BrykerWoods Neighborhood

34th Street Reconstruction project - meet the Contractor event

The City of Austin is planning a Meet the Contractor event for the upcoming 34th Street Reconstruction project. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the project and have your questions answered. This meeting is an open house format so you may stop in anytime during the event.

Construction is planned to begin in mid to late June on the west end of 34th Street at Shoal Creek Boulevard.
 
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School has graciously agreed to let us use their facility for this event. Visit this link for a map of the location. http://www.sasaustin.org/view.image?Id=547

Meet the Contractor Open House
Monday, June 13, 2011
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrews Episcopal School
Nazro Hall

For questions about the Meet the Contractor event, please contact Julie Richey, 533-9100, ext. 15. For questions about construction or general project information, please contact:
 
Rohini Kumarage
Project Manager
(512) 974-7127
Rohini.Kumarage@ci.austin.tx.us
 
 Sincerely,
34th Street Project Team

Project ID: 5408.002
Project Name: Group 35 – 34th Street, West Avenue to Shoal Creek Bridge

34th Street Reconstruction Project

The City of Austin Public Works Department is planning street reconstruction and utility improvements for 34th Street from West Avenue to Shoal Creek.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring 2011, and last approximately 12 months. During construction residents and businesses can expect there to be some traffic impacts, lane closures, detours, noise, heavy equipment in the area, and construction dust. A portion of Shoal Creek Trail will be closed and a detour provided during construction. The contractor and City will try to keep impacts to a minimum throughout the project.

In preparation for the 34th Street Reconstruction Project, Texas Gas will be relocating gas lines located in the project area. There will be periods of construction activity associated with this work, prior to the beginning of the street reconstruction project. For information related to the Texas Gas Service line relocation, please contact: Chris Landgraf, (512) 465-1131 or CLandgraf@txgas.com

Construction contact information, phasing and timelines can be found at the website below.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/34th_street_recon.htm

Proposal to eliminate neighborhood bus service

Capital Metro is proposing to reroute the #19 bus route. The new route although improving the bus service for the Seton medical complex will effectively remove bus service for the Bryker Woods neighborhood.

Proposed #19 bus route > Download Chapter%205%20-%20Recommendations

The proposed rerouting of the #19 bus is a loss of a significant and fundamental neighborhood infrastructure component. Except for the northernmost part of Bryker Woods, convenient neighborhood access to the campus and downtown is being eliminated. Gone will be the 10 minute bus ride to campus and 15 minute ride to downtown. Also gone will be the 50 minute bus ride to ABIA.

While it is easy and convenient to argue that we should not retain the existing #19 bus route (or at least request a compromise) because not enough people use it. Could not the same argument be used about protection and preservation of our neighborhood parks? Not everyone uses them, but we all agree that it is important for our neighborhoods to have parks. Both neighborhood parks and convenient public transportation are important components to the quality of life in our neighborhood. As a central Austin residents we pay dearly for our quality of life in an urban core neighborhood (e.g. property taxes) we all also contributes .01 to CapMetro on every taxed dollar spent in Austin. We have a right to maintain our current or equivalent level of bus service.

Although there might not be enough current neighborhood ridership to retain the existing #19 bus route, there can and most likely will be more ridership as time progresses. Parking rates downtown are increasing and the increase of fuel costs along with the various other costs associated with vehicle ownership (e.g. taxes) will make public transportation a more desirable option. The #19 is an *extremely* convenient way to get directly downtown and to the airport with only ONE transfer. The loss of the #19 route through the middle of the neighborhood will be a reduction to the current quality of life for Bryker Woods. Just like the Shoal Creek Greenbelt or the Bryker Woods Elementary School, if one doesn’t currently use them, it is quite important that they remain an option. Especially to those who might want to buy a home in the Bryker Woods neighborhood. There are more and more buyers who will desire a home located in a urban core neighborhood with convenient access to the campus, downtown and the air port via public transportation. The loss of the #19 bus route is a step backward for the Bryker Woods neighborhood.

Should anyone like to provide feedback to Capital Metro regarding the proposed to rerouting the #19 bus route, below are some contacts.

John-Michael.Cortez@capmetro.org and James.Gamez@capmetro.org are asking for feedback from our neighborhood.

Other contacts include the following email addresses.

boardofdirectors@capmetro.org
customer.service@capmetro.org
feedback@capmetro.org

December waterline project at 34th Street and Kerbey

In an effort to improve reliability within the city’s water system, the City of Austin Water Utility is replacing a HUGE water valve near Bryker Woods Elementary at the of the intersection at 34^th Street and Kerbey Lane.

The process involves digging under the pavement to get to the water main and replacing a 36-inch diameter valve. This work is not intended to result in a water outage for the area.  A total of 180 square yards of pavement will be dug up for the project.

Two-way traffic will remain on 34th Street and Kerbey Lane. However, no parking will be permitted along the curbs of either street. Flaggers will be present to ease traffic congestion throughout the duration of the project.

Project Timeline

The project has been designed to make the process as expedient and interruption-free as possible for the neighboring community. The water valve is set to be replaced Dec. 19. 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010, which is during the 2009 AISD Winter Break. Here is the timeline for the project:

• Preparation begins on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009
• Three days of initial work
• Break for Christmas day
• Replace the valve on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009
• Restoration of street Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 to Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010

More info including project contacts at http://www.34thandkerbey.com

Earth Hour - 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28th

Please join with other Austinites and people all over the world in creating an energy-efficient future.  Turning off your lights at home and at work during Earth Hour, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. this Saturday, March 28th is the first step.
                                                                                                                           
Origins of Earth Hour: In 2007, 2.2 million people in Sydney Australia turned off their lights in observance of Earth Hour. In 2008, 58% of Australian adults participated, as well as 35 countries and over 370 cities.  It is estimated that 50 million took part.   The goal is over 1 billion this year. John Sutton, past president of BOMA Austin (Building Officers and Managers Association), and current board member and chair of the Sustainability Task Force has registered BOMA Austin on the official Earth Hour website and has encouraged the downtown Austin buildings to participate. The State of Texas, the University of Texas, and City of Austin facilities organizations are also taking part.
 
“Turning off lights in large buildings is deceptively complex” says Susan Meredith, author of Beyond Light Bulbs.  “Earth Hour is a great opportunity to practice and see where the obstacles are.” Susan and the Go Green Squads, a local energy efficiency firm for homes and businesses, is proposing a city-wide project to establish a sustainable energy-efficient skyline that represents Austin’s commitment to the environment while keeping its unique character.  Robert Meredith of the Go Green Squads adds that it is also a time for each individual to consider how to create a more energy-efficient lifestyle.

Put Earth Hour on your calendar and participate by turning off your lights, looking up at the sky, visiting with neighbors, and whatever else reminds you of this beautiful planet we have the privilege to live on.  Take the next step by forwarding this note, reminding people in conversations, and communicating any other way you choose.  

Electric Lawnmower Program - March 28th

Reduce your carbon footprint by going electric and save up to $70.00 when you trade in your gas-powered mower for a new cordless electric model. More emissions can be emitted by gas-powered lawnmowers used 3 times per month than from driving your late-model car every day. Cordless mowers can cut up to 1/3 of an acre (14,000 sq. feet) on a single charge and have the power to cut tall grass. Details below

Who: The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems and Home Depot.
What: The Central Tx. Electric Lawnmower Program.
When: Saturday, 3/28 from 8:30am-2pm.
Where: The So. Austin Home Depot (3600 So. IH-35 - Woodward St. Exit) - ph. 693-9811.
Why: To reduce harmful emissions from gas-powered mowers that contribute to ground-level ozone formation and emit carbon emissions that are changing our climate.

More details and to reserve your cordless or corded mower: Call Scott Johnson, Project Mgr., Central Tx. Electric Lawnmower Program at (512) 389-2250 - land line and www.cmpbs.org/electriclawnmower

Austin Energy Public Participation in Resource Planning

For over one hundred years, Austin Energy (AE) has provided energy services to Austin and the surrounding communities. Our customers have enjoyed the benefits of reliable service at some of the lowest prices in the state. AE is developing its generation plan through 2020. That plan must meet the energy demands of our growing community and City Council goals for renewable energy and carbon reduction, while providing affordable electricity rates. An important component of the planning process is input from the community. To that end, AE is conducting a public participation process to inform and to receive input from all segments of the communities that AE serves.

Austin Energy (AE) has begun a public participation process designed to inform the citizens of Austin about future energy needs and challenges. This process invites discussion and feedback on an energy plan that assures reliable supplies of electricity between now and 2020. The public participation process will involve a series of “town-hall” meetings, as well as meetings with specific stakeholder groups.

http://www.austinsmartenergy.com

"Single Stream" Recycling (changes to curbside program)

Dear BrykerWoods Neighborhood,

Beginning in October, City of Austin residential customers will have a new way to recycle—Single Stream Recycling. Single Stream is an improved, more efficient way to collect your recycling. Paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and metal cans will all go into one cart with no sorting. Single Stream also means more items will be accepted; rigid plastics #1-#7 and boxboard which includes cereal and soda boxes.

Solid Waste Services (SWS) will begin the distribution of the new 90-gallon recycling carts in October 2008. Because the carts will hold more material, collection will occur every other week, meaning fewer trucks on the road, reduced emissions and improved air quality. In addition, this new method of collection will provide greater safety for our employees. SWS is very excited to provide this improved service.

Sincerely,

William E. Rhodes, P.E.
Director, Solid Waste Services

Shoal Creek Wastewater Improvements Project (archived content)

Residents and property owners living near and on West 32nd Street, West 33rd Street, Churchill and Kerbey Lane will experience construction of a replacement wastewater line in their streets during the summer. This project is necessary to eliminate sewer overflows, and is one of about 00 wastewater construction projects taking place citywide. Construction is taking place on the Bryker Woods neighborhood part of the project during the 2005 summer break to prevent disruption of Bryker Woods Elementary School personnel, students and parents. The contractor will begin to mobilize after Memorial Day (May 30) with intent to conclude (except for final street repairs) before school begins in mid August. The construction of the replacement wastewater line includes reconnection of residents’ home services to the replacement line in the street. Residents will be able to enter and exit their driveways during construction but through traffic will be diverted. Streets and driveways will be accessible to emergency vehicles and trash pick-up will continue as normally scheduled. Full road closures with detours will be necessary as part of the traffic plan in addition to some opportunities to use only partial lane closures as sewer lines are replaced. Construction activities will move from block to block so that road closures do not impact the entire street.

See neighborhood ACWP construction map
The Project Manager is Stan Evans at 479-1636.
The Construction Inspector is Brian Reese at 554-3218
The Austin Clean Water Program hotline is 684-3204
To report sewer overflows, please call 972-1000

For information about this and other community construction projects, please go to http://www.cityofaustin.org/ca.

Construction has started on the 29th to 34th Street Tunnel (archived content)

Construction will begin soon on the Shoal Creek Wastewater Improvements - 29th Street to 34th Street Tunnel. Construction will begin in August 2004 and is schduled to conclude in Summer 2006 (see invitation and project map - pdf file) . Bryker woods neighbors are invited to meet the contractor Thursday, August 5, 2004 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Bryker Woods Elementary Cafeteria 3309 Kerbey Lane. Please RSVP to the ACWP Hotline 684-3204 (refreshments will be served). Click hear to learn more on the project! (pdf file)

Some deatils outilned for the Shoal Creek WW Improvements 29th Street, 32nd Street, 33rd Street/Churchill Drive/Seton

Install a new 12-inch wastewater line in 34th Street that will accommodate the expansion at Seton Hospital. Work will begin in spring 2004 at West 34th Street.
Replace existing sewers on 32nd Street, Churchill, 33rd Street. This includes creekbank improvements and reconstruction of the west trail pavement, and at the request of Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), it features construction of a new pedestrian creek crossing south of West 34th Street. Work will begin in summer 2004 and conclude in spring 2005.
Install an 8-inch wastewater line that serves the area west of Shoal Creek, south of 29th St. This improvement will enable the City to take the existing line out of the creek. The installation of this line will impact the existing creek-side trail, so the trail will be rebuilt with an improved long-life surface. At the request of PARD, the project will include construction of a new pedestrian creek crossing south of 29th Street. Work will begin in summer 2004 and conclude in spring 2005.
New manholes will be designed using new city guidance for creek manholes.
Old manholes to remain will be rehabilitated.
(for more information see official notice (PDF 252k) and latest project plan (PDF 150k)

Visit the ACWP website for the latest information and a complete overview!