Although my last Construction Update was less than three months ago, there’s plenty of news to report about the various projects around downtown Austin.

The first of four new towers on West Second Street has almost reached its 38-floor top-out height. Cranes were installed a few weeks ago to begin the infrastructure for the next building in this complex.

The new Central Library on Cesar Chavez continues to make progress. Construction was not impacted by the Shoal Creek flooding on Memorial Day, so a grand opening in November 2017 may still be achievable.

The lawn in front of the newly-renovated Seaholm Power Plant was supposed to be completed in February, but not much has happened there recently. I don’t know what is causing the delay.

The Seaholm Residences has topped out at 30 floors. Walls, windows, and balcony railings are being installed. I’ve read that condo closings will start in September, although that seems like an aggressive schedule.

The south end of the Waller Creek Tunnel project is nearing completion. The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail has been rerouted to circle around the area where this flood control tunnel empties into Lady Bird Lake.

A huge apartment building called The Millennium is under construction on Rainey Street.  This project will add another 326 apartments to that section of town. Over the past five years, Rainey Street has undergone dramatic changes: from private cottage homes to funky bars to big hotels and apartment complexes.

The Westin Hotel on East Fifth Street will be opening on July 16. This 19-story building has 366 guest rooms, a rooftop pool, and a southern-style restaurant called Stella San Jac on the ground floor.

Little progress has been made on the Hotel ZaZa site, the empty lot in the foreground of this photo. But the new office tower, 5th+Colorado, is moving right along. It’s going to be hard to remember the trendy names for all these new buildings.

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