Lake Austin Boulevard and Enfield Road


Posted: Fri, 14 May 2010 08:11 AM - 18,153 Readers

By: Patrick Brendel


Part of the University of Texas–owned Brackenridge Tract, the corridor along Lake Austin Boulevard is a destination point for out-of-towners, Austinites and Tarrytown neighbors. UT has owned the tract since 1910 but leases the majority of it. Oyster Boat Town Landing is a main recreational hub on Lake Austin, and the area also includes the headquarters of the Lower Colorado River Authority.


History

1 Tom Miller Dam, named for an Austin mayor, was built in 1940 atop the remains of two earlier dams that were destroyed by massive floods. The first was built in 1893 and the second in 1912. The dam is owned by the city and leased to the LCRA through 2020. It is 100 feet tall, 1,590 feet long, generates 17.3 megawatts of electricity and creates the 1,599-acre, 20-mile-long Lake Austin (originally called Lake McDonald). Lady Bird Lake is to the south of Tom Miller Dam.



http://impactnews.com/images/stories/CTA/2010/05/16-aerial.jpgLocal Business

2 Moreland Properties was founded by Emily Moreland in 1986. The brokerage firm has 60 real estate agents in two offices. The other is on Lake Travis. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 501, 480-0848, www.moreland.com

3 Oyster’s Landing Marina is owned by Duffy Oyster, who also has the master lease on the Oyster Boat Town Landing complex through 2022. The marina has dozens of boat slips to rent. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., 480-9003

4 Lakeside Mediation Center has nine attorneys who specialize in providing mediation services for businesses, government entities and individuals. Founded in 2000 by Greg Bourgeois, Eric Galton and Ben Cunningham, the center is dedicated wholly to dispute resolution cases. The firm also provides advanced mediation training and continuing legal education programs for lawyers. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 403, 477-9300, www.lakesidemediation.com

5 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is a European-style coffeehouse founded in 1993 by Bill Formby, Ken Leonard and Duffy Oyster. The café seats 90 people inside and 500 outside on the deck. With free Wi-Fi and coffee refills, “Mozart’s invites you to stay all day,” General Manager Jack Ranstrom said. Live bands play Thursday through Sunday evenings. Monday is Christian music night. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 3825-B, 477-2900, www.mozartscoffee.com

6 Abel’s on the Lake is a restaurant and grill owned by the same people who own Cain and Abel’s in West Campus. Abel’s was established in May 2009. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Ste. 201, 904-0572, www.abelsonthelake.com

7 Chuy’s Hula Hut is a tropical-themed restaurant established in 1993 by Mike Young, John Zapp and Andy Norton. Young and Zapp founded the original Chuy’s restaurant in 1982. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., 476-4852, www.hulahut.com



http://impactnews.com/images/stories/CTA/2010/05/16-photos.jpgParks & Trails
8 Walsh Boat Landing is a free public boat ramp owned by the city. Parking for vehicles and trailers is $5, but a free parking lot is across the street. The 4-acre park was acquired by the city in 1957. It has a picnic area and fishing dock. 1600 Scenic Drive, 974-6700

9 Lions Municipal Golf Course opened in 1924 as Austin’s first public golf course. The Lions Club turned the 142-acre, 18-hole course over to the city in 1936. A Texas Historical Marker recognizes Lions as the first integrated public golf course in the South. Lions’ green fees are about $20. 2901 Enfield Road, 477-6963, www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/lions.htm

10 Red Bud Isle was formed in 1900 by debris from the collapse of the McDonald Dam. The State of Texas gave the land to the city in 1945. The 13-acre island is a popular leash-free dog park. www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/redbudisle.htm



Government

11 The LCRA’s General Office Complex is headquarters for more than 700 employees. Created in 1934, the LCRA operates six Highland Lakes dams. The complex includes three buildings named after former board members John Hancock, Cecil Long and Harry Shapiro. 3700 Lake Austin Blvd. 473-3200, www.lcra.org

12 The Jack Miller Building was built in 1949 and was the LCRA headquarters for many years. It houses LCRA Corporate Archives, which are available for public viewing by appointment. It is named after a board member from San Saba who was not related to Tom Miller. 3701 Lake Austin Blvd., 473-3296

13 The LCRA’s Redbud Center is a LEED Gold–certified building. Constructed in 2007, it houses the LCRA’s river and emergency operations centers. The outdoor Wilkerson Center for Colorado River Education, which is open to the public, features an interactive replica of the Highland Lakes. A River Outlook provides a clear view of Tom Miller Dam. 3601 Lake Austin Blvd., 498-1587, www.coloradoriver.org



Residential

14 The Lakehouse condos has about 25 units, ranging in size from about 850 sq.ft.–3,000 sq.ft. and in appraised value from about $190,000 to $450,000.

15 Brackenridge Apartments has 315 units for UT graduate students. In 2009, consultants urged the redevelopment of the apartments. Now the future of the apartments is uncertain. The complex opened in 1944, was demolished in the late ’70s and was rebuilt in the early ’80s. 3501 Lake Austin Blvd.





Read Full Story at: Patrick Brendel






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