directives anyway as it operates as a separate jurisdiction.

C) The State stepped in and told the city/county to go fuck themselves, so new commercial/residential construction has started back up.

[Armybrat 41018]

3 hours ago, orangeut said:

I guess I missed that,  thanks

Adler’s shutdown wasn’t applicable to any state projects.

edited to add: bolverk has quicker fingers.

Edited April 4, 2020 by Armybrat

[bolverk 29835]

1 minute ago, Armybrat said:

Adler’s shutdown wasn’t applicable to any state projects.

More succinct.

[Armybrat 41018]

I liked your c) better.

[bolverk 29835]

1 minute ago, Armybrat said:

I liked your c) better.

I'm cool with it so long as they make sure construction workers who need the work/pay function safely and don't spread shit, which is obviously easier than worker bees in an in-door cube farm than outdoors.

It's only the porta-potties that give me any pause.

[Armybrat 41018]

Well, they can just shit and piss on the sidewalk in front of the W.

No worries.

[bolverk 29835]

6 minutes ago, Armybrat said:

Well, they can just shit and piss on the sidewalk in front of the W.

No worries.

Don't forget the 2 self-cleaning toilet-o-matics that were installed downtown. I posted a story about them a few months ago but haven't heard any follow-up on if they work.

That said, 30 years ago, there were some in Paris when I was a late teen and it blew my small town, West Texas mind.

[Armybrat 41018]

San Antonio has one on the street above the Riverwalk near Casa Rio.

[Somnio 751]

As far as I can tell it's full steam ahead again.

 

 

 

 

 

[orangeut 212]

Anyone with an update on this thread?   Downtown projects still going on?   thanks

[Somnio 751]

I regularly get a look at 6x, Hanover Republic, Parsley Energy, Indeed, Google, Brandywine, and Thompson Hotel.

All of them are still progressing.

[orangeut 212]

thanks  

[Somnio 751]

6x Guadalupe

 

Indeed Tower

 

Parsley Energy Tower

 

Hanover Republic Square

 

Thompson Hotel

 

[Somnio 751]

Another view of Parsley Energy Tower from the west.

 

[Guest Lobo]

Do they lose naming rights after conceding back that much square footage?  

 

[Fico 1791]

5 minutes ago, Lobo said:

Do they lose naming rights after conceding back that much square footage?  

 

Parsley has not given back any space in the new tower yet. They terminated part of their lease hold until he current building, Colorado Tower. That space was then back filled by DLA Piper. 

[Guest Lobo]

Gotcha.  I misread that ABJ article.  

[Deej 77235]

[Somnio 751]

Hanover Republic Square

 

[Somnio 751]

I just heard an interesting tidbit related to an HEB grocery store opening downtown.

I don't have a timeline, but I can tell you it will be in an existing property very near the center of downtown.  The property takes up half a block, has frontage on three major downtown streets, and has lots of parking.

It's a killer location for an HEB, but I always assumed they'd move into a new project if they opened a downtown store.

But I was told the entire building would be undergoing an extensive makeover, so it will probably be as good as new when they are finished.

[Guest Lobo]

How about you tell us which location exactly.  And I'll make sure you get well meantime...

[Somnio 751]

15 minutes ago, Lobo said:

How about you tell us which location exactly.  And I'll make sure you get well meantime...

Sorry, I'd feel weird releasing the address since there hasn't been any public announcement.  And while my source is trusted, I do not know for sure if it is 100% a done deal.  

[Guest Lobo]

No worries, I get it.  My usual MO on collecting market intel is compromised right now as it is frowned upon to meet for whiskey and lies in debaucherous locations.