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Barton Hills-Horseshoe Bend Neighborhood Association
Newsletter April, 1999 |
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President's Corner
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Dear Neighbor:
Many of us are a bit frustrated with all the construction and the detours in our neighborhood that severely impact access to our homes. In spite of our efforts, the two city departments who are responsible for the Robert E. Lee and Barton Skyway projects were unable to coordinate their schedules. Fortunately, an end to both projects is in sight. Many Zilker neighbors are unhappy with the increased traffic they have to deal with, particularly along the Ashby/Kinney route. Please be courteous, and please follow the 30 m.p.h. speed limit. Smart Growth will be the main topic of our membership meeting on May 4. Our main speaker will Austan Librach, the Director of the City of Austin Planning Department, who is one of the main architects of the Smart Growth policies that are taking shape in Austin. Come to meeting to find out what Smart Growth might mean for our neighborhood and for you! Don't forget to vote in our city elections on May 1! Best wishes, Peter Hess |
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May 4 Meeting Agenda
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Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday, 4 May 1999 BBQ Dinner and Social Hour 6-7 p.m. St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2128 Barton Hills Drive Agenda |
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Austan Librach to speak at neighborhood meeting
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You have been hearing a lot about Smart Growth lately. As Barton Hills is fully built up at this point you may think that there may be minimal impact on Barton Hills.
Consider this: construction has begun on the Marketplace, a four-block, 540,000 square-foot development on Lamar at Fifth and Sixth streets. While most people think that a revitalization of our downtown is a good idea, this development will significantly alter traffic patterns in the area. Currently, 41,000 cars use this section of Lamar on a daily basis. This development will generate an additional 17,000 car trips per day. There will be more high-density development along the so-called growth corridors like South Lamar, Barton Springs Road, South First and South Congress. The resulting development pressures may change the nature of adjacent residential areas. Additionally, increased infill may challenge deed restrictions in the future. It therefore is in the interest of all neighborhoods, including ours, to take interest in Smart Growth and to become a proactive partner in the planning process. Austan Librach, Director of the City of Austin Planning Department, will address all these issues: What is Smart Growth? What is the Smart Growth vision for our downtown? How will the Marketplace and CSC developments impact our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods? What does Smart Growth mean for neighborhoods? How will Smart Growth impact South Austin, and Barton Hills in particular? |
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4th of July Parade
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Planning is under way for our Fourth of July parade. If you would like to help with the preparations please call Roberta Preston, the chair of our Fourth of July Parade Committee, at 445-4737.
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| Barton Skyway replacement of water and wastewater lines | Barton Skyway unfortunately still is under construction. According to project manager Robert Reyna, the March rains set back the project and brought to light some subgrade problems. The subgrade had to be redone to a depth of 18 inches in the low-lying flat area of Barton Skyway. Presently, Barton Skyway is being paved and should be completed within days. Currenty, Cedarview and Oak Park are under construction as well. Construction should be done within 30 days. Rae Dell and Bluffview will be done next. Robert Reyna thinks that the whole project will be completed by August. If you have any questions about the project do not hesitate to contact Mr. Reyna at 927-4365. He conducts an on-site job meeting every Wednesday at 2 p.m., and neighbors are welcome to attend the meetings to voice their concerns. |
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Robert E. Lee / Barton Springs Road intersection
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There are no clear answers as to when Robert E. Lee Road might reopen. According to Mr. Gregg Toth, the new project manager for the city, the road definitely will reopen by June 1, but possibly as early as Mid-May. This will mostly depend on the weather and on the delivery of the guard railing. There is a possibility of limited one-way traffic (northbound, towards Barton Springs Road only) towards the end of construction. There is no confirmed opening date for the trail along the lower Barton Creek portion of town lake below Robert E. Lee Road. The trail could be opened soon during hours of the day and weekends when there is no construction going on on Robert E. Lee Road. We definitely will have an update at the May 4 meeting.
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AISD Attendance Boundary Update
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The new attendance boundaries and tracking patterns have been finalized by the AISD Board of Trustees. Changes will only be implemented at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year. During the 1999-2000 school year, sixth grade students will stay at Barton Hills while seventh and eight grade students will attend Martin Junior High. In the 2000-2001 school year, our sixth graders will have the choice of staying at Barton Hills or going to O'Henry Middle School. Seventh and eighth graders will have the option of attending either O'Henry or Martin. Barton Hills kids will continue to track to Austin High School.
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Tree replacement at Barton Hills Elementary
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All 65 trees have been planted now--but several of the replacement trees seem to have died due to lack of watering. We'll try again next fall ...
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South 5th Street Post Office to remain open
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We received word from the Postmaster that the South Fifth Street Post Office will remain open. While the distribution center may be moved elsewhere, the Postal Service has agreed to leave the retail operation open at its present location.
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Tired of potholes, lights out of sync?
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If there is a pothole you would like to see fixed call the city's Street and Bridge Division at 440-8444. If traffic lights appear to be out of sync call the signal maintenance section at 457-4850.
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Old pictures from Pat Oakes
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Pat Oakes gave me a stack of old b/w photographs of neighborhood people. If you are interested please give Peter Hess a call or help yourself at the meeting.
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Neighbor needs driver
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Ms. Edna Johnson who lives on Barton Parkway needs a mature driver for occasional trips (once or twice per week); she would be glad to pay for the service. If you are interested give Ms. Johnson a call at 444-4048.
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| Advertisements in our newsletter | We thank the local businesses whose advertisements help pay for our newsletters. If you would like to place an ad in our newsletter please contact John Bell, our treasurer. The rates for a business card-size ad is $50 for newsletters that are distributed to the entire neighborhood and $30 for newsletters that go to members only. |
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Officers for 1999
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President: Peter Hess (441-2049; phess@mail.utexas.edu)
Vice President: Pat Whiteside (443-4879; pagwcpa@aol.com) Recording Secretary: Yates Barreda (448-1276; webarreda@aol.com) Corresponding Secretary: Janice and Will Godwin (441-2647; jgodwin@SAMSpecial.com) Treasurer: John Bell (441-4048; johnbell99@aol.com) Delegate to the Austin Neighborhoods Council: Betty Brown (444-5239) |
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New Web Site URL
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Check our web site at:
http://community.austin360.com/BHHBNA/ |
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Name(s) (include full names of all 18+ household members) (1) ______________ (2) _________________ (3) _______________ Address: _____________________ Phone: (H) ________ (W) _________ E-mail: ____________________
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| Please rank these goals for the Association for 1999: (1 is highest)
___ increase membership Return this membership form with $5.00 check, payable to Barton Hills John Bell, Treasurer |
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