Quote:
Originally Posted by Runner
I doubt any high rise buildings will come to be on account of the HDRC strict standards. It's a shame to see Austin Bypassing us in this area.
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Runner, I don't think the HDRC is as big of a blockage as you're making it out to be. There is room for some general grievances with them, but it's really the economics of building vertical that don't shake out in SA right now.
It's probably been said a million times on the forum: Austin has a completely different economy; more higher wage jobs thanks to IT and more single people thanks to UT. Those two things work better for high rise living. When their downtown boom started 13 years ago I'd bet their land prices were cheaper than ours are now (anyone know for sure?) and that plays a big role too in creating critical mass.
Instead of complaining about our lack of cranes or Austin's oversupply, lets promote SA and encourage every local we meet to get the best education/job they can and to move downtown. High wages + high demand = high rises.