A planned $2 million makeover of Auditorium Shores will shift the hike-and-bike trail away from the river, restore the eroding shoreline and add parking to the heavily used area.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Thursday announced a $1 million grant for the project, which will affect about 10 acres surrounding the trailhead near Lady Bird Lake, between South First Street and Lamar Boulevard. The City of Austin will contribute $1 million from a 2006 voter-approved bond package designated for trail improvements.

Plans call for moving the hike-and-bike trail away from the shoreline and closer to Riverside Drive to avoid conflicts between dogs playing at the off-leash area and cyclists and pedestrians using the trail.  They also include adding 38 parking spaces and reconfiguring the parking lot into a more driver-friendly loop. New restrooms, landscaping, a drinking fountain, a foot bath, a misting element, trash cans and signs are part of the project, too. A more permanent cold-water drinking station, instead of the portable tables and jugs of water now filled by RunTex, might be incorporated into the design.

"It'll be a more generous and pleasant pedestrian place," said Marty Stump, project management supervisor for the city's Parks and Recreation Department's office of capital improvement programs. "A nice beginning and ending to a day on the trail."  Construction isn't due to begin for 12 to 16 months. A preliminary schematic design was submitted with the grant application, but more community meetings are planned before the final design is approved and permits are issued. The renovations will involve some trail detours and parking closures.

The project is one of the last pieces of a park master plan the city wrote in the late 1990s for land around the Long Center for the Performing Arts and Palmer Events Center.  The Texas Parks and Wildlife grant is part of $5.6 million in competitive grants awarded for city and county parks across the state. Funding comes from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Texas Recreation and Parks Account.

"There's not much better investment in Austin than doing something down on Lady Bird Lake," said Tim Hogsett, director of recreation grants for Texas Parks and Wildlife, which has provided funding for numerous trail and park projects around Lady Bird Lake since the late 1960s. "This is really a legacy project for us."

According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, 1,973 single-family homes were sold in the Austin-area in July 2011, a 32 percent increase from July 2010. During the same time period, the median price for Austin-area homes was $196,750, resulting in an 11 percent decrease when compared to July 2010.

Judith Bundschuh, Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, commented, "We can now compare month-to-month sales activity to a market that is not influenced by last year's homebuyer tax credits."

Chairman Bundschuh continued, "The median price for Austin-area homes decreased in July, reflecting a shift in demand from higher to lower-priced homes. The increase in sales compared to the drop in price shows that Austinites are hunting for bargains."

Austin-area homes spent an average of 77 days on the market, four days longer than July 2010. The Austin market also featured 13 percent fewer new listings in July 2011, which was 20 percent fewer active listings and 28 percent more pending sales than in July 2010.

"The combination of decreasing listings and increasing sales means the inventory of Austin-area homes is beginning to shrink," said Bundschuh. "Recent sales activity continues to follow an upward trend, indicating that Austin could be returning to a pre-recession cycle."
 

The volume of townhouses and condominiums (condos) purchased in the Austin-area in July 2011 was 205, which represents a 45 percent rise over July 2011. In the same time period, the median price for condos was $164,250, three percent higher than July 2010, and townhouses spent an average of 82 days on the market, eight days less than July 2010.

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From www.austinist.com

Kerby Lane

Kerbey Lane's south Austin location is about to make a move to what was formerly a Blockbuster Video store on S. Lamar. They're currently operating with about 3,000 square feet, and the new spot offers a generous 5,270 (via), which is hopefully going to reduce wait times and give wait staff dozens more tables to turn every shift. Presumably, staff will beef up to take care of all the new customers that are sure to roll in.

Kerbey Lane owners wrote a letter to their customers offering some more good news: easier parking and a patio at their new location at 3005 S. Lamar, expected to open later this year.

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 From www.barleyswine.com

Barley Swine 

Barley Swine, by Chef Bryce Gilmore, is cleverly named for the chef's fondness of both pork and beer, which will naturally be prominent fixtures on the menu. Gilmore, the man behind the always imaginative Odd Duck Farm to Trailer, has expanded into his first brick and mortar space in the heart of South Austin.

Like Odd Duck, Barley Swine's ever-changing menu features refined techniques juxtaposed with rustic ingredients sourced from local farms.

Heavy on the suds, the beer list features brews from the burgeoning brew-munity in Austin with beer pairings and special bottle service to give diners a way to share their meals and malty libations.

As a beer and wine only establishment, the wine list is comprised mostly of domestic varietals, something to please even the loftiest of winos.

With an innovative menu using fresh, well-known ingredients in creative ways, Barley Swine continues to elevate the Austin dining scene with Gilmore as one of the city's youngest and most talented chefs.

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