Still think people overreacted to that urban development story last month

I live in Austin and everyone was up in arms about that new mixed use complex going in on East 6th back in March. The headline screamed 'gentrification' but nobody talked about how the project included 40% affordable units and a community garden space. Three years ago, that lot was a vacant strip with litter and nobody cared. Last week I walked past and saw kids playing in the courtyard. Maybe I'm wrong, but shouldn't we look at what's actually being built instead of just the buzzwords? Has anyone else seen a project that got trashed online but turned out decent?

3 comments

3 Comments

karen_carter2d ago

Used to roll my eyes at any development news, thought it was all just rich guys making money. But my neighborhood had one of those projects too, an old strip mall turned into apartments with a little grocery store. Complaints were loud online about parking and "changing the character" but now the store is always busy and I see old neighbors sitting on benches outside talking. Definitely changed my mind on assuming the worst about these things.

garcia.jake2d ago

DUDE thank you for saying this! I had the EXACT same thing happen in my neighborhood. There was this old abandoned gas station near my house that was an eyesore for YEARS. People went ballistic when they announced condos and retail going in. I read the comments online and it was all "traffic nightmare" and "pushing out locals" and "just another generic development." But I looked at the actual plans and they had a deal with the city to keep 35% of units under market rate. Fast forward to now, the place looks nice, there's a coffee shop on the ground floor that's always packed with families, and that corner actually feels alive instead of depressing. It's like people just WANT to be mad sometimes without checking the details first.

miasanchez2d ago

Just want to be mad" - YES. Same thing happened by my place with an old lot. Complete 180 once finished.