Posted: Fri, 14 May 2010 08:11 AM - 16,298 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
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.
Local Business
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
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
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
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
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
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
Parks & Trails
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
