After years of discussion, the Austin City Council has finally given the green light to a $1 billion redevelopment of the Brodie Oaks Shopping Center. The transformation of the decades-old strip mall will see the creation of a vibrant space consisting of retail, housing, and a park. Council Member Leslie Pool praised the project, saying it sets the bar for future planned unit developments. The redevelopment will provide affordable housing, parkland, and integrate the goals of Water Forward and other environmental and community benefits. The best part? It won’t cost taxpayers a dime.
“In my opinion, [Brodie Oaks] sets the bar for future [planned unit developments] going forward. It provides affordable housing, parkland, [and] it integrates the goals of Water Forward and many other environmental and community benefits,” Council Member Leslie Pool said. “And the best thing about this PUD is that it did not ask for public tax dollars to make it happen.”
Developer Barshop & Oles announced plans for the space in December 2020, and the redevelopment could potentially include 1.26 million square feet of office space, 140,000 square feet of retail space, 1,700 residential units, 13.7 acres of outdoor green space, and a 200-room hotel. Milo Burdette, partner and vice president of development for Barshop & Oles, expressed excitement about the project, saying it was a long process, but they had an amazing design and entitlements team.
However, not everyone is on board with the redevelopment. Some are concerned about potential environmental impacts due to impervious cover and the height of the buildings, which are planned to reach up to 275 feet. Bill Bunch, the executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, urged developers to consider more midrise development if they care about the climate. But District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter defended the plan, saying it’s more environmentally friendly than the current state of the strip mall because the asphalt allows for more runoff into Barton Creek. After getting resident feedback on the project, Alter said neighbors supported the redevelopment.
“We are all very excited to have obtained approval of the Brodie Oaks PUD,” said Milo Burdette, partner and vice president of development for Barshop & Oles. “It was a long process, but we had an amazing design and entitlements team.”
