The city of Austin is one step closer to redeveloping land near the Austin American-Statesman building, an area where many Austinites watch the South Congress Avenue Bridge bats fly, following the approval of a planned unit development, or PUD.

The applicant, Richard Suttle, is proposing an 18.86-acre PUD located at 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin, on the corner of South Congress and Lady Bird Lake, near the Austin American-Statesman building. The PUD will add trails, lawn space, a pier and a boardwalk area close to the shoreline of Lady Bird Lake.

Staff from the Austin Watershed Protection Department did not recommend the approval of the original PUD, citing multiple environmental concerns. The Austin Environmental Commission approved an amended version of the PUD that meets multiple environmental requirements and addresses those concerns. The PUD now moves to the Austin Planning Commission.

A PUD is a type of zoning that alters code requirements in exchange for other construction opportunities. PUDs are required to preserve the natural environment, provide high-quality development and innovative design, and ensure adequate public facilities and services, Environmental Program Manager Atha Phillips said.

A debate sparked between Phillips and Suttle led to the amended version of the PUD. Phillips said the original proposed lawn areas of the PUD would add and remove certain vegetation, causing additional erosion. Click to read more at www.communityimpact.com.

Valor Club USA has announced the opening of a San Antonio office. President and CEO, Michael S. McDowell, Ed.D, will oversee the development of the Valor Club, a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind, 200-acre, mixed-use community committed to building and sustaining a support structure for veterans and their families transitioning from military services into civilian life.

“For the past two years, Valor Club has worked hard to build productive and lasting relationships with the San Antonio leadership serving our transitioning service members, veterans, and their loved ones,” McDowell said. “San Antonio is a welcoming community with unmatched potential, incorporating a beautiful culture and proud spirit. As a resident, my first priority is to serve the community by delivering a comprehensive living and learning development and building an interoperable culture with a strong value proposition that is lasting and scalable.”

Live, Play & Thrive is the cornerstone of the Valor Club philosophy, which reflects the belief that by providing transitioning veterans and their families a safe, affordable, and dignified place to live, our heroes will thrive in their civilian lives. Veterans will be given the tools and resources they need to succeed including mental health services, employment centers, educational opportunities, and corporate partnership programs to allow veterans to work in specific industries.

“Mike’s presence in San Antonio will enhance our ability to effectively develop the Valor Club and provide desperately needed services for transitioning veterans,” said Irwin Jay Deutch, Managing Partner of Valor Club Partners. “The veteran community will benefit from social and recreation programs, in addition to having access to job opportunities that Mike will help identify by working with local and regional corporations.

The development will blend world-class recreational facilities, residential units for veterans, a hotel, commercial, retail, veteran support services, and unique entertainment district anchored by an indoor/outdoor performance and training center. With a mix of residential, retail, veterans’ services, and recreation, the neighborhoods will be phased over time as the community grows.