Rio Grand Parking Garage Concept
The Austin Community College District is undertaking a number of projects in the coming years to expand and improve our service to the community. What can neighbors expect? Construction sites are busy and at times disruptive. ACC will keep you informed with timely project updates.
In an effort to provide a safe parking environment for students, faculty, and staff (and get more cars off the streets for neighbors), voters approved a 2003 bond package which includes expanded parking at Rio Grande Campus. Construction began in August of 2008 on a 7-level parking garage at the corner of 12th and Shoal Creek, providing 543 additional spaces. As suggested by neighbors, the new garage will include retail space for the ACC Bookstore. It is scheduled to open fall 2009.
Related Posts:
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 9 (6-10-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 8 (5-12-2009)
- 12th Street Road Closure Notification (4-28-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 7 (4-27-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 6 (3-26-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 5 (2-11-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 4 (1-28-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 3 (1-26-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 2 (1-05-2009)
- Update – Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage 1 (12-10-2008)
By Robert Ryan January 16, 2009 - 9:51 pm
We thought this was a 6 story building as the permit indicated. When was the permit amended to include the extra floor? I am a neighbor and I am not comfortable with the extra floor. Are there any floors underground?
By Pamela Collier January 22, 2009 - 9:14 am
Thank you for your questions, Robert. As project manager, I will be happy to address your concerns.
The RGC Parking Garage was originally designed as six (6) levels, with 453 spaces and has been permitted as such. A parking study in 2004 indicated the ACC Rio Grande Campus is deficient by nearly 1,200 parking spaces. Maximizing the parking is extremely critical at this campus. ACC worked with the City of Austin staff and attorneys on a Development Agreement the City Council approved in October 2008 for a 7th level.
The additional level equals 90 parking spaces, for a total of 543 parking spaces. The design team has designed the 7th level and will be submitting the construction drawings to the City of Austin as a revision to the original permit.
The height of the 7-level parking garage will measure 63 feet high, comparable to a four-story office building. The new height remains well below the 75 foot height allowable.
In regard to your question about sublevel parking, ACC is not permitted to construct underground parking because the site is partially in the floodplain.
I hope this answers your questions. We care about your concerns and value our relationship with our downtown neighbors. If you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the information here or visit the campus website austincc.edu/rgc for weekly updates on Rio Grande construction.”
By Colleen February 27, 2009 - 8:53 am
Hello,
I am a direct neighbor of this project (if I look in my backyard I can see the construction and everyone working), and the construction went on the entire night. I believe this is absolutely uncalled for, due to the actual homes that are within 50 ft of the site. If someone could at least alert the residents of these all-nighters or put a stop to them this would be greatly appreciated.
By Pamela Collier March 4, 2009 - 5:37 pm
Construction work is occurring during normal work hours with the exception of pouring concrete early typically on Friday mornings. Concrete must be poured at this time to avoid traffic as well as for daytime temperature concerns. Concrete can only remain in a concrete truck for so long (typically 45 minutes) before it becomes unusable so pouring concrete in the early morning hours is standard practice to avoid traffic. SpawGlass has muffled the back-up sirens on the concrete trucks and is taking every effort to reduce lighting to only areas where needed. Concrete pours are scheduled to occur every Friday morning for another 8 weeks as we have already had 6 pours. We are on target for finishing construction for Fall 2009 to help alleviate the parking situation around the campus as well as the neighboring residences and businesses. Thank you for your comment.
By Omar March 5, 2009 - 2:54 pm
I would like to know where are students supposed to park during constuction in the noak field parking lot? For some reason the first row is reserved for the faculty and staff yet theres no sign posted indicating this and acc should provide that because we have no clue where teachers and students are supposed to park at?
By Bill Mulane March 6, 2009 - 11:15 am
Parking at the Rio Grande campus has always been a challenge. With the addition of the temporary parking on the converted tennis courts, there is actually more parking at Rio Grande now than existed before construction started. ACC encourages the use of alternate means of transportation to reduce the problem of finding a parking space.
The allocation of parking spaces among students, faculty/staff, visitors, etc. at each campus is made by the Campus Manager. Any comments regarding the relative quantity or location of faculty/staff parking should be directed to the Campus Manager’s office. Faculty/staff parking spaces are typically designated by blue striping and curbs or wheel stops. “Faculty / Staff” is typically painted on the curb or wheel stop.
By Ashley March 26, 2009 - 7:42 pm
I will be taking classes at Rio Grande in the summer are there places were students can park other then the metered parking? I have never taken classes at Rio Grande campus before.
By Pamela Collier March 27, 2009 - 1:02 pm
Ashley, there is student parking located in the lot at the Austin Recreation Center off Shoal Creek Blvd. Please note there are designated areas where ACC students may park. The stairs adjacent to the old Gymnasium (Bldg. 3000) connect to the main campus. There is also street parking around the campus – much of which is metered. Also, public transportation is available in the area. For routes, please see the following links:
http://www.austincc.edu/locations/capmetro/documents/rio_grande_spider.pdf
http://www.austincc.edu/locations/capmetro/parkandride.php
By Chris April 13, 2009 - 1:18 pm
The building is horrible and too big….my views and others views of the Capitol are gone..and it isnt even finished??? Please do not add another story. was this approved through OWANA?
By Pamela Collier April 15, 2009 - 7:49 am
Chris, I appreciate your concerns regarding the ACC Rio Grande Campus Parking Garage. Developments will forever be changing the Austin skyline in some fashion. Please note that our site does NOT fall within any Capitol View Corridor.
ACC takes pride in its’ buildings and the Parking Garage/Bookstore at Rio Grande is no exception. Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects and their entire team of consultants have worked very hard for many months in order to design not only a much needed parking garage and bookstore for the college, but an aesthetically pleasing piece of work that will fit into the neighborhood and blend with the surrounding character. BGK Architects is highly regarded for their ability to design such structures with sensitivity to the urban context and to the community in which it exists. BGK Architects designed the Austin Convention Center Parking Garage as well and won several awards for that project including an AIA Merit Award for Excellence in Design, a National Art in Public Places Award, a Decorative Metals Design Award, and an award from the Austin Business Journal.
At this point in construction, it is not evident that the building is anything more than a very generic parking garage, however, the finishes are yet to come which will change the building image significantly. The finishes will include brick masonry that will tie the Parking Garage in with the main campus, canopies, shading devices, storefront glass at the Bookstore, artistic branding/signage, green screen and landscaping.
ACC has reached out to the public on numerous occasions for input from the community. ACC staff delivered flyers door-to-door, posted announcements on the ACC homepage, contacted many neighborhood organizations and posted announcements at the Rio Grande campus and neighboring businesses.
– In January 2008, a public forum was held at the AIA Austin Center for Architecture located at 801 W. 12th Street to get community input on the project.
– Project sign posted on site with key information and website address for more information.
– Banners on site with website address for more information.
– The ACC website contains information about the project with regular updates.
– In January 2009, another public forum was held at the Rio Grande campus main building.
– In addition, there is an internal Campus Advisory Committee which meets regularly as well as an external Campus Advisory Committee which consists of surrounding local community members.
– Also, ACC Facilities have been invited to speak about the construction projects at Rio Grande at the ACC Faculty Senate meeting and the Old Austin Neighborhood Association.
The second half of level six is scheduled for concrete pour this week. The columns that support the 7th level have already been formed and some have been poured as well. The 7th level has been approved by the City and permitted and the construction contract includes the 7th level. Please note that the new Parking Garage will actually only be 54.5′ tall as measured per City of Austin, which is considerably lower than allowed. Construction of the Parking Garage/Bookstore is expected to be complete in August 2009.
I hope this answers your questions.
Pamela Collier, R.A.
Project Manager
Austin Community College District