The Austin Asian Resource Center is well on its way to being built, according to an update to the Austin City Council Mar. 11 by Schiller Liao, a member of the AARC Board of Directors.

“We’ve been working on it for a decade now and we’ve been working very diligently since then,” he said. “We want to see completion by April 2012 and have a grand opening by May for Asian Heritage Month. We will do every effort to do that.”

The AARC, located at 8501 Cameron Road, would serve the entire community of Austin as a gathering and educational space, similar to the city’s Mexican-American Cultural Center.

Liao described the space as a multi-purpose space where business meetings can take place, especially as a site to welcome business people from China and other Asian countries. It would be also be a family-friendly area with open spaces for children.

“This project is not just for Asians, but it is for all Austinites and for all Texans,” he said.

Voters approved a $5 million bond for the project in 2006. The project has since been scaled down in scope, but still provide a multi-function hall for 600 people, classrooms, conference rooms, a library, art exhibition space and outdoor areas with water features.

The design concept will be LEED silver level certified and will incorporate solar energy, xeriscaping (using native plants that require less water) and rainwater harvesting, among other green features.

“I salute you with the LEED certification. That’s very exciting aspect,” said council member Chris Riley.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell congratulated Liao and other board members on the progress they have made on the center.

“The MACC [Mexican-American Cultural Center] took 30 years, and Phase 1 opened a few years ago. It looks like in relative terms you’re moving in light speed,” he said.

Councilman Bill Spelman also offered his congratulations on seeing the project near fruition.

“I am in awe of your master plan. I look forward to your being able to break ground on this thing in 2012 and I look forward to going here all my life,” he said.

http://impactnews.com/southwest-austin/258-recent-news/7679-austin-asian-resource-center-aims-for-completion-by-2012-

Before I-35, East Avenue was a Thoroughfare with a View
East End Cultural Heritage District

New Plans for Waller Creek Improvements

by SHELTON GREEN / KVUE News
Posted on April 7, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Updated yesterday at 10:25 PM

The Mexican American Cultural Center in downtown Austin was packed Wednesday night with neighbors, downtown business owners, employees and the curious. All of them showed up to learn more about the latest redevelopment plans for Waller Creek.

It’s kind of been left alone to fester on its own and I just wonder what they have in store,” said Marvin Chaney an Austinite who showed up to hear and see the final Master Plan for Waller Creek.

“Tonight’s vision is to get in front of the public and let these folks discuss what kind of ideas they have, what can happen along the surface once the tunnel gets rid of the flooding threat,” said Stan Evans with city of Austin’s Watershed Protection.

Evans and other city staffers told KVUE that city engineers had to first come up with plans on controlling the flooding of Waller Creek before developers could even begin talking about redevelopment.

“Then the idea is to use this project to really help reconnect with east Austin with the Lady Bird Lake trail system, with the University of Texas, with the Capitol,” said Jana McCann with McCann Adams Studio, the Austin firm working with the San Francisco development company ROMA.

The city had tables full of artists renderings of hike and bike trails, promenades, restaurants and shops along Waller Creek for citizens to study and submit ideas.

A rough estimate of the improvements to Waller Creek from 12th street to Lady Bird Lake could cost 34 million dollars.  It’s unclear at this point where the money will come from.

The Austin City Council has the final say in June. If approved construction on the Waller Creek tunnel could begin in 2011 with a completion date scheduled for early 2014.

http://www.kvue.com/news/Waller-Creek-improvements-90165617.html

The Ambassador of Jazz returns to the Paramount backed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Wynton is described as the most outstanding jazz musician and trumpeter of his generation, a brilliant composer, a devoted advocate for the Arts and a tireless and inspiring educator.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Doors/Bar @ 7pm | Show @ 8pm
The Paramount Theatre

Purchase Tickets Online or call (866) 977-6849

Get Premium Tickets
The best seats go to donors. Make a donation today for access to great seats.
Click here or call (512) 692-0530 for details.

On April 10th, UT’s Music and Entertainment Committee presents Girl Talk headlining Forty Acres Fest! This is a completely FREE show open to the entire campus and community, so come on out!

Known for his high energy live performances, Girl Talk is one of today’s leading mashup artists. Girl Talk has performed at many high profile events including Lollapolooza, ACL and Coachella, getting the crowd up and dancing with his digital sampling. You do NOT want to miss the chance to see him perform on campus!

Most importantly, this show is completely FREE.

The show starts at 7:00 pm with an opener TBA. Be sure to show up early to get a good spot.

Tell all your friends! It’s guaranteed to be an awesome night, and no one should have to miss out!

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UT Forty Acres Fest is THE biggest on-campus musical event of the year. It is not just a concert: It’s an experience. Nothing is better than seeing a great show beneath the iconic UT tower with thousands of your fellow students. Come out and celebrate a great Spring and everything that makes UT what it is.

On April 6th and 8th, come to the West Mall to dance for a chance to be ON STAGE with Girl Talk. Details coming soon.

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“There’s new families moving to this area. I like the idea of the older families still living here. There’s a lot of potential for this area. Being minutes from downtown makes this a great place to live. With its cultural diversity, there’s a lot of good things going to happen in East Austin.”

East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Page
View Properties in the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood near Shuck Shack

“We like Clarksville because it’s a self contained neighborhood and it feels like an old 1960’s downtown setting…”

View Homes in Clarksville Near Zocalo

Visit www.AustinRisingRealEstate.com to search for homes in Clarksville or www.ZocaloCafe.com to check out Jay and the restaurant.