Mutterings

The Domain is an upscale high density shopping and living area which opened a little while ago in North Austin. It is unique in that it’s the first attempt to bring density to anywhere but downtown Austin. The idea behind density is of course to minimize car usage by mixing condos or apartments, office space and stores together. This is a noble goal and I absolutely want to move to such a location.

The problem is that the Domain is a flawed implementation.

• The main thoroughfare right down the middle of it is a road with angled parking on each side!? The road to get to the Domain goes through a half mile of parking lot. Seriously guys - ever heard of parking structures? Bike paths, walk ways and xeriscaping?
• There’s a Neiman Marcus, Macys and a number of expensive restaurants but not a single normal grocery store. I guess people who live in the Domain are too rich to eat?

In other words, it seems like the developers used the density to get huge tax breaks from the City and the upscale nature to maximize sale price without considering cost of living for the residents. While it’s nice to see density coming to other areas in Austin, I hope the next attempt is more successful in providing real living space for non-millionaires that holds true to the New Urbanism ethos.