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$6M Zilker Clubhouse rehab to address facility deterioration, vandalism incidents

Austin officials will spend $6 million to renovate the Charles Page Zilker Clubhouse. Years of deterioration and multiple recent break-in incidents have damaged the historic structure.

What's happening: The nearly 100-year-old clubhouse, located in the Zilker Nature Preserve west of MoPac, is situated at Zilker Park's highest point and has traditionally served as an event venue. The property and nearby Lookout Point now require multiple maintenance updates. Security improvements are also needed after a recent string of break-ins that resulted in damage, according to Austin Parks and Recreation.

City Council authorized a $6.07 million contract for the facility and security updates, funded with historic preservation dollars from Austin's hotel occupancy tax revenue. Construction is expected to begin later this year and wrap up in 2027.

Quote of note: “This is a very important moment, not only for protecting the history of the Zilker Preserve and the Zilker Clubhouse, but making it safer and more accessible to all," council member Paige Ellis said.

 
Latest News
City moving toward 2.6K-acre annexation to support decades of mixed-use development in East Austin

City officials appear likely to annex more than 4 square miles of land in East Austin along the Colorado River and support decades of mixed-use development there.

The details: Located just north of the airport between US 183 and SH 130, the area known as the Dog's Head is valued at tens of millions of dollars and covers more than 2,600 acres—more than twice the size of downtown. Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate Group is now seeking to enter into a 45-year development partnership with Austin that'll lead to the area's build-out with various commercial, residential and other uses, as well as public parkland.

The Dog's Head is currently outside city limits in Austin's unincorporated extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ. The full site would be annexed this spring under the development agreement between the city and Endeavor that came together given the project's expansive scope and timeline. Officials seemed generally supportive of the proposal ahead of their initial votes to advance the plan May 21.

 
On The Business Beat
Eldorado Cafe to expand into next-door suite in North Austin

Mexican restaurant Eldorado Cafe is slated to expand into its next-door Suite 301 in North Austin some time in the next year.

The details: The restaurant is expanding to accommodate more seating and broaden its catering offerings, owner Joanna Fried said. Completion is expected in about a year from now as work is still in the early stages. The new space was formerly occupied by Lions Krav Maga.

Eldorado Cafe's menu features breakfast items, such as tacos, migas, chilaquiles and huevos rancheros; a lunch and dinner menu with appetizers, burritos, enchiladas, vegan items, desserts and daily specials; and a full bar with cocktails, beer, wine and mocktails.

  • 3300 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 303, Austin

 
Permit Preview Wednesday
New apartments, business park and trail: 5 major Austin-area permits filed this week

From a new apartment community in Austin to a trail in Cedar Park, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Pflugerville Business Park ($37 million): This project involves the construction of the shell industrial buildings with speculative office space in each.

2. Oak Hill Highline Phase II ($26 million): Construction on a 129,306-square-foot apartment community will begin in September.

3. Buda Sportsplex Phase I ($15.2 million): A multifaceted expansion and enhancement of the Buda Sportsplex began last summer and will run through September.

4. Lakeline Park to WilCo trail connection and pedestrian bridge ($9.65 million): This project involves the construction of a one-mile trail connecting Lakeline Park to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, including a pedestrian bridge crossing South Bell Boulevard.

5. Cedar Park Police Department dispatch renovation ($3 million): This project involves approximately 5,000 square feet of office space renovation for the communications center relocation. 

 

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