June Luncheon: Capitalizing on the Capitol Complex - Understanding the Capitol Complex Master Plan and Future Project Opportunities

Aundre Dukes, Portfolio Manager and Public Liaison with the Texas Facilities Commission Planning & Asset Management Division, will present the Capitol Area Development Strategy at the SMPS Austin luncheon on June 14th. The Facilities Master Plan delineating the agency’s priorities and initiatives for its 28.4 million square foot inventory was adopted January 19th 2011. The plan focuses on two initiatives: 1) Developing a Combined Heat and Power Plant for the Capitol Complex, and 2) a Comprehensive Asset Management and Development Strategy to maximize utilization of assets and value for the State.

The State owns property within the Capitol Complex totaling 122 acres, the equivalent of 70 city blocks. The complex contains the Capitol Building and grounds, State office buildings, garages and surface lots. TFC identified approximately 21 acres of under-developed State-owned assets within the complex, mostly comprised of parking lots and garages, outside of the Capitol grounds. Preliminary studies indicate the development potential of these underdeveloped assets could yield an additional 7.1 million square feet of new facilities, double the amount of space currently used to office State employees, thereby relieving the State of annual expenses and reducing the State’s excessive reliance on commercial leases.

The Commission has identified approximately 1.3 million square feet of Austin area administrative state leases for consolidation into new State facilities. These facilities can be constructed on underdeveloped holdings. The targeted leases serve 5,500 employees at a cost of $16.7 million per year. The remaining 5.8 million square feet of under-developed properties could generate significant revenues from non-tax sources if developed for market driven mixed uses.

Mr. Dukes will discuss more about how and what the State hopes to accomplish with this Capitol Area Development Strategy.

THE DISCOUNTED PRICE ENDS AFTER WEDNESDAY, June 8th!!

WHEN: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

WHERE: University of Texas Club - President's Room
2108 E. Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, TX 78712

ATTIRE: Business Attire

EVENT REGISTRATION FEE:
Member: $35.00 for a limited time ($45.00 original price)
Non-Member: $45.00 for a limited time ($55.00 original price)

RSVP Monday, June 13, 2011

SMPS Networking Happy Hour at Red House Pizzeria and Bar

Join SMPS Austin for a spring happy hour on the expansive patio at Red House Pizzeria and Bar. This east Austin establishment has great happy hour specials and a relaxing atmosphere. Mingle with old and new friends, as many out-of-town SMPS members will be in Austin for the National Workshop: “Managing and Leading a Successful Business Development Team.” Hope to see you there!

Cost: No cost for admission.

Half-price Appetizers - $2 Lone Star - $3 House Punch - $4 House Wine. Cash Bar.

When: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Where: Red House Pizzeria and Bar
 1917 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722

Golf 101 for the Business Developer: featuring Alan Bell, Director of Design and Construction at Seton Network Facilities

Golf can be a GREAT business development tool! But what if you don’t know how to golf or are too intimidated to try it? SMPS has a solution. “Golf 101 for the Business Developer” is targeted for marketing and business developers who are beginner or intermediate level players. The workshop will introduce you to the sport, make you more comfortable on the course, and teach you how to successfully blend golf and business.

Even if you aren’t a beginner level golfer, you can gain something from this event! There are two “tracks” to this workshop.

*Track 1 includes the golf lesson and the business etiquette/networking session.
*Track 2 includes only the business etiquette/networking session with Alan Bell of Seton Network Facilities (suited for advanced golfers).

The golf lesson (3-5pm):  Taught by Grey Rock Golf Professionals, this two hour lesson will be split between the driving range and putting green and will cover mechanics, technique and golf etiquette. This lesson is limited to 25 people and will be taught by two Golf Pros.

The business etiquette and networking session (5-6:30pm):  Guest speaker Alan Bell will give us an owner’s perspective on how to successfully do business while golfing. He will discuss business etiquette, golf do’s and don’ts, and business norms on the course. This session is limited to 50 people and includes drinks, appetizers and networking.

No golf equipment is necessary. Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes, and wear sunscreen.

When: Thursday, May 05, 2011 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Where: Grey Rock Golf Club
7401 Highway 45, Austin, TX 78739

Event Registration Fees:

Golf and Networking:
Member: $50.00
Non-Member: $65.00

Business Etiquette and Networking ONLY
Member: $35.00
Non-Member: $45.00

RSVP Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Project Spotlight: Oasis, Texas

This destination mixed-use development of more than 30 shops and two restaurants shares the same property as the Oasis restaurant and sits on a cliff 450 feet above Lake Travis. The multiple-phase project includes 40,000 sf of office space, a 25,000 sf retail complex and a four-story parking garage. One of the goals of the project was to create a European village market. In order to achieve this, local artisans and craftspeople were chosen to respond to the climate and character of the site with local building materials and found objects.

The development includes two restaurants. Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que is built with rough and reclaimed wood and decorative pressed tin; the brewery and restaurant are distinctly Texas rustic and have a comfortable down-home feeling of traditional barbeque joints. Large garage doors open to the spectacular views of Lake Travis at sunset. The two-story restaurant has generous seating areas, three bars, a private dining room on the lower level with additional seating and an expansive outdoor bar and live music venue on the upper level. Both levels are designed to showcase the largest allowable in-house brewery that operates on both floors of the restaurant.

Soleil, the second restaurant, draws inspiration from the colors for which this location on Lake Austin is best-known – The deep rich blues of the clear lake and the fiery orange and red hues of the setting sun and then sets them against a back drop of weathered and worn muted wood. Generously sized balconies accommodate outdoor seating with excellent views of the sunset while the open perimeter doors invite cool breezes to flow into the core of the restaurant.

Architect
Dick Clark Architecture

Contractor
Harvey Cleary

MEP Engineer – Site Work and Infrastructure
Jose I. Guerra

Structural Engineer
Structures

If you are interested in submitting a recently completed project for inclusion in the SMPS Austin Newsletter, please contact Helga Diaz.