I too, am not happy with the 14-story decision. The county will regret that in the coming few decades when they are scrapped for additional space...again!
However, there is still a sliver of hope that a tall, mixed-use development could still be constructed on the other section of the site. We will see if that comes to fruition. I believe the county is saving that spot for future expansion and/or the development of a tower utilizing a PPP to develop it (when the time is "right").
It would be hard to gain public support in the development of a "larger than currently needed" building in this city/county. Austin/Travis county does not have a history of good planning for the future (in many different areas).
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AUSTIN (City): 974,447 +1.30% - '20-'22 | AUSTIN MSA (5 counties): 2,473,275 +8.32% - '20-'23
SAN ANTONIO (City): 1,472,909 +2.69% - '20-'22 | SAN ANTONIO MSA (8 counties): 2,703,999 +5.70% - '20-'23
AUS-SAT REGION (MSAs/13 counties): 5,177,274 +6.94% - '20-'23 | *SRC: US Census*
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