mistergreen

From the Houston Press story:

In August commercial photographer Mark Green built a swanky new production studio on Sawyer Street near the Trevino property. "I wanted to get back into a more artistic, industrial area," Green explains. Now he's faced with the challenge of "trying to be creative and artistic next to a Target."

Mistergreen gettin' some press time.

Interesting how the printed press works. I actually did not say what he wrote. And I do not recall saying that it was "a challenge". Just that it was a different dynamic. Also, I am "across from a Target" not next to.

However I do think the descriptor "swanky" is cool.

The old houses in the middle of the parking lot have now sold (according to my source). The owner has a sentimental streak, as he's having one of them moved because his father built it (his family has lived there for 40+ yrs.). I understand that he got around $450K each for the two houses (that number is strictly conjecture... but it was told to me by someone who might know such things). If so, good for him.

I did look at the new drawings on Property Commerce.... looks like they'll just pave over where the houses were for parking.

According to my guy, they're making a small green space around the two big oaks, he called it a "little park". The only tenant he mentioned by name was Wachovia Bank, to be on the larger bank parcel just North of Spring Street. Oh he said "maybe a La Madeline might go in there".

I'm still real skeptical.

I'm actually kind of amazed that there has not been any other businesses announcing participation in this development yet. I'm told it is not going to be a Super Target. This is good as far as I'm concerned.

The street improvements are coming along nicely... esplanades have been cut out, curbs and sidewalks going in. Rumor has it that it should be pretty nicely landscaped.

The lights are on in the parking lot areas now.... wow, really bright. Those homeowners holding out are now bathed in sodium vapor. It's going to be a different vibe having all that stuff over there... but I guess grin and bear it is the way to go.

Looking forward to the street repairs though.

Street widening is scheduled to begin.... tomorrow (Feb. 16). I was talking to the construction company that is doing the site work. The plans call for adding room to facilitate a turn lane in the middle.

When it's done, it will be smoooooth as silk. I'm not sure how they'll deal with the truck traffic.

Yes, it is going to be a pretty standard Target. I saw one in NW Austin that seems to have the same design. There will be a few columns in front to give it a little style, but it is pretty ordinary. A nice asset for my business to have it across the street though.

I ask constantly and there are no hints as to what else might go in the center.

Tilt walls going up now. Fingers crossed for a decent looking facade.

Merry Xmas all.

Okay, I know last I heard the lot had been cleared for this project, but has actual construction started yet?

Some slabs have been poured and parking lots are taking shape. No steel yet.

Slab pouring has begun for SHV. Electric poles are being moved back 10 ft. to the west on Sawyer to accommodate the street widening. The big oaks on Sawyerdale are fenced off... thankfully they will be spared.

Speaking of landscaping our studio is waiting until mid to late September to do our tree planting and bed work. The August heat is not friendly to planting.

Personally, Target not being "Super" seems better. 124,000 sq. ft. seems like plenty of box to me. I'd rather see more diversity and smaller retailers in there. Hope it doesn't turn out too tacky.

Sawyer has been staked out and according to the contractors on site, the road is due to be widened by ten feet to the west side, making room for an esplanade in the center of the road. Widening to begin by October-ish.

That's funny!  I drove past the Target site a while ago, saw your building going up, and thought, "Wow, whoever had the foresight to pick up this property was a genius."  Now I know the genius!  The property is looking great.

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Yeah, just call me "Trump"! Actually, I just lucked out in this case, caught a break.

As for the building design, Natalye's group had a challenge as the lot is an odd shape, and restrictive in many repects. As for windows, the north side will be mostly glass, and should make for a great working space. My biggest problem is that every square foot of the place is going to have such a great feel and ambiance, that I don't want to sacrifice any to such mundane uses like "storage"!

FYI: Here's a link to the developer's page about Sawyer Heights Village (quaint, huh?)

Property Commerce

More:

I was doing a search and came upon this from an April 19, 2005 City Council meeting:

Motion 2005-0350

RECOMMENDATION from Director Department of Public Works & Engineering, reviewed and

approved by the Joint Referral Committee, on request from Chris Patterson of Vernon G. Henry

and Associates, Inc., on behalf of Sawyer Heights Village Ltd. [sHV-GP, LLC, a Texas limited

liability company (S. Jay Williams, sole member), general partner], for abandonment and sale of

Ovid Street, from Taylor Street west to its terminus, and a carryover credit for Sawyer Heights

Village, Ltd. for the excess conveyance value to apply only toward the future abandonment and

sale of street rights of way and/or easements, in exchange for the conveyance to the City of a

35-foot-wide hike and bike easement,

Hi all. I've followed this thread with interest. I bought 2 lots directly across Sawyer from this development 3 months before it was announced. I'm currently building my photo studio/multimedia production facility on that property as we speak.

I have mixed emotions about this whole Target plan. Obviously, it's a boone to my property values, but also I'm really hoping for a decent development in terms of aesthetics. In any case, my original thoughts when I bought the land that this area "could be developed in 5-10 years" are proving to be wrong it appears..... more like now!

In case anyone was wondering what was going in across from the site, it's Mark Green Photography + Productions, and Natalye Appel + Associates is the architect.

MG Studio progress