Milwood Neighborhood Assoc.

I had a provocative email from our friends at Walnut Crossing. Apparently there has been some discussion about changing Amherst between Eton and Adelphi into 2 lanes plus a center turn lane and with Bike Lanes on each side. In that scenario it would stay at four lanes north of Adelphi in the commercial area, and probably have four lanes for a short bit before the Duval intersection to allow for multiple turn lanes. Interesting concept, with pros and cons. We’ll keep you updated, maybe get a city person out in late April to talk about how serious of a proposal it is.

Saturday, Feb. 28th, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Spring is just around the corner, and we need LOTS of help pruning and cleaning up Summitt’s ! grounds! Please come and help next Saturday, Feb. 28th (even if it’s just for an hour!). Be sure to bring:
a pair of gloves,
sunscreen/hat,
a good pair of trimming/pruning shears,
a water bottle (or coffee mug!),
and a snack (sorry, we don’t have plans to serve breakfast this time around).
Also, we’ll gladly accept donations of drought-tolerant plants to add to the school’s landscape! To RSVP, ir if you have questions, email Ann Sullivan at asullivan88@att.net. (PS – Travis Pokorny and his fellow scouts will also be at Summitt on the 28th, working on the classroom gardens, so he may need some extra help from our group! Let me know if you’re interested).

I went to the Plaza Saltillo open house for Cap Metro last weekend. The train was very cool, it was more impressive to see in person than I was anticipating, so that was a good sign.

Most interesting was the fact that the published fares zones put the Kramer station in the same zone as downtown. The city has been planning to establish 2 “zones” and charge more for stations further away. I had expressed some concern about the zone leaving North Austin a bit in the cold. But I’m very pleased that we will have an option to use the train at a single zone rate.

Of trivia interest, the train will have 6 spaces within the train to suspend bikes for storage, and if those are full, you can stand with bikes by the entry way. Should be interesting to see if that is suficient to get people around. If I were betting I’d say there will be more than 6 people a run that ride a bike to the station.

I’d definitely recommend if you are interested to attend the Open House on North Lamar this weekend.

Crestview Station – Saturday, Feb. 21
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
6920 N. Lamar Blvd.

We’re looking to have several presenters come up to North Austin to brief you on neighborhood events. Try to get out to the ones that interest you- when we fill the room, we are more likely to get speakers when we want them in the future.

March 2, 7 pm, Milwood Library. Cap Metro will come out to talk about the new Kramer station, bus routes into our neighborhood, and the grand opening of the commuter rail line at the end of March. After Cap Metro, stay and discusss our March 7 It’s My Park day efforts.

April 2, 7pm, Covenant Methodist Church (on Duval). Union Pacific will send a speaker to discuss the siding project for the railroad tracks west of the neighborhood (read below if you don’t know about that).

April 30, 7 pm Milwood Library. General Spring Meeting. We will work to fulfill our traditional role of having candidates for the most interesting city races come out and give a presentation.

Some neighbors noticed that Mercedes Homes – the homebuilder in Enchanted Forest – filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions to reorganize. Mercedes said it intends to operate normally as it reorganizes. In a statement, the company said it “expects to move quickly through the reorganization process and to emerge from its reorganization proceedings better capitalized and financially stronger.” We called the local rep, he said “business as usual,” but its an item of interest to some so we post it here.

Capital Metro will host two more Open Houses at several stations along the new passenger rail line opening this March. These events will offer future customers the chance to see the train, learn how to use the ticket vending machines and receive service information.

The pending open houses are our likely destinations – the MLK station for UT/the Capitol, and the Downtown station. Come check it out!

Access St. Johns for limited parking at adjacent development
MLK, Jr. Station – Saturday, Feb. 21
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
1719 Alexander Ave.

Downtown Station – Friday, Feb. 27
2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
401 E. 4th Street