A Dream Realized

If you haven't checked out a copy of Community Impact (http://www.impactnews.com/), do it. On October 1, 2008, I wrote a piece about business collaboration, which basically encouraged businesses to seek out properties simultaneously, and have several fill a new structure instead of having to market independently. Clusters of Austin starting to abound, and I was very pleased to see that Amy's Ice Cream and a few other businesses decided to stake out some land together. We have to become a less selfish city to thrive, and although developers market to and negotiate with businesses before they build, we have to take initiative and build communities while they build buildings.

Thanks to a bit of collaboration, that community will experience three things: 1) Property values will rise. Yes, this will lead to higher taxes, but it will also lead to even more neighborhood amenities and improvements. 2) Other businesses will see how quickly the space was filled, and may contact other businesses to fill the spaces in other buildings. Quite frankly, it's daunting to be the first business in a new development, so it's better to talk to other businesses and fill the space all at once because someone might back out, but the building wouldn't be empty in its first round. 3)Multiple businesses mean that employees have diverse skill sets, and that means that people in the area have opportunities to learn new skills to be employed in their own neighborhoods. Nothing makes employees more valuable than having diverse skills, and structures like these provide more opportunities for young people to have jobs and learn skills.

Story appeared here:

http://www.impactnews.com/northwest-austin/local-news/4881-amys-ice-cream-owners-develop-in-north-austin

Rediscovering Central Texas

In a time when airfare is ridiculous and gas requires a mortgage loan, now seems like the opportunity to discover Central Texas. There are so many bed & breakfasts in this region that someone could get exceedingly tired of them, so drive around on a weekend and check in, and see why these places stay in business. Also, remember that house that was way too big to begin with since the kids moved out? With some cooking classes and some creativity, there's a business opportunity to be had, or a rental opportunity for special events like SXSW, ACL, UT vs. A & M, the Pecan Street Festival, etc.

Also, there are natural wonders that can spur on conservation efforts, like Natural Bridge or Inner Space. Central Texas is built on so much limestone that caves have probably yet to be discovered, and to the brave adventurer, there is plenty to see in the well-known caves. Creeks need visiting, even when they don't have water, and there are plenty of rivers that still have water, such as the Guadalupe River. For all those jobless college graduates, those are foundations waiting to be set up or led, hint, hint. When visiting those out-of-reach places, it becomes apparent why some places need cars while Austin could rely on transit.

Central Texas has a lot to offer, so I would recommend visiting many of the places within this area, just to remind us why we live in Austin, and visit other places.

Open House Tactics

Who doesn't like to go to open houses for fun sometimes? I have enjoyed several in the past, and I hope to enjoy several in the future. One thing, though, is that people need to start cross-promoting in venues like open houses, like the group that's promoting some of the condos on South Congress: http://www.2020congresscondos.com/. A friend and I were going to skip this event, but I was so happy that she told us to go ahead.

First of all, there were several artists who were allowed to both demonstrate their crafts and display their wares. In effect, it was very similar to the East Austin Studio Tour - and if you haven't been to that, you better go. One artist was doing a graffiti demonstration, which was decidedly the largest. Other artists had set up the condos with their wares, so one could literally walk through an art gallery that was an entire apartment complex. A catering service provided lunch for the event, so people could stay for a while, and if one had the capital, condos could be purchased.

So, for all those real estate agents who looking for exposure: stop expecting the properties to sell themselves and make your job easier. Austin loves art, so let some artists tout their wares since there are plenty of artists in this city. Also, give new businesses the opportunities for exposure, especially if there's a mixed use project to sell, because hey, you might sell the bottom floor in addition to the top. Basically, make the buildings into public spaces and indicate how people will be growing their communities by living closer together.