Initial plans for the transformation of the “Statesman PUD” site that could bring a new landmark development to the south shore of Lady Bird Lake are progressing and could be finalized in early 2022.

The 305 S. Congress Ave. planned unit development, or PUD, is home to the Austin American-Statesman building, a portion of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, and an unofficial viewing area for nightly bat flights from the Congress Avenue bridge. The redevelopment of the property appraised at more than $74 million has been in the works for years and plans now center on bringing more than 3.6 million square feet of residential, hotel, office, retail and restaurant space to the lakeshore.

A Dec. 14 decision by the Austin Planning Commission pushed its formal vote on the PUD update to late January when the body could approve the project outline and send it to City Council for consideration. Click to read more at www.communityimpact.com.