Austinist: The Death and Life of Wooldridge Square Park

guest

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:25:48 -0600

I have no confidence in the county to do something with this property. They shouldn't be making "investments" in property with our tax dollars. If they can't use the land, they should sell it to someone who can. Didn't they know that the view corridor was there?

guest

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:06:25 -0600

There is not an urban park in America that isn't populated by bums from the hours of 8pm to 8am

shilli

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:32:51 -0600

There is the threat that if the view corridor was removed, the county would build another parking garage on those blocks, like the one they built on the block to the west of the park.

mdahmus

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:23:29 -0600

"myname", the reason the county hasn't done squat is because the view corridor prevents them from going up more than about one story. At that height, a surface parking lot is actually a better investment, sadly enough.

guest

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:30:27 -0600

Doesn't help that it shares a corner with the jail.

jennsation

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:12:28 -0600

Scenesters, start a trend of hanging out in that park. Sometimes there is a big chess set near the gazebo - kinda fun, or at least a cool photo-op. Very near Wooldridge there is a pedestrian friendly food trailer with yummy sandwiches, coffee & baked goods. It's called Bistrolli's. Open 7AM - 2:30PM weekdays at 1104 San Antonio Street in the courtyard (back yard) of the Allan House. Look for the big, white trailer. Grab a bite and head for Wooldridge.

guest

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:38:22 -0600

The surface parking lots are owned by Travis County. They've had numerous opportunities to improve the area -- including with the existing courthouse -- but they've done nothing positive. Why trust them with removing a view corridor? There are so many other things that can be done that are positive (like live music suggested by myname above) before pitching the corridor. As to the "bums" -- I assume our parks are open to all, including the homeless.

myname

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:19:19 -0600

Back to the chicken/egg thing: the park is a stop for mobile food kitchens sponsored by local churches (I think). Are the bums there because they know they can get a free meal or do the trucks show up because the bums are there? Maybe the city should move its weekly music series from the sterile front steps of City Hall to the gazebo in the park. The slope is perfect for lunch while watching a band. If not the city maybe the county can start its own music series. All the buildings around the park are county workers anyway.

shilli

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:27:41 -0600

Wells, we're edgy like that.

guest

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:05:04 -0600

It's not a 'bum' situation, really. It's the place where you wait for your friends to get out of jail, or go to have a cigarette while waiting for a court appearance. Jeez. If you don't want a bunch of 'bums' and criminals lallygagging about, stop making so many things illegal.

guest

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:01:19 -0600

Getting a little NSFW with the Dramtica links at the end, eh? Wells

heyzeus

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:20:00 -0600

It's a chicken and egg thing; right now the park is in bad shape and it's used primarily by bums, but will the park be improved or used by other people if it's known mostly as a de facto homeless shelter? It should also be noted that among the few good neighbors the park has, both the library and the courthouse are likely to be moving in the future.

mdahmus

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:04:14 -0600

Also see this thread on Metroblogging Austin in which I and a paleoliberal go at it on the same issue. Woolridge is used primarily by bums right now because there's nobody nearby who can crowd them out. It'll always be used by bums unless there's stuff nearby to attract the non-bums. Even the programmed events (like the free symphony concerts) have trouble with the bums.