What the hell happened to Bee Cave?
A couple of months ago I ran a piece on the blog that was favorable of the Hill Country Galleria development, mainly because it's bringing a few hundred new apartment units online. This weekend, I finally made it down to the site for a quick survey of the development.
The result is sickening. You have to go see it for yourself. The shops don't look any better than the rows of boxes that make up the inevitable OLD NAVY / Best Buy / PETCO combinations of Cedar Park or Anywhere, U.S.A. And they're directly adjacent to The Backyard music venue!
The town is ruined. Here's what I should have been reporting.
The Austin Chronicle: News: Westward Ho!
posted by BradleyPounds @ 9:32 AM
5 Comments:
You are confusing two projects me thinks. The Hill Country Galleria (www.hillcountrygalleria.net) is the project across the road that will contain some apartments. The Shops at The Galleria is the almost completed sister project on the South side that contains the big box stores. Personally, I find the architecture and placement downhill from the street to be superior to say the Sunset Valley hell hole. But be that as it may, it is a bog box retail center. The Galleria may be a whole other beast. It still may merit some good words.
Thank you - - - I think you are right about confusing the two sides of the road. I still think they look terrible, keeping in mind how cute and Hill Country the place was just a year ago. I appreciate the clarification - thanks for keeping me honest!
Yeah, the area has lost all its charm. But I guess they get all that new tax base and shopping so it's all fine and good. Those in the business have it all figured out. It's a vicious cycle. People move out just beyond the city for the charm and to get away. But then they have to drive all the way into town whenever they need anything. So they want shopping, groceries, entertainment, and major employers nearby. But when it comes, the area loses its charm because now it is no longer beyond the hustle and bustle. So people move farther out. And the growth follows. And then it starts over. It's a win-win for the builders, the real estate industry, and the politicians they buy- um, support.
Urban sprawl at its finest. Just think of the "Well, I remember when" stories we'll be able to tell our grandkids.
I guess we could all live in shanties on the original 40 acres, wal to our classes or jobs, and grow our food on the East Mall and maintain country charm in Del Valle. Of course I have no clue where we would find a job, and we would need to walk a hell of a long way to the nearest Lowes to buy our supplies for the shanty. If you want to live in an apartment that sits on top of a small market with fresh produce and all the daily staples like rice, um go to a third world country.
Harold, we all moved out to this area when there was no shopping, entertainment etc. and did not ask for it. It's business and the City of Bee Caves that tries to capitilize on the residents by bringing commercial development out to the hill-country.
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